Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) marked a pivotal expansion of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, transporting fans from the familiar halls of Hogwarts to the bustling streets of 1926 New York City. As we approach the film's 10th anniversary in late 2026, its legacy as the first Wizarding World film to win an Academy Award (for Best Costume Design) remains a high point for the franchise. A New Era of Magic: The 1926 New York Setting
Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, Katherine Waterston as Tina Goldstein, Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski, and Alison Sudol as Queenie Goldstein. Accolades: The film won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2016 10...
1926 New York City: The story follows British magizoologist Newt Scamander, who arrives in New York with a suitcase full of rare magical creatures. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
The climax of the film reveals that the chaos in New York was orchestrated by Gellert Grindelwald, disguised as Percival Graves. This twist shifts the series from a self-contained adventure into a sprawling prequel saga. While the film balances these two identities—whimsical beast-hunt and dark political thriller—it occasionally suffers from the weight of its own world-building. However, the strength of its central quartet (Newt, Jacob, Tina, and Queenie) keeps the story grounded in human emotion. A New Era of Magic: The 1926 New
While Eddie Redmayne’s quirky, awkward Newt won praise, two casting choices have aged poorly: