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If you haven't been watching the "Harry Potter" movies by now, it's likely that no amount of recapping will help. But if you just need a refresher, here's a thumbnail look back at the seven previous movies in the series — with box-office figures (from Box Office Mojo), summaries, and where each film ranks in terms of quality (as determined by Tribune movie critic Sean P. Means; the new movie is fourth out of eight).
'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'
Released • Nov. 16, 2001
Director • Chris Columbus
Domestic box office • $317,575,550
Rank (first to worst) • 6th
Summary • "You're a wizard, Harry," proclaims the burly Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). With that, orphaned Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) discovers his magical heritage as he's whisked to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry — and meets new friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). Harry also encounters the evil Lord Voldemort, who has taken over the body of a Hogwarts professor.
'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'
Released • Nov. 15, 2002
Director • Chris Columbus
Domestic box office • $261,988,482
Rank • 8th
Summary • In Harry's second year, he uncovers more about Lord Voldemort through the diary of Tom Riddle. The diary, containing a piece of Voldemort's soul, possesses Ron's sister, Ginny (Bonnie Wright) — and to save her, Harry must battle a giant snake, the Basilisk.
'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'
Released • June 4, 2004
Director • Alfonso Cuarón
Domestic box office • $249,541,069
Rank • 1st
Summary • Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), the man jailed in the death of Harry's parents, escapes from Azkaban Prison, seemingly determined to kill Harry. Soon Harry discovers the truth about his parents' death — as well as learning about the evil Dementors and the secret identity of his kindly professor, Remus Lupin (David Thewlis).
'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'
Released • Nov. 18, 2005
Director • Mike Newell
Domestic box office • $290,013,036
Rank • 7th
Summary • Harry, to his surprise, is entered in the Triwizard Tournament — where he must face a dragon, swim with nasty mermaids and navigate a treacherous maze. Turns out all that is child's play compared to what happens later: an encounter with the reborn Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) that leaves his classmate Cedric Diggory (a pre-"Twilight" Robert Pattinson) dead.
'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'
Released • July 11, 2007
Director • David Yates
Domestic box office • $292,004,738
Rank • 3rd
Summary • Branded a liar by the Ministry of Magic and The Daily Prophet newspaper, Harry gathers his Hogwarts classmates to form "Dumbledore's Army" in a mission to reveal Voldemort's presence to the magical world — and take Hogwarts back from the influence of the imperious Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton).
'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'
Released • July 15, 2009
Director • David Yates
Domestic box office • $301,959,197
Rank • 2nd
Summary • Harry learns from Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) about the early history of Tom Riddle, aka Voldemort. Meanwhile, the relationship between Ron and Hermione intensifies, and a dark secret is learned about Professor Severus Snape (Alan Rickman).
'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1'
Released • Nov. 19, 2010
Director • David Yates
Domestic box office • $295,001,070
Rank • 5th
Summary • Voldemort's Death Eaters have taken over the Ministry of Magic, turning it into a propaganda mill against "mudbloods" (magical people born of non-magical Muggles). Harry, Ron and Hermione are fugitives who go underground in a quest to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes — the shards of Voldemort's soul. They also learn about the three powerful magic items that make up the Deathly Hallows — and that one of them, Dumbledore's wand, has been taken from Dumbledore's grave by Voldemort.