Daniel Radcliffe reveals his picks for best and worst “Harry Potter ”films

Daniel Radcliffe has picked his favorite and least favorite entries in the Harry Potter film franchise.

Entertainment Weekly Daniel Radcliffe starred as the titular wizard in the Harry Potter film franchiseCredit: Murray Close/ Getty;Warner Bros

Key Points

  • The titular star noted that as he's aged, franchise entries from different periods of times have gone from watchable to unwatchable for him.

  • Interestingly, his favorite and least favorite picks both came toward the tail end of the eight-film series.

No one likes to play favorites with their children. But if you ask nicely, Daniel Radcliffe is happy to oblige.

TheHarry Potterstar recently weighed in on his favorites, least favorites, and everything in between when it comes to the enduringly popular young adult film franchise.

Radcliffe has noted several times in the past that he is not the biggest fan of rewatching his own work. Especially when it comes toHarry Potter, which he said just in February he was"embarrassed"to catch up with as an adult. But in a new interview for theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast, Radcliffe revealed, "I have more time now for me in the early films."

When he was 18, he explained, "I would cringe watching the earlier films. Now I think the early films are sweet, and now I cringe watching myself when I was 18 or 19."

He speculated that this cringe cycle will continue churning as he ages, but that doesn't mean he isn't up to the task of offering up a subjective ranking of his best and worst of the franchise.

'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' (2001) stars Daniel Radcliffe, Ruper Grint, and Emma WatsonCredit: Peter Mountain/Warner Bros.

Radcliffe was only nine when production commenced onHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. By the time he wrapped on the franchise's final act,Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2, he was 20.

From the vantage point of 2026, as a 36-year-old father with credits far and wide outside theHarry Potterfranchise to his name, Radcliffe was easily able to pick his favorite and least favorite of its entries.

Happy Sad Confusedhost Josh Horowitz paired the first and second films, third and fourth films, and so on in brackets for Radcliffe to choose between, leading to a final showdown between his two top picks. But before he even got there, Radcliffe spilled the beans, crowningDeathly Hallows Part 2as "my favorite of all of them."

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When asked to choose between the fifth film,Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, andHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Radcliffe remarked, "Order of Phoenixfar and away.Half-Blood Princeis probably the bottom of the bracket for me. That's my own stuff. That's not the film."

Ultimately, the bracket-style selections yieldedDeathly Hallows Part 2andHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fireas his top two picks, which he easily ceded toDeathly Hallows Part 2.

"I'm fascinated. I wouldn't have said now if if we — interesting," Radcliffe stammered. "I don't think I knew thatGoblet of Firewould have been my second-favorite film. Although it would have survived if the bracket were different. It would have gone a different way."

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Radcliffe also praisedChamber of Secrets"because I love thebasilisk," and asked for mercy fromPotterfans when choosingGoblet of Fireover the belovedPrisoner of Azkaban.

"I know everyone wants me to sayAzkaban. I know that's how everyone else feels, but I love the stuff I got to do on the fourth movie," he said.

Though Radcliffe's heart seems to be opening to rewatching hisPotterfilms, he shared in March thathe's "delighted"his son can experience the story viaHBO's upcoming seriesadaptation instead. "I feel like watching it with your dad would be less cool. It would take you out of it," he explained."

You can watch Radcliffe's full interview on theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast above.

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Daniel Radcliffe reveals his picks for best and worst “Harry Potter ”films

Daniel Radcliffe has picked his favorite and least favorite entries in the Harry Potter film franchise. Key Points ...
Doctor reveals five simple food pairings to absorb more nutrients

Dr Amir Khan has revealed his top five food combinations that complement each other's health benefits.

The Independent US

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In an Instagram video, ITV's residentdoctoron Lorraine and Good Morning Britain explained that simple pairings such astomatoesandolive oilcan help the body to absorb more nutrients, support the gut, and get more out of everyday foods.

Dr Amir explained that while tomatoes are already great for heart health as they are rich in lycopene, they are complemented by olive oil as the body absorbs lycopene much better with fat.

Doctor reveals five simple food pairings to absorb more nutrients

Dr Amir Khan has revealed his top five food combinations that complement each other's health benefits. Advertisement In an I...
UK foreign ministry chief to leave after Mandelson vetting row

By Elizabeth Piper, Alistair Smout, Andrew MacAskill and Sam Tabahriti

Reuters FILE PHOTO: Olly Robbins arrives at the Cabinet Office, in London, Britain January 28, 2019. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo FILE PHOTO: Former British ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson leaves his residence after he was released following his arrest by London police on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following the release of U.S. Justice Department files linked to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in London, Britain, February 26, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo

Olly Robbins, senior civil servant and Europe adviser to Prime Minister Theresa May, arrives at the Cabinet Office, in London

LONDON, April 16 (Reuters) - Britain's top foreign ministry official will leave his post after Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper lost confidence in him, a source said on Thursday, following a row ‌over the security vetting of Peter Mandelson.

The disclosure of the vetting failure has intensified pressure on Starmer over his appointment of Mandelson, Britain's former ‌U.S. ambassador, who is under police investigation for allegedly leaking government documents to the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and has led to renewed calls for the prime minister to resign.

Mandelson failed his security ​vetting before taking up the role, but the government said Starmer was unaware officials had overruled the recommendation.

"Neither the Prime Minister, nor any government minister, was aware that Peter Mandelson was granted developed vetting against the advice of UK Security Vetting until earlier this week," a government spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday.

The decision was taken by officials in the foreign ministry, the spokesperson added.

Starmer has apologised for the appointment but defended his own actions, accusing Mandelson of creating a "litany of deceit" about ‌his Epstein ties and promising to release documents on ⁠how he was appointed.

A source familiar with the matter said on Thursday that Olly Robbins, the most senior official at the foreign ministry, would leave his post after Starmer and his boss Cooper lost confidence in him.

A foreign ministry spokesperson said in ⁠a separate statement that Starmer had "initiated a process to establish the facts" of the vetting process, adding that it "was working urgently to comply with that process."

MANDELSON FIRED IN SEPTEMBER

The Guardian newspaper had reported earlier on Thursday that the failed security check came after Mandelson's appointment had been announced. The government has previously pledged to overhaul the vetting process and "address ​weaknesses" ​in the system.

The report also said that officials were considering whether to withhold publication of ​the documents that would reveal Mandelson had not been given ‌security clearance.

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However, the government spokesperson said that once Starmer had been informed, he had instructed officials to establish why the clearance had been granted and to update parliament.

Mandelson has not commented publicly on allegations he leaked documents, and a lawyer for Mandelson did not provide a comment about the report.

Mandelson, 72, was fired from the most prestigious posting in Britain's diplomatic service in September, when the depth of his friendship with Epstein started to become clear.

His relationship with the convicted sex offender, who died in prison while awaiting trial in 2019 on sex trafficking charges, is at the centre of a British political scandal that has forced the ‌resignation of two senior government officials.

OPPOSITION PARTIES SAY STARMER MISLED PARLIAMENT

The opposition leader Kemi Badenoch ​accused Starmer of misleading parliament when he said three times in September that "full due process" had ​been followed.

If Starmer was found to have knowingly misled parliament, he ​would have broken the code that governs ministers' behaviour and would be expected to resign.

"Keir Starmer said in February that the ‌security services had given Mandelson 'clearance for the role,'" said Nigel Farage, ​leader of the populist Reform UK Party ​which is leading polls. "Now we discover that he has blatantly lied, the prime minister should resign."

Mandelson was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office after Starmer's government passed on communications between the former ambassador and Epstein. He was later released on bail, pending further investigation.

Starmer ​faces further scrutiny as parliament is expected to release more ‌documents related to his vetting.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was forced to resign in 2022 in part because of months of embarrassing ​headlines about illicit parties held in government buildings during the COVID pandemic and accusations he misled parliament.

(Reporting by Elizabeth Piper, Alistair Smout, Andrew ​MacAskill and Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Alison Williams, Toby Chopra and Nick Zieminski)

UK foreign ministry chief to leave after Mandelson vetting row

By Elizabeth Piper, Alistair Smout, Andrew MacAskill and Sam Tabahriti Olly Robbins, senior civil servant and Europe adviser to ...
With a handshake, Spain and Mexico put diplomatic tussle over their colonial past behind them

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — With a few choice words and a handshake, Mexican PresidentClaudia Sheinbaumlaid to rest a diplomatic spat between her government and Spain over the Spanish colonial past during her visit to Barcelona on Saturday.

Associated Press Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, right, greets Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the Meeting in Defence of Democracy summit in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, right, greets Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the Meeting in Defence of Democracy summit in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, right, talks with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, at the Meeting in Defence of Democracy summit, in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Spain Democracy Summit

“There is no diplomatic crisis, there never was one,” she said upon arrival at theIV Meeting in Defense of Democracy, a gathering of representatives of 15 countries concerned with the rise of illiberalism.

“The important thing is to recognize the efforts of the indigenous people of our land,” she said, moments before shaking hands with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Sheinbaum’s participation came after Spain’s King Felipe VIironed out a longstanding diplomatic disputewhen in March he publicly acknowledged the conquest of the Americas had led to the “abuse” of native peoples.

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The international tussle started in 2019, when Sheinbaum’s predecessor,Andrés Manuel López Obrador, demanded that Spain “publicly and officially” recognize the abuses committed during the conquest of Mexico in a letter sent to the Spanish king and Pope Francis.

Spain refused to do so, which souredrelationsbetween the two governments.

Relations hit their low point in 2024 when Sheinbaum did not invite Felipe to her inauguration over the palace’s refusal to issue a formal apology, a move that Sánchez called “unacceptable.” Spain subsequently refused to send a representative to Sheinbaum’s inauguration in a breach of tradition.

The unprecedented step toward reconciliation by Felipe was followed by the Mexican government inviting the Spanish monarch to attend a World Cup match this summer.

On Saturday, Sánchez did not mention the now-resolved diplomatic issue, while thanking Sheinbaum for offering to host the next edition of the pro-democracy summit next year.

With a handshake, Spain and Mexico put diplomatic tussle over their colonial past behind them

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — With a few choice words and a handshake, Mexican PresidentClaudia Sheinbaumlaid to rest a diplomatic spat betwe...
Myanmar reduces ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi's sentence, her lawyer says

April 17 (Reuters) - Myanmar has reduced the sentence of imprisoned ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi, ‌her lawyer told Reuters on Friday.

Reuters

Suu Kyi, 80, ‌was serving a 27-year sentence for a litany of offences her ​allies said were politically motivated to keep her at bay, ranging from incitement and corruption to election fraud and violating a state secrets law.

The sentence has ‌been cut by one-sixth, ⁠but it remains unclear whether the Nobel Peace Prize winner will be allowed to ⁠serve the rest of her sentence under house arrest, the lawyer said.

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Myanmar's new President Min Aung Hlaing ​has approved ​an amnesty for 4,335 ​prisoners, state television reported ‌on Friday, the third such move in the past six months. Amnesties typically take place in Myanmar each year to mark Independence Day in January and New Year in April.

A spokesperson for the military-backed government ‌did not immediately respond to ​a request for comment.

Min Aung ​Hlaing staged a military ​coup against a democratically elected government ‌led by Suu Kyi in ​2021, plunging the ​country into turmoil. He was elected president on April 3 in polls that were widely criticised ​by international ‌observers as neither free nor fair.

(Reporting by Reuters ​Staff; Writing by David Stanway; Editing by ​Muralikumar Anantharaman and Christian Schmollinger)

Myanmar reduces ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi's sentence, her lawyer says

April 17 (Reuters) - Myanmar has reduced the sentence of imprisoned ex-leader Aung San Suu Kyi, ‌her lawyer told Reuters on Friday. ...
Missing 15-Year-Old Girl Was Last Seen a Week Ago, Fla. Police Say She May Be 'in Danger'

Adriana Hernandez, 15, was last seen in Milton, Florida, on April 7 and may have traveled to Georgia, according to police

People Adriana HernandezCredit: FDLE

NEED TO KNOW

  • Authorities upgraded her case to an Amber Alert "due to an ongoing investigation"

  • The public is urged to contact law enforcement with any information about Adriana’s whereabouts

Police in Florida have issued an Amber Alert amid their search for a missing 15-year-old girl after receiving evidence that she “may be in danger.”

Adriana Hernandez has been missing since Tuesday, April 7, according to aFacebook postuploaded by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) on Monday, April 13.

The Santa Rosa teen was last seen in the area of the 6400 block of Bruce Lane in Milton, Florida, and she “may have traveled to Georgia,” according to authorities.

Adriana HernandezCredit: FDLE

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The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office said they were originally investigating Adriana’s case as a runaway child, but the department told thePensacola News Journalthat officers discovered evidence that she “may be in danger.”

Adriana is described as a “white-hispanic female, 15 years old, 5 feet 1 inch tall, 130 pounds, brown hair and brown eyes,” per the FDLE’s post, which adds that she may also have a "reddish-brown tint" to her hair.

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“Due to an ongoing investigation, this case has been upgraded to an AMBER alert,” the FDLE added.

AMBER stands for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, according to theDepartment of Justice. AMBER alerts are “issued for abducted children” that meet certain criteria.

“The AMBER Alert System began in 1996 when Dallas-Fort Worth broadcasters teamed with local police to develop an early warning system to help find abducted children,” it stated.

Anyone with information about Adriana or her whereabouts is urged to contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office at 850-983-1190 or 911.

The FDLE and Santa Rose County Sheriff’s Office were contacted by PEOPLE for further information, but did not immediately respond.

Read the original article onPeople

Missing 15-Year-Old Girl Was Last Seen a Week Ago, Fla. Police Say She May Be 'in Danger'

Adriana Hernandez, 15, was last seen in Milton, Florida, on April 7 and may have traveled to Georgia, according to police NEED TO...
Sydney Sweeney winks at past controversy in new jeans ad for American Eagle

Sydney Sweeney is partnering with American Eagle for a new ad campaign, "Syd for Short."

Entertainment Weekly Sydney Sweeney returns with second American Eagle ad campaignCredit: American Eagle

Key Points

  • The team-up comes nearly a year after the Euphoria star sparked controversy with her for campaign, "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans."

  • The ad was criticized for seemingly promoting eugenics by playing up the "jeans" and "genes" homophone.

Sydney Sweeneyhas moved on from "great" jeans to sun-lit shorts.

Aftercombatting controversyover her 2025 American Eagle ad campaign, theEuphoriastar has teamed up with the clothing company again on "Syd for Short," a summer campaign spotlighting the brand's shorts.

In the first promo, Sweeney sports a fitted pair of jean shorts and a denim jacket. Staring into the camera with her hands in her pocket, she asks, "What brand am I wearing?"

A montage of images sees Sweeney basking in the sunlight, frolicking on a beach and enjoying the blue skies of summer in her jeans shorts.

In an apparent wink to the outrage sparked by her initial blue jeans campaign, "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans," Sweeney then grins at the camera, answering, "Yeah. That one."

Sydney Sweeney for American EagleCredit: American Eagle

In a statement shared withEntertainment Weekly, Sweeney highlighted the brand's partnership with the Crisis Text Hotline, which will receive 100% of the profits for two of AE's custom styles.

"There's something timeless about a great pair of jean shorts. They're simple, but they make you feel confident and put-together without trying too hard," said Sweeney. "Crisis Text Line, a cause so close to my heart, has been a part of this partnership from the beginning. I love knowing that when everyone wears these pieces, they are also a part of something meaningful, that directly helps people who need it."

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Sydney Sweeney for American EagleCredit: American Eagle

Last time around,  Sweeney's partnership with the brand garnered plenty of attention when it arrived in July 2025. The most criticized promo featured the actress reclining on a couch and fastening her jeans as she murmurs, "Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My genes are blue." Then a male narrator adds, "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans."

The seemingly innocuous world-play of "good genes" vs. "good jeans" struck a discordant chord with many who saw the ad and criticized it for glorifying a racial idea. It was swiftly slammed on social media as several conservative public figures — includingMegyn Kelly,JD Vance, and even PresidentDonald Trump—voiced supportfor Sweeney,mocking othersover their disdainof the ad.

Sydney Sweeney for American EagleCredit: American Eagle

On the heels of the initial wave of criticism, American Eaglereleased a statement defending the adand stating, "'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans, her story. We'll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone."

Sydney Sweeney in her original 2025 American Eagle ad campaign,

As for Sweeney, shedid not weigh infor several months,finally commenting on the controversyin a NovemberGQcover story.

"I did a jean ad," she said. "I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans. All I wear are jeans. I’m literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life."

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with ourEW Dispatch newsletter.

WhenGQasked whether Sweeney wanted to address the "genetic superiority" criticism at the root of the controversy, she replied, "I think that when I have an issue that I want to speak about, people will hear."

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

Sydney Sweeney winks at past controversy in new jeans ad for American Eagle

Sydney Sweeney is partnering with American Eagle for a new ad campaign, "Syd for Short." Key Points The ...

 

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