Dumbledore, Molly Weasley, Umbridge

The Harry Potter book-to-film adaptations did a great job keeping the movies’ themes and plots close to the source material. However, there were differences, particularly in portraying some characters who were more likable in the movies than in the books.


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Some had unlikable characteristics that didn’t shine through in the films, whereas others had terrible plot points that never made it onto the big screen. Either way, multiple characters ended up coming off as much more likable, innocent, or sympathetic than they did on the page.


10 Hermione Was Less Of A Know-It-All On Screen

Hermione Granger was the brightest witch of her age, a brilliant young girl who reveled in studying and learning as much as possible. Although still likable, she frequently annoyed her classmates with her superior knowledge in the books. She interrupted others and shouted out answers unprovoked.

In the films, Hermione was still a bit of a know-it-all, but she was incredibly toned down. She was still brilliant and the most talented of all her classmates, but she wasn’t as boastful about it. In either media format, Hermione was undoubtedly the most intelligent student and one of the most lovable characters in the franchise.

9 Trelawney Was Much Kinder In The Films

Sybill Trelawney was the eccentric Divination professor who used tea leaves and crystal balls to see the future. She seemed to have a personal grudge against Harry in the books, often degrading him and predicting terrible events. She was also incredibly rude to Hermione and even caused the girl to drop the class.

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Trelawney was much kinder in the films, still predicting Harry’s disasters but presenting them empathetically. Additionally, during her arguments with Hermione, her tone seemed more aloof than intentionally rude. Generally, the movies presented her in a more likable and sympathetic light.

8 Dumbledore Wasn’t Always The Loving Mentor

Albus Dumbledore was an icon in the Wizarding World, an incredibly powerful man who helped raise Harry at Hogwarts. While he was a kind, caring man who always put Harry first in the films, that wasn’t always the case. The novels did a much better job explaining precisely how Dumbledore planned Harry’s life and death.

While everything he did was for the world’s greater good, it was still morally gray and left fans conflicted. Since the films couldn’t delve into the details as deeply, he came across as more innocent. The only time he was less likable in the movie was when he almost tackled Harry over the Goblet of Fire versus calmly talking to him in the book.

7 Percy Was Terrible To His Family

Percy Weasley was the third oldest Weasley sibling who aspired for greatness. He was a prefect throughout his time at Hogwarts and went on to work at the Ministry of Magic. However, after Harry claimed Voldemort returned, Arthur became suspicious as Percy quickly climbed the ranks.

The two got into terrible fights, with Percy calling his father names and stating he was the reason they were poor. Ultimately, Percy chose his career and left his entire family behind, refusing to acknowledge them for years. In the films, he was barely more than a background character, and his awful actions didn’t see the light of day.

6 Slughorn Was Very Selfish And Egotistical

Horace Slughorn was a long-serving Hogwarts professor who “collected” exceptional students for his Slug Club. Slughorn added Harry, Ginny, and Hermione to his club, preferring them and the other members over his other students, whom he neglected in class.

In the books, he was egotistical and self-serving, only caring about those who could benefit him in the future. However, in the movies, he was much kinder and more sympathetic. Fans grew to like him and even felt sorry for him after his memories of Tom Riddle came to light.

5 Amos Degraded Harry Multiple Times

Amos Diggory was Cedric’s devoted father who wasn’t afraid to brag about his son’s achievements. However, he was openly mean to Harry the first time they met in the books, jealous of the younger boy’s fame. Additionally, he failed to recognize any other Triwizard Tournament champion’s accomplishments.

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In the movies, Amos was kind, gentle, and proud. He got along with Harry and the Weasleys at the Quidditch World Cup and supported Harry during the tournament. Whether it was the screenplay or Jeff Rawle’s portrayal, Amos seemed to be a completely different person between the two formats.

4 Sirius Was Selfish In The Books

Sirius Black was Harry’s lovable godfather who won fans’ hearts after proving his innocence and caring for Harry like a son. He was great in the films, always putting his godson first and willing to do anything in his power to help. However, he was slightly less likable in the books.

While still a great character, he was more selfish in the novels. He wanted Harry all to himself and got angry at Molly, who basically raised Harry for years, when she refused to treat the young boy like an adult. In addition, he jumped headfirst into dangerous situations, like going into King’s Cross in Animagus form, which eventually resulted in his death.

3 Film Draco Was Heartbreaking

Draco Malfoy had some of the best character development in the entire series. The spoiled child-turned-Death Eater became more broken over time, and he was physically ill over his place in Voldemort’s army. However, much of his likability was due to Tom Felton’s heartbreaking portrayal, making viewers sympathize with his internal conflict.

Draco still had a lot of character growth during the book series, but he was less sympathetic. The novels only showed Harry’s perspective, so fans couldn’t witness the trauma and turmoil Draco went through. To readers, Draco was simply evil and deserved whatever happened to him.

2 Molly Treated Other Women Terribly

Molly Weasley was the Weasley family’s beloved matriarch, leading her family with love, food, and hand-knit sweaters. She was one of the most lovable characters in the films, instantly taking Harry in and giving him the paternal love he never received. She was fiercely on her kids’, Harry’s, and Hermione’s sides no matter what.

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Although still a fantastic, comforting mother, Book Molly treated other women terribly. For example, Molly openly mocked Bill’s fiancée Fleur, calling her names and doubting their relationship. Additionally, she turned her back on Hermione, whom she’d known for years, when Rita Skeeter wrote lies about her dating Harry and Viktor Krum simultaneously.

1 Umbridge Was Somehow Worse In The Books

Dolores Umbridge was one of the evilest villains of all time, hiding her true nature behind kittens, pink clothes, and a soft voice. She was awful in the films, forcing students to use a quill that carved their skin and turning Hogwarts into a prison one declaration at a time. In addition, she openly had a vendetta against Harry and tried to use an Unforgivable Curse on him.

As terrible as she was on screen, she was somehow even worse on the page. The book’s length allowed for her plot to form much deeper, presenting the school’s takeover slowly and suspensefully. Harry described her punishments in terrible detail, along with her plan to purposefully get under the professors’ skin and push anyone out who believed Harry’s story. Over time, she turned Hogwarts into a dictatorship and was the worst character in the entire franchise.

NEXT: 10 Luckiest Harry Potter Characters

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