Harry Potter Books Ranked: Our Updated Ranking Of The Harry Potter Book Series

I know what you’re thinking: “Haven’t you ranked the Harry Potter books already?” Well, the answer is quite simple. Yes.

I recently finished re-reading the entire Harry Potter series and upon finishing Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, I found that my ranking of the books had significantly changed since I first posted my ranking. This is the first time that I have re-read the entire Harry Potter series since I was a teenager, so I thought it would be fun to rank the books again based on my most recent re-read.

It’s important to note that while I certainly enjoy some Harry Potter books more than others, I am an incredibly big fan of the stories, characters and world that J.K. Rowling created (I mean, I have an entire blog devoted to the Wizarding World). I may criticise certain aspects of the series throughout this ranking, but that doesn’t mean I am in any way saying that I dislike or hate the Harry Potter books.

Check out my ranking below:

7 – Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone

J.K. Rowling’s first Wizarding World adventure, Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, might be the shortest instalment of the series, but the author makes every word count! Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone does a magical job of setting up the world and the many wonderful characters, while also delivering a shocking and engaging mystery!

Like I said in my original ranking of the series, every great story needs a great beginning, and the Harry Potter series has one of the best!

6 – Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets

The second instalment of the Harry Potter series dives deeper into the Wizarding World, introducing new mythology (floo powder, Knockturn Alley etc.) and adding fresh faces to the cast of characters (Gilderoy Lockhart & Dobby). With Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, J.K. Rowling does an excellent job of developing the story from the first book, although this one feels somewhat standalone-ish compared to the rest, while raising the stakes and taking the series in a darker direction.

5 – Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

For many readers, especially older fans of the series, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire marks the true beginning of the Harry Potter series. In the fourth chapter of Harry’s story, J.K. Rowling starts to set-up the larger narrative of series and begins to piece together the growing conflict between Harry and Lord Voldemort. Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire delves into the Wizarding World more than any of the earlier books, introducing new concepts and characters to the series.

Where the first three books felt like individual adventures, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire feels more connected and sets-up the true narrative of the entire series.

4 – Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix

The fifth instalment of the Harry Potter series begins to deal with more mature themes, with J.K. Rowling exploring the darker corners of the Wizarding World and delving deeper into the characters. Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix offers an in-depth look at each of the central characters – and the book spends a great deal of time showing the reader that despite being the hero of the story, Harry has very real flaws.

It’s also worth noting that J.K. Rowling delivers one of the Harry Potter series’ greatest mysteries with Harry Potter And The Order of The Phoenix.

3 – Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban

Let’s just say that there’s a reason Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban is most people’s favourite Harry Potter book! The third instalment of the series offers a fresh twist on the established formula, with J.K. Rowling adding darker elements to the story while still taking Harry, Ron and Hermione on a thrilling adventure! Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban may be the only book to not include Lord Voldemort, but Rowling give us plenty to enjoy!

We should also note that time travel is very difficult to do well, and J.K. Rowling managed to pull it off beautifully!

2 – Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows

Many believed it would be impossible to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the Harry Potter series (including myself), but J.K. Rowling was able to give fans an outrageously thrilling, emotional and action-packed conclusion, that lived up to all of our impossibly big expectations. Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows is the biggest and most action-packed book that the Harry Potter series has to offer, but Rowling still takes the time to give fans a thoughtful character piece that shows how each of the central characters have evolved since we first met them.

1 – Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

Some might call me crazy for placing Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince in my number one spot, but this most recent re-read of the Harry Potter series opened my eyes to how beautiful and important this book is! While the sixth instalment of the series might not be the most action-packed or exciting, but J.K. Rowling more than makes up for that with an outrageously thoughtful character piece, that takes the necessary time to delve into the series’ most beloved characters!

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince also reveals a great deal about Lord Voldemort’s past, which was vital leading into the final instalment of the series.

So there you have it Potterheads, my updated ranking of the Harry Potter book series! Let us know how you would rank the Harry Potter books in the comments section, and vote for your favourite Harry Potter book in the poll below! You can also find The Blog That Must Not Be Named on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok!

The Blog That Must Not Be Named is a Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts fan blog, covering all corners of the Wizarding World! Launched in 2019, The Blog That Must Not Be Named offers the latest Wizarding World news, magical features and more!