Now that Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them [1] is finally here, it's time to take stock. At this point, we know that the franchise's five movies [2] will take us all the way to the rise of Lord Voldemort, which will, in turn, take us right back where we started from: to Harry Potter [3]. With such a vast timeline between Newt's trip to New York and Harry's final stand with Lord Voldemort, we're adding a little clarity and context with this handy-dandy timeline. Now you'll know exactly how long it will be before Tom Marvolo Riddle emerges as the most deadly Dark wizard of all time.
The Life and Times of Dumbledore
- 1881 — The year Dumbledore is born.
- 1899 — Dumbledore graduates from Hogwarts.
- Around 1900 — Grindelwald and Dumbledore's friendship begins.
- Around 1910 — Dumbledore teaches Newt Scamander at Hogwarts.
- 1937 — Dumbledore discovers Tom Marvolo Riddle at an orphanage.
- 1956 — The year Dumbledore is believed to have become headmaster at Hogwarts.
- 1997 — Albus dies at the hands of Severus Snape.
The Trajectory of New Scamander
- 1897 — Newton Scamander is born.
- 1908 — Newt begins school at Hogwarts.
- 1926 — The events of the first Fantastic Beasts film [7] transpire.
- 1994 — Harry Potter [8] and the Prisoner of Azkaban is in full swing, and Newt Scamander appears on Harry's Marauder's Map [9].
The Rise of Lord Voldemort
- 1926 — Tom Marvolo Riddle is born. (Note: this is when Fantastic Beasts takes place, too! If you forgot from one minute ago.)
- 1937 — Dumbledore discovers Tom at an orphanage.
- 1938 — Tom begins school at Hogwarts.
- Around 1945 — Tom begins his rise to power as Lord Voldemort.
- 1970 — Voldemort stars the First Wizarding War.
- 1981 — The first encounter with Harry Potter [10], during which Voldemort nearly dies.
- 1998 — During The Battle of Hogwarts, Voldemort dies at the hands of Harry Potter.
The Arrival of Lily and James Potter
- 1960 — Both James Potter and Lily Evans are born.
- 1971 — Lily and James begin at Hogwarts.
- 1978 — The couple graduates and marries.
- 1980 — Harry Potter [11] is born.
- 1981 — Voldemort kills Lily and James.
And, of Course, Harry Potter Himself
- 1980 — Harry Potter [12] is born.
- 1981 — The young child survives a direct attack from Lord Voldemort.
- 1991 — Harry begins school at Hogwarts.
- 1998 — Harry defeats Lord Voldemort at the Battle of Hogwarts.