Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is 2022 fantasy film directed by David Yates from a screenplay by J. K. Rowling and Steve Kloves. It is the sequel to Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018), the third instalment in the Fantastic Beasts film series, and the eleventh overall in the Wizarding World franchise.
Following the pandemic setbacks and the replacement of Johnny Depp with Mikkelsen, the film’s release was pushed back to 15 July 2022, then forward to 8 April 2022 in the United Kingdom and 15 April 2022 in the United States.
Quick view
Cast and Characters
- Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander
- Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore
- Ezra Miller as Credence Barebone / Aurelius Dumbledore
- Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski
- Alison Sudol as Queenie Goldstein
- William Nadylam as Yusuf Kama
- Callum Turner as Theseus Scamander
- Jessica Williams as Eulalie “Lally” Hicks
- Victoria Yeates as Bunty
- Poppy Corby-Tuech as Vinda Rosier
- Fiona Glascott as Minerva McGonagall
- Katherine Waterston as Tina Goldstein
- Mads Mikkelsen as Gellert Grindelwald
Other cast members include:
- Richard Coyle as Aberforth Dumbledore: Albus Dumbledore’s younger brother, owner of the Hog’s Head inn, and Credence’s biological father;
- Oliver Masucci as Anton Vogel: The current Supreme Head of the International Confederation of Wizards (ICW) and Minister of Magic for Germany;
- Maria Fernanda Cândido as Vicência Santos: Candidate for the post of Supreme Head of the ICW and Minister of Magic for Brazil;
- Dave Wong as Liu Tao, Candidate for the post of Supreme Head of the ICW and Minister of Magic for China
‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’ Posters
‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’ Character Posters
Trailer
Movie info
Professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald’s growing legion of followers. But with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the sidelines?
- Rating: PG-13 (Some Fantasy Action / Violence)
- Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
- Original Language: English
- Director: David Yates
- Producer: David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves, Lionel Wigram, Tim Lewis
- Writer: J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves
- Release Date (Theaters): Apr 15, 2022 Wide
- Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Critic reviews for Fantastic Beasts: The Secret of Dumbledore
It’s very clear, watching these movies, that they’re adapted from a branded guidebook. They have all the dramatic interest and excitement of a manual. Full Review
A.A. Dowd – The Week
This entertaining Harry Potter prequel buries memories of the Grindelwald disaster. Full Review
Richard Roeper – Chicago Sun-Times
While perhaps the best Fantastic Beasts film, The Secrets of Dumbledore remains a dour movie with lots to say but not enough imagination or understanding to say it well. Full Review
Tiffany Babb – Chicago Reader
Even taken on its own merits, its a case of a sequel too far Theres no getting away from the fact that, without Harry Potter, this (movie) doesnt seem to know where to go. Full Review | Original Score: 2/5
James Luxford – BBC.com
This one may well be better than “Where to Find Them,” which was a mite busy for its own good. Kicking off a franchise can have that effect. Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4
Mark Feeney – Boston Globe
If the series were to fizzle out, that would be a relief. No amount of movie magic can save it now. Full Review
Shirley Li – The Atlantic
To my mind, the movie needs to be entertaining on its own. These movies are not — they’re displays of wizardry, if you forgive the pun. Full Review
Tim Cogshell – FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
While The Secrets of Dumbledore is miles from ideal, it at least clears the bar of not leaving a foul, confusing taste like its immediate predecessor. Full Review
Nguyên Lê – Inverse
It’s time to bid farewell to Dumbledore and his associates, students, proteges, and enemies. Full Review | Original Score: 2/4
James Berardinelli – ReelViews
Avada Kedavra! Full Review | Original Score: 1/4
Johnny Oleksinski – New York Post
We’re supposed to be witnessing an epic battle between good and evil, but it’s a contest between energy and entropy, and entropy carries the dreary day. Full Review
Joe Morgenstern – Wall Street Journal
Like The Crimes of Grindelwald, Secrets of Dumbledore is handsomely done but ultimately too much of a dumble-snore. And somehow, its appealing pieces, old and new, again add up to a less-than-magical movie. Full Review
Brian Lowry – CNN.com
No one involved in these movies seems to have any idea what their appeal is supposed to be. Full Review
Alison Willmore – New York Magazine/Vulture
Enchantment still beckons in the third of J.K. Rowlings planned five film prequel to Harry Potter, but this flagging franchisebeset with controversies among its creative teamslogs when it most needs to soar. Full Review
Peter Travers – ABC News
The Secrets of Dumbledore has its moments, but the sum is oddly less than its parts. Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4
Emily Zemler – Observer
It relies on a level of knowledge about the Harry Potter cinematic universe that does not make this two and a half-hour movie easy for viewers who are not as familiar with the characters. Full Review | Original Score: B
Nell Minow – Movie Mom
We served with Harry Potter, we knew Harry Potter, he was a friend of ours. And you, Newt Scamander, are no Harry Potter. Full Review
David Fear – Rolling Stone
An alternate subtitle could be “Totalitarianism for Tykes.” Full Review | Original Score: B-
Amy Nicholson – New York Times
Third time’s a charm for the “Fantastic Beasts” series, which took three tries to — finally — produce something that feels like a complete movie. Full Review | Original Score: 3/4
Chris Hewitt – Minneapolis Star Tribune
The Secrets of Dumbledore feels overstuffed as it lumbers from one plotline to another. Full Review | Original Score: 2/4
Christy Lemire – RogerEbert.com
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