J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter franchise takes audiences into the hidden Wizarding World, where witches and wizards from Great Britain practice magic safely out of sight of non-magical folks, called muggles. Though the series started whimsical and fun, it became darker as the characters grew up, eventually touching on themes of prejudice, propaganda, death, and grief while maintaining an optimistic tone. Warner Bros. acquired the film rights before the series was finished, and between the books and films, Harry Potter became a global phenomenon and is still beloved to this day.
A major reason for the franchise's success is the characters. Over seven books, Rowling introduced a vast array of different personalities who live and grow, especially the young children introduced in the beginning. During that time, many display high levels of courage, which allows them to perform phenomenal acts of bravery for the ones they love. This list will rank the most heroic characters in the Harry Potter series based on their bravery, deeds, and courage they display throughout the eight movies.
Regulus Black
Played by Tom Moorcroft
Slughorn and Regulus Black in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Unlike his older brother, Sirius (Gary Oldman), Regulus Black (Tom Moorcroft) followed the family tradition of being sorted into Slytherin House and believing in wizard supremacy over muggles. When Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) rose to power, Regulus joined his loyal Death Eaters but had a change of heart when Voldemort used Regulus' House Elf, Kreacher (Timothy Bateson and Simon McBurney), to test the defences for his locket Horcrux. Regulus had Kreacher take him back, and rather than subject him to torture a second time, Regulus allowed himself to be killed by the defenses while instructing Kreacher to destroy the locket.
Most of Regulus' story was left unexplained in the films, but what little we get from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 shows the quality of his character. While most people view House Elves as servants, Regulus cared for Kreacher so much that he defied Voldemort in the hopes of making him mortal. Thus, while he is long dead by the events of the films, he demonstrates that you don't need to be sorted into Gryffindor to be courageous.
Luna Lovegood
Played by Evanna Lynch
Luna Lovegood wearing spectrespecs and holding a quibbler magazine in Harry Potter.
First appearing in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch) is a Ravenclaw student one year younger than Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe). She was initially seen as an outsider due to her peculiar dream-like approach to life and her blind faith in strange creatures that may or may not be fictional. Still, she befriends Harry due to their shared ability to see Thestrals and stans by his side in the fight against Voldemort and his followers.
Despite her quirky behavior, Luna is quite intelligent and great at reading people's emotions, allowing her to serve as a source of empathy to Harry in his lowest moments. Despite being one of the younger members of Harry's friend group, Luna never shows fear and bravely follows Harry into the Ministry of Magic when he thinks Sirius is in trouble. Later, she helps re-establish Dumbledore's Army when the Death Eaters take over Hogwarts and weathers imprisonment at Malfoy Manor without succumbing to despair.
Minerva McGonagall
Played by Dame Maggie Smith
Maggie Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2'
Hogwarts' Transfiguration teacher, Minerva McGonagall (
Minerva has demonstrated why she is the perfect choice to lead Gryffindor on numerous occasions. In Order of the Phoenix, she stood up to the cruelty of Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) to defend her students and friend, Sybill Trelawney (Dame Emma Thompson). Her greatest moments come in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, where she not only drives off Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) but also leads the defense of Hogwarts against Voldemort's army.
Dobby
Played by Toby Jones
Magic is emitted from Dobby's fingers as he snaps
As the servant to the Malfoy family, Dobby (Toby Jones) overheard Lucius Malfoy (Jason Isaacs) discussing a plan to open the Chamber of Secrets and kill Harry. Dobby tries to save Harry's life by preventing him from going to Hogwarts, and though he causes the young wizard much stress, the two form an unlikely friendship. Harry later tricks Lucius into giving Dobby a sock, freeing him from his forced servitude.
Dobby may have been done dirty in the films, which gave his post-freedom actions to Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis) starting with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, but what remains still shows how courageous he could be. He risked his life to save Harry—the enemy of his masters—for no other reason than it was the right thing to do. This selflessness would later get Dobby killed while rescuing Harry and his friends from Malfoy Manor, but he died with a smile, knowing that he was surrounded by friends.
Hermione Granger
Played by Emma Watson
Hermione Granger, played by Emma Watson, casting a spell in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.'
Born to two muggle parents, Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) fell in love with the Wizarding World and took every opportunity to learn more about its history and the practice of magic. During her first year at Hogwarts, she befriended Harry and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), becoming the brains of the trio. Her quick thinking and research skills have bailed the trio out of several close calls.
Though she isn't tested quite the same way as her friends, Hermione is still given many chances to prove why the Sorting Hat (Leslie Phillips) chose Gryffindor over Ravenclaw. She never hesitates to follow Harry into danger and isn't afraid to act against what she believes are injustices in wizard society. She also refuses to be intimidated by bullies like Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton), leading to one of her best moments in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Ron Weasley
Played by Rupert Grint
Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) on the Knight's horse in 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'
Though he was born into a pureblood wizard family, Ron Weasley never saw himself as superior to others and befriended Harry on their first day at Hogwarts. Though not as well-read as Hermione, he knows the most about wizarding culture since he grew up surrounded by magic. Sometimes, his bullheadedness can cause friction with his friends, but when the chips are down, Ron will always be there.
The movies certainly make Ron more comedic than his literary counterpart, but when it's time for him to show his courage, they do a phenomenal job. One of the best examples comes from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, where he sacrifices himself in a game of wizard's chess so Harry can checkmate the king and move to the next room. Ron risks himself for his friends several other times in the series, from rescuing Harry from his uncle's imprisonment to destroying Voldemort's locket Horcrux.
Sirius Black
Played by Gary Oldman
Gary Oldman as Sirius Black looking at a person offscreen in the Harry Potter franchise
Due to his contrasting personality and being sorted into Gryffindor, Sirius Black was abandoned by his family but taken in by his best friend, James Potter (Adrian Rawlins). He and James grew up as close as brothers and joined the fight against Voldemort with their friends Remus Lupin (David Thewlis) and Peter Pettigrew (Timothy Spall), the latter of whom was chosen to be James' secret keeper as he and his wife, Lily (Geraldine Somerville), hid from Voldemort. Sadly, Peter betrays them and frames Sirius for the murder of several muggles to cover his tracks, condemning Sirius to spend twelve years in Azkaban Prison before he is able to escape.
Though his time in Azkaban weakened Sirius' mental state, it did little to break his courageous spirit. He will do anything to protect his loved ones, from facing a werewolf while in the body of a dog to risking discovery and a return to Azkaban to give advice and comfort to Harry in his times of need. Although his luck finally runs out during a confrontation with his cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter), Sirius faces death with the same courage he had in life and returns to support Harry when he believes he is walking towards his death.
Severus Snape
Played by Alan Rickman
Severus Snape, played actor Alan Rickman, stands beside Filius Flitwick and Rubeus Hagrid in front of the Triwizard Cup
During his time at Hogwarts, Severus Snape was bullied by James and befriended Lily, though he lost her friendship when he showed an interest in dark magic. He sides with Voldemort during the First Wizarding War, but when he learns Voldemort plans to kill the Potters, he offers his services as a double agent to Dumbledore in exchange for their protection. Sadly, they were still killed, but Snape continued to work with Dumbledore to work towards Voldemort's downfall.
Severus begins the series as a mean-spirited bully with questionable loyalties, but the reveal at the end of Deathly Hallows – Part 2 recontextualizes his actions and makes him one of the most heroic characters. He is a man driven by love and guilt who is willing to do whatever it takes to stop Voldemort, even if that means destroying his reputation when he kills Dumbledore in an attempt to rob Voldemort of mastery over the Elder Wand. It can be debated whether Severus was a good man, but there's no denying his courage.
Neville Longbottom
Played by Matthew Lewis
Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom looks anxious in a hall in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
Born to Order of the Phoenix members Frank (James Payton) and Alice Longbottom (Lisa Wood), Neville was raised by his grandmother after Bellatrix Lestrange and Barty Crouch Jr. (David Tennant) tortured his parents into insanity. When he arrived at Hogwarts, Neville seemed the least qualified Gryffindor: he was shy, timid, and socially awkward. However, as time went on, Neville found his courage and became arguably the most important Gryffindor student outside the main trio.
The beginning of Neville's fantastic arc comes at the end of Philosopher's Stone, where he stands up to the trio in an attempt to keep them from costing Gryffindor more house points. Each subsequent film sees him build his confidence until he becomes one of the main leaders of the Hogwarts resistance, dubbed Dumbledore's Army. During the Battle of Hogwarts, he pulls the Sword of Godrick Gryffindor—first wielded by Harry in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets—out of the Sorting Hat and uses it to kill Nagini, Voldemort's final Horcrux, thus solidifying that he was always meant for Gryffindor.
Harry Potter
Played by Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe as Harry performs the spell Expecto Patronum in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
As an infant, Harry was targeted by Voldemort due to a prophecy that said Harry would defeat him, but he survived thanks to the sacrifice of his mother. Now living with his muggle relatives, Harry receives an invitation to Hogwarts on his eleventh birthday and learns that, in the Wizarding World, he is known as the Boy Who Lived. Unfortunately, Voldemort's spirit endured, and Harry is forced to grow up quickly in the fight to stop him.
Most children would have cracked under the pressure Harry has been forced to live through, yet he always finds a way to push through them. He knows that to give up is to condemn all of his loved ones to a world of darkness, and it is this love that not only keeps him going but also shows how superior he is to Voldemort, regardless of the latter's powers. The ultimate demonstration is when Harry learns that he carries a piece of Voldemort's soul inside of him, so he sacrifices himself—without knowing that he could survive—knowing that his friends will be able to finish the fight.
