Everything You Need To Know About Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 88 months ago

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Everything You Need To Know About Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them

Whether you're a Muggle or a fully-fledged wizard, you won't have missed the fact that Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is released in cinemas on 18 November. Here's everything else you need to know about it, including the midnight screenings and other events taking place right here in London.

What is Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?

Is it a new Harry Potter film? Sort of. It's written by JK Rowling (in her screenwriting debut), and serves as a prequel/spin-off to the Potter books and films. It's the first in a trilogy. We don't want to give too much away, but we do know that it's set, at least in part, in New York in 1926, follows a character by the name of Newt Scamander (a Magizoologist, nonetheless), and stars Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston and Colin Farrell.

If you want more information, the Pottermore website's going potty for it. There's also a completely unofficial fan website dedicated to Fantastic Beasts.

Where was Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them filmed?

FBAWTFT (what a mouthful) was filmed at the Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden. That's in Hertfordshire, so not quite London, but it's not Hollywood either, so we're counting it as one of our own.

Events celebrating Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

THE PREMIERE: There's a rumour that the premiere will take place on 15 November, presumably in Leicester Square. If you fancy hanging about in the square on the off-chance you'll see the cast, keep an eye out for further details. 15 November?

LAUNCH NIGHT PARTY: Waterstones Gower Street is open until midnight for those who want to get their hands on the screenplay as soon as it's published. There's a party instore from 9.30pm with games and competitions. Age 18+, fancy dress encouraged. £5, book in advance, 17 November 9.30pm-18 November at midnight

LAUNCH DAY FUN: Waterstones Kensington celebrates the launch day with Harry Potter inspired snacks, a drawing competition and a treasure hunt — fancy dress encouraged. 18 November, 8am-7pm

MINALIMA: House of Mina Lima in Soho will be exhibiting 40 original graphic art prints from the new film, alongside the Harry Potter artworks already on display. Free, just turn up, 18 November 2016-4 February 2017

IMAX: If you can wait that long, watch the action in 3D at the BFI Imax in Waterloo. £20.50-£23.50, book in advance, 27 November

MIDNIGHT (or thereabouts) SCREENINGS: There are a lot of them, so we're just going to list the venues which are showing the film shortly after midnight on 18 November. You'll want to book early:

Know of any other Fantastic Beasts events or screenings happening in London? Let us know in the comments below or email hello@londonist.com

Last Updated 11 November 2016