Fantastic Beasts 4 (2025)
Genre: Fantasy / Adventure / Drama
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Dan Fogler, Jessica Williams, Mads Mikkelsen

Fantastic Beasts 4 continues the wizarding world saga with a darker, more politically charged entry that aims to realign the franchise toward its original magical roots while setting the stage for the climactic finale. Directed once again by David Yates, this fourth installment picks up after the events of The Secrets of Dumbledore, following the intensifying global conflict between Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) and the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen).

The film sees magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) reluctantly drawn deeper into the escalating wizarding war, navigating new alliances, treacherous magical landscapes, and the rising tension within the wizarding world as Grindelwald’s ideology gains influence. As secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, Dumbledore’s plan to stop his former lover becomes more desperate—and more personal.

Jude Law once again delivers a layered performance as Dumbledore, offering moments of vulnerability beneath the character’s trademark mystique. Mads Mikkelsen, in his second outing as Grindelwald, fully claims the role with cold, magnetic menace, elevating the film’s dramatic stakes. Eddie Redmayne remains charmingly awkward as Newt, though his presence sometimes feels overshadowed by the broader conflict.

The film introduces new international wizarding locations and magical creatures, including a pivotal sequence set in the hidden magical city of Bhairavi in India, which adds fresh visual texture and expands the lore. Jessica Williams returns as Professor Lally Hicks, offering sharp wit and magical brilliance, while Dan Fogler’s Jacob Kowalski continues to bring heart and humor, though his role is more subdued this time around.

Critics have been mixed in their reception—praising the improved pacing and character focus compared to previous installments, but noting that the series still struggles to balance its sprawling subplots and maintain a clear narrative drive. Longtime fans will find rewarding nods to Harry Potter lore, but newcomers may feel adrift amid the dense backstory.

In summary, Fantastic Beasts 4 is a more grounded and emotionally resonant entry, shifting the spotlight back onto its strongest characters and themes of power, love, and sacrifice. While not without its flaws, it marks a promising step toward what could be a satisfying conclusion to the saga.