Top 10 Harry Potter Moments

WARNING: There are spoilers ahead – if you haven’t seen all the films currently available on DVD, turn back now…

Harry's first Quidditch match - Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)

After a rocky start at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) finds himself having to live up to the expectations of a legacy laid out in front of him. The famous Quidditch match, depicted in the first film, marks a moment of triumph for the young wizard - who is intent on proving his worth at Hogwarts. In a match that sees team Gryffindor and team Slytherin go head to head, Harry’s house knocks its opposition sideways in a landslide victory. Director Chris Columbus’ use of CGI made for an impressive broom-riding battle between the opposing teams.

Battling the Basilisk - Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets (2002)

A string of strange occurrences at Hogwarts beckons Harry and his close pals Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) back to school. When an onset of cryptic writing begins appearing on the walls of Hogwarts, the famous trio embark on a journey through the Chamber of Secrets - only to discover an old nemesis is lurking in its walls. The three friends are put through their paces with a series of tests, but as they near the chamber Harry is forced to go it alone. A dual against the ferocious Basilisk ensues, but with the help of Dumbledore’s (Richard Harris) phoenix, Fawkes, Harry slays the beast.

Sirius Black dies - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

After a series of bizarre, visionary dreams about his godparent Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), Harry and his friends venture into unknown territory in the heart of London. Upon arriving at the Department of Mysteries, the magic clan unearth a prophecy surrounding Harry and his sworn enemy Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). But before they are able to make a hasty exit the trio become cornered by a group of deadly Death Eaters. Sirius and the Order of the Phoenix rush to the children’s rescue and a battle of epic proportions follows. Director David Yates cooks up a visual storm in the grandest of scenes - which sees Dumbledore and Voldemort go wand to wand on screen for the very first time, and Harry’s godfather Sirius die.

Harry's first kiss - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

While actor Daniel Radcliffe was bearing all on stage in his West End debut, his alter ego Harry Potter was locking lips for the first time – much to the delight of fans everywhere. In the fifth instalment of the franchise, Harry’s teenage mind begins to wander away from magic and towards something much more normal; girls. Taking the lead in a rebellion against Hogwarts' new headmaster - the steely Dolores Umbridge - Harry prepares the pupils for war, honing their skills in wand weaponry. As they get ready for battle, the beautiful Cho Chang (Katie Leung) catches Harry’s eye and it’s not long before the young sorcerer’s fate is sealed with a kiss.

The Yule ball - Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire (2005)

Hogwarts takes part in the Triwizard Tournament - an event which sees one wizard from Hogwarts compete against two rival schools. The Goblet of Fire selects three names, but in an interesting twist of fate it also picks one of Hogwarts' finest, Harry, to take part. The selected contenders take a break from their tasks at the school's magical Christmas ball. While Harry and Ron struggle to find dates, their pal Hermione makes a striking entrance alongside Viktor Krum (Stanislav Ianevski). Also in attendance at the ball, is Harry’s pal and fellow Triwizard hopeful, Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson). Director Mike Newell cast rising star Pattinson in his first commercial role – but it was short-lived as Cedric is killed off at the end of the film.

Battling the Mountain Troll in the toilet – Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone (2001)

The fight with the mountain troll is a big bonding moment for the three young wizards. An upset Hermione hides in the girls’ toilets when the mountain troll finds her. Harry and Ron arrive in the nick of time as the troll has Hermione backed into a corner. Much to his distaste, Harry unwittingly stabs his wand up the troll’s slimy nostril. But it’s Ron who saves the day by using the levitation spell to knock the creature out with its own club.

Harry riding Buckbeak - Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (2004)

Unpredictable by nature, Harry is one of the only people Buckbeak trusts. He shows great affection and loyalty to the young wizard, and is quick to defend him whenever Harry is in any danger. Harry meets Buckbeak in Hagrid’s first Care of Magical Creatures lesson. In the class, Harry’s the first student to attempt to befriend the animal by slowing bowing before him. Buckbeak accepts his advance, allowing Harry to pat and mount him for a ride above the paddock. When Harry returns from his flight with Buckbeak, Draco Malfoy wants to ride the animal. But when Draco offends the creature with his rude remarks Buckbeak slashes his arm with his talons in retaliation.

Dragon chase scene – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Director Mike Newell turned down The Constant Gardener to direct Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire instead. He decided against the studio's original idea of splitting the book into two films, confident that he could cut enough of the story out so that one film would suffice. In the first Triwizard task, the mission is to retrieve a golden egg being guarded by a dragon. For Harry’s attempt the dragon breaks free of its chains and chases Harry through the Hogwarts grounds. The task took over 140 special effect shots and an entire full-scale dragon was constructed on set, which could even blow real fire.

Pumpkin patch scene – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

The wizards hide in the pumpkin patch beside Hagrid’s hut, waiting to free Buckbeak, who has been sentenced to death for slashing Draco Malfoy’s arm. Later in the scene, Hermione threatens to cast a spell on Draco, but when he mocks her she turns around and punches him in the nose instead. The birds in this scene are a combination of pie crows and ravens, which seven handlers had to work with at all times on the set. The pumpkins were made from fibre-glass and covered in wax to provide good grip for the birds. Eight real birds were positioned at various spots and several plastic birds were intermingled.

Aunt Mildred turns into a balloon - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

In a comical start to the third Harry potter film, Harry finally gets some revenge for the years of horrible treatment from the Dursleys. When Aunt Marge visits the Dursley residence she can’t help but insult Harry’s parents yet again, resulting in an enraged Harry accidently inflating her. Buttons pop and beads fly as Marge’s size continues to grow, causing her to float outside of the house and up and away over London. She is later rescued, deflated, and her memory wiped clean by the Ministry of Magic.