10 Best Performances in the Harry Potter Movies, Ranked

First appearance: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Why great? Alan Rickman carried these films. His Snape is cold, sarcastic and unpredictable, but in the final film he reveals a depth nobody saw coming. 'Always.' No further explanation needed.

First appearance: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Why great? Her deranged laugh, manic stare and total commitment make Bellatrix one of the scariest and most fascinating characters in the series.

First appearance: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Why great? Watson is Hermione: smart, strong and full of emotion. Her 'Obliviate' scene in Deathly Hallows is heartbreaking and one of the strongest moments of the entire series.

First appearance: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Why great? Felton gives Draco the perfect mix of arrogance and inner struggle. In Half-Blood Prince you see him crack under Voldemort's pressure. Pure class.

First appearance: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Why great? Playing a villain without a nose and still being terrifying? Fiennes pulls it off. His icy voice and strange movements make Voldemort frightening and unforgettable.

First appearance: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Why great? Radcliffe grew up with the role and delivered impressive work, especially in the later films. His outburst in Order of the Phoenix and the 'I must not tell lies' scene really show his talent.

First appearance: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Why great? Never has a villain been so... infuriating. Staunton's sugary smile and icy cruelty make Umbridge a character you truly hate, which is an achievement in itself.

First appearance: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Why great? Oldman brings exactly the right mix of melancholy and charisma. His 'Nice one, James!' moment with Harry in Order of the Phoenix makes his death all the more painful.

First appearance: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Why great? Maggie Smith embodies McGonagall perfectly: strict but good-hearted. Her iconic 'I've always wanted to use that spell' in Deathly Hallows is a moment of pure badassery.

First appearance: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Why great? Grint is the perfect Ron: deadpan, loyal and sometimes delightfully awkward. His emotional work in Deathly Hallows, especially the locket Horcrux scene, deserves praise.