Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Set in 1926, the story follows Newt Scamander, a British wizard and magizoologist, who arrives in New York City carrying a suitcase that contains a variety of magical beasts. When some creatures escape, chaos ensues, drawing the attention of the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA) and threatening the fragile relationship between the magical and non-magical communities.

The film's production was handled by Heyday Films and Warner Bros. Pictures, with David Yates directing, known for his work on the later Harry Potter films. Eddie Redmayne leads as Newt Scamander, supported by Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, and others, including Colin Farrell as a pivotal American wizard. The casting balances established actors with newcomers to bring the 1920s magical world to life.

Fantastic Beasts serves as a spin-off and prequel to the Harry Potter series, delving into new characters and locations while maintaining connections to the original universe. Its setting in 1920s New York offers a fresh backdrop compared to the British-centric Harry Potter stories, exploring unique magical laws and creatures.

Collectors can find this title across multiple physical formats including DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K. The availability in different formats allows for varied collecting preferences. As part of the Fantastic Beasts Collection, it holds significance for fans tracking the expansion of Rowling’s wizarding world on physical media, especially given its place at the start of a new film series.

The film also gained attention for its visual effects that bring magical creatures to life and its exploration of American wizarding lore, which differs notably from the British perspective. Its success led to several sequels, further enriching the franchise and providing more entries for collectors to pursue.