"Harry Potter" series is one of the most popular and profitable film franchises of all time. The unusual popularity of the book and the series ensures that there will always be a demand for further additions to the franchise. Fortunately, JK Rowling began work on the "Fantastic Beasts" series, which would serve as a prequel to the Harry Potter series, spanning the 1920s to 1945. As soon as these parts premiered, they received a lot of attention from the audience. However
, there are also several questions that some moviegoers might have after watching these two series. Like, for example, is Harry Potter even a part of this movie? Or is Fantastic Beasts related to Harry Potter directly?
Well, since Fantastic Beasts is a prequel, there are various connections to the Harry Potter series, ranging from characters to subtle references. Curious to know what they are? Scrolling for more details!
#1 In both sagas, the fight for coexistence between wizards and non-wizards is similar.
Source: © Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbeldore / Heyday Films and co-producers, © Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire / Warner Bros. and co-producers
One of J.K. Rowling's main themes is the coexistence of the magical and the Muggle (or non-magical) worlds. Rowling's world. The same is true for relatives who are not magical accepting magical people. In this way, both of the antagonists—Voldemort in Harry Potter and Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts - fight (using contrasting methods) to uphold the superiority of wizards over non-magic users.
#2 Creatures play a significant role in both stories.
Source: © Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets / Warner Bros. and co-producers, © Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them / Heyday Films and co-producers
The Fantastic Beasts franchise is founded on magical creatures, yet these
animals play a significant part in both films franchises such as Thestrals, Dragons, and even Buckbeak the Hippogriff.
Fantastic Beasts had to step it up a notch of magical animals previously shown on screen. Caring for these monsters is a difficult duty to take on, but Newt has embraced it and is creating many of the procedures that will be taught at Hogwarts.
#3 Grindelwald had already been referenced before the Fantastic Beasts saga.
Source: © Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbeldore / Heyday Films and co-producers, © Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 / Warner Bros. and co-producers
In the first episode of the Fantastic Beasts saga, Gellert Grindelwald was revealed to be the major villain. However, this character was also mentioned in a deleted scene from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, when Ron informed Harry that Dumbledore was known to have defeated the evil wizard in 1945.In turn, the character appeared briefly in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 as performed by Jamie Campbell Bower in his younger version and Michael Byrne in his present version.
#4 Dumbledore’s story is complemented by both stories.
Source: © Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald / Heyday Films and co-producers, © Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix / Warner Bros. and co-producers
Dumbledore is a key character in both books, and his backstory is explored more throughout Newt's time in the Wizarding World. Indeed, in Harry Potter, Harry and his pals learn about Dumbledore's childhood through an explosive book written by Rita Skeeter.
Some of the events in this book actually occur or are mentioned in Fantastic Beasts. Dumbledore's connection with Grindelwald is especially essential, as he refuses to confront his former lover and instead sends Newt on the mission, owing to their blood pact.
#5 Both stories revolve around magical institutions.
Source: © Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix / Warner Bros. and co-producers, © Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them / Heyday Films and co-producers
The numerous ministries that govern the magical world are crucial in the Potterhead universe. While we could scarcely see the British Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter, we could see the MACUSA, which is in charge of administering and managing magic in the United States, in the first part of Fantastic Beasts.
#6 The Lestrange family is central to both sagas.
Source: © Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 / Warner Bros. and co-producers, © Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald / Heyday Films and co-producers
Crimes of Grindelwald introduced us to the Lestrange family, notably Leta, who is engaged to Newt's brother, Theseus. We watched her kill herself to defend Newt and her friends from Grindelwald after the film, thus any ideas that she was Bellatrix's direct ancestor were debunked. The least we know is that she is unquestionably related to the Lestrange family.
#7 The Mirror of Erised reappears in Fantastic Beasts.
Source: © Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone / Warner Bros. and co-producers, © Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald / Heyday Films and co-producers
The Mirror of Erised was introduced as one of the most intriguing things in the first part of Harry Potter, as it revealed whoever saw himself reflected in it, what he most wanted in the world. The magic mirror appears again in Fantastic Beasts 2, this time portraying Dumbledore's great desire to be happy and not fight Grindelwald.
#8 After being mentioned in Harry Potter, Nicolas Flamel and the Philosopher's Stone appear in Fantastic Beasts.
Source: © Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald / Heyday Films and co-producers
What a joy it was to finally see the Philosopher's Stone after all these years. In this film, Nicholas Flamel, the creator of the infamous stone, makes his onscreen appearance to assist Newt and his friends in defeating Grindelwald. What was more exciting, however, was the brief glimpse of the Philosopher’s Stone in his cupboard, just sitting there, glistening and glimmering in all its redness.
#9 Nagini, Voldemort's snake, emerges in Fantastic Beasts as a human.
Source: © Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 / Warner Bros. and co-producers, © Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald / Heyday Films and co-producers
Who'd have guessed we'd learn more about Nagini, Lord Voldemort's beloved pet snake? In Fantastic Beasts 2, we meet Nagini, a Maledictus who demonstrates her power to shift into a large snake. It only seems logical that she will turn out to be the Dark Lord's Horcrux in the future, although how that will happen is unknown, as this film revealed her to be anti-dark forces, even when her buddy Credence links up with Grindelwald.
#10 Boggarts are present in both stories.
Source: © Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban / Warner Bros. and co-producers, © Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald / Heyday Films and co-producers
Boggarts make an appearance in the third Harry Potter film. They are tangible manifestations of our biggest fear, and they may be defeated by imagining them in a ridiculous situation. Such monsters appear briefly in Fantastic Beasts 2 during a flashback to a Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson taught by none other than the great Albus Dumbledore.
#11 Professor McGonagall makes a brief appearance in the second installment of Fantastic Beasts.
Source: © Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald / Heyday Films and co-producers, © Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone / Warner Bros. and co-producers
Professor Minerva McGonagall, played by Maggie Smith, emerges in the first installment of Harry Potter as one of the most prominent authority figures in the saga, a position she holds until the last chapter. She also makes a brief appearance in the second Fantastic Beasts film, this time played by Fiona Glascott.