If you’ve been following our blog for a while, you’ll know that we’re huge fans of The Twilight Saga and The Harry Potter franchise. We were lucky enough to see both The Twilight Saga and The Harry Potter in theaters last year, and had the opportunity to interview some of the actors following those films! One of our favorite things to do is to find the best ways to combine the two worlds–which inspired our latest blog post. We’re super-proud to present to you our new favorite way to enjoy the Harry Potter franchise!

Watch The Harry Potter Movies In Order.

One of the biggest differences between the Twilight Saga and the Harry Potter series is that the Harry Potter films are not only based on J.K. Rowling’s book–they are also meant to be watched in order. We’re a big fan of the Harry Potter films, and we think that they are better enjoyed in order. When we say “order,” we mean that you should first watch the first film, then the rest. Keeping that order will help you better understand the entire story arc, and will give you the opportunity to compare and contrast both worlds. Let’s take a look at the order of the Harry Potter films:

  • Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
  • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  • Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

We don’t need to tell you that you need to see these films in order. They are, in fact, required to be seen in order. The only one that doesn’t follow this rule is the first film, since it was published as a stand-alone novel before the other six films were made. Nevertheless, we highly recommend that you see the rest of the films in order. It will make so much more sense when you compare them to each other, and will give you a richer experience. You’ll also be able to identify with the characters more easily this way and relate to what’s happening.

Watch the Harry Potter Films With Friends.

We all love an adventure, but sometimes having company over to watch a movie is more fun. One of the best things about the Harry Potter films is that they are meant to be shared with friends and family. Even the most loyal Harry Potter fan would admit that there is something magical about sharing an experience with someone you love. Let’s take a look at the order of the Harry Potter films again, and this time with friends:

  • Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
  • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  • Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Even though they are all meant to be enjoyed alone, the Harry Potter films are better shared with friends. It will add a whole new dimension to the experience and make it more fun. Plus, you can boast to your friends that you saw all of Harry Potter in theaters, and that they were all excellent films!

Add Some Atmosphere With Classics.

If you’ve never seen the Harry Potter films, they are commonly referred to as the “classic” Harry Potter films. These are the films that were originally made for British audiences, and they represent what the films are all about. They are based on the novels and feature some of the most memorable scenes and lines. To us, they are the epitome of what all the other films aspire to be. They are the best of their kind, and they will add atmosphere to your next movie night with friends and family. Here is the order of the classics:

  • Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
  • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  • Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Adding atmosphere is a major part of the fun of going to the movies. It really adds an extra dimension to the experience. The atmosphere in the Harry Potter films is unique and very specific, and it feels like a mix between watching a play and going to the movies. If you want to add some atmosphere to your next movie night, try renting one of these classic films! They will make it feel like you’re watching a play, but at the same time you’ll be able to follow the action, and find your seat easily.

Watch the Newer Films With a Sitter.

The other end of the spectrum is represented by the newer films. These are often action-packed thrill rides that don’t always hold up very well when viewed as part of a trilogy or a series. The newer films are often a little more violent and have a lot more sex scenes than the classics. If you’re the type of person that gets easily bored or restless at the movies, the newer films are probably not going to be for you. Here is the order of the newer films:

  • Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
  • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  • Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

You can still enjoy all of the films in this list, and many viewers have. Despite its flaws, the new Harry Potter film is still very popular among fans, and continues to generate revenue for the franchise. It continues the story where the last film left off, and is a fitting conclusion to the tale. The newest film is a great place to start if you haven’t seen any of the others, but it’s not necessarily the best one to end your viewing experience on. Just because the newest film exists does not mean that the previous ones did not as well. If you want to continue the story, you should probably start with the first film on this list. Even though it’s almost ten years old, it feels like just yesterday that we were all sitting in the cinema, enthralled by the events on the big screen. If you loved it then, chances are you’ll still love it now, and vice versa.