Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

David Yates returns to direct the second installment of the Fantastic Beasts series, bringing J.K. Rowling's wizarding world back to the big screen. The film stars Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, Jude Law as a young Albus Dumbledore, and Johnny Depp as the titular dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. With a budget of $200 million, the movie grossed nearly $655 million worldwide. This fantasy adventure deepens the conflict between magical and non-magical beings, setting the stage for an escalating war. Critics gave it a middling 6.8 out of 10, praising the performances but noting a convoluted plot.

The story picks up in 1927, months after Grindelwald's escape from MACUSA custody. He flees to Europe, gathering followers who believe in wizard supremacy. Newt Scamander is prevented from traveling abroad by the Ministry of Magic, but Dumbledore secretly tasks him with finding Credence Barebone in Paris before Grindelwald can recruit him. Dumbledore cannot act directly due to a blood pact he made with Grindelwald as a teenager. Meanwhile, Tina Goldstein is in Paris on Auror business, Queenie grows desperate to marry Jacob, and Jacob follows Queenie to Paris. The narrative converges on Credence, who is searching for his true identity, believing the Lestrange family may hold the key.[edit]

Set in 1927, the film opens with Grindelwald escaping from a MACUSA prison transfer, killing several Aurors. He flees to Europe and begins amassing followers who believe in wizard supremacy over No-Majs. Newt Scamander, initially prevented from traveling abroad by the Ministry of Magic, is secretly asked by a young Albus Dumbledore to find Credence Barebone in Paris before Grindelwald can recruit him. Dumbledore cannot act directly due to a blood pact he made with Grindelwald as teenagers, which prevents them from fighting each other.

Tina Goldstein, now estranged from Newt after a misunderstanding, is working as an Auror in New York but has been sent to Paris on assignment. Queenie Goldstein, desperate to marry Jacob Kowalski despite wizarding laws against No-Maj-wizard marriages, becomes increasingly vulnerable to Grindelwald's promises of freedom. Jacob, heartbroken after Queenie enchanted him into proposing, follows her to Paris with Newt.

The narrative converges in Paris, where Credence is searching for his true identity. He believes the Lestrange family may hold the key to his past. Leta Lestrange, Newt's former flame and now fiancée of his brother Theseus, carries dark secrets about her family history. Nagini, a Maledictus cursed to permanently transform into a snake, accompanies Credence as his protector and friend. Grindelwald holds a rally in the Père Lachaise Cemetery, surrounded by a mystical blue fire that creates a circle of protection. He reveals his grand plan to expose the wizarding world to No-Majs and establish wizard dominion. The central conflict revolves around whether Credence will join Grindelwald or Dumbledore's side.[edit]