5. Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire - Voldemort Has Returned
The Film: By now Harry Potter had easily been established as a mainstay series, and by film number 5 it was decided to step things up a notch. Harry would be placed in more immediate danger, characters would continuously be introduced and forced to tread a line between good and evil and most importantly, they all get super embarrassed by having to ask girls out. Exactly the kind of thing a snake-slaying teenager truly fears.
The Plot: Harry is entered into the highly dangerous Triwizard Cup, a competition against two competing schools, alongside schoolmate and all round nice guy Cedric Digory. Suspicions are raised about how Harry ended up in the contest and a mystery remains hidden throughout, until the grand reveal
The Cliffhanger: A bait and switch with the aforementioned cup results in Harry being teleported to a graveyard where Cedric is murdered (he really was just a nice guy) and the Dark Lord Voldemort is resurrected. Suddenly the wizarding world is thrust into imminent danger as the most terrifying, nose-less psychopath returns to wreak terror.
The Result: This one comes in two parts. The next chapter in the story is ultimately buying time for both sides; Voldemort is starting out once more and Harry is clamouring to find a way to stand against him. So Goblet of Fires dramatic build-up has its pace flattened quite dramatically, until it really picks up again in the next few installments Although once you are safely in this territory you know it was well worth the wait and deserving of a build up as dramatic as Goblet gave it. Its even worth tolerating Dolores Umbridge for - but only just.