The Fantastic Beasts franchise is a series of films based on the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling. The franchise is a prequel to the Harry Potter series and follows the adventures of Newt Scamander, a magizoologist who travels around the world to study and protect magical creatures.
The first film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, was released in 2016 and was directed by David Yates, who also directed the final four Harry Potter films. The film takes place in 1920s New York City and introduces us to Newt Scamander, played by Eddie Redmayne, as he arrives in the city with a suitcase full of magical creatures. Along the way, he meets a cast of characters, including Tina Goldstein, a witch who works for the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA), and Jacob Kowalski, a No-Maj (the American term for Muggle).
The film was a commercial and critical success, grossing over $814 million worldwide and receiving positive reviews for its special effects, performances, and world-building. It also introduced us to a new era of the wizarding world, one that was darker and more complex than the world of Harry Potter.
The second film in the franchise, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, was released in 2018 and takes place in Paris in the year 1927. The film follows Newt as he joins forces with a young Albus Dumbledore, played by Jude Law, to stop the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, played by Johnny Depp, from wreaking havoc on the wizarding world.
While the film was a financial success, grossing over $650 million worldwide, it received mixed reviews from critics and fans. Many criticized the film for its convoluted plot and the controversial casting of Depp, who had been accused of domestic violence. The film also introduced some major revelations about the wizarding world, including the fact that Dumbledore had a romantic relationship with Grindelwald in his youth.
The third film in the franchise, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, is set to be released in April 2022 and will continue the story of Newt and Dumbledore as they try to stop Grindelwald's reign of terror. The film will also introduce some new characters, including Mads Mikkelsen as the new Grindelwald, replacing Depp.
Overall, the Fantastic Beasts franchise has been a mixed bag for fans of the wizarding world. While the first film was a success, the second film was divisive, and the franchise has been marred by controversy surrounding Depp's casting. However, the franchise still has potential, and the upcoming third film has the opportunity to right some of the wrongs of the previous film and continue to expand the wizarding world
