Top 10 Best Actors in the Harry Potter Movie Series

Not all magic in the Harry Potter films came from wands. Some of it came from the sheer force of a raised eyebrow, a trembling voice, or a sneer so venomous it could curdle butterbeer. You've watched them bring J.K. Rowling's characters to life through seven books' worth of spells, secrets, and seriously complicated family trees. Now it's your turn to decide who brought the most fire to the screen.

Was it the actor who made you question your loyalties every time he uttered a line in a deadpan whisper? The one who aged a brainy sidekick into a symbol of strength? Or maybe the one who treated every scene like a personal invitation to go absolutely feral and have the time of their life?

Vote for the actors who nailed every nuance, owned every frame, and gave performances still talked about long after the credits rolled.

The Top Ten

Alan Rickman - Severus Snape

Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman (February 21, 1946 - January 14, 2016) was an English actor and director known for playing a variety of roles on stage and screen, most notably Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series and Hans Gruber in Die Hard. He passed away of pancreatic cancer in 2016. Rickman also received... read more

Alan Rickman played Severus Snape to perfection. His body language and mannerisms during his scenes as Snape were impeccable and a joy to behold. The manner in which he used his voice as Snape was marvelous. You can tell he really thought about how Snape would behave in each scene. He was so convincing that even the child actors admitted they were terrified of him because he would not break character.

A lot of the actors in Harry Potter are great, but I had to choose Snape. While yes, I hate the character, Rickman was able to portray him so smoothly and effortlessly that he practically was Snape. Not only that, but J.K. Rowling herself picked him to be Snape. From critics' reviews on the Harry Potter films, I heard no complaints about Rickman's portrayal of Snape at all.
Emma Watson - Hermione Granger

Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson is a British actress, model, and activist. Born in Paris and brought up in Oxfordshire, Watson attended the Dragon School as a child and trained as an actress at the Oxford branch of Stagecoach Theatre Arts.... read more

I thought Emma captured this character completely. She, a confident and attractive girl, played a girl not at ease with her looks, showing Hermione's strength and insecurities perfectly. She gave a character, who could have come off as superhuman and unapproachable, humanity and grace. She stole the show, making Hermione the main character from the first movie to the last.

Emma is always an incredible actress, but I feel like she did an especially amazing job with Hermione. She fit her personality almost exactly and captured her spirit and thirst for knowledge. Not only that, Emma also made Hermione a true Gryffindor, one who was willing to risk her life for her cause. Emma all the way.
Gary Oldman - Sirius Black

Gary Leonard Oldman is an English actor, filmmaker, musician, and author. Renowned for his "big" acting style, Oldman is one of the most celebrated thespians of his generation, with a diverse career encompassing theatre, film, and television. He has received a Golden Globe award and an Academy Award... read more
Helena Bonham Carter - Bellatrix Lestrange

Helena Bonham Carter is an English actress known for her versatility in both independent films and major blockbusters. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance as Kate Croy in The Wings of the Dove, and a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for portraying Queen... read more

How is Emma Watson higher than this wonderful actress? The only person deserving of a spot higher is Alan Rickman. Her portrayal of the psychotic, sadistic witch Bellatrix was awe-inspiring.

She must have had so much fun on the set, playing demented Bellatrix and walking on tables and going "Whoopee" when Bellatrix sets Hagrid's house on fire. Seriously, I want to walk on tables and crash plates. And she played her so well. I loved the "Ickle baby Potter" line so much.

It's the first time I liked Bellatrix. Although I don't like the character, I liked how she acted as Bellatrix. She portrayed the Bellatrix in the books.
Daniel Radcliffe - Harry Potter

Daniel Jacob Radcliffe (born July 23, 1989) is an English actor. He rose to prominence portraying the title character in the Harry Potter film series (2001-2011).
Since then, he has taken on a variety of roles in stage, film, and television, including The Woman in Black, Swiss Army Man, Kill Your... read more

I can never even dream of anybody else as Harry Potter, not because of his looks. He owned his character and knew exactly how to behave so that he is the closest to his character. He didn't have the stature of an action hero, but with his expression and perfect dialogue delivery, he was able to portray Harry perfectly. I am sure nobody thinks anyone else is suitable as Harry.

I think he is the best actor in looks and acting. I just have a dream of meeting Daniel in New York. Nobody can beat him. He is the best. I love you, Daniel.
Ralph Fiennes - Lord Voldemort

Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes (born December 22, 1962) is an English actor, director, and producer. A noted Shakespeare interpreter, he first achieved success on stage at the Royal National Theatre.
Fiennes' portrayal of Nazi war criminal Amon Göth in Schindler's List (1993) earned... read more

Pretty much one of the only "great" actors among the troupe. They all did a fantastic job, but you can't put Fiennes this low. He and Rickman were probably the best actors in Harry Potter.

The acting was so good I found myself rooting for Voldemort!

He was awesome. He deserves to be in the top ten.
Jason Isaacs - Lucius Malfoy

I kinda feel bad that Jason Isaacs is underrated in terms of praise for the Harry Potter franchise. He did a good job, and when I looked him up, he sounded like a pretty cool dude. If I hadn't voted for Alan Rickman, my vote would've either gone to Maggie Smith or him.

He is my favorite actor from the movies. Watch him in Chamber of Secrets when he meets Hermione. You can just see the contempt and haughtiness in his face, even though he is being nice to her. It is the subtle acting that made him play Lucius brilliantly.
Tom Felton - Draco Malfoy

Thomas Andrew Felton (born 22 September 1987) is an English actor. Born in Surrey, Felton began appearing in commercials and made his screen debut as Peagreen Clock in The Borrowers (1997). He then portrayed Louis T. Leonowens in Anna and the King (1999) before being cast as Draco Malfoy in the film... read more

Tom Felton is responsible for making one of the most hated characters in the books the most loved in the fandom. Next to Rupert, he is the best out of the child actors and probably the most talented. He improvised one of the best lines in the movies (Chamber of Secrets, when he found out Goyle could read) and made Draco charming when he is a complete git in the books.
Ironically, he is also one of the nicest people in real life. He should have had more screen time in the movies though.

Did you notice he hardly had any lines in the sixth film? Yet he changed everyone's perception of Draco just with his expressions and his mannerisms. Some of the best acting is wordless. Tom owned his role.
Maggie Smith - Minerva McGonagall

Dame Margaret Natalie "Maggie" Smith CH DBE (28 December 1934 - 27 September 2024) was an English actress known for her wit in both comedic and dramatic roles. She had an extensive and varied career on stage, film, and television spanning over seven decades. Smith appeared in more than 50 films and was... read more

She had a minor part, but she played it very well to the end. One of the lines I loved is when she said, "I've always wanted to say that spell," or such. It was out of character for McGonagall, but it was a good "out of character" situation. I personally liked both her acting and the character she played in the movie.

She is just amazing. She deserves thousands of awards and she is the best actress in Harry Potter. I am so happy that she got the part as she deserved it!

She played McGonagall so well!
Rupert Grint - Ron Weasley

Rupert Alexander Lloyd Grint is an English actor who became famous for playing Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter film series. Ron is one of the three main characters and Harry Potter's best friend. Grint's performance has been praised by fans and critics alike.

Out of the young actors, I feel Rupert Grint is the most underappreciated and underrated. Not only is he a cool person in real life, but he was also the best actor out of the trio. He was the only one who could act in the first few films. His comedic timing and delivery were more than good in all of them.
Daniel Radcliffe often couldn't express subtle emotions, especially in the earlier films. Emma Watson often overacted, relying too much on her eyebrows to convey emotions. Rupert, however, played Ron perfectly. You only had to see his face to know if he was feeling sad, admiration, jealousy, frustration, anger, etc., in any scene. Too bad the movies gave all his good lines and traits to Hermione.

The Newcomers

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Katie Leung - Cho Chang
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John Cleese - Nearly Headless Nick

John Marwood Cleese is an English actor, voice actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report.

The Contenders

David Thewlis - Remus Lupin
Matthew Lewis - Neville Longbottom

Matthew David Lewis is an English film, television, and stage actor. He is best known for playing Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films. Lewis has also appeared in television series such as The Syndicate and Bluestone 42, and in the romantic drama film Me Before You.

Matthew Lewis is underrated as Neville. He captured Neville really well.
Bonnie Wright - Ginny Weasley

Honestly, in the sixth film, when she said "Yes, nosy" and her lines in that scene, the acting could've been better. But overall, I think she is one of the best characters.

She is beautiful! I think she and Harry were the best couple ever!
Bill Nighy - Rufus Scrimgeour
Evanna Lynch - Luna Lovegood

Evanna Patricia Lynch is an Irish actress and model. She rose to prominence for her portrayal of Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter film series, appearing in four films. Lynch also voiced the character in several tie-in video games and has remained involved in fan events and activism related to the series... read more

This is the best person ever. How is Scrimgeour higher? Yes, Nighy is a great actor, but this is only Harry Potter.

Luna was my favorite character, and I love how calm and mysterious Evanna Lynch portrayed her!

At the beginning of the fifth movie, she is a bit awkward, but she plays to her best ability as she grows in the wizarding world.
Richard Harris - Albus Dumbledore

Richard Harris was a British television writer, most active from the early 1960s to the mid-1990s. He wrote primarily for the crime and detective genres. He contributed episodes to series like The Avengers, The Saint, The Sweeney, Armchair Mystery Theatre, and Target.

I think Richard Harris seemed exactly like Albus Dumbledore and showed the Hogwarts head's compassion, bravery, and overall goodness in the Harry Potter films.

The best Albus Dumbledore. He captured Dumbledore's quiet charm and wisdom. When I imagine Dumbledore in the books, I see him.
John Hurt - Garrick Ollivander

Sir John Vincent Hurt, CBE (January 22, 1940 - January 25, 2017), was an English actor and voice actor whose career spanned six decades. He was regarded as one of Britain's finest actors. Director David Lynch described him as "simply the greatest actor in the world."
Imelda Staunton - Dolores Umbridge

The second-best acting performance after Snape.
Robbie Coltrane - Rubeus Hagrid

Robbie Coltrane (March 30, 1950 - October 14, 2022) was a Scottish actor best known for playing Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter film franchise, based on the book series by J.K. Rowling. He also starred in the acclaimed TV series Cracker, for which he won three consecutive BAFTA Awards. Coltrane had... read more
Julie Walters - Molly Weasley
Michael Gambon - Albus Dumbledore

Sir Michael John Gambon was an Irish-born English actor who worked in theatre, television, and film. He was best known to international audiences for portraying Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films from 2004 to 2011, following the death of Richard Harris.... read more

I thought he captured Dumbledore's essence excellently.
David Tennant - Barty Crouch Jr.

David Tennant is a Scottish actor known for his roles in television and film. He is best known for portraying the Tenth Doctor in Doctor Who, Alec Hardy in Broadchurch, and Kilgrave in Jessica Jones. Tennant has also appeared in the Harry Potter film series as Barty Crouch Jr. and played the lead in... read more

While his part was minor, he's an amazing actor!
James Phelps - Fred Weasley
Timothy Spall - Peter Pettigrew
Richard Griffiths - Vernon Dursley