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All the References to Harry Potter in Fantastic Beasts You Definitely Missed

Jacob Shelton
Updated February 10, 2021 450.5K views 22 items

The Harry Potter universe is a rich world filled with dense histories and characters who are related to each other with gossamer-thin threads. It should be no surprise to any fan of the wizarding world that there are more Harry Potter references in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them than there are hairs in Hagrid’s beard, and if you didn’t catch them all during your first viewing of the film, that’s okay because you’ve just stumbled upon a primer for all of the Fantastic Beasts easter eggs. Whether you were making a mental checklist of the references while you were in the theater or you just wanted someone else to do the legwork for you, these Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie secrets are here to blow your mind.

The Harry Potter easter eggs and references in Fantastic Beasts exist on multiple levels. While there are certainly some deep cuts, meant for only the most strident of Potter fans, there are also plenty of simple references and in-jokes in the film that are meant to make your hair stand on end when you hear or see them. Some of the references can be as simple as a piece of clothing, while others are scenes that mirror those of scenes from the original film, albeit in a different context. Despite taking place in a whole new world, Fantastic Beasts wants the audience to feel like they’re wearing a comfortable pair of shoes when the lights in the theater go down, and these Harry Potter references are how they accomplish such a tricky feat. 

  • Newt's Hufflepuff Scarf - Whenever You Get a Peek Into His Suitcase

    Newt's Hufflepuff Scarf - Whenever You Get a Peek Into His Suitcase
    • Photo:
      • Warner Bros.

    Just so you know J.K. Rowling hasn't lost her school spirit, there are multiple shots of Newt Scamander's Hufflepuff-colored scarf throughout the movie. We get our first glimpse of the yellow and black knit scarf early on in the film, but you don't have to be an eagle eye to catch it every other time it pops up. 

  • Dobby - In the Opening Newspaper Montage

    Dobby - In the Opening Newspaper Montage
    • Photo:
      • Warner Bros.

    Everyone's favorite house elf makes a brief appearance in the opening montage of newspapers from the wizarding world in an ad offering services for house elf training. The next time you watch the film, make sure to keep a close eye on the opening shots. 

  • The Phoenix Statues - In the MACUSA Building

    The Phoenix Statues - In the MACUSA Building
    • Photo:
      • Warner Bros.

    One of the many kooky adornments in the lovely MACUSA building is a massive golden phoenix that looks over the main office. The audience only gets one good look at it, but the moment you see it you'll never be able to forget it. 

  • Leta LeStrange - Her Photo Is in Newt's Suitcase

    Leta LeStrange - Her Photo Is in Newt's Suitcase
    • Photo:
      • Warner Bros.

    The film mostly glosses over Newt's photo of Leta Lestrange, his Hogwarts love who betrayed him in some mysterious way, but whatever happened it couldn't be good. While we don't know what her deal is, we do know that the Lestrange family is full of pompous and straight-up insane wizards that will go on to help Voldemort try to kill ya boy Harry Potter. 

  • Clairvoyants Are Dummies - The Entire Movie

    Clairvoyants Are Dummies - The Entire Movie
    • Photo:
      • Warner Bros.

    What is J.K. Rowling trying to say about clairvoyants? Does she think people like Queenie Goldstein and Professor Trelawney who use legilimency are dim when it comes to dealing with people because of their psychic gift? Or is it simply a coincidence that multiple psychic characters in her films act like complete weirdos?

  • The Deathly Hallows Logo - Credence's Necklace

    The Deathly Hallows Logo - Credence's Necklace
    • Photo:
      • Warner Bros.

    The Deathly Hallows symbolize the Elder Wand, Invisibility Cloak, and Resurrection Stone that both Grindelwald and Voldemort search for in their quest to garner absolute power, and the logo for the Deathly Hallows is plainly seen in the necklace that Percival Graves gives to Credence Barebone in order to contact him. It's possible that this is the exact same necklace that Luna Lovegood's father is seen with in The Deathly Hallows, but probably not due to Credence being blown to smithereens at the end of the movie... or was he?