Within the abundance of extraordinary and powerful characters in the Harry Potter franchise stands the strong female characters who make the movies what they are. While no two female characters are the same, one thing they all have in common is that the franchise simply wouldn’t work without them.
Molly Weasley's loving and maternal nature meant she was adored by fans, while Bellatrix's wickedness and cruelty meant she was loathed. Nevertheless, whether it’s for good or bad reasons, they stand high on the list of the greatest female characters in the Harry Potter movies, and they aren’t the only ones.
Lily Potter
When looking at the bigger picture, Lily Potter is a minor character in the movies. However, she has one of the most important roles. As Harry’s mother, Lily was a powerful and accomplished witch who ed down many of her greatest traits to him. Lily’s love for Harry was unconditional, and her desire to protect him was so deep she'd literally die to do it.
The courage and bravery presented by Lily was unparalleled and even after her death, she continued protecting Harry. While her story is undoubtedly one of the most tragic, she will always remain amongst the most heroic characters in the franchise.
Ginny Weasley
Similar to other ing characters, Ginny's character arc wasn’t nearly as developed as the books' version. Ginny was introduced as the shy and intimidated youngest Weasley, however, she later formed her own identity and displayed great bravery when she actively fought in The Battle of Hogwarts.
Her involvement in the franchise became more prominent as she got older and she became an instrumental figure in Harry’s life, later becoming his wife. Many regard her as an underrated character and she often doesn’t get the credit she deserves.
Nymphadora Tonks
Tonks' character arc was explored in greater depth within the books, however, she is still a memorable and beloved character in the movies. First introduced in Order of the Phoenix, Tonks displayed a rather amusing personality and tended to be more laid back than other of the Order.
Tonks was fiercely loyal to Dumbledore and the Order, and her heroic and selfless behavior led to her heartbreaking death during The Battle of Hogwarts. Tonks’ death was a testament to her character because, despite knowing she may not live to watch her son grow up, she fought anyway, proving that she was fearless and more dependable than most.
Hedwig
Hedwig is often a character that gets forgotten in the grand scheme of things. While she features significantly less than others, she was one of Harry's first friends in the wizarding world and remained his trusting companion throughout the movies.
Without Hedwig, Harry would've been unable to stay in with many, most notably Sirius when he was in hiding. In Deathly Hallows – Part 1, during The Battle of the Seven Potters, Hedwig displayed immeasurable bravery and loyalty towards Harry, and although she tried her best to protect him, she was struck by the killing curse, leaving him heartbroken.
Narcissa Malfoy
As a member of the Malfoy family, it was easy to take an immediate disliking to Narcissa, however, she didn't possess the same cruel and sadistic behavior that seemed attached to the Malfoy name. While she was a known follower of Lord Voldemort, she didn’t partake in the final battle and it was made clear that Draco Malfoy's safety remained her top priority.
By telling Voldemort that Harry was dead, Narcissa turned out to be pivotal in his downfall. Although it’s strange to compare the two, her maternal instincts bear a striking resemblance to Molly Weasley's, as they both loved their children unconditionally.
Luna Lovegood
One of the many things that make Harry Potter so compelling to watch is the more unique characters. Although Luna wasn’t introduced until the fifth installment, she only needed minutes to cement herself as the best character from Order of the Phoenix. While she was often considered an outsider, fans quickly fell in love with her eccentric personality.
The way people viewed her never bothered Luna, and she was one of the few people that Harry could turn to without judgment. There weren’t many characters that could match Luna’s kind and gentle nature, and Evanna Lynch brought a brilliant richness and depth to the role.
Minerva McGonagall
Hogwarts came with many Professors, however, there was no one quite like Professor McGonagall. The Head of Gryffindor House was extremely well respected by both teachers and students, most likely because of her blunt way of addressing others and zero tolerance for bad behavior.
The trio saw her as a paternal figure, and while she exhibited a rather stern demeanor, McGonagall was always there to give them advice when they needed it. Not only was she the solemn Professor, but she also displayed a sense of humor and was on hand to provide comic relief when it was least expected.
Molly Weasley
Molly Weasley had the unique ability to make fans fall in love with her in an instant. She was the epitome of good and valued her children more than anything in the world. Harry grew up without the sense of what a real family was and it was Molly who offered him a proper home.
As a true Gryffindor, Molly fought bravely alongside her family in The Battle of Hogwarts. Her presence was a gift in the movies and her character was the perfect balance between the serious mother figure and someone who provided brilliant comical value.
Bellatrix Lestrange
There’s no question that Bellatrix was evil right down to her core, however, that doesn’t mean she wasn’t a brilliant addition to the Harry Potter world. Introduced as Sirius Black's cousin, Bellatrix was an avid follower of Voldemort and her devotion to the dark side caused her to do some truly horrific things.
As a dangerous witch that was scarily skillful, Bellatrix had a frightening temper which led her to be one of Voldemort’s cruelest death eaters. With the perfect combination of villainy alongside her childish mannerisms, Helena Bonham Carter's portrayal of the sadistic witch was one of the most convincing performances in the franchise.
Hermione Granger
There’s no question that Hermione was one of the best and fiercest characters in the Harry Potter franchise. With an abundance of wit and intelligence, she always proved to be a vital asset in everything, and needless to say, Harry, Ron, and the entire wizarding world would have struggled to survive without her.
While Hermione was originally introduced as a bossy know it all, she ended up the courageous and selfless heroine who displayed great bravery on countless occasions. Emma Watson perfected her depiction of the young wizard and it's impossible to imagine anyone else in her place.
