Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is The Last Jedi of the Harry Potter Franchise
Annlyel James 
Both films were sequels to major franchises and both films weren’t received very well by its loyal fanbase.
I just recently watched Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald for the first time and as I watched the movie I couldn’t help but notice the incredible parallels between the film and, yes, Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Both films were sequels to reboots of major franchises, both chose to take a darker route in storytelling, and both films weren’t received very well by its loyal fanbase.
But there was a certain plot in The Crimes of Grindelwald that I found very interesting because of its striking parallel to The Last Jedi and that was Credence Barebone’s storyline. The Crimes of Grindelwald may have twelve characters inhabiting the movie but the film, in actuality, was about Credence and the search for his identity. The entire story revolved around him, setting up the shocking reveal of his true lineage at the end of the movie.
And, in a stunning parallel, The Last Jedi featured heavily the question of Rey’s identity. She too, like Credence Barebone, was searching for answers of her lineage and Kylo Ren, like Grindelwald, was there to provide her with the answers. But, unlike Credence, she turned out to be a nobody and ended up not joining Kylo Ren whereas Credence turned out to be a long-lost Dumbledore and would join Grindelwald in the war against Muggles/No-Majs.
RELATED: Review | Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald
I love to see parallels between films in huge franchises. Like Batman vs. Superman and Captain America: Civil War. Both movies featured the main protagonists coming to a clash of the century (and both films came out in the same year.) Hilarious!
The Crimes of Grindelwald isn’t a great film but for Harry Potter fans it can be a delightful ride that only expands the franchise in impactful ways, just as The Last Jedi deepened the narrative of the Jedi and the power of the Force.
But, clearly, The Last Jedi is better. 😁
Will Episode IX‘s storyline somehow give us an idea of what to expect with the third Fantastic Beasts movie? Only time will tell.
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Annlyel James is a Senior Correspondent of The Future of the Force. She is passionate about Star Wars and Marvel but loves a wide variety of movie genres. Aside from her role with Future of the Force she also writes for her blog: annlyelonline. Follow her on Twitter where she channels the Force frequently!
