Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Name: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery, Fantasy, Romance
Released: July 15, 2009
Duration: 153 min
Rating: 78
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint

2009

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 1333 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 1333 Ratings

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Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: July 15, 2009 | PG

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint

Summary: Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlockVoldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again. (Warner Bros.)… Expand

Director: David Yates

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Mystery, Fantasy, Romance, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 153 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Stephanie Zacharek

The most beautiful magic in it is left unseen. And still, it emerges with absolute clarity. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Dazzlingly well made and perhaps deliberately less fanciful than the previous entries, this one is played in a mode closer to palpable life-or-death drama than any of the others and is quite effective as such. Read full review

Michael Sragow

It flows like fast-moving lava to a climax filled with pyrotechnics. And for once in a summer blockbuster, the fireworks are both emotional and physical. The movie leaves you sated, yet wanting more -- just what you want from a series with two entries left to go. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Tracie Cooper

The good news is that it comes closer than any of its predecessors, hitting the mark or coming close to it on almost all fronts. With "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" being split into two films, the final installment stands an excellent chance of getting it right. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Half-Blood Prince is the franchise's “Empire Strikes Back” -- the episode in which the pace slows down a bit, the characters deepen and mature, the good guys take a big hit, and all hell is gearing up to break loose. Read full review

Steven Rea

Slower and talkier than the five Potters that came before - but not necessarily in a bad way - Half-Blood Prince is a bubbling cauldron of hormonal angst, rife with romance and heartbreak, jealousy and longing. Read full review

Anthony Lane

We get one lovely, cheering sequence of a trashed room putting itself in order, like the untidy nursery in "Mary Poppins," but the rest of the magic here feels randomly grabbed at. Read full review

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User Reviews

heyitsmegrif4

Dec 17, 2011

Dazzling visuals, some incredible performances stand out Emma Watson, and some emotional depth make this easily one of the best film's in the franchise. I give this film 95% of a good movie.

8 of 14 users found this helpful86

DanielD.

Jul 16, 2009

Excellent Adaptation!! Completely thrilling from beginning to end!! I can't wait for DH1 & 2!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

filmtrashreview

Jul 10, 2011

The best film in the Harry Potter Franchise so far. Half-Blood Prince is exciting, refreshing and stands on it's own. Some of the Potter films lack whither it is story line or direction. The Half-Blood Prince finally completes the triple threat well acted, perfectly directed with a killer script.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

cameronhalmans

Jan 9, 2019

This movie is saved by the weight in the finale. Excited to see what happens next.

67/100

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

kgm

Jul 26, 2009

By now we

0 of 0 users found this helpful

TonyL

Jul 15, 2009

The noir-ish look of the film was a bit overpowering, but it and the effects alone make up for the sluggish plot.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AnonA

Jun 10, 2009

user reviews are so arbitrary that so many of them are just based on first impressions as indicated by how many reviews are out right now even though the movie hasn't even finished post production yet. User reviews should be limited to people who have metacritic accounts, because useruser reviews are so arbitrary that so many of them are just based on first impressions as indicated by how many reviews are out right now even though the movie hasn't even finished post production yet. User reviews should be limited to people who have metacritic accounts, because user ratings right now are completely pointless.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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52	#52 Best Movie of 2009
7	#7 Most Discussed Movie of 2009
64	#64 Most Shared Movie of 2009