Harry Potter: The Best Deleted Scene From Every Movie

Between the years of 2001 and 2011, the Harry Potter movies set the box office alight. Just about everybody, whether they’d read the books or not, was eager to flock to their local theatre to see the Boy Who Lived’s adventures play out on the big screen. And while some blockbusters were better than others, just about everyone managed to successfully bring the story of the chosen one to live in true Hollywood style.

The problem with movies, however, is that they’re limited. As a result, there are often moments that end up being deleted from the final cut, whether it be for time constraints, a better flow, or other reasons. Often, deleted scenes don’t leave much behind in terms of important details, but occasionally, a movie would have been better-served if a key scene hadn’t gotten the ax. The following deleted scenes are either available on Harry Potter DVDs/Blu-Rays or were in the movies’ screenplays but never got filmed.

8 The Sorcerer’s Stone: Harry’s Longing

In the first Potter movie, Albus Dumbledore explains the dangers of the Mirror of Erised. He reveals how it can drive people into a deep depression given how it shows the thing they covet most. But what the film doesn’t show is the Boy Who Lived himself suffering as he pines to see his dead parents, James and Lily, once again.

This was actually a scene left on the cutting room floor. In the omitted moment, Harry is deep in thought and Ron Weasley consequently urges him against visiting the Mirror again, afraid of the mental impact this could have. It would have helped fans understand the risk of hanging around the magical item and also added depth to Harry’s character, showing his suffering as he battles to adjust to life at Hogwarts.

7 The Chamber Of Secrets: Uncovering Tom Riddle

For those that are solely fans of the Chamber of Secrets movie, they might be left wondering more about Tom Riddle. Just why would people automatically believe his word against Rubeus Hagrid? After all, with no proof of a monster’s existence, it seemed somewhat illogical that people would automatically agree with Riddle that Hagrid was behind the opening of the Chamber.

A cut scene actually ensures this isn’t the case, however. The clip shows Ron explaining all about Riddle to Harry and Hermione, revealing he once received an award for special services to Hogwarts 50 years ago. This would have added slightly more foreshadowing to the twist it was actually the former Slytherin pupil who opened the Chamber many years ago.

6 The Prisoner Of Azkaban: Sirius’ Kidnap Attempt

In the Prisoner of Azkaban, there’s a dramatic incident when the Fat Lady reveals Sirius Black attempted to break into Gryffindor Tower. He didn’t succeed and, when he was snubbed, he immediately took flight— slashing her portrait in frustration and anger as well.

Yet there’s a brilliant deleted scene that is far more accurate when compared to the source material. Lending almost every piece of dialogue from the book, Ron awakens in a state of utter terror. He then details how Sirius broke into the boy’s dormitory and stuck to his bed specifically, slashing the hangings after he’s rumbled. It’s also revealed that Neville Longbottom’s carelessness saw the Azkaban convict acquire the passwords needed to gain entry. It’s all far more dramatic than the scene we actually got back when the movie released in 2004.

5 The Goblet Of Fire: Harry’s Chat About Barty Crouch Sr.’s Death

Barty Crouch Sr’s death in Goblet of Fire is somewhat glossed over. After his body is discovered by Harry, Ron, and Hermione, we never get to see them open up on the incident. Instead, we merely see the Boy Who Lived talking to Albus Dumbledore about what he saw. Almost immediately, the movie moves forward.

But there is a cut moment that shows the trio deep in conversation about Crouch’s death and how it can’t be a coincidence because of the other strange goings-on, such as Harry being entered into the Triwizard Tournament, his scar burning, and having dreams that show Lord Voldemort plotting away.

4 The Order of The Phoenix: Harry In Dumbledore’s Office

The Order of the Phoenix is the biggest book in the entire series. Yet the movie isn’t the longest, and that means that, though it’s oozing with brilliant moments, it feels a tad rushed. There seems an urgency to keep the story moving forward, rather than taking some time out to ensure some of the deeper, darker moments are treated with the respect and care they deserve.

The best deleted scene from the fifth blockbuster is one that shows Harry entering Dumbledore’s office shortly before their conversation about the Prophecy. Before walking up to the Hogwarts headmaster, he takes a moment to look around the room. There are Easter Eggs galore about his journey to date, with the Sorting Hat and Godric Gryffindor’s old sword both visible. It would show just how far he’s come, and how much is left to do in order to stop Voldemort once and for all.

3 The Half-Blood Prince: The Great Foreshadowing

In the Half-Blood Prince, there’s a brief moment of foreshadowing. There’s a nice musical montage that shows Minerva McGonagall urging students to return to their common rooms, noting the dark and ominous black sky above at the same time, while Draco Malfoy is also lying in the hospital wing pondering his next move having nearly been killed by Harry.

The cropped moment from this movie is, basically, a longer version. It shows Severus Snape looking deep in thought as well as Filius Filtwick musically composing his students, aware trouble’s brewing. It’s actually pretty hard to describe, but the music, lighting, and everything about this scene is pretty perfect and it’s a surprised it was trimmed out of the final movie.

2 The Deathly Hallows Part 1: Saying Goodbye To The Dursleys

The Dursleys are pretty prominent characters in The Sorcerer’s Stone, The Chamber Of Secrets, and The Prisoner Of Azkaban. Their presence in the movies diminishes as the series goes on, however, and by the end they’re reduced to non-speaking roles. We don’t hear Vernon, Petunia, or Dudley say a single thing to Harry even when they say goodbye to him at the beginning of The Deathly Hallows: Part 1.

However, there’s a touching deleted scene involving Harry and Dudley. Dudley thanks his cousin for saving his life two years previously and insists he doesn’t dislike his relative, despite dishing out years of bad treatment. It would have been worth including this to show Harry’s time with his nasty family didn’t end on a sour note. Quite the opposite, in fact.

1 The Deathly Hallows Part 2: Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks’ Last Conversation

Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks’ bodies are both seen lying on the Great Hall floor in the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. Both popular characters among fans, killing them off was definitely a risky move. Even to this day it’s not a popular decision and it’s definitely not dwelled on enough in the movie. Viewers get a second to see the pair for the last time and that’s it.

On the deleted scenes reel, though, there’s a sweet moment where Lupin and Tonks talk for the last time. Tonks insists she’d rather stand by her husband’s side in battle than just sit out the war, and they embrace, determined to survive for the sake of their newborn son, Teddy. It’s hard to understand why this was cut because it showed just how strong their relationship was. In fact, their relationship as a whole didn’t get the spotlight in the films that it deserved.