Throughout development, Warner Bros. did a swell job of keeping all thingsFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themunder wraps. We knew it was based on authorJ.K. Rowling’s book of the same name—which itself was a sort of encyclopedia about the wild creatures found in theHarry Potteruniverse—and we knew Rowling was making her screenwriting debut on the feature, but that was about it. Luckily, as production began in the U.K., much more was revealed early this month, fromstory pointstocharacter detailstodebut images, and now high-resolution versions of said photos have been released online to further enticeHarry Potterfans.
So what isFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them? Well the story takes place in the same universe asHarry Potter, but is set in 1920s New York. Oscar winnerEddie Redmayneleads an ensemble cast as Newt Scamander, an English magizoologist who arrives in New York with a trusty weathered briefcase in hand, where he crosses paths with a number of other folks from the Wizarding World. However, “magic folk” are much more denigrated in the United States, with “no-maj’s” (ie. the American word for “muggles”) forcing most wizards and witches to hide their true selves. However, when Newt’s case—which isfull of magical creatures—pops open and unleashes some very odd beasts in New York, he and his new friends find themselves in a bit of a pickle.
David Yates, who helmed the final fourHarry Potterfilms, is in the director’s chair, and I can hardly contain my excitement for this particular feature. The casting is excellent (Katherine Waterston,Colin Farrell,Samantha Morton,Ezra Millerand more fill out the ensemble), the premise is enticing, and most importantly this feels wholly fresh while remaining part of the glorious Wizard World that Rowling crafted with her brilliantHarry Potterseries.
So, while we count down the days until the film’s release, check out the high-resolution images below, and click for a closer look.Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themopens in theaters on July 29, 2025.
