Harry Potter: 10 Changes From The Books That Ruined The Movies

9. Peeves

This has to be the most egregious example of a character being overlooked in the whole series. Peeves the poltergeist is present in all seven books, throughout which he is always wreaking havoc. A more jovial side of the universe, his appearances (getting in the way of our heroes and once being a suspect in the plot himself) provide a change of pace to events.

Intended to be in The Philosopher's Stone, and portrayed by the late Rik Mayall, the character was cut in post production and was never thought of again as the series progressed. In what many view as an attempt to spite/challenge the film-makers J.K. Rowling increased the ghost's prominence in the plot, having him be essential in Fred and George's departure from Hogwarts.

Still, the movies never yielded, always finding a way around his inclusion. He's not necessarily plot essential, but when John Cleese can get fourth billing for playing Nearly Headless Nick, the absence of Peeves is a peculiar moment of negligence in the series.