Family Movie Night
Harry, Ron and Hermione in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, picture from IMDb.com
In case you have not been pay attention, next week is the opening of the latest Harry Potter movie as we move towards the end of the wizarding world saga.
Next Friday, or late Thursday night I assume, people who have followed this series will be standing in line waiting for the second to last movie. Finally we will be able to watch on the screen what we have tried to imagine in our feeble minds.
So the only thing left to do is have a Harry Potter
Marathon!!!!!!
But wait — what about appropriate viewing ages? Good point and thanks for asking because not all Harry Potter movies are for all ages of the family members. So let’s explore each movie for best viewing ages.
Hermione, Harry and Ron in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Picture from IMDb.com
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
In this movie we meet Harry and his friends, Hermione and Ron. We also see the beginnings of a great rivalry. Then there is Professor Snape whose dislike of Harry has everything to do with his father.
This introduction into the series is good for all members of the family. There are scary moments and scary creatures but those scenes are handled in a friendly manner that makes them less scary.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Here Harry will learn one of his talents that is not popular with his school fellows. With the Chamber of Secrets opened, it is a race to save Hogwarts from a threat that could destroy the student population.
What is scary is a series of events leading to discover who opened the door to the chamber. This movie is still appropriate for early grade school students with some fun scenes dealing with magical creatures.
Gary Oldman as Sirius Black in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, IMDb com
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
A highly dangerous prisoner from the wizard’s prison has escaped and he may be coming for Harry. While third year students can go to Hogsmeade, the only completely wizarding village in Great Britain, Harry could not get permission from Uncle Vernon.
This movie shows the series starting on a path of darkness, with fear becoming a part of the norm. It is a film that is best suited for pre-teen kids and up as there are themes that need greater maturity to understand, such as long-held hatred and a need for revenge.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
I believe this chapter of the story is the last one that is suitable for anyone under the age of 13. There is a constant mood of fear as Harry competes in a contest to find the ultimate magical champion. We meet students from other schools as well as some very scary creatures. What Harry and Cedric face at the end of the movie can be terrifying to younger viewers under the age of ten.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Lord Voldemort, Picture from IMDb.com
These last two movies are best for the teens, especially those who have been reading the series all along. The fear level is intense in both movies as Lord Voldomort is back and ready to rule the world. The action scenes are potent and lives will be lost, people we have grown very attached. I do not recommend these two movies or the one coming out to younger viewers because I do not believe their maturity level can handle the fear, the sadness, the manic need to do something against the tide of evil.
Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, picture from IMDb.com
If I am wrong, please let me know and I will include your opinion in next week’s column.
Let the world know about your latest pick for Family Movie Night and drop a note below. Become my friend on Facebook.
Notes from Rumbly Cottage 
We are going to take our two eldest, 9 and 5. Unsure about how Rowan will manage, but he’s seen the first six countless times, to no ill effect. No worries about how Griffin will manage–he’ll be eating it up. He’s madly trying to get the book read this week so that he can see the film as soon as it’s released. Not sure who’s most excited, him or me!
When I was working as a movie reviewer, this was a question I was often asked. I divied it up the way I did because I took into account the perceived maturity of a child at a given age. One friend explained how she liked the books for aging up as they went along. I think the movies do the same. In the end, it really depends on the individual child. Thanks for stopping by. 😉
i am really looking forward for the new movie!! so excited!
We are trying to decide midnight or matinee as my 9-year-old daughter wants to go now as well. She might be too young for this but she is so much more mature than the boys. Thanks for dropping in.
Oh! Thanks for this post. As an enormous Harry Potter fan, I can’t wait for the day my boys are old enough to enjoy the Potter books and movies. But, like you, I worry a lot about how age appropriate each installment is. I agree with the age groups you’ve recommended for each movie.
And? How stoked are you for the Nov 19 premiere? (!!!) We’ll probably wait until the DVD release (sad, but that’s easier than finding a babysitter). Enjoy the show!
I am very stoked for the premiere. Mu 13 y.o. and I are going to the midnight showing tonight. I am napping after supper so I can function tomorrow. It is too bad you can’t make it but I totally understand that babysitter thing.
When my 9 y.o. daughter asked to go, I really felt that she should not. While she is more mature then the boys were at that age, I think she needs to start with the first movie and work her way up. The first movie may be our pick this week for our family movie night.