Unforgettably Heroic Moments from the Harry Potter Film Series

There’s something about the Harry Potter film franchise that is just so re-watchable. Fans continue to fall in love with its immersive world-building, spellbinding cast, and overarching themes that are all too relatable to us in the muggle world. One thing that we can’t get enough of is watching some of our favorite characters stand up to Voldemort and his band of Death Eaters. Here are our picks for some of our favorite heroic moments from the Harry Potter film franchise: 

Molly Weasley Kills Bellatrix Lestrange  

The frantic wife and mother, Molly Weasley, is the glue of the Weasley family, often worrying about her family’s well-being. Quite the nurturer, as she cared for Harry as her own, she is always happy to have him at The Burrow. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 2, during the Battle of Hogwarts Bellatrix Lestage decided to turn her wand against Ginny. Molly’s frantic quality soon faded, as she took her daughter’s place in this epic duel, uttering one of the franchise’s best one-liners, “Not my daughter, you b*tch!”, reigning supreme against the Dark Lord’s most loyal subject.  

Hermoine Obliviates Her Parents 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1 showed us how quickly things can go from bad to worse. The wizarding world was in shambles and being Muggle-born had become far more dangerous. With Harry, Ron, and Hermoine on the run, they knew that the Death Eaters would come for anyone close to them. In a desperate act to save her parents from harm's way, Hermoine obliviates them, erasing their memories, and sending them away under new identities. An act of pure selflessness.  

Narcissa Lies to Voldemort  

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 2 is where viewers witness Voldemort’s grip on the Death Eaters loosen as another Malfoy decides to go against him. After Voldemort hits Harry with the killing curse, a lull follows. Rather than check himself, the Dark Lord sends Narcissa to confirm Harry’s death. She soon realizes that he is alive, and subtly asks him if Draco is still alive as well. Once Harry confirms that Draco is alive, Narcissa does him the favor of lying, allowing Harry to end the war.  

Draco Doesn’t Confirm Harry’s Identity  

After years of being at odds, it was no secret that Draco despised Harry and his friends. However, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1, Draco had the opportunity to reveal Potter’s identity; he couldn’t go through with it. He instead refused, and despite Harry, Ron, and Hermione's eventual capture and torture, it wasn’t at the hand of Draco.  

Dobby Saves the Gang from Malfoy Manor 

No one could deny the love and admiration Dobby had for Harry Potter. The Chamber of Secrets is where we met the easily frightened, self-harming house-elf. That same film is where we watched him reclaim his freedom from the Malfoy family, with the help of Harry of course. 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is where Dobby’s love for his friend comes into full effect. While Harry, Ron, and Hermoine are held hostage by Death Eaters at Malfoy Manor, Dobby returns to his former prison to save his friends. Dobby pairs his resourcefulness and magic to help the trio evade the Death Eaters' clutches, ultimately leaving him to pay the ultimate price.  

Harry Sacrifices Himself 

At war-torn Hogwarts, witches, and wizards are riddled with fear and uncertainty on both sides of the battlefield. In The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Harry takes on his bravest and most difficult feat; he sacrifices his life to kill Voldemort. Harry willingly lets Voldemort kill him, knowing that it’s the only way to eradicate the Horcrux from within.  

Harry and Ron Save Hermoine from a Troll 

During Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, we watch young Harry, Ron, and Hermoine navigate their way through the halls of Hogwarts. Harry and Ron hit it off as soon as they meet, but they take a little time to warm up to Hermoine. However, when Harry and Ron realize that Hermoine doesn’t know about the troll in Hogwarts, the pair grab their wands and come to her aid, cementing their friendship. 

Neville Slays Nagini  

For a long time — six films to be exact — Neville Longbottom didn’t give viewers much of anything to talk about. He wasn’t one of the top wizards in his class and was often the butt of the joke; but he always showed great tenacity, working on himself while no one was watching.  

Despite joining Harry’s cause in the Ministry Battle, it wasn’t clear that Neville would have his defining moment. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 changed that. While Harry, Ron, and Hermione were on the run, Neville stood up to Voldemort during the battle of Hogwarts and slayed Nagini, giving him his moment to shine.  

Snape Protects the Trio from Remus’s Werewolf Transformation 

In early installments of the franchise, Harry and viewers alike were mystified by the dark and mysterious Professor Snape, often believing him to be a force of evil. In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, we were introduced to animagi, werewolves, and another side of Snape. 

Snape walks over as the effects of the full moon take Remus over. Sirus transforms into his giant black dog Animagus form trying to get werewolf Remus to follow, to no avail. Snape, realizing what’s happening, places himself between Remus and the trio, showing that there is more to him than meets the eye.  

Hedwig Saves Harry 

Since their initial meeting, Hedwig has been one of Harry’s most loyal companions, acting as a friend and confidant to him on his journey. None of us knew that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 would mark an end to their shared journey. During the Battle of the Seven Potters, Hedwig ran to Harry’s aid, taking a direct hit by the killing curse, becoming an unexpected hero. 

Want to relive your favorite Harry Potter moments? Grab your wands and stream the eight-film saga on Peacock.