The 25 Best Harry Potter Characters

Who are the best Harry Potter characters?

The Harry Potter universe is one of the most beloved in the world, and from the moment the first book debuted, fans have been going crazy for these characters.

While there are a lot of great Harry Potter characters, some of them stand out more than others, and it is these that we are ranking today.

The 25 Best Harry Potter Characters

Everyone has their favorite character in the Harry Potter series, and choosing the best is hard work. So, we’ve put our biases aside to compile a list based on fan ratings and series impact.

Here’s our list of the 25 best Harry Potter characters:

25. Ginny Weasley

The youngest and only female member of the Weasley family is kicking off our list.

When we first really met Ginny, she was a lovesick first-year in possession of Tom Riddle’s diary, and at the time, fans had no idea how important she would become as a character.

Although Ginny Weasley may not have seemed like much at first, throughout the series, she grew to become an influential leader and a powerful witch in Dumbledore’s Army.

Ginny fought in many battles and became a very talented Quiddich player, eventually becoming a professional after the Second Wizarding War before retiring and becoming a sports editor for the Daily Prophet.

It makes sense that Harry would end up gravitating toward her and falling in love, given how assertive and determined she grew up to be.

24. Gilderoy Lockhart

Famous for his books on dark creatures and his many encounters with them, this blonde bombshell became the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in Harry’s second year.

However, while Lockhart claimed to have performed many daring and impressive acts, he was ultimately a master con artist, using his talent for memory charms to steal credit for the works of other wizards.

You definitely wouldn’t see him taking out any of the toughest video game bosses of all time; we’re convinced he wouldn’t even have the skills to succeed even in a virtual world.

Wanting to take all the fame of finding the Chamber of Secrets himself, he made the mistake of using Ron’s broken wand to cast a memory charm that backfired and left him without any memory of who he was.

Now left in St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies, he lives as a shell of his former self, only retaining minimal memories.

23. Gellert Grindelwald

Considered one of the most formidable wizards of his time, surpassed only by Dumbledore and Voldemort, Grindelwald started as a student at Durmstrang Institute before being expelled for dark experiments.

He later had a brief romantic relationship with Albus Dumbledore, who had no idea about his plans to create a world where wizards dominated muggles.

Gellert Grindelwald is a highly complex character whose violent acts only are exceeded by those of Voldemort, but that doesn’t stop fans from being fascinated by him and his story.

Although he was eventually imprisoned by Dumbledore and slain by Voldemort after refusing to give the latter the location of the Elder Wand, we can’t help but want to see more about his life and dark adventures.

22. Albus Severus Potter

The son of Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley, Albus Severus Potter, was named after Dumbledore and Snape, who Harry describes as two “great wizards” he knew.

Upon starting his education at Hogwarts school, Albus was sorted into Slytherin’s house, where he struck up a friendship with Scorpius Malfoy, something that cemented just how much things had changed since Harry’s time at school.

While his father’s legacy weighs heavily on him, with other students often expecting him to live up to grandiose expectations, he is determined to forge his own path.

While not without controversy, Albus Potter is arguably one of the most compelling characters in the Harry Potter universe, and despite only appearing in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a two-part play written by J.K. Rowling, fans are holding out hope that one day he might come to the big screen.

21. Molly Weasley

Molly Weasley is famous for being the stalwart mother of the Weasley family and for telling Bellatrix Lestrange, “Not my daughter, you bitch!”

Molly may seem like the epitome of a kind, caring, and homely mother, but when her children are in danger, the gloves come off, and fans get to see just what a badass this woman is.

We first met the matriarch of the Weasley clan in the Sorcerer’s Stone, where she helped Harry figure out how to access platform 9 3/4 in King’s Cross Station.

After that, she wholeheartedly welcomed him into her family, taking on the role of a surrogate mother without any hesitation.

Molly Weasley is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable characters in the Harry Potter franchise and one that fans can’t help but love.

20. Lucius Malfoy

With a name like Lucius, it’s hard not to end up being the bad guy, and in the Harry Potter franchise, this is no exception.

Lucius Malfoy cemented his place as a bad guy when he slipped Ginny Weasley Tom Riddle’s diary to sabotage Arthur Weasley.

While Lucius did end up returning as a Death Eater upon Voldemort’s return, the Dark Lord was not pleased with his failures and treated him and his whole family with disdain.

Eventually, Lucius saw the error of his ways, and he and his wife defected from the Death Eaters, earning them a pardon after the Second Wizarding War.

Although this does little to absolve him of his past wrongdoings, it does help convey just how conflicted, and complex this seemingly pure evil character truly is.

19. Luna Lovegood

While Luna Lovegood may seem airy and aloof, she is cleverer than she appears and has earned many fans as a result.

Luna didn’t have an easy life growing up after witnessing her mother’s death while experimenting with spells when she was nine, an incident that allowed her to see Thestrals.

Raised mainly by her father, the editor of The Quibbler, she grew up to be exceptionally quirky, making her largely a loner at Hogwarts until she joined Dumbledore’s Army.

In fact, when Hogwarts fell under Voldemort’s control, it was Luna Lovegood who co-led the reconstruction of Dumbledore’s Army, later fighting in the Second Wizarding War and showing how formidable she had become.

While fans had hoped to see her and Neville Longbottom end up together, she ultimately ended up marrying the grandson of Newt Scamander and becoming a Magizoologist, classifying many new magical creatures that had never before been encountered.

18. Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody

While our first introduction to Mad-Eye Moody was actually Barty Crouch Jnr, disguised as him acting as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher to kidnap Harry, it was hard not to like this gruff Auror once you got to know him.

Starting in many of the books and movies, Moody was even featured in numerous Lego Harry Potter games, which have become some of the best LEGO games of all time, though you can’t play as him directly.

Disfigured during the First Wizarding War, Mad-Eye now has a prosthetic leg and a magical eye that he can use to see through even invisibility cloaks and the back of his head.

Often considered to be the best Auror of all time, Mad-Eye comes across as a no-nonsense kind of guy and someone who is a bit paranoid, but for a good reason.

Killed early at the beginning of the Deathly Hallows, his loss hit fans hard, especially since he seemed so tough and unbeatable.

17. Delores Umbridge

We have to give Umbridge her due as one of the most popular and most hated characters in the whole Harry Potter franchise.

Arguably even eviler than Lord Voldemort himself, Delores Umbridge took up the mantle as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher during Harry’s fifth year and, during her tenure, became known for her cruelty and abusive punishments.

We think everyone who read about her having Harry carve “I must not tell lies” on his hand for the first time wanted her to die an agonizing death, and it remains one of the most infuriating moments in the whole series.

Fortunately, for all her crimes, she was eventually sentenced to Azkaban prison for the rest of her life, with no frills or cute cat plates to keep her company.

16. Newt Scamander

Earning his own series of movies, Newt Scamander was a famous Magizoologist and the author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

At Hogwarts school, Newt was placed into Hufflepuff, though he ended up being expelled after taking responsibility for a friend’s dangerous actions, despite Albus Dumbledore objecting, recognizing his innocence.

Even though he was expelled, he later joined the Ministry of Magic, earning many promotions due to his knowledge of magical creatures.

Although his accomplishments earned him a lot of renown in the Wizarding World, his awkward and endearing personality made him a favorite character.

His unwavering sense of morality and willingness to protect all creatures also earned him a lot of fans, and he remains one of the most beloved characters in the franchise for decades to come.

15. Fred & George Weasley

Fred and George Weasley share a spot on our list because it is literally impossible to separate these two hilarious brothers.

These mischievous twins were inseparable, and their antics made them the favorite characters of many fans from the moment they showed up in the books and on screen.

Both members of Dumbledore’s Army and dual owners of the joke shop Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, the Weasley twins served as comic relief in the Harry Potter novels and movies, quickly making fans smile with every prank they pulled.

However, at the end of the series, Fred Weasley met his end when he was killed in an explosion while fighting alongside his other brother, Percy.

Needless to say, this death hit fans hard, bringing a shocking end to this iconic duo.

While George Weasley named his son in honor of his late brother, fans still lament the loss of this amazing character who had been in the series since the beginning.

14. Bellatrix Lestrange

Cousin of Harry’s godfather Sirius Black, Bellatrix Lestrange, became a Death Eater shortly after graduating from Hogwarts, quickly becoming known as one of the most fanatical of Voldemort’s followers.

Upon being released from Azkaban after the Dark Lord’s return, Bellatrix went on to murder Sirius Black, Nymphadora Tonks, and Dobby before eventually being killed by Molly Weasley in the famous showdown that fans went wild for.

Although one of the most sadistic and brutal characters in the Harry Potter movies and books, Bellatrix became a favorite Harry Potter character due to her crazy personality and amazing portrayal by Helen Bonham Carter.

Like some of the most popular video game characters of all time, Bellatrix Lestrange has risen to become one of the most popular Harry Potter characters despite her dark dealings.

13. Dobby

First showing up in The Chamber of Secrets, where he served as a house-elf to the Malfoy family, Dobby arrived at Harry Potter’s home to try and stop him from going to Hogwarts so that he could stay safe.

While this plan didn’t work, Harry ultimately thwarted Lucius Malfoy’s plans and freed Dobby by hiding a sock in Riddle’s diary, which Malfoy handed to the house-elf to carry.

During the events of the Deathly Hallows part one, he went to Malfoy Manner, sent by Aberforth Dumbledore, to rescue Harry and his imprisoned friends.

However, Dobby was unfortunately struck with Bellatrix’s knife as he and Harry apparated away, passing away from his wound at Shell Cottage.

Dobby’s death shook many fans to their cores, and it stood out as one of the most heart-wrenching moments in all of the Harry Potter movies.

12. Remus Lupin

Remus Lupin showed up during Harry’s third year as the newest Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.

Having been friends with James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew during his time at Hogwarts as a student, Remus did his best to protect Harry, even after his tenure as a teacher was done.

He rejoined the Order of the Phoenix and eventually married fellow member Tonks, with whom he had a child.

Unfortunately, this fan-favorite character doesn’t have a happy ending either, with both him and Tonks being killed during the Battle of Hogwarts.

Although the Deathly Hallows saw a lot of great characters bite the dust, Lupin’s death hit particularly hard given that he had only just found happiness and started his own family.

11. Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall was a no-nonsense teacher of Transfiguration who certainly wouldn’t take kindly to students misbehaving in class, even if it was to trade the rarest Magic the Gathering cards or notes about plans after class.

While she is undeniably stern, she isn’t without her sense of rebellion, not afraid to speak her mind, especially in arguments.

McGonagall was unwaveringly brave during the Battle of Hogwarts, standing up against Death Eaters and protecting everyone she could.

Fortunately for her fans, she survived the Second Wizarding War and now holds the title of Headmaster, something that we wouldn’t have trusted to anyone else.

10. Draco Malfoy

First introduced in the Sorcerer’s Stone, Draco Malfoy originally came across as a stuck-up, rich kid who wouldn’t hesitate to get his powerful father involved to solve any of his problems.

While it was easy to laugh when Hermione Granger turned him into a ferret or smacked him across the face, there turned out to be a lot more to Draco than fans initially saw.

Forced by his family to become a Death Eater at 16, he was originally tasked with killing Dumbledore but broke down, unable to do it.

In the final hours of the war, his whole family defected, leaving Draco to finally be able to live his own life, eventually marrying and having a son, Scorpius, who would go on to become best friends with Albus Potter.

A great example of a complex character, it’s hard not to feel bad for Draco, especially given his upbringing in a family with such dark ties.

9. Rubeus Hagrid

It is hard to find anyone who doesn’t love this half-giant whose height is only surpassed by the size of his heart.

Hagrid was tasked with introducing Harry to the Wizarding World, even as the Dursleys tried their best to keep him locked away.

Quickly becoming one of Harry’s most trusted friends, Hagrid worked as the groundskeeper at Hogwarts and would regularly invite Harry and his friends over for tea.

He would eventually become the Care of Magical Creatures professor due to his love of animals and ability to work with even potentially dangerous creatures like the Hippogriff.

Thankfully, Hagrid, despite fighting in both Wizarding Wars, survived and became a mentor to Albus Severus, inviting him for tea, just as he did his father.

8. Voldemort

Originally a boy named Tom Riddle, the Dark Lord Voldemort was exceptionally gifted in his youth, but his constant drive for more power led him to experiment with dark magics that made him someone that even the strongest anime characters would struggle to subdue.

He survived his apparent death after failing to kill Harry, thanks to having split his soul among numerous Horcruxes, and he drifted between different hosts, unable to retain his physical body until Harry’s blood was used to resurrect him.

Although most fans rooted for his ultimate destruction, Voldemort served as one of the best villains in modern memory, and it is hard not to be fascinated by him.

While he was eventually killed by Harry Potter during the Second War, because his soul was so fractured, what was left of him remained trapped in limbo, unable to ever move on to an afterlife.

7. Sirius Black

While Sirius was set up to be a bad guy in Prisoner of Azkaban, it is quickly discovered that he was, in fact, one of James Potter’s best friends and the godfather of Harry, falsely imprisoned after being framed by Peter Pettigrew.

After being the only person to ever escape from Azkaban, he went into hiding and eventually joined the re-created Order of the Phoenix to protect his godson.

It was hard for fans not to love Sirius once they got to see his bravery and mischievous spirit, played wonderfully by Gary Oldman.

In fact, it is Oldman’s performance that has even led many of the cast members of Fantastic Beasts to name Sirius as their favorite character in the series!

Although he was killed by Bellatrix during the Battle of the Department of Mysteries in the Order of the Phoenix, leaving fans heartbroken, that hasn’t stopped him from remaining one of the best characters in the franchise.

6. Neville Longbottom

When fans were first introduced to Neville, they saw him as a shy, clumsy source of comic relief.

However, as the son of two powerful Aurors, Neville shared in the prophecy that said a child would be born with the ability to defeat Voldemort, and it was only by chance that Harry’s family was targeted first that saved Neville from being the Boy Who Lived.

Despite initially being seen as awkward and timid, Neville grew to become one of the bravest members of Dumbledore’s Army, fighting in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries and the Battle of Hogwarts, even destroying the final Horcrux by beheading the snake Nagini.

Seeing just how far Neville came throughout the series cemented his place as one of the best Harry Potter characters and a favorite among fans everywhere.

5. Severus Snape

Severus Snape is a character you either love or hate, but we can all agree that no one could play him better than Alan Rickman, whose amazing performance was one of the best in the franchise.

This conflicting character treated Harry with incredible disdain throughout most of their encounters, but behind the scenes, he protected Harry by playing a double agent for Dumbledore.

A mysterious character, Snape’s loyalties were always in question, but he did what he could to save Harry’s life out of love for the boy’s mother, whom he fell for as a student at Hogwarts.

While Voldemort ultimately killed Severus, Harry learned through his memories how much he had loved Lily Potter and everything he had done to protect him.

Although this didn’t endear him to everyone, it definitely earned him a lot more fans.

4. Albus Dumbledore

Albus Dumbledore was the one person that fans always believed Harry could depend on, and his kind and wise nature made him a fan favorite even after his planned death at the hands of Severus Snape.

While he wasn’t without skeletons in his closet, having loved the dark wizard Grindelwald in his youth, he is often considered to have been the best headmaster Hogwarts has ever had, and it was through his machinations that the original Order of the Phoenix was formed to oppose Voldemort.

Dumbledore was also the only person that the Dark Lord ever feared due to his mastery of the Elder Wand, and even after his death, his plans helped see Voldemort defeated once and for all.

Playing the part of the wise, worldly wizard, similar to Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, it is easy for fans to gravitate towards this fantastically written character.

3. Ron Weasley

Portrayed perfectly by Rupert Grint, Ron Weasley has stood by Harry throughout all seven books and the eight subsequent movies.

The youngest son of the Weasleys, Ron became Harry’s friend almost immediately on the Hogwarts Express, and it is hard to think of how different things would have been without him.

While not the most brilliant wizard, Ron shows undeniably bravery, fighting alongside Harry numerous times and following him on his journey to find and eliminate the Horcruxes.

Throughout the series, Ron proves himself to be one of Harry’s most loyal friends and one of the best characters in the series and any modern story.

2. Hermione Granger

Hermione Granger isn’t the type of person you would find playing the most popular video games of all time but instead tucked into a huge book studying new spells and incantations.

One of the most brilliant witches in history, Hermione is beyond brilliant and the perfect example of one of the most influential and powerful women in modern media.

Emma Watson captured her know-it-all attitude perfectly, balancing it with her assertiveness and bravery to make her one of the most beloved characters in the franchise.

Having been born to muggle parents, Hermione Granger is much more relatable to readers and viewers than many others, and her willingness to stand by her principles makes her a much-needed role model for young girls.

1. Harry Potter

Of course, Harry Potter himself takes our number one spot as the best character in the series.

The son of James and Lily Potter, Harry was marked after Voldemort attempted to kill him as a baby, only saved by his mother’s love.

From the very first chapter of the book, it was hard not to fall in love with Harry’s magical story, and his unwavering bravery and willingness to sacrifice himself for his friends make him one of the greatest literary and film heroes of all time.

Standing against Lord Voldemort, even as an 11-year-old boy, Harry had to endure trials and terrors that most could never dream about, but despite it all, his loyalty to his friends and doing the right thing never faltered.

Despite having such a hard life, Harry shows incredible humility throughout his hero’s journey, and we can’t help but root for him every step of the way.

Summary

We hope you enjoyed our list of the best Harry Potter characters as much as we did!

The world of Harry Potter is filled with unforgettable characters, and while Harry, Ron, and Hermione are undoubtedly on the top of our list, each of these characters has left a lasting impression on fans.

Here’s a quick recap of the 25 best Harry Potter characters:

1. Harry Potter
2. Hermione Granger
3. Ron Weasley
4. Albus Dumbledore
5. Severus Snape
6. Neville Longbottom
7. Sirius Black
8. Voldemort
9. Rubeus Hagrid
10. Draco Malfoy
11. Minerva McGonagall
12. Remus Lupin
13. Dobby
14. Bellatrix Lestrange
15. Fred & George Weasley
16. Newt Scamander
17. Delores Umbridge
18. Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody
19. Luna Lovegood
20. Lucius Malfoy
21. Molly Weasley
22. Albus Severus Potter
23. Gellert Grindelwald
24. Gilderoy Lockhart
25. Ginny Weasley

Who’s the best Harry Potter character, in your opinion? Leave a comment below.