The Star Wars and Harry Potter franchises are two of the biggest, best, and most successful franchises in all pop culture, with two of the most passionate and rampant fandoms to match. The iconography between these franchises is immense, the money they have made between them is mouth-watering, and overall they both have so much to love in their combined filmography.
Star Wars has twelve theatrically released film, with mixed acclaim from critics and fans, while Potter has ten thus far, with admittedly less division. A gauge for said acclaim is by looking at Rotten Tomatoes, so here are the ten best movies of the Harry Potter and Star Wars franchises, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS (2002) - 83%
The second entry in the series based on J.K. Rowling's phenomenal books, Chamber Of Secrets, follows Harry in his second year of Hogwarts, which he goes through despite protests from an elf named Dobby. It sees mysterious petrifications of students occur, and threats come the way of students who come from non-magical lineage, all related to the Chamber of Secrets.
The movie sits at 83% on the Tomatometer from 236 critic reviews. The film gets credit for building brilliantly on what is given in the first movie, with a slightly darker tone, even if it was generally more of an entertaining ride for children than adults.
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (2009) - 83%
Half-Blood Prince follows our trio of heroes on what - unbeknownst to them - is there last year at Hogwarts. It sees Dumbledore use Harry to get closer to the secret of defeating Voldemort, leading Harry to learn more of the Dark Lord's past while he becomes a superstar at potions due to the mysterious half-blood prince.
From 276 critic reviews, Half-Blood Prince sits at 83% on the Tomatometer. The movie earns acclaim for its stunning visuals alongside its emotional moments. On top of that, it has some good humor with a load of great performances.
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (2016) - 84%
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was the inaugural Star Wars story, and was a hit. It follows the team of rebels who went on a mission and retrieved the Death Star plans the same used in the Battle of Yavin to destroy the planet killer.
It sits at 84% on the Tomatometer with 437 reviews. The third act gets credit as being one of the franchises best, packed with action and stunning visuals, as well as one of the most badass Darth Vader moments of all time, all making up for the lack of character development and investment.
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE (2005) - 88%
The Goblet Of Fire sees Harry take part in the famous Tri-Wizard Tournament, a life-threatening event. While Harry juggles this tournament and school life, Voldemort edges closer and closer to gaining a physical form again.
Sitting at 88% on the Tomatometer, the movie has 254 critic reviews. The complexity of the narrative, as well as the stunning effects and solid performances, are what earn the film its impressive 88% Tomatometer score.
HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (2004) - 90%
Prisoner Of Azkaban sees Harry Potter move away from Voldemort as Harry enters his third year at Hogwarts. With notorious serial killer Sirius Black on the loose and seemingly after Harry, it leads him on a path of learning more about his past and dealing with the soul-sucking dementors surrounding Hogwarts.
It sits at 90% on the Tomatometer from 258 reviews. The direction from Alfonso Cuarón earns this movie it's acclaim through his taking of the Potter franchise into its darker, more serious, adult tone, with a beautiful look and story that adds so much to the franchise.
STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII: THE LAST JEDI (2017) - 91%
The Last Jedi is the second film in the sequel trilogy and follows Rey as she seeks guidance and training from Luke, who is in hiding after severing his Force connection. Meanwhile, the Resistance desperately attempts to escape the grasp of the First Order, and Kylo continues his internal battles.
It sits at 91% on the Tomatometer from 462 reviews. The Last Jedi is the single most divisive Star Wars movie within the fandom. Still, a challenging narrative, arguably the most exceptional ensemble of performances in the franchise, and insane visuals made it a critical hit.
STAR WARS: EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE (1977) - 93%
George Lucas brought his world-changing vision to life in the form of Star Wars (A New Hope) in 1977. It is a simple story following a group of heroes on a mission to destroy the tyranny of the evil Empire.
Its Tomatometer score is 93% from 124 reviews. The film changed cinema and the world of blockbuster filmmaking with its beautifully simplistic narrative, immense visual effects, and for just being one of those rare perfect movies.
STAR WARS: EPISODE VII: THE FORCE AWAKENS (2015) - 93%
The Force Awakens kicked off the Disney era of Star Wars, bringing the franchise back to theaters. It follows the rise of a new threat to the galaxy, the First Order, with new heroes in place to oppose and attempt to destroy them.
The movie has 93% on the Tomatometer with 430 reviews. It earns adoration for bringing Star Wars back to the big screen in a big way, with a familiar but phenomenal story, a terrific ensemble, popping effects, and new, exciting characters.
STAR WARS: EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) - 94%
The Empire Strikes Back was the sequel to the worldwide hit Star Wars and saw Luke Skywalker seek Jedi training from a new Master Yoda. At the same time, our other heroes attempt to escape the Empire and Darth Vader, who is hunting them and one-upping the rebellion throughout.
The movie sits at 94% on the Tomatometer, with 102 reviews. Empire consistently is cited as the most excellent film in the franchise, with so many iconic moments and characters, good performances and settings, brilliant action, and one of the most significant movie twists in history.
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2 (2011) - 96%
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is the second part of the long-anticipated finale of the Potter series and brings it to a jam-packed climax. With Harry, Ron, and Hermione close to finding the final Horcruxes, they are led back to Hogwarts, where they, and familiar friends, have one last epic fight with Voldemort and his army.
The finale sits at 96% from 329 reviews. The movie is wildly fast-paced with immense action. Its visuals are gorgeous, its emotion is satisfying, the action is intense, and the combinations of characters and performances are excellent.