The Harry Potter franchise has been hugely successful since its inception in 1997. This started with the books introducing a whole host of captivating characters with their own individual quirks and complexities. Yet, the movies were able to bring these characters even further to life thanks to stellar casting and strong subsequent performances.

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Each Harry Potter movie introduces new characters while elevating familiar faces. While many of these characters struggle to find their place in the Wizarding World, there are those who thrive. These witches and wizards pull off extraordinary feats under pressure, earning the cool reputations that they build for themselves. Some are especially blatant and extravagant in their execution, while others take a more laid-back approach.

10 Hermione's Application Of Her Book Smarts Is Second To None

Hermione Granger speaks with urgency during Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.

Hermione Granger is easily the smartest and most resourceful of the Hogwarts students during Harry's time there. While her enthusiasm when it comes to learning and education is not conventionally cool by any means, it is her application of everything she learns that is impressive.

Hermione's intellect and composure under pressure save the group on numerous occasions. This includes saving Ron from the Devil's Snare, utilizing a Time-Turner to save both Sirius and Buckbeak, and so much more. These moments come from what she learns at Hogwarts, but the two Deathly Hallows movies show off how adept she can be in the outside world. From keeping the Golden Trio safe with protective enchantments to initiating an emergency escape on the back of a dragon, Hermione deserves all the credit she gets.

9 Ginny Weasley Becomes A Strong Young Woman

Ginny Weasley playing Quidditch in Harry Potter.

Ginny Weasley grows a lot after being the unfortunate prey of Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Through various hardships, she comes to be a strong and capable young woman. Ginny becomes a chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and generally seems popular among her peers and friends.

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Yet, the book version of Ginny goes even further. She has more time to show off a whole new level of sass and bravery, making her character even cooler. Her relationship with Harry is also given a lot more time and substance.

8 Harry Potter's Tragic Past Makes Him A Celebrity

Harry confronts Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

Fans of the Harry Potter movies often gravitate towards other characters being their favorites, rather than the titular character. This is certainly understandable when considering how Harry can make poor decisions by being too emotional. Yet, when it comes down to it, he is easily one of the most impressive characters.

Harry becomes a legend for being "The Boy Who Lived," a title that branches out and essentially labels him as the best hope against Voldemort. People act shocked when they meet him, even when he has no idea what is going on. Harry may not be the epitome of cool in certain situations, but numerous people think highly of him, from his scar to the spectacular feats he manages to pull off.

7 Remus Lupin Is The Cool Werewolf Teacher

Remus Lupin and Tonks staning in front of the Burrow in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.

Throughout Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Remus Lupin may be hiding a huge secret from Harry and his friends, but ultimately he helps Harry. He teaches Harry how to use Expecto Patronum and defend himself against Dementors, as well as being there for emotional support.

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The one instance of Lupin teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts in the movie is a fun and practical lesson, showing he can be a cool teacher. Lupin becomes even more of a fan favorite through his brother-like relationship with Sirius and James Potter.

6 Kingsley Shacklebolt Oozes Charisma

Kingsley Shacklebolt in a tense confrontation in Harry Potter.

Kingsley Shacklebolt is never properly explored in the movies, but he is hugely important. He is a high-ranking Auror within the Ministry of Magic, allowing him to feed vital information to the Order of the Phoenix.

George Harris brings life to Kingsley, making him look and sound the part. He is a powerful duellist, taking out multiple Death Eaters through various battles and skirmishes. He even uses one spell that appears to stop time before launching his opponent out of the window. At the end of the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Shacklebolt becomes the new Minister for Magic, which would be a wonderful thing to see.

5 Viktor Krum Is A National Quidditch Seeker & Durmstrang Champion

Hermione Granger and Viktor Krum attend the Yule Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Viktor Krum is a Bulgarian wizard introduced in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. His superstardom is made clear immediately with him being the Seeker for the Bulgarian National Quidditch team at the Quidditch World Cup. This is not the last time fans see him in this movie.

With the Triwizard Tournament taking place at Hogwarts, Krum arrives with his fellow students from the Durmstrang Institute. Krum is incredibly quiet, maintaining a grumpy and serious expression. Yet, he displays brute force when required to in the tournament. His rugged looks and general mystery even get the attention of Hermione Granger.

4 Professor McGonagall Will Always Protect Hogwarts & Her Students

McGonagall and Harry face off with Snape in the Great Hall in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

Hogwarts has multiple incredible personalities teaching and looking after the students. While Dumbledore and Snape are remembered for their huge impact on the main narrative, Professor Minerva McGonagall deserves a lot more credit than she gets. Despite her seemingly strict nature, she shows her kindness as the Head of Gryffindor House, with a particular fondness for Harry and his friends.

However, it isn't until the final movie that McGonagall shows how powerful she truly is. She stands up for Harry and Hogwarts, forcing Snape to flee before barricading and preparing the school for war. Maggie Smith does a wonderful job of portraying McGonagall as the strict but caring mother figure for her students.

Cedric Diggory smiles at someone off-screen in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Cedric Diggory is introduced in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as Hogwarts' main entrant into the Triwizard Tournament. He immediately comes across as the popular older student and the pride of Hufflepuff.

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Whenever anybody talks about Cedric, they do so with admiration and respect. Apart from the Triwizard Maze, Cedric has an effortless coolness in everything he does. He was the first one to retrieve his treasured person in the second trial, which is a testament to his skills. Fans were initially unsure of what to make of the character, but they were ultimately left devastated by his death.

2 Albus Dumbledore Wows Audiences When He Unleashes His Power

Dumbledore yelling at Harry in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Lord Voldemort is always the main name spoken about out of fear, but Albus Dumbledore still commands more with his formidable reputation. The Hogwarts headmaster is one of the strongest wizards around and a rare example of someone who Voldemort is wary of.

As a headmaster, a lot is expected of Dumbledore and he duly delivers. He bends the rules for the heroes and saves the day when others falter. Yet, on the rare occasions when Dumbledore is engaged in actual combat, his staggering true power is clear for all to see. Not only does he attack a horde of Inferi with an epic ring of fire, but he also evades capture with a cool Fawkes-assisted exit.

1 Sirius Black Is The Cool Godfather

Sirius Black smirking in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Sirius Black is another character who fans had to be patient in growing to love. Black is introduced in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as the main bad guy in Voldemort's absence before the grand plot twist reveals his innocence. After all the misunderstandings are pushed aside, Sirius becomes the cool uncle figure to Harry.

Sirius is one of many characters to be taken too soon, with his death being one of the most devastating moments of the entire franchise. He never quite gets to properly make up for lost time with his godson, which would have been great to see. Yet, they do get to duel side-by-side in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, moments before Sirius' death. This is a fitting last hurrah for Sirius Black.

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