Harry Potter has always held a special place in my heart. From the scenery and the soundtrack to the entire universe and most importantly, the characters this world has so much to love. Each character has their own unique charm, whether it’s their bravery, their all-conquering love, or just their quirkiness. Harry Potter introduced some of the most memorable characters storytelling has ever seen, giving them depth even within the constraints of eight movies. Now, I’ve embarked on a rather tough journey: rating the characters according to my perspective. As I always say when ranking, we can agree to disagree but above all, if you are here that means that we share a love for this masterpiece and that is all that matters.

Disclaimer: ranking characters from the Harry Potter MOVIES!

Ginny is last for me because honestly, the movies just didn’t do her justice. She had potential to be a strong, independent character, but on-screen she felt flat and almost forgettable. It always frustrated me because book-Ginny has so much personality, but movie Ginny? Not so much.

Obviously, Voldemort is iconic as a villain, but let’s be real — he’s not exactly someone you “root” for. He does a terrifying job of being the dark force in the story, but at times he feels a little one-dimensional. Still, I really appreciate how the movies explored him as Tom Riddle, giving us glimpses into his past and showing just how flawed and broken he was long before becoming the Dark Lord. That added layer of humanity makes him more interesting, even though he is not a character I love, but much rather one I appreciate a lot.

Neville has one of the best glow-ups in the series, no question. Watching him go from the clumsy, shy kid to the brave leader in the Battle of Hogwarts is so satisfying. I respect him so much, but personally he’s not a character I get super excited to rewatch scenes of, he is rather an inspiring character.

I adore Dobby, but he sits here because he’s more of a side character than someone I connect to on a deep level. That said, every moment with him is memorable, from his funny quirks to his heartbreaking sacrifice. His death still hits like a truck every single time.

When Ron was younger, he was such a nice, funny, and genuinely lovable character. He was always there for his friends, and his humor was essential to the trio’s chemistry. But as the movies went on, he started coming across as jealous, needy, and childish at times. He gave me the vibe of someone you wouldn’t really turn to with your problems because he might make it about himself instead.

One moment that always sticks with me is in Deathly Hallows Part 2, when Harry is about to sacrifice himself, Ron doesn’t even say goodbye. That gives me chills, and not in a good way. Overall, I really liked him in the earlier movies, but later he annoyed me. Still, I couldn’t put him any lower on my list because he’s an essential part of the Harry Potter masterpiece, even with all his flaws.

Luna holds a really special place in my heart, even though the movies don’t give her nearly as much screen time as she deserves. I love how she literally doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her, she’s unapologetically herself in every situation, and that makes her so refreshing to watch. She has this pure, almost magical energy that makes every scene with her feel different from the rest of the series. Honestly, if we got more Luna in the movies, she’d probably rank much higher on my list.

Minerva McGonagall has always had a soft spot in my heart. She’s like that strict but loving grandmother figure, tough on the outside but someone you can always count on. What really stood out to me was how much she stepped up in the final movies. Even when others hesitated, she was the first of the original Hogwarts teachers to openly support Harry, even standing up to Snape in front of the entire school.

After losing Dumbledore, it felt like there might never be another strong figure for Harry to lean on, but McGonagall filled that role with so much grace and strength. She truly became a rock when it mattered most.

Dumbledore is a character I truly adored growing up, he always felt like the wise, comforting presence who could take on anything. But rewatching as an adult, I’ve started to notice more of his flaws. He can come across as manipulative at times, using people as pieces in a bigger plan “for the greater good.” It raises the question of whether the ends really justify the means.

Still, even with those moral gray areas, I can’t help but love him as a character. He was always that beacon of light in the darkness, the figure who radiated wisdom and bravery, and someone you felt could stand up to anyone.

Draco is fascinating because he’s not purely evil, he’s very much a product of his upbringing and environment. He talks big and puts on this arrogant front, but you can clearly see the cracks in his armor, especially in Half-Blood Prince. I don’t exactly love him, but I do find him to be one of the most human “villains” in the story. One thing that always stood out to me is how they cut the scene where Draco runs back to his Hogwarts mates during the Battle of Hogwarts, that moment really showed who he truly identified with. His character had so much depth, even if the movies didn’t explore it as much as I would’ve liked. But to be fair, with only eight films, they couldn’t give everyone all the layers.

What I really appreciate about Draco’s story is how it highlights the impact of upbringing and the people around us, but also shows that, in the end, we still have a choice in who we want to become, if we want it badly enough.

Hagrid often feels like the heart of the movies. From the very beginning, he’s the one who welcomes Harry into the wizarding world, and that bond never fades. What I admire most about him is how, despite being judged and underestimated his whole life, he never loses his kindness or his sense of wonder.

There’s such a soft, comforting quality in the way he loves magical creatures and cares so deeply for the people close to him. I do wish he’d been more included in the final movie, but the moment when he carries Harry’s body is one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the entire series and a reminder of how central Hagrid really is.

Harry, as the main character, is obviously the one we follow the closest, but what makes him so special to me is that he’s never just “the Chosen One.” He feels human – flawed, emotional, sometimes even unsure of himself and that’s what makes his bravery stand out even more. Watching him carry such a heavy burden while still staying kind and brave makes him one of the strongest characters in the entire series.

I always loved that even though the world placed impossible expectations on him, he never lost his loyalty to his friends or his compassion for others. To me, Harry is proof that true strength isn’t about power, but about love, resilience, and choosing to do what’s right even when it’s hard.

Remus Lupin is one of the most underrated characters in the series. He’s calm, thoughtful, and wise, but also quietly haunted by his life as a werewolf. I love how much he gives to Harry and his friends, acting as a mentor and a father figure without ever forcing it.

I also have this feeling that he’s always there for the kids, even when we don’t see him, you just know that if anything goes wrong, he’ll be the first to come running. His loyalty to Harry’s dad, even after all those years, really shows what kind of person he is. Lupin demonstrates that courage isn’t always loud or flashy, sometimes it’s quiet and consistent.

Severus Snape is, for me, the most tragic figure in the entire story. He dies believing that everyone hates him and thinks of him as a traitor, when in reality he dedicated his entire life to protecting Harry. And he did it quietly, not for recognition, not for applause, but because he genuinely felt it in his heart. He never tried to prove anything; he just looked out for Harry, always, expecting nothing in return.

On top of that, Snape has this unique energy about him, he’s unlike any other character in the series, impossible to put in a box. What I sometimes wish for is one last conversation between Harry and him, where he could find peace knowing Harry truly understood his intentions and his love for Lily. But maybe that’s exactly what makes Snape so tragic and unique, he carries so much alone, and yet that silent devotion is what makes him unforgettable.

Hermione has always been my favorite for so many reasons, but the more I rewatch the movies, the more I realize just how much she actually carried on her shoulders. She wasn’t just the brain of the trio, she was the glue holding Harry and Ron together, constantly saving them and thinking five steps further than anyone else. Doing all of this while carrying her own emotional weight, like when she had to make her parents forget about her so she could fight in the war. That moment always hits me, the sacrifices she made quietly, without expecting anyone to notice.

Without Hermione, the trio wouldn’t have survived half the things they did, and that’s why she will always be one of the strongest and most vital characters in the series.

Sirius Black — maybe some of you are wondering why he’s my number one. For me, it’s simple: he’s one of the most surprisingly human characters in the series. He becomes a strong, real father figure for Harry, and the depth of his character shows in how quickly Harry feels safe with him.

I love his unwavering love for Harry’s parents, even after all those years, and his honest, protective love for Harry himself. This is why I love him even more than Dumbledore, Sirius genuinely looks out for Harry because of Harry, not as part of some bigger plan or sacrifice. On top of that, he’s just comforting to watch, and his quotes in the movies are some of the most magical lines in the entire series. He’s the type of character who has no ulterior motives, no manipulation, no scheming, he’s simply there for the people he loves, out of genuine, true love.