Harry Potter: A Guide to the Series and How to Read and Watch It in Order
Author J. K. Rowling created the seven-part fantasy story about Harry Potter, which conquered not only bookshelves but also movie theaters. This guide will quickly and easily show you your reading and viewing path. It also introduces a map of Hogwarts castle and the upcoming new series. Your first book to introduce you to the wizarding world is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The same applies to the films, where the individual titles match the books.
Book Timeline
First, read the core seven-part saga Harry Potter in chronological order – from the oldest published book to the newest.
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1997)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)
Other books connected to the Harry Potter world are supplementary and serve as an ideal source for new and more detailed information, whether about obscure characters or interesting historical events.
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (2016): This playscript is a direct continuation of the story. It takes place eight years after the events of the seventh book. The author wrote it together with J. Thorne and J. Tiffany.
- The Tales of Beedle the Bard (2008): A collection of wizarding fairy tales based on stories mentioned in the final book of the series.
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2001): A shorter book originally published for charity. It later inspired creators to develop a brand-new film series.
- Quidditch Through the Ages (2001): Another short supplementary book created as part of the same charity project.
Harry Potter Film Timeline and New Series
For newcomers, we recommend the main film series in pure chronological order. This order guarantees the best possible viewing experience. The films were produced by the American production company Warner Bros.
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
If you finish the main series and find yourself missing Hogwarts, you can dive into the Fantastic Beasts prequel film trilogy. These films take place decades before Harry Potter's birth. They are only loosely connected to the main story and are not an essential part of the core narrative.
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
- Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)
Following the lackluster performance of the third film, production of further Fantastic Beasts installments has been postponed indefinitely. Instead, a brand-new Harry Potter series is currently in development.
Harry Potter Series
Each season of the series will adapt one book. HBO has confirmed the premiere for December 25, 2026.
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Non-fiction journalism 28. 7. 2026 Jiří Reiter 7 minSummary: Where to Start?
Your reading journey clearly begins with the introductory book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Then, continue with the other six books in the order they were published. You don't need additional stories like The Cursed Child or Fantastic Beasts to fully experience and understand the main plot.
Your viewing journey starts with the first film of the same name from 2001. Then, simply continue by watching the entire original eight-part series. You don't strictly need the Fantastic Beasts films to follow the main Harry Potter story; they are more of a supplementary prequel for die-hard fans.
Hogwarts and the Marauder's Map
The Marauder's Map acts as a magical map of Hogwarts. It shows every room, corridor, and secret passage in detail. In the story, Harry receives this specific map from the Weasley twins.
How the Marauder's Map Works
Activation phrase: "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good…" Deactivation spell: "Mischief managed." Purpose: The map shows the current location and movement of every person at Hogwarts castle and its surroundings. Creators (The Marauders): Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black, and James Potter
As you progress through the story, you will visit the most important locations in the wizarding world. This naturally includes Hogwarts castle itself with its Great Hall. You will also find the nearby village of Hogsmeade, full of shops and inns.
In London, you'll find Diagon Alley, hidden from Muggles and full of magical shops, and we mustn't forget the famous Gringotts Bank. From Diagon Alley, the path leads straight to London's Platform 9 3/4. The Hogwarts Express departs regularly from King's Cross Station to the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
At imago, you'll find the perfect film replica of the Marauder's Map as well as beautiful gift items for those who love the Marauder's Map.
FAQ
Do I have to read all 7 books, or are the movies enough? The movies provide an excellent, solid foundation for the entire original story. Reading the books will enrich you with plenty of additional details. However, both work independently, and it is not necessary to read the books and watch the movies at the same time.
When will the new Harry Potter series be released on HBO? The first season of the series will premiere on December 25, 2026.
Is Fantastic Beasts related to the main Harry Potter story? The Fantastic Beasts film series describes events decades before Harry's birth. It shares some familiar characters and the Hogwarts setting with Harry Potter, but this series is not essential for following the central story.