I. Introduction
The Fantastic Beasts book series is a popular spin-off of the Harry Potter universe, written by J.K. Rowling. The series, like the Harry Potter books, has captivated readers from across the globe. But confusion persists around the question of how many Fantastic Beasts books there are. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything from the exact number of books to their significance in the larger Harry Potter canon.
II. Overview of the Entire Fantastic Beasts Book Series
So, how many books are there in the Fantastic Beasts series? The answer is somewhat complicated: while there is only one official book titled “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” there are two additional books written by J.K. Rowling that take place in the same universe: “Quidditch Through the Ages” and “The Tales of Beedle the Bard.”
The “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” book is a unique entry in the Harry Potter series, as it is presented as a textbook for Hogwarts students. The book is meant to detail the various magical creatures that exist within the wizarding world, and it includes annotations by Harry Potter and Newt Scamander, the fictional author of the book. “Quidditch Through the Ages” provides a comprehensive overview of the sport of Quidditch, while “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” is a collection of short stories from within the Harry Potter universe.
III. Comparing the Books to the Films
The Fantastic Beasts book series inspired the Fantastic Beasts film series, which currently consists of two movies: “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” (2016) and “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” (2018).
One of the key differences between the Fantastic Beasts books and the films is that the books are presented as textbooks, whereas the films are more traditional narrative stories. Additionally, while there are three books in the series, only two films have been released. It’s currently unclear how many more films (if any) will be produced to round out the series.
IV. Ranking the Fantastic Beasts Books
While there are only three books in the Fantastic Beasts series, there is still room for debate about which books are the best.
In our ranking, we’ll start with the best book in the series:
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: This book is a unique and charming entry into the Harry Potter universe, and it’s unlike any of Rowling’s other works. The annotations by Harry and Newt are witty and entertaining, and the insights into the various magical creatures are fascinating.
- The Tales of Beedle the Bard: While not specifically a Fantastic Beasts book, this collection of short stories is still a delight to read. The stories themselves are entertaining, and they provide some surprising insights into the Harry Potter universe.
- Quidditch Through the Ages: While this book is well-written and features some amusing commentary from Harry and Ron, it’s the least essential of the three Fantastic Beasts books. Unless you’re a die-hard Quidditch fan, you can safely skip this one.
It’s worth noting that the Fantastic Beasts books are generally less plot-driven than the Harry Potter series. Instead, they’re more focused on world-building and providing interesting tidbits of information to fans of the Harry Potter universe.
V. The Significance of the Fantastic Beast Books
While there are only three Fantastic Beasts books, they are still significant within the larger Harry Potter universe.
The books provide valuable insights into the magical creatures that exist within the wizarding world, which can be helpful when reading the Harry Potter books or watching the films. Additionally, the books showcase J.K. Rowling’s incredible world-building skills and her ability to create engaging, entertaining content within the Harry Potter universe.
VI. The Future of the Fantastic Beasts Series
At this time, it’s unclear how many more books (if any) will be added to the Fantastic Beasts series. However, J.K. Rowling has hinted at a “five films, one story” plan for the Fantastic Beasts film series, so it’s possible that we’ll see more films in the future.
Additionally, Rowling has made it clear that she is not finished with the wizarding world and has hinted at other potential spin-off projects. Only time will tell what other Fantastic Beasts content fans can expect.
VII. Conclusion
So, how many Fantastic Beasts books are there? While there is technically only one official book in the series, there are two additional books that take place in the same universe and explore different aspects of the wizarding world.
Ultimately, the Fantastic Beasts series is a valuable addition to the larger Harry Potter canon, providing unique insights into the magical creatures and world of wizardry that Rowling has created.