Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: November 15, 2002
7.3
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 925 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
703
Mixed:
138
Negative:
84
Watch Now
Stream On
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
6
aadityamudharApr 17, 2016
The first hour (hour and a half max) of this film was amazing and it gave me high hopes but the moment the film got to the part where Harry finds out he is a parselmouth then it just got terrible and turned into a generic action film thatThe first hour (hour and a half max) of this film was amazing and it gave me high hopes but the moment the film got to the part where Harry finds out he is a parselmouth then it just got terrible and turned into a generic action film that completely ruined the first really enjoyable hour of the film.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
6
Rdneck00May 9, 2022
I gave this a wasted potential because it lacks what the first one gave us. And its a little to long and slow at times.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
6
grandpajoe6191Sep 23, 2011
The movie isn't what you expect if you waited for a another marvelous Harry Potter film. However, it still has impressive visuals and and well made CGI creature...DOBY!!!!
4 of 9 users found this helpful45
All this user's reviews
5
nboley08Aug 16, 2010
The only thing that this film improved on the first one was the Quidditch match. After that, this film was rather mediocre, especially near the end. This film just drags and drags and drags until you're begging for the predictable ending toThe only thing that this film improved on the first one was the Quidditch match. After that, this film was rather mediocre, especially near the end. This film just drags and drags and drags until you're begging for the predictable ending to happen. "Chamber of Secrets" is arguably my least favorite HP book, and it's arguably my least favorite film of the series as well. There just wasn't enough material there to keep one entertained for two hours.… Expand
1 of 8 users found this helpful17
All this user's reviews
6
asylumspadezNov 26, 2011
The first hour of the film was amazing but as soon as they got into the parts with the actual Chamber Of Secrets, The film just went all downhill from there. The cast was solid and I was disapointed by the lack of use of the older andThe first hour of the film was amazing but as soon as they got into the parts with the actual Chamber Of Secrets, The film just went all downhill from there. The cast was solid and I was disapointed by the lack of use of the older and experianced cast members. It was ok overall.… Expand
0 of 7 users found this helpful07
All this user's reviews
6
jfrotylpe532Dec 21, 2012
Same as the first only this time the acting dropped. I thought Tom Riddle and Daniel Radcliffe did a poor job, and special effects fell apart. Plus it tryed to add a darker tone but instead it felt lighter to me. However the movie was goodSame as the first only this time the acting dropped. I thought Tom Riddle and Daniel Radcliffe did a poor job, and special effects fell apart. Plus it tryed to add a darker tone but instead it felt lighter to me. However the movie was good for it's humorous car scenes and Ron's pathetic yet extremely amusing reaction to spiders.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
5
Annoymous1May 18, 2013
Harry potter gets better and better, and for this installment was not too bad, yet not too good. If you like most of the Potter flicks this one won't glue you to your seat. Its still fun though

Next Movie!
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
6
JacobNov 12, 2016
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for better or worse will please book fans and fans of the predecessor. Columbus once again provides a mostly faithful story and continues a stellar casting adding new memorable characters and visuallyHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for better or worse will please book fans and fans of the predecessor. Columbus once again provides a mostly faithful story and continues a stellar casting adding new memorable characters and visually bringing Rowling’s world to life. Those who weren’t fans of the first one and/or are looking for anything new will be disappointed. The film not only recycles numerous plot points from the first film but once again suffers from overfaithfullness with scenes loosely strung together in an effort to maintain the source material resulting in a lengthy runtime in serious need of padding. Fans of the book won’t mine but others will depend.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
TyranianApr 9, 2019
Equal to the first film, Potter 2 is fairly entertaining but very holey. Dumb fun.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
5
potatoes351Aug 14, 2012
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was a hard to put down read, just like the first. But the film has not translated well. The film gets too in over its head with special effects and loses the magic that the original film had. Not toHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was a hard to put down read, just like the first. But the film has not translated well. The film gets too in over its head with special effects and loses the magic that the original film had. Not to mention cutting out large parts of the book that were quite important and leaving non important things in making the film far too long for its own good.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
SpangleJul 10, 2017
The second cinematic adventure set in this wondrous world of wizardry and magic, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a stepback in the series. Retaining the sense of child-like wonder in a very Spielbergian sense, the film's greatThe second cinematic adventure set in this wondrous world of wizardry and magic, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a stepback in the series. Retaining the sense of child-like wonder in a very Spielbergian sense, the film's great characters and effects are left in a "too-cute" plot loaded with too many deus ex machinas. As another entry into this marvelously imaginative world, however, The Chamber of Secrets packs the same level of tension, terror, and joyous fun that is fun in The Sorcerer's Stone, especially with its central mystery. The unfortunate part of this film is that, aside from a few new elements, nothing has really changed from the first entry aside from just making it longer and swapping out a few characters. It is building a world, but this is a very lateral move compared to the grand steps forward taken by better universes.

The changes from The Sorcerer's Stone are mostly character-driven, as the plot is pretty much the same. Starting off with Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) not getting letters, living with his abusive aunt and uncle, and then rushing off to Hogwarts with the Weasley family, the film feels very "same" at the onset. Unfortunately, this does not change much as the film builds up around a central mystery lurking in a secret area of Hogwarts, Hermione (Emma Watson) demonstrates that she is the best wizard of the bunch before being whisked away to let Harry be the hero, and they play Quidditich in a rigged match against Slytherin house. As a unit, they save the day and uncover the mystery with the new way in which Lord Voldemort has snuck his way back into Hogwarts to cause serious damage to the students and the school as a whole. Why this guy bothers himself with young wizards is beyond me when his beef should be with the older people, but I digress. This same plot hits many right notes, especially when establishing the mystery lying within the Chamber of Secrets and its slow, intoxicating build-up to the reveal. From the spider's lair to the messages written in blood, the film feels quite ominous as matched by the haunting voice following Harry around whispering "kill kill kill". At times, the film feels like a gothic horror film due to its reliance on atmosphere and a terrific sense of space within the school's excellent gothic-inspired design.

The film's changes from the first hit with a mixed bag of results. The most positive addition is Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh). Between the two films I have seen thus far, he is undoubtedly my favorite characters. He is such a fraud and coward, it is honestly hysterical to watch unfold with Branagh being a natural for the role as this self-absorbed heartthrob. The original casting of Hugh Grant would have also been brilliant, though Branagh did an excellent job with the role. The other positive change is Dobby, who is like the ALDI store brand Yoda. However, as a BDSM loving house-elf, Dobby is excellently funny even if he is a deeply tragic figure.

Where the film changes, however, it does have some negatives. With Snape (Alan Rickman) enjoying a far more scaled back role in this film, the film really lacks the zip and sinister bite of Rickman that the original had. It tries to recreate it with Lucius Malfoy (Jason Isaacs), but it never clicks. Isaacs is good, but he is no Rickman. The film lacks that sneakily ominous presence provided by him and Lucius winds up being nothing more than a rather conventional sinister presence in the film that is never really utilized here to its fullest. Additionally, the general lack of Emma Watson is really felt here with Radcliffe and Rupert Grint left on their own with Watson's Hermione petrified or turned into the cat for much of the film. In spite of her strength, the film annoyingly turns her into a joke or damsel in distress despite her talent as a wizard that far exceeds that of her male counterparts. Relying upon Harry's purity and Ron's awkward ginger nature to carry the film, it winds up feeling too sweet and buddy comedy-esque without ever really clicking the way it would with a strong female presence in the film. Had the film relied upon Watson as much as it did in the Philosopher’s Stone, this second entry would have felt more balanced. The other change that really holds this one back is more of an alteration. The first one’s childish touches coming in Quidditich or awarding the cup winner at the end of the year were fine and excusable, even if unbearable. Here, Columbus adds childish touches to the plot. With overt foreshadowing, random exposition to accompany that foreshadowing, and then explaining items that were previously explained to call back to that foreshadowing-based exposition, the Chamber of Secrets feels really spelled out. There is no mystery as to why the phoenix is able to heal Harry or why the sword appears. Instead, it feels very spoon-fed and, as a result, it largely misses the mark. The sense of wonder is still there, but some spark has been put out.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
dante_finnDec 22, 2012
A spellbinding adaption
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
5
Movie1997Sep 8, 2013
This movie does have its good qualities and its bad qualities. It has an interesting story and engaging conflict, but lacks in its dragging feel and easy loss of interest. Overall, while it's the movie's not horrible, it's the worst of theThis movie does have its good qualities and its bad qualities. It has an interesting story and engaging conflict, but lacks in its dragging feel and easy loss of interest. Overall, while it's the movie's not horrible, it's the worst of the movies for sure. Be sure to check out my channel "TheMovieManLife" for all things movies.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
AReviewsJun 24, 2013
In a way, this sequel manages to be greater than its predecessor, but it fails, this is my least favorite Harry Potter movie, because it is way too long and gets lame, but still it is still magical and interesting.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
gracjanskiMar 2, 2021
Clearly worse movie than the first one especially because this part doesnt show much new sceneries. It is a family movie without any depths, so that kids can understand it. And some characters are so stupid, that it is even a pain to watch.Clearly worse movie than the first one especially because this part doesnt show much new sceneries. It is a family movie without any depths, so that kids can understand it. And some characters are so stupid, that it is even a pain to watch. And the movie is too long also.
On the other hand the visual effects are nice.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
joao1198pedroNov 28, 2013
the book 2 is best than book 1 the film 2 isn't best than the film 1,it is an nice movie but it didn't have the quality and the magic of the first film.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
RayzorMooseNov 12, 2013
Harry Potter once again mystifies.
Although a noticeably weaker sequel, The Chamber of Secrets still entertains with a good script and elusive plot twists.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
5
CameraBounceGodMar 2, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The worst part about this movie is that Tom riddle just stands around waiting to lose his mind...what is he a ghost or something?...i really hope Ron was paying attention to harry opening the Chamber....… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
MovieManiac83Apr 23, 2015
Like its predecessor, Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets works perfectly well as a cinematic corollary to J.K. Rowling's adored children's fantasy series. Quidditch, self-loathing house elves, andLike its predecessor, Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets works perfectly well as a cinematic corollary to J.K. Rowling's adored children's fantasy series. Quidditch, self-loathing house elves, and basilisks all make it to the screen intact, a well-chosen cast helps make the wild notions convincing, and director Chris Columbus presents it all in an attractive, thoroughly watchable package. But try imagining a universe in which the Harry Potter series existed only in film form. Would audiences still find themselves transported by such thinly drawn characters? Would the imaginations still leap for the nonstop assault of impressively realized but creatively pedestrian special effects? And would the two-and-a-half-hours-plus trek toward an unmasking straight out of Scooby Doo seem quite so satisfying? So far, the series has relied on viewers' familiarity with Rowling's characters to fill in blanks that other movies would have to fill for themselves. As before, Daniel Radcliffe gives an assured performance in the lead, but he's given so little time away from after-hours sleuthing and confrontations with bugaboos that he's mostly a sympathetic character because he's playing Harry Potter, not because of any moment within the movie itself. It doesn't help that Chamber is pretty much all business from the opening shot, trading in Stone's sometimes-clunky exposition for full-steam-ahead action that whisks Radcliffe back to Hogwarts for another year of intrigue and spellcasting with scarcely a moment to collect his syllabi. In the space between the scenes of kids screaming amid special effects, the grownups have the best moments. Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, and the late Richard Harris all reprise roles from the previous film, and Kenneth Branagh has a funny part as a self-obsessed celebrity charlatan. The movie could use more of him, and of droll touches like John Cleese's unfailingly polite, nearly headless ghost, but overall, Chamber is very much in the spirit of John Williams' score: a succession of irritatingly familiar swooping climaxes hammered out at double fortissimo. It's enough to make viewers of a certain temperament want to curl up with a good book.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
cameronhalmansJan 9, 2019
More of the same from Columbus, just boring direction. It’s a tad better than the first film given the mystery a foot, but yet again still predictable at the same time. 58/100
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
5
sebastianaliMay 27, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Harry Potter 2 y La Camara Secreta es una película muy decepcionante a mi parecer. Perdiendo gran parte del encanto de la primer película, en la que se nos introducía exitosamente a este mundo, con sus reglas y demás, en lugar de seguir expandiendo la historia de Hogwarts, todo lo nuevo queda en la nada. Se introducen 3 ANTAGONISTAS y una BANDA de personajes nuevos. Todos estos personajes son poco interesantes y apenas aportan algo a la trama. Siento que con esta película intentaron ser mas ambiciosos pero al final todo les salio mal, esta todo muy metido a la fuerza y con calzador. Muchas situaciones son convenientes, Hermione esta rotisima y aprende de la nada un hechizo nuevo cuando les conviene, y al igual que la primera, Harry realmente a pesar de ser el elegido no hace nada hasta el final de la película donde convenientemente derrota al Basilisco (aunque debo admitir que la manera en la que derroto a Voldemort se me hizo bastante ingeniosa). También hay algunos huecos de guion extraños: Como es posible que Voldemort volviera sin mas? Porque Lucius Malfoy le tenia tanta bronca a Harry? Creo que podrían haber explorado un poco mas el tema de los "pura sangre" que estaba interesante la verdad. Y Gilderoy Lockhart.... omg.... omg.... OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!! Uno de los peores antagonistas y uno de los personajes mas irritantes que he visto en mucho tiempo! Y su revelación al final era super obvia. Debieron de haberse conformado con un solo antagonista bien ejecutado. Y hablando de la duración, al igual que la primera, siento que todo se podría haber contado en la mitad de tiempo. Vaya... la película dura casi 3 horas y aun así, debido a todo el relleno que tiene se siente muy apretujada. Que lastima. En general, me parece mediocre. Tiene buenas ideas, y si no se sintiera todo tan metido con calzador seria posiblemente una buena película, quizá incluso a la altura de la primera, pero se nota que no tuvieron muchas ganas de hacerlo, cosa que me da mucha pena, ya que La Piedra Filosofal había introducido un buen universo, único y rico, con conceptos que darían para mas, pero al menos esta secuela, considero personalmente que no la expandió de la manera debida. Espero que con la tercera parte compensen sus errores.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
ThejodjeremieNov 5, 2020
The movie is interesting at parts and it's also very slow at parts for me. The music is great and the visuals look much better compared to the first. The actors all do a good job.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
pur__0_0__May 8, 2021
After watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone I had gotten really high hopes for the Harry Potter franchise. I was expecting all of them to be as simplistic and visually appealing as that movie. With that in mind I watched the secondAfter watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone I had gotten really high hopes for the Harry Potter franchise. I was expecting all of them to be as simplistic and visually appealing as that movie. With that in mind I watched the second movie today and sadly, it doesn't live up to the mark on almost any of the parameters. That's not to say that it's a bad movie. It's not. But it's not a good Harry Potter movie.

To begin with, the movie's CGI hasn't aged pretty well. And that's actually really surprising because the first one was so good so this one should have had a higher budget and thus more advanced VFX. But other than the Basilisk, most of the CGI hasn't aged so well. Especially that of Dobby. When he was banging his head in the drawer in the beginning of the movie, the shelves of the drawer were shaking in the opposite direction of where they should shake. And when Harry puts Dobby in the wardrobe it looked more like the wind is opening the door instead of Dobby. There are plenty of examples of bad CGI in the movie but I don't want to take it too far.

Speaking of Dobby, he's had a very bad introduction. The way he is behaving is annoying. If I were to behave like that my mom would have slapped me all across the face. Sure he does get a wholesome ending, but that's yet to see how he turns out. Draco also became more annoying now, with constantly trying to bully Harry even though he can't do a thing. Myrtle spoke like a nerd Harley Quinn. I get this movie is trying to be campy, but that goes way too far.

The story is a good part here. Although it's not as easy as Sorcerer's Stone, it is still very nicely detailed. Too many incidents happen in it, but yet it does not feel bloated. It feels absolutely to the point, with none of that "side quest" things movies often use to pad the runtime. Everything happens for a reason and it all pays off in the end. The scenes with Ron, particularly in the beginning, are always funny and memorable. Though Hermione doesn't play as huge part in this movie as Harry and Ron do, she also gets a decent screen time, although without any character arc.

I'm still on the second movie of this franchise, so I can't exactly say if this is among the good movies or the bad ones. But I really hope the rest of the movies are more leaning towards the first one in terms of tone. I remember every scene right now, but I can see myself forgetting most of the parts in the next few months.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
geewahApr 21, 2021
An improvement on it's predecessor but not by much.
The character development is much improved but with a 161 minute runtime it has far too many flat spots to keep you fully captivated.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
5
Easy_mode123Jun 8, 2022
harry potter is so overated i cant take anymore people saying that its better than star wars.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
More From This Movie

63 Critic Reviews

7.3 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