20 Harry Potter characters who deserve more screen time 

J.K. Rowling didn't just open a door for us when she created Harry Potter, she transported us to a world so rich, wondrous, and breathtakingly immersive that calling it merely "magical" feels like an understatement. Sure, the golden trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, stands at the heart of the franchise, but the story is woven with countless other characters who add nuance and charm to the narrative. We understand that a two-and-a-half-hour film can't include everything, but some of the characters barely got the spotlight they deserved. Here are 20 Harry Potter characters who deserved more screen time in the film adaptations.

1) Rubeus Hagrid

Rubeus Hagrid, played by Robbie Coltrane, is undoubtedly one of the most heartwarming characters in the Harry Potter series, and he was more than just the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. He was family to Harry, Ron, Hermione, and honestly, to all of us. His wholesome presence instantly lit up the screen, and so he definitely deserved more spotlight. The films did not fully explore his heart-wrenching past, and fans wanted to see more of his childlike wonder and quiet melancholy.

2) Luna Lovegood

Luna Lovegood, played by Evanna Lynch, is an unapologetically unique, quirky, and innocent character who captivated the audience from her very first appearance. There's more to Luna than her eccentricity and wild imagination. She combines rare wisdom, unshakeable loyalty, and an extraordinary ability to perceive what others overlook. Fans simply couldn't get enough of her dreamy presence and bizarre fashion, often feeling that her character was somewhat underplayed in the movies.

3) Draco Malfoy

Draco Malfoy, played by Tom Felton, is a character in Harry Potter whose potential was underexplored in the films, especially when you compare the depth of his character in the books (and of course, how charming Felton was on screen). His internal conflict between family allegiance and his sense of morality could have been more thoroughly examined. If only we had seen more of Draco’s arc in the Harry Potter movies, it would have felt much more satisfying!

4) Professor McGonagall

The legend who held Hogwarts together, Professor Minerva McGonagall, deserved more screen time because Maggie Smith's commanding performance was simply mesmerizing to watch. From the moment Smith stepped onto the screen in The Sorcerer’s Stone, she owned the character. Professor McGonagall was a sentinel of discipline, a selfless protector of the students, and the epitome of tough love. She was the scene-stealer who deserved more time to shine.

5) Dobby

One of the most mischievous yet adorable, selfless, and courageous characters in the Harry Potter series, Dobby, was barely given sufficient screen time to shine as much as he deserved. This pesky, big-eyed house elf with good intentions eventually grew into one of Harry's most steadfast companions. His death in Deathly Hallows Part 1 was one of the most emotional scenes in all the Harry Potter movies. Fans felt his time on screen was far too limited for all that he brought to the role.

6) Sirius Black

Sirius Black, portrayed by Gary Oldman, is yet another gem of a character deserving of more screen time. He was not only Harry's Godfather but also a pivotal figure in the battle against Voldemort. His deep affection for his family, his rebellion against his parents' oppressive views, and the complicated bond he shared with his cousin Bellatrix were all aspects that could have been further explored. However, the films didn't do justice to the depth of his character, given how little time he had on screen.

7) Molly Weasley

Everyone knows her as the caring and protective mother of the Weasley family, but Molly Weasley, played by Julie Walters, is much more than that. Beyond her remarkable ability to make everyone feel at home, she’s also an essential member of the Order of the Phoenix, fighting for what’s right and facing danger head-on. There was definitely room for more Molly, whether it was her sharp humour, her unwavering love for her family, or her blunt honesty when the situation demanded it.

8) Neville Longbottom

From the clumsy, forgetful boy to the brave warrior who severed the Dark Lord’s last Horcrux, Neville Longbottom, played by Matthew Lewis, was one of the most loved characters in the Harry Potter series. Yet somehow, the movies still underplayed his greatness. He shows that real bravery isn’t the absence of fear, but the will to rise despite it. Frankly speaking, he deserved far more time on screen.

9) Remus Lupin

Few characters in the Harry Potter universe are as nuanced, devastating, and downright legendary as Remus Lupin, played by David Thewlis. Yet films only skimmed the surface of his tale. Lupin wasn't just a werewolf, he was the finest Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Hogwarts had ever seen. Plus, his contribution to the battle against Voldemort was immense. However, his scenes and story arc in the films felt hurried, leaving little room for depth. As a mentor, a warrior, and a man battling his demons daily, he deserved more.

10) Cedric Diggory

Cedric Diggory is one of those characters that didn’t get nearly enough attention in the Harry Potter series. Plus, who wouldn't want to watch more of Robert Pattinson? His untimely death was a major turning point, moving the narrative from playful adventures to the crushing realities of war. Sadly, the films didn’t give his character enough time to truly feel the weight of this shift. He was a skilled, honourable, and brave Hufflepuff, yet his role was far more limited than it should have been.

11) Professor Albus Dumbledore

The wise, all-knowing, and mysterious headmaster of Hogwarts, Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, played by Michael Gambon, is one of the most significant characters in the Harry Potter series. The films barely scratched the surface of Dumbledore’s deeply complex and cryptic character, as he was a man with many secrets. The movies hinted at his greatness, but there’s a vast side of him that remained uncovered. Fans would've loved more of him on the screen.

12) Narcissa Malfoy

Narcissa Malfoy is one of those characters whose true depth was overshadowed in the Harry Potter films, despite her untapped potential. Played by Helen McCrory, she is not just the cold, aristocratic mother of Draco Malfoy, but also a complex character struggling with her questionable loyalty to the Dark Lord. According to fans, a bit more insight into Narcissa's journey, particularly her fight against the values she was raised to embrace, would have made her a truly unforgettable figure.

13) Fred and George Weasley

The Weasley twins, Fred and George, played by James and Oliver Phelps respectively, didn't get as much screen time in the movies as their importance in the books. Fans craved more of their playful banter, cheeky tricks, and irresistible zest for life. The movie did not fully explore their crucial role in the fight against Voldemort or the deep emotional toll Fred's passing took on the Weasley family and his twin brother.

14) Sybill Trelawney

Hogwarts' eccentric Divination teacher, Sybill Trelawney, played by Emma Thompson, is one of those characters who truly deserves more screen time in the films. Beneath her complex exterior lies the ability to astound with her predictions, though the films fail to fully recognize the significance of her role in the Harry Potter series. Giving Sybill more screen presence and delving deeper into her character would have uncovered the depth beyond her eccentric, crystal ball-gazing persona.

15) Professor Alastor Moody

Among the many colourful characters in Harry Potter, Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody, played by Brendan Gleeson, stands out as one of the most fascinating. He's a weathered, paranoid ex-auror with a magical eye that can pierce through walls and render invisibility cloaks useless. Unfortunately, though, his screen time was disappointingly short-lived. Furthermore, his tragic demise during the Battle of Hogwarts might have had a greater emotional impact if we had been given a deeper insight into his character arc.

16) Colin Creevey

Colin Creevey is one of those overlooked characters in Harry Potter who fade into the background, but he truly deserves more recognition. Our first encounter with Colin comes in The Chamber of Secrets, where he’s a bright-eyed first-year, obsessed with clicking photos of Harry. His most heroic act occurs in The Deathly Hallows when he joins the Battle of Hogwarts. However, the film sidelines him, offering only a brief acknowledgement of his courage. If the movies had focused on him more, audiences would have seen not just a Harry admirer but a Gryffindor through and through.

17) Ginny Weasley

Ginny Weasley, played by Bonnie Wright, is one of the most underappreciated Harry Potter characters. While she stands out as a fierce and resolute character in the books, the films often relegated her to the background, never fully tapping into her potential. Beyond Harry's love interest and being one of the Weasley siblings, her skills as a witch, her Quidditch talent, and her role in Dumbledore’s Army were equally impressive, but we saw so little of that on screen. Even her character development, from a shy girl to a bold, confident woman, and her relationship with Harry, seemed somewhat unfulfilling in the film.

18) Garrick Ollivander

Ollivander, played by John Hurt, the enigmatic craftsman of Diagon Alley, remains one of the most fascinating figures in the Harry Potter series. It’s a shame we didn’t see more of him. We all remember the iconic 'The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter' moment, but after that? He was off the grid until Voldemort abducted him. The books painted him as much more than just a shopkeeper and master wand-maker, but the films barely explored his knowledge, past, or the weight of his role in shaping wizarding history.

19) Severus Snape

The most misunderstood, brooding, and morally grey character in Harry Potter, Professor Severus Snape, portrayed by Alan Rickman, deserved a far bigger presence in the films. His childhood, his love for Lily, and the years he spent walking a tightrope between two worlds, all of these were scarcely explored. The movies were good but his screen time wasn't enough to truly grasp the depth of his decisions, the pain he carried, or the extent of his sacrifices. Of all the characters, he was the one who needed more screen time.

20) Bellatrix Lestrange

Bellatrix Lestrange, one of Harry Potter’s most unforgettable characters, should have been showcased more. Played by Helena Bonham Carter, she is the perfect embodiment of wild, undying loyalty to Voldemort. While the movies give us snippets of her exaggerated persona, it feels like the filmmakers could have gone further in unravelling her backstory and the reasons behind her actions. The complexity of her relationship with her family, particularly her sister Narcissa, and her blind allegiance to Voldemort could have been delved into deeper.