HARRY POTTER’S MOST ICONIC MOMENTS REVEALED IN NEW FAN POLL

More than two decades after the first Harry Potter film enchanted audiences worldwide, fans are still celebrating the most magical moments from the beloved franchise. A new poll of 1,500 Potterheads has revealed the top 30 most iconic scenes, proving that the magic of J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world continues to resonate even nearly 15 years after the final instalment hit cinemas.

Topping the list was the unforgettable scene where Harry first runs through the barrier at King’s Cross Station to enter Platform 9 ¾, marking the true beginning of his journey to Hogwarts. In second place, fans chose Hagrid’s legendary line: “You’re a wizard, Harry,” which many consider the moment the entire series truly began. Rounding out the top three was Harry’s climactic defeat of Voldemort, the Dark Lord whose shadow loomed over the story from the very start.

The survey also highlighted some of the most emotional moments in the saga. Dobby the house-elf featured twice in the top ten, both for his joyous liberation when presented with a sock and for his heartbreaking death on the beach at Shell Cottage. Fans also fondly remembered the Sorting Hat placing Harry into Gryffindor, the nail-biting wizard’s chess game to protect the Philosopher’s Stone, and the dramatic moment when Snape killed Dumbledore in The Half-Blood Prince.

When it came to favourite characters, Harry unsurprisingly took the top spot with 57% of fans naming him their number one. Hermione followed with 39%, narrowly beating Ron, who earned 34%. Interestingly, Voldemort escaped being voted the most hated character, instead, that dubious honour went to Dolores Umbridge, the pink-clad Ministry official whose cruelty left a lasting mark on readers and viewers alike.

The poll also revealed some fascinating fan preferences. Despite Gryffindor being home to Harry and the series’ most famous heroes, more fans identified with the values of Hufflepuff (40%), citing kindness and loyalty as qualities they admired most. When it came to magical items, the invisibility cloak proved the most desired, chosen by 66% of participants, while Professor McGonagall topped the list of dream Hogwarts teachers with 44%.

From Hagrid to Snape, the full list of magical moments has fans buzzing – Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc

Fans also admitted they still return to the franchise regularly, with the average Potter enthusiast rewatching one of the films three times a year. The results underline just how deeply embedded Harry Potter remains in popular culture, continuing to inspire old and new generations of fans alike.

The top 30 moments include everything from Harry’s first Quidditch lesson to Ron and Hermione’s long-awaited kiss. They encapsulate the adventure, humour, and heartbreak that made the Harry Potter series a global phenomenon and ensure its legacy will continue for years to come.

For many, the magic of Hogwarts never fades. Whether it’s Molly Weasley’s fierce duel with Bellatrix, Snape’s poignant declaration of “Always,” or Harry’s walk into the forest to face Voldemort, these moments remain etched into the hearts of millions around the world.

TOP 30 MOST ICONIC HARRY POTTER MOMENTS

1. When Harry first goes through the wall on platform 9 3/4
2. When Hagrid says “You’re a wizard, Harry”
3. When Harry defeats Voldemort
4. When Harry and Ron fly the car to Hogwarts
5. When Dobby is freed with a sock
6. When Dobby dies on the beach at Shell Cottage after the escape from Malfoy Manor
7. When the Sorting Hat puts Harry in Gryffindor
8. The infamous game of Wizard’s Chess to reach the Philosopher’s Stone
9. When Snape kills Dumbledore
10. When Harry catches the Snitch in his first match
11. Dumbledore and Voldemort’s duel in the Ministry’s atrium
12. Harry sees his parents in the Mirror of Erised
13. When Professor McGonagall casts “Piertotum Locomotor” during the Battle of Hogwarts
14. When Harry’s name comes out of the Goblet of Fire
15. When the Hogwarts letters flood the house
16. When Harry walks into the forest to face Voldemort
17. The Quidditch World Cup
18. Ron receiving Mrs Weasley’s Howler letter
19. When Sirius dies at the Ministry
20. When Cedric dies
21. When Neville pulls the sword and kills Nagini
22. When Voldemort returns in the graveyard
23. When Harry casts a full Patronus
24. When Snape says “Always”
25. When the trio stands together after the battle
26. When Molly Weasley kills Bellatrix
27. When Harry uses the Marauder’s Map for the first time
28. Hermione descends the stairs in her pink dress at the Yule Ball
29. Ron and Hermione’s kiss
30. The first Quidditch