Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

The fantasy film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), directed by David Yates and written by J. K. Rowling, is the first instalment in the Fantastic Beasts series and the ninth in the Wizarding World franchise. Set in 1926 New York City, it serves as a spin-off and prequel to the Harry Potter films, following British wizard Newt Scamander on his journey. While searching for a Niffler that escaped from his magical creature-filled suitcase, he crosses paths with Jacob Kowalski, an aspiring baker who accidentally swaps suitcases with him. This leads to Newt’s encounter with Tina Goldstein, a demoted Auror of MACUSA who mistakes him for breaking magical law. However, upon discovering that Jacob’s suitcase only contains baked goods, Newt is released. Unfortunately, Jacob’s curiosity leads him to open Newt’s suitcase at home, unintentionally setting several creatures loose in the city.

After Tina and Newt come across Jacob and the suitcase, they make their way to Tina’s apartment where she introduces them to her sister Queenie, who is a skilled Legilimens. Despite strict rules forbidding American wizards from interacting with No-Majs, Jacob and Queenie feel an immediate attraction towards each other. Newt then invites Jacob into his magically expanded suitcase, which houses various creatures including an Obscurial – a parasite that grows inside magically gifted children when their abilities are suppressed, often leading to a premature death. As they successfully recapture two of the three escaped beasts, Tina returns the suitcase to MACUSA. However, things take a dark turn as they are arrested under suspicion that one of Newt’s creatures may have caused the death of Senator Henry Shaw Jr., though it was actually another Obscurial responsible for the attack.