Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Dense
- Violence
- Moderate
- foreboding
- dramatic
- whimsical
- fantasy marathon
- franchise viewing
What critics said
Critics found flashes of familiar Wizarding World magic and strong performances, but broadly regarded the sequel as muddled, overstuffed, and less effective than earlier installments.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Grindelwald seeks to mobilize pure-blood wizards against non-magical people and rule a divided wizarding society.
Newt's mission is tied to Dumbledore's past, Grindelwald's history, and the wider wizarding world's established lore.
The film foregrounds magical creatures, spellcraft, black magic, and effects-driven wizarding environments.
The plot emphasizes lines drawn across friends and family while love and loyalty are tested by Grindelwald's rise.
Films like Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and why
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
shared fantasy adventure, magical world-building, ensemble quest, and conflict between supernatural factions
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
shared lavish fantasy spectacle, politically divided magical societies, and escalating conflict against an authoritarian antagonist
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
shared ensemble fantasy adventure, mythic powers, loyalty tests, and morally divided heroes
Movie Details
- Director
- David Yates
- Release Date
- 2018-11-14
- Runtime
- 134 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (11698)
Cast
- Eddie Redmayne
- Katherine Waterston
- Dan Fogler
- Alison Sudol
- Johnny Depp
- Jude Law
- Ezra Miller
- Zoë Kravitz
- Callum Turner
- Claudia Kim
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Peacock Premium, HBO Max, Peacock Premium Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald about?
- Newt Scamander is drawn into Dumbledore’s dangerous campaign against Grindelwald as a magical society fractures along ideological and personal lines.
- What is Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as dense.
- Is Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald as moderate.
- What did critics think of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald?
- Critics found flashes of familiar Wizarding World magic and strong performances, but broadly regarded the sequel as muddled, overstuffed, and less effective than earlier installments.
- Which films are like Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald?
- Films with a similar feel include Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
- How long is Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald?
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald runs 134 minutes.
- Where can I watch Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald?
- In United States, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Peacock Premium, HBO Max, Peacock Premium Plus.
Browse Ember's collections
Movies like Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 12010
- Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom2023
- Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom2018
- Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore2022
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets2002
- Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials2015
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince2009
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them2016
- Wicked: For Good2025
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
