Fantastic Animals and Where to Find Them is a 2016 fantasy film directed by David Yates. A British and American joint production, it’s a spin-off and a prequel to the Harry Potter film series. It was produced and written by J. K. Rowling in her screenwriter debut, inspired by her 2001 “guide” of the same name. The film features a choral cast including Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton, Jon Voight, Carmen Ejogo, Ron Perlman and Colin Farrell. It is the first installment of the Fantastic Animals film series and the ninth overall of the Wizarding World franchise that began with the Harry Potter films.

Fantastic Animals and Where to Find Them premiered in New York City on November 10, 2016 and premiered in theaters worldwide on November 18, 2016 in 3D, IMAX 3D 4K Laser, 4DX and other large format theaters. It received generally positive reviews from critics and became a commercial success after grossing $814 million worldwide, making it the eighth highest-grossing film of 2016.

The film was nominated for five BAFTA Awards, including Best British Film, and won Best Production Design. It was nominated for two Oscars and won Best Costume Design, becoming the first Wizarding World film to win an Oscar. The first sequel, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, premiered on November 16, 2018.