Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) is the first film in the Wizarding World expansion beyond Harry Potter. Written by J.K. Rowling and directed by David Yates, the movie takes us to 1920s America, mixing magical adventure with darker political and emotional themes.
Detailed Summary
Arrival in Magical New York
The story begins in 1926, when Newt Scamander, a British magizoologist, arrives in New York City carrying a mysterious suitcase filled with magical creatures. At the same time, the city is on edge due to attacks caused by an unseen destructive force, blamed on dark magic.
We are also introduced to No-Maj (American Muggle) Jacob Kowalski, who accidentally swaps suitcases with Newt, triggering chaos when several magical creatures escape into the city.
MACUSA, Obscurials, and Rising Tension
Newt teams up with Tina Goldstein, a former Auror, her sister Queenie, and Jacob to recapture the escaped beasts before the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA) discovers the breach of secrecy.
Meanwhile, a mysterious figure named Credence Barebone is abused by his adoptive mother, a leader of the anti-witch Second Salem Church. Credence harbors a dangerous magical parasite known as an Obscurial, created when a magical child represses their powers. This dark magic is responsible for the destruction terrorizing New York.
Grindelwald in Disguise
Running parallel to the creature-catching adventure is a political subplot involving Gellert Grindelwald, one of the most dangerous dark wizards in history. Disguised as Percival Graves, a high-ranking Auror, Grindelwald is secretly searching for the Obscurial to exploit its power.
The story steadily shifts from whimsical magical escapades to darker territory, highlighting themes of oppression, fear, and the consequences of suppressing identity.
Movie Ending
In the climax, it is revealed that Credence is the Obscurial, not his adopted sister as previously believed. His years of emotional abuse and magical repression cause the Obscurus to grow uncontrollably, devastating parts of New York City.
Newt attempts to save Credence using a potion designed to calm Obscurials, emphasizing that Credence is a victim, not a monster. Despite Newt’s efforts, Credence appears to be destroyed by MACUSA Aurors who see him as an uncontrollable threat.
The truth about Grindelwald is exposed when Newt reveals his real identity. Grindelwald is captured after a magical duel and publicly unmasked, shocking the wizarding community.
To protect the Statute of Secrecy, Newt releases his Thunderbird, Frank, into the sky, causing magical rain that erases the memories of all No-Majs who witnessed the destruction. This leads to a bittersweet farewell between Jacob and Queenie, as Jacob forgets their relationship entirely.
The film ends on a quietly emotional note: Jacob opens a bakery inspired by magical creatures he no longer remembers, while Queenie watches him from afar, heartbroken but hopeful. A final hint suggests Credence may have survived, setting up future films.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
There are no post-credits or mid-credits scenes in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. However, the final moments of the movie clearly act as a narrative bridge to the sequels, especially regarding Grindelwald and Credence.
Type of Movie
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a fantasy adventure film with strong elements of mystery and political drama, blending magical whimsy with darker themes more aimed at an older audience than the original Harry Potter series.
Cast
- Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander
- Katherine Waterston as Tina Goldstein
- Alison Sudol as Queenie Goldstein
- Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski
- Colin Farrell as Percival Graves
- Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by James Newton Howard, who created a whimsical yet emotionally rich soundtrack. The music balances playful magical motifs with darker, more ominous tones representing the Obscurial and Grindelwald.
Filming Locations
The movie was primarily filmed at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden (UK), with extensive set recreations of 1920s New York City. Some exterior shots were filmed in Liverpool, chosen for its historic architecture that convincingly doubled as period-era Manhattan. These locations were crucial in grounding the magical story in a believable historical setting.
Awards and Nominations
- Won Academy Award for Best Costume Design (2017)
- Nominated for BAFTA Awards (Production Design, Costume Design)
- Nominated for Visual Effects Society Awards
Behind the Scenes Insights
- J.K. Rowling wrote the screenplay herself, marking her screenwriting debut
- Eddie Redmayne studied animal behavior and zoologists to shape Newt’s physicality
- Over 80 magical creatures were designed exclusively for this film
- David Yates aimed to make the Wizarding World feel more politically complex than Harry Potter
Inspirations and References
The film is inspired by the fictional Hogwarts textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2001). The Obscurial concept draws metaphorical inspiration from real-world child abuse and emotional repression, giving the story unexpected psychological depth.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Several deleted scenes expanded Credence’s relationship with his adoptive sister and explored MACUSA politics in more depth. No fully alternate ending was filmed, but early drafts reportedly gave Credence a clearer survival reveal.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Unlike Harry Potter, this film is not a direct adaptation of a novel. The original book is a mock textbook, while the movie creates an entirely new narrative, characters, and conflicts, using the book as a conceptual foundation rather than a plot source.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Newt and Jacob entering the magically expanded suitcase
- The Obscurial’s rampage through New York
- Grindelwald’s public unmasking
- The magical rain memory wipe
Iconic Quotes
- “Worrying means you suffer twice.” – Newt Scamander
- “There are stories about what happens to witches who marry No-Majs.” – Queenie Goldstein
- “You’re too good, Newt.” – Tina Goldstein
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Newt’s suitcase contains creatures later seen in Harry Potter lore
- MACUSA’s architecture mirrors authoritarian government imagery
- Grindelwald’s symbol subtly appears before his reveal
- The number of escaped beasts mirrors the number of original Harry Potter books
Trivia
- This is the first Wizarding World film set primarily outside Europe
- Jacob is the first No-Maj main character in the franchise
- Newt Scamander is canonically alive during the Harry Potter timeline
- The film subtly foreshadows events leading to Dumbledore vs. Grindelwald
Why Watch?
If you enjoy rich world-building, emotionally layered fantasy, and a darker take on magic, this film is a must-watch. It expands the Wizarding World in a more mature and politically charged direction while retaining its sense of wonder.
Director’s Other Movies
- 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)
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
