Can you believe that Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was released in theaters ten years ago?! Not only is this anniversary monumental, but the film itself stands out for many reasons. GoF marked the return of the Dark Lord (in full form). The film helped our favorite trio Harry, Ron and Hermione transition into adulthood, which was a turning point in the saga. Potterheads across the globe can go on for hours about which Harry Potter film is the best. However Goblet of Fire obviously reigns supreme over the lot. (Did you know that screenwriter Steve Kloves even considered breaking up J.K. Rowling‘s 734-page book into two films?!) We think that things could have even gotten a bit more detailed, never getting to see Dobby’s girlfriend Winky is still one of life’s greatest hardships. And yet, the film is still epic. Here are 12 reasons why Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the best HP film, hands down.
1. The Opening Sequence
The Goblet of Fire’s opening was fantastic . First and foremost, it was the first Potter film that didn’t open with Harry rotting away at the Dursleys. There was obviously little time for no-majs and muggles, which is why the poor caretaker Frank is killed in the first 5 minutes of the film. We thought we’d seen wicked, but obviously we had no idea what was to come.
2. Parents Were Strongly Cautioned
We were all prepared for things to get a bit more scandalous when GoF got hit with a PG-13 rating. After all, Dumbledore did warn us when he said, “Dark and difficult times lie ahead”. The Dark Lord’s return made for some very scary scenes. Especially when he was that gross baby-like creature!
3. Quidditch On Steroids (Kind Of)
Director Mike Newell masterfully gave us Qudditch on fleek, without ever really giving us Quidditch. Though this clearly wasn’t the Dementor filled match from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, so Newell simply presented the audience with the fanfare that surrounded the final matches of the Quidditch World Cup. We bet you never realized you never even knew what the final score was. For the record, Ireland beat Bulgaria 170 to 160.
4. Dumbledore Set It OFF
In the book when Harry’s name comes shooting out of the Goblet of Fire, Dumbledore asks Harry calmly if he entered his name. However, in the film Dumbledore wasn’t playing any games. He bellows, “HARRY! DID YOU PUT YOUR NAME IN THE GOBLET OF FIRE?!!” A huge break from the Headmaster’s normally calm demeanor. This might have happened because the franchises’ second Dumbledore Michael Gambon famously never reads any novels that he is starring in adaptations of. He also said, “I don’t have to play anyone really. I just stick on a beard and play me, so it’s no great feat.” Many Potterheads still hold a grudge against against Gambon for this switcheroo, but we LOVED it. His outburst fit the film’s tone perfectly.
5. The TriWizard Tournament
Things could have gone left when Mike Newell took on the grand games of the TriWizard Tournament for the big screen. However, he managed to capture all of the tasks perfectly in all of their mesmerizing glory. For the underwater mermaid challenge, Daniel Radcliffe spent six months training and over 40 hours shooting in a 500,000-gallon water tank. Poor Dan even suffered two ear infections because of the scene. BTW, the film credits make it clear that “No dragons were harmed” while making the film.
6. Cedric Diggory
We should have all known that we were going to Twihard for Robert Pattinson when he was Cedric Giggory. After all, everyone loves a humble golden boy.
7. That Bulgarian Bon Bon Viktor Krum
Yummy yummy yum yum. For Potterheads who have a taste for darker headed dudes, Krum sure knew how to keep the audience enraptured. After all, despite his presence onscreen, Bulgarian actor Stanislav Lanevski only speaks 20 words in the entire film. Hermione did say he wasn’t really a talker.
8. Draco the Bouncing Ferret
As much as we love Tom Felton, Draco Malfoy was TRASH. Though Hermione decked him in the eye in Prisoner of Azkaban, nothing was more satisfying to see Slytherin’s most sinister get turned into a ferret by the magnificent Mad-Eye Moody. It was ALL OF THE DELIGHTS.
9. Moldy Voldy’s Triumphant (ish) Return
Since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, we all dreamed of what Voldemort looked like in true human form. In GoF, we finally got to see the Dark Lord in all of his glory and quite frankly, Ralph Fiennes‘ performance is LEGENDARY. Of course, the three hours of makeup that Fiennes had to sit through helped transform him into the most feared wizard of all time.
10. The Yule Ball
Who didn’t secretly live for high school dances?! We certainly did. Not only is the winter wonderland set amazing, but leading up to it we got to see a horrified Ron dance with Professor McGonagall. You also may not have noticed that the super group performers at the ball included Jarvis Cocker of Pulp as well as Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway of Radiohead.
11. Ron Loves Hermione
Speaking of dances, the Yule Ball is sort of the first time Ron and Hermione acknowledge their feelings for one another. Let’s get nostalgic about young love for a second.
12. Dan The MAN
No one could have been a better Harry Potter than Daniel Radcliffe. By GoF, Radcliffe could play the boy who lived perfectly. Harry could have taken the Chosen One title and been a whiny entitled troll. Instead, he just wanted to mind his own business and make it through the school year. Despite his peers animosity (as well as some jealously from his BFF Ron), Harry was adamant about being normal. One of the best lines of the film was him shouting, “I don’t want eternal glory!’ Neither do we Harry, it sounds like a hot mess if you ask us.
