Watch Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

As a precursor to the Harry Potter series, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them takes place in 1926 in New York City. The movie follows the eccentric but lovable wizarding zoologist Newt Scamander (played by Eddie Redmayne) as he embarks on a mission to retrieve some escaped magical beasts that he unwittingly let loose in the city.

Upon arriving in New York, Newt encounters an array of colorful characters, including the demoted Auror and Scamander fanboy, Porpentina "Tina" Goldstein (played by Katherine Waterston), her loyal sister, Queenie (played by Alison Sudol), and the charming but shady muggle (non-magical person) Jacob Kowalski (played by Dan Fogler).

As Newt and his new friends track down the escaped beasts, they soon discover that something more sinister is afoot in the wizarding community. Mysterious dark magic is terrorizing the city, and strange happenings are causing chaos and destruction beyond what any magical creature could cause.

The film does a beautiful job of weaving together the magical world that Harry Potter fans are familiar with, while also showcasing the differences between the wizarding communities of Europe and America. With nods to the beloved book series, the movie introduces new magical creatures that will delight and amaze.

The visual effects make it clear that the movie was a labor of love, with stunningly rendered creatures, beautiful magical spells, and intricate set designs. The film’s portrayal of 1920s New York is also incredibly fun to watch, as it blends historical accuracy with magical twists.

The performances of the cast are top-notch, with Redmayne's portrayal of Newt being both charming and quirky. Waterston is equally impressive, bringing both a sense of intelligence and vulnerability to Tina, a character with a dark past. Sudol delivers a standout performance as Queenie, the morally grounded younger sister of Tina. And Fogler is a delight as Jacob, bringing comic relief while also grounding the film's fantastical elements.

The movie's underlying themes explore the idea of the danger of prejudice and oppression. Set in the roaring twenties, the film highlights how anti-magic sentiment and fear of the unknown can lead to persecution and discrimination. This message is particularly relevant in today's world and adds emotional weight to the film.

In summary, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a fantastic addition to the wizarding world. It offers breathtaking visuals, memorable characters, and a well-crafted story that will have audiences eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series. Whether you’re a fan of Harry Potter or simply a lover of magical worlds, this film is not to be missed.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a 2016 fantasy movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 66.