
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
2002, Kids and family/Adventure, 2h 41m
238 Reviews 250,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Though perhaps more enchanting for younger audiences, Chamber of Secrets is nevertheless both darker and livelier than its predecessor, expanding and improving upon the first film's universe. Read critic reviews
You might also like
Where to watch
Show all servicesHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Harry Potter
Ron Weasley
Hermione Granger
Gilderoy Lockhart
Nearly Headless Nick
Rubeus Hagrid
News & Interviews for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Critic Reviews for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
All Critics (238) | Top Critics (64) | Fresh (196) | Rotten (42)
-
This time, the adventures of the world's most famous young wizard come mixed with a stiff dose of the menacing.
January 4, 2019 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review… -
Director Chris Columbus has pushed the envelope farther, made a sequel that is pacier and more swashbuckling. Yet it still feels cautious and reined-in.
December 6, 2014 | Full Review… -
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is darker, funnier and finer than its forerunner Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
December 6, 2014 | Full Review… -
Columbus' pacing is still murderously slow, his ideas as pedestrian as the worst TV.
December 6, 2014 | Full Review… -
Apart from a rather pointless cameo from Kenneth Branagh and a rather peaky-looking Richard Harris, in truth there was nothing in HP2 that we hadn't already seen in HP1.
December 6, 2014 | Full Review… -
This new Harry Potter has its flaws, but it's better, as well as darker, than the first.
November 26, 2013 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
-
Oct 31, 2016I love Chamber of Secrets. To me, it's the last Potter film to make me feel nostalgic towards the series. Don't get me wrong, I love all 8 films, but there's something about the campy and all around goofiness to Chamber of Secrets that makes it all the more endearing. Even though it was filmed merely months after the first film was released; Harry, Ron, and Hermione feel like they have grown so much since their first outing at Hogwarts. I guess that's the feeling you get when you watch the films within days of each other. With that said, we are jumped right back into the fold as Harry is back with his muggle family in England when a house elf, named Dobby, appears and warns him to never return back to Hogwarts. Being that it's the confident and curious Harry Potter we're talking about, of course he makes his way back to the school within a few scenes. Much like the first film, we have plenty of entertaining side missions for the trio to go on which included; a flying car, taking a potion to disguise themselves as Slytherin, following spiders into the dark forest, and of course some Quidditch. All of this makes for a brisk 2 hours and 40 minutes of wizard fun. But the film isn't short on its eerie reveals, adventurous thrills, and dark storytelling. Chamber of Secrets brilliantly balances all of that though. Seeing Harry venture into the secrets of Tom Riddle's diary is some terrifying stuff to see as a kid, as is seeing various victims picked off in Hogwarts due to the Chamber being open. And to me, it holds up to this day. There's definitely a more childish tone to it all, but these are 12-year-olds after all. This film was also a test for Harry, and particularly Daniel Radcliffe, to show if he can truly carry a film or not. Hermione is sidelined for the last 40 minutes or so and Ron is just about scared of anything they come across. If there was ever a question to that proposal, Chamber of Secrets definitely put that to rest. The first film is great, but this was Harry and Radcliffe coming into their own as character and actor respectively. From here on out it's a much darker and relentlessly thrilling take on the character, so I'll always be partial to the lighter tone Chamber of Secrets presented. +Balances goofy and gripping scenes well +Chamber fight +Unsettling reveals +Plenty of entertaining missions for the trio 9.0/10Thomas D Super Reviewer
-
Jun 25, 2016I loved this sequel. It gets dramatic at first and the battle ending it became a blood-action packed.Film C Super Reviewer
-
Apr 11, 2016If you make a film series there are always that one movie that doesn't really fit with you, and for me that is this one. I still like "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," but I don't like it as much as the other movies. It has some points that I didn't thought the movie needed or was supposed to tackle yet. This is a dark movie, and even though it's not the darkest, it still feel pretty much for adults because of the many dark tones and the theme of death. Chris Columbus has always been a very good director when it comes to children movies, but it doesn't really work when he attempts to tackle both the childish themes which he should stuck to and the dark adult-like tone. It just doesn't work all the way through. The performances, however, are some of the best I have seen in a long time. Daniel Radcliffe is a great actor and he has really been that ever since the first Harry Potter movie.Lasse G Super Reviewer
-
Mar 28, 2016With a darker tone and an extreme loyalty to the original source material, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is both a treat for fans and non-fans alike thanks to thrilling action scenes, a great sense of pacing and some great performances.Matthew M Super Reviewer
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Quotes
Neville Longbottom: | Why is it always me? |
Ron Weasley: | Bloody bird's a menace! |
Madam Pomfrey: | What d'you expect? Pumpkin juice? |
Hermione Granger: | It's got to be a Gryffindor. No one else knows our password. |
Movie & TV guides
About Tomatometer
The percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given this movie a positive review
About Audience Score
The percentage of users who rated this 3.5 stars or higher.
Verified