20 times the Harry Potter books were better than the movies

The debate on whether the books are better than the movies has been a long battle. With some arguing the visual appeal of the movies to better than the book and others saying the comprehensive experience that the books provide is way better than the movies, the debate goes on. However, there are certain cases where the books have proved to be better than the movies and we are going to talk about 20 such cases. Please note that this entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

1) Depth in characters

The movies have missed out on several character-building parts which have been depicted in the movies according to the fans. The lack of depth and simplification of the characters in the movies has been a complaint of several fans. For instance, Ron Weasley who is shown as a comedic relief in the movies has a lot of depth in the books.

2) The house elf subplot

The subplot of house elves has not been properly explored in the movies however holds significance in the movies. Especially, Winky’s story where the vision of how the elves view servitude as a high honor. With Winky’s punishment of freedom, she falls into depression after suffering to adjust to the outside world which is very different from Bobby’s freedom.

3) Tom Riddle’s History

The movies have hardly explored the backstory of Tom Riddle which is crucial in understanding his character but has been properly explained in the books. Tom’s descent into darkness which is a significant point in the series has been completely watered down in the movies according to the viewers.

4)The Marauders’ Backstory

The glossing over the Marauder’s backstory in the movie has been criticized by the viewers for its lack of depth and clarity. In the books, the Marauders have been properly explained with the depiction of the friendship between Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, and Harry’s father James Potter. This lack of clarity makes the movie watchers clueless about the backstory.

5) Harry’s internal struggles

The movies have not delved deeper into Harry’s internal struggles which have been properly explained in the books. Harry’s behavior has often been portrayed as teenage moodiness which is not true when we read the books and has been pointed out by the readers. Harry’s struggle with the losses and blaming himself has been portrayed in the books in a proper manner.

6) The Elder Wand

In the movie, after Harry defeats Voldemort he snaps the Elder Wand in half in a dramatic manner. However, in the books, Harry returns the Elder Wand to Dumbledore’s tomb as a form of respect and symbolically closes the chapter which is a better representation unlike the movies according to the fans.

7) The Quidditch World Cup

In the movie Goblet of Fire, we see Harry attend the Quidditch World Cup with Ron and Hermione where they cheer for their team. The scene is fun to watch however, fans have pointed out that in the book the scene of the World Cup is more elaborate and has a professional depiction of the game which would have been better if the movies represented it in the same way as the books.

8) Peeves the Poltergeist subplot

The movies cut Peeves the Poltergeist out which has been a complaint of the fans. Peeves is a Poltergeist at the Hogwarts school who is known for wreaking havoc with his antics and mischiefs. It would have been fun to watch Peeves in the movies for his chaotic energy. Though Peeves was missed Nearly-Headless Nick's presence was a silver lining.

9) Rita Skeeter’s secret

The subplot of Rita Skeeter being an unregistered Animagus was omitted in the movie. Rita Skeeter could transform into a beetle and secretly eavesdrop on conversations which was helpful for her articles. Hermione’s discovery of Rita and trapping her into a jar as in the books brings out a twist that the movies lacked according to the viewers.

10) Neville’s journey

Though we see Nebille Longbottom in a heroic light in the later movies, the books have a deeper introspection of this. The books provide a gradual and detailed portrayal as Neville becomes more and more brave. There are inner monologues in the book which is lacking in the movies making the movies more condensed and less resonating.

11) Casting of Dumbledore

Though Michael Gambon is a great actor his casting as Dumbledore was not fully portrayed in a way that the books represented according to the viewers. Michael Gambon used his energetic acting style however, many viewers have pointed out that in the books Dumbledore’s character has a formidable imposition which they were not able to fully see in the movies along with the inaccuracy of the Goblet Of Fire movie whereas in the book Dumbledore calmly asks Harry which was completely different in the movie.

12)The Maze Of The Triwizard Tournament

The movie did not show the several things that the maze had in the Triwizard Tournament. In the movie where only vines are shown and Harry and Cedric quickly reach the portkey to Voldemort, in the book the maze is intense and filled with monsters such as a boggart, a blast-ended skrewt, and a sphinx.

13) Harry and Ginny’s romance

The movie had the opportunity to enhance Harry and Ginny’s romance however, the scenes seemed to be watered down, especially Ginny’s character. The books have a gradual and nuanced building of their relationship which seemed rushed and less impactful in the movies according to the fans. Fans have also mentioned the lack of complexity and depth of their relationship in the movies.

14) Snape as the Half-Blood Price

The movie lacked several details of Severus Snape's backstory which was crucial to understanding his true intentions according to the viewers. The Half Blood price subplot which has deeply explores Snape’s past life along with his childhood along with his love for Harry’s mother Lily Potter.

15) Dumbledore’s death

It was surprising to see the change that was done in the movie for such a crucial scene. In the movie, it is shown that Harry watches as Malfoy threatens Dumbledore and Snape kills him which is unlike Harry’s nature. However, in the books, it is given that Dumbledore uses a spell to momentarily immobilize Harry because he knows how Harry is. This detail is crucial when considering Harry’s character.

16) Voldemort and Bellatrix’s death

The movies have depicted the death of Voldemort and Bellatrix in an elaborate manner which weakens the gravitas of their death according to the viewers. In the book Voldemort and Bellatrix die in a regular manner taking away their power and it gives it a more satisfying ending.

17) Professor McGonagall

When compared to the books where Professor McGonagall’s character has been deeply delved into, unlike the movies. In the movies, her screen time is much less and there have been several instances where her role has been shortened according to the viewers. One such instance is Professor McGonagall’s confrontation with Dolores Umbridge.

18) Memorable lines

It is understandable that with the limited time that movies have it is difficult to delve into all the details that the novels have to offer, however, several memorable lines that are crucial in the books are missing in the movies. For instance Harry and Professor Snape’s conversation about practicing non-verbal spells where he accidentally says the line," There’s no need to call me ‘sir’, Professor.” would have been a great addition to the movie.

19) Nearly-Headless Nick’s Deathday Party

Nearly-Headless Nick has been a prominent character in the movie and the books. In the books, Harry, Ron, and Hermione visit Nick’s 500th Deathday Party which would have been a good addition to the movies according to the fans as they missed out on, making the books better. At this party, they meet with several other ghosts along with the Gray Lady, the Bloody Baron, and Moaning Myrtle.

20) The Wizarding Hospital, St. Mungo's

St. Mungo’s is a wizarding hospital that has been treating wizards for over 300 years. Mr Weasley’s injury which caused Harry, Ron, and Hermione to visit the hospital from where they get to learn about Longbottom’s parents’ story is a crucial point that is missed in the movies according to the fans. The movie shortens this scene by showing Mr. Weasley after he returns from the hospital.