Every Wizarding World Movie Ranked

Undeniably the most divisive Wizarding World instalment, The Half-Blood Prince forms a messy but compelling bridge to the final battle against Voldemort and his increasingly emboldened army.

Spending much of its runtime exploring the romantic entanglements of its primary characters, the sixth Harry Potter vehicle is admittedly quite melodramatic in parts, but never comes off as overbearing or forced. Instead, its heavy-handed teen turmoil adds effective gravitas to the horrors lurking under the surface.

His world shattered by the death of Sirius Black and the world shocked by the confirmation of Voldemort's return, Harry battles grief with rebellious results, whilst his closest friends grapple with their emotions and impending doom. It's bleak, but a well-paced narrative keeps everything working together beautifully.

Dark, sombre, and surprisingly funny, The Half-Blood Prince manages to act as an entertaining drama about mourning and teenage frustrations, and a heartbreaking chapter into Harry and his friends tragic lives. The finale still hurts to watch.