Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Warner Bros. | Release Date: November 16, 2018 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
52
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 48 Critic Reviews
Positive:
17
Mixed:
23
Negative:
8
Watch Now
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Total FilmJames MottramNov 8, 2018
Rowling’s universe just got bigger and more complex, but Yates never forgets to sprinkle stardust on top. Read full review
89
Austin ChronicleKimberley JonesNov 15, 2018
On the strength of this sequel – a dense yet deft return to the high standards Yates set with the Potter films – count this Muggle’s heart and mind all in. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterCaryn JamesNov 8, 2018
The sequel has better and at times galvanizing special effects, a darker tone and a high-stakes battle between good and evil. Best of all, its characters are more vibrantly drawn, and tangled in relationships that range from delightful to lethal. Read full review
80
IGNDavid GriffinNov 8, 2018
Another strong entry in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World saga. Rowling has improved upon the first Fantastic Beasts film by fleshing out her characters in a way that’s engaging, though not everybody receives as much attention. Both Johnny Depp and Eddie Redmayne are - forgive the pun - fantastic in their perspective roles. Read full review
78
Film Journal InternationalFrank LoveceNov 15, 2018
This exquisitely mounted sequel to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) skims past any narrative shortcomings through the complete and convincing totality of the wizarding world it creates, drawing you into another reality with perhaps more verisimilitude than any film in the Harry Potter canon. Read full review
78
TheWrapWilliam BibbianiNov 8, 2018
The Crimes of Grindelwald probably had enough plot to drive a four-hour mini-series, but even so, what we get is often absorbing and grand. The sense that this magical world is actually, well, fantastic is finally back in the series. Read full review
76
The VergeTasha RobinsonNov 8, 2018
For the serious fans who this series is meant for, the promise of at least six more hours of Fantastic Beasts action likely means a lot more thrilling beasts, barriers, and beats to explore. Everyone else may find that all the little personal bits of character business and frantic complications aren’t much of a substitute for a clear and compelling plot with a single meaningful protagonist. Read full review
75
The PlaylistCharles BarfieldNov 14, 2018
While the first film was jarring and clumsy, the sequel finds itself settling into a groove; it’s darker, weirder, more relevant and, yes, way more magical. Read full review
75
New York PostJohnny OleksinskiNov 8, 2018
Grindelwald gives us a proper villain and a purpose for this series of — gulp — five eventual movies. Read full review
75
Washington PostMichael O'SullivanNov 8, 2018
Takes a turn for the dark side that will satisfy the franchise’s adult fans even more. Read full review
75
USA TodayBrian TruittNov 8, 2018
Old-school Potterheads will rejoice, though fans of the charmingly quirky group of heroes from the first “Beasts” may lament their do-gooders getting lost in a growing magical landscape. Read full review
70
Screen DailyFionnuala HalliganNov 8, 2018
There’s real magic here, and nothing fake about the emotions which guide it. Read full review
67
Entertainment WeeklyLeah GreenblattNov 11, 2018
There might not be a more gorgeous-looking movie this year than Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Read full review
63
ReelViewsJames BerardinelliNov 16, 2018
Despite being light in the story department, The Crimes of Grindelwald offers plenty of small pleasures and tightens up the linkage between this series and Harry Potter. Read full review
63
Slant MagazineChris BarsantiNov 15, 2018
The Crimes of Grindelwald gets more comedic and emotional mileage out of Newt’s interactions with his various creatures, particularly the adorable platypus-like one with a nose for gold, than most of its human-centered scenes. Read full review
63
The Associated PressJake CoyleNov 13, 2018
The Crimes of Grindelwald is often dazzling, occasionally wondrous and always atmospheric. But is also a bit of a mess. Even magic bags can be overweight. Read full review
63
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperNov 12, 2018
While the performances are solid and we do get a few touching moments, the film sinks under the weight of too many intersecting storylines and too many loud and fiery and surprisingly mediocre action sequences. Read full review
More From This Movie

52 Critic Reviews

5.7 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 77 Project Hail Mary
2 75 Send Help
3 73 Hoppers
4 72 The Sheep Detectives
5 63 Normal
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL