With so many debates going on in the world today, Moviefone recently decided to answer arguably the most important question of them all: Which is the better movie franchise -- 'Twilight' or 'Harry Potter'?
To help solve our case, we enlisted two experts -- Andrew Sims of MuggleNet and Laura Byrne-Cristiano of Twilight Lexicon -- to take part in an old-school debate, in which we tackled such topics as Robert Pattinson, the better page-to-screen adaptations and who would win in a fight between Harry Potter and Edward Cullen. Andie Taylor moderates.
Which franchise won the debate? Watch the video above, then join in on the debate in the comments below.
Comments (267)
As a fan of both series it was hard at first to decide which one was better. I thought about it for a while and realized that Harry Potter is the one I love more. I mean the thrid movie was not the greatest but after that it was awesome. I think that the Harry Potter movies are closer to the books than Twilight. I still love Twilight, but I think I will always love Harry Potter more.
ReplyI agree Harry Potter is much better than Twilight! Jk Rowling actually knows how to write well, Stephenie Meyer isn't very good. I also feel Hermoine is better than Bella because Hermoine has ambition and Bella has none. Bella doesn't want to go to university, doesn't mention a future career and thinks she can just relax because she is marrying someone rich. Bella also isn't independent like Hermoine is! Hermoine started her own organisation at 14 fighting for rights, whereas Bella needs a male character to help her with everything and makes females everywhere look bad. Bella makes everyone believe all females need a male to take care of us or we won't be able to cope!
Totally agree. Harry Potter is timeless. And i wanna add some stuff to this debate.
Q1: Twilight is so easy to "jump into" because the movies focus so much on Edward and Jacob and their looks. The book itself was so shallow. It lacked so much depth, and so the movie was obviously going to be an easy transition. Harry Potter books were complicated, intense, deep, and meaningful. Small details pop up later on in the series. The movies managed as much as they can, and they did a wonderful job.
Q2: Cedric was only in one movie basically, but he was such an important character. His death is to put everyone in the right state of mind. They are living in dangerous times, and people need to die for everyone to realize what side they should be on. Just because Edward was "swoon worthy", it does not make him a better character. Angsty Edward to Edward with a sense of humor? Because creating humor must be a REAL challenge, right? I cannot say much more than this because I feel as thought everyone who are supporters of twilight are only there to stare at edward face and jacobs body.
Q3: Voldemort can read minds. Its called Legilimency. Yet Harry and the others were still able to defeat him. I find this question COMPLETELY POINTLESS.
Q4: Hermione is a better heroine because she has her flaws. She is a "insufferable know-it-all" and annoys others to a very high extent. Yet she has never strayed from the right path. She kept with the high road and teaches young girls that being smart is nothing to be ashamed about. Harry and Ron agree that they would not last long on their own without Hermione by their side. Hermione is the strong willed woman who will never give up. Bella on the other hand is weak and succombs to her desires even when she knows that they are wrong. I understand how this emotional outlook can be won over by many girls because they can relate to the pain and longing. But Bella never overcomes her weaknesses. Instead, she lets it take over her. Her life was going completely downhill when Edward left her and the only thing that made her happy again was another man--Jacob. It seems as though Twilights heroine needs to latch on to a man to survive. This is definitely not the way I want to perceive myself or any of the women around me.
Q5: I do agree that the Twilight has a very large fan base that are passionate about the movies and books shown in their willingness to camp out. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out tonight and at the end of this weekend, we shall see just how immense their fan base is. Harry Potter fans even have the joy to dress up as a student from the houses, professors, the death-eaters, etc. Twilight fans are only given the choice of werewolves and vampires, and even then the fans usually do not dress up as that. Also, the fans in Harry Potter is wider than the fans in Twilight. Many girls and boys (men and women) are fans of the series. Twilight is directed towards teenage girls, and as a bi-product, their mothers/grandmothers have gotten into the trend as well. But I do not see very many happy men in the theaters to watch Twilight.
Q6: Harry Potter has an entire world that the readers can immerse themselves into. Laura from the Twilight Lexicon says that there is many pop culture references to Twilight, but she refuses to recognize the many references to Harry Potter. The amusement part that was set up for Harry Potter is an example of the peoples faith in Harry Potter with its test of time. They know that the Harry Potter world has a very good chance of lasting forever and they want to support it by giving the fans a tangible world with the village and school as the main attractions. Harry Potter books can be passed down to teach lessons and moral. I have learned many things from the words of JK Rowling, but I cannot say the same for Stephenie Meyer. I admit that it is a guilty read for me, but I have lost interest in the books after one reading. When I grow up, I don't think I want to hand this book down to my children. Boys would not like it, and girls would learn abut lust and dependency on men while the harry Potter series will teach those same girls love, death, rules and when they should be broken, consequences, and forgiveness.
I can go on and on, and I would love to hear feedback from Twilight fans. If there is any details that are wrong, or any points that i've missed and you need to bring it up, then please - go on ahead.
I will say this much. Twilight movies have been more faithful to the books. So from a movie standpoint, I MIGHT have to go with Twilight just for that reason, as I'm somebody who places a large importance on faithfulness. But let's think about WHY Twilight has stayed more faithful to the books. There's no depth, no need to take anything out, because there's not too much to fit into a movie. A lot of it is happening in Bella's head, which clearly can't be shown, so the actual action fits into the movie. There's no need to remove anything.
And yes, Robert Pattinson has gained more from the Twilight series. Clearly, that is not a fair question, as he was not a main character in Harry Potter and is THE main character in Twilight.
Heroine? I think I can recall Bella maybe doing a couple things that were heroic, and they were after putting people in danger herself, and usually only helped Edward. Hermione risks her life over and over for not just her friends, but people she's never met and the whole world. Bella begs for the things that make HER feel good. She wanted more than anything to be a vampire and be with Edward, in which case she would never see her family or friends again, and they wouldn't know why. Hermione made her parents forget about her so they wouldn't miss her if she were not to return. She did whatever she could to spare the emotions of the people around her to save the WORLD, despite how terrible it made her feel. Bella talks about being selfless, but she is completely selfish. Hermione is truly selfless. I don't know how many times she has done worse for herself to help others.
I'm running out of time so I'll get to the part I'm most passionate about here... DID SHE REALLY SAY TWILIGHT DOES MORE FOR GENERATIONS? I will admit I was obsessed with Twilight for just over a year, but obsessed with Harry Potter for about 7 years. I got my mother to read both. She could barely get through Twilight but would call me down to discuss Harry Potter all the time. I got my brother to read it, as well, and that was our main form of connection for a while. My grandfather started reading Harry Potter and discussed it with me before he passed away. I have friends whose parents taught them to read using Harry Potter. It has themes to discuss and learn from, and goes by actual mythology. None of this can be said about Twilight-- Meyer made up her own mythology.
And I will end on this note. I am somebody who has been obsessed with both series. I do not care for Twilight anymore. Why? I realized I HATED the two main characters. Bella is obsessive and selfish and has no personality and Edward would be seen as an abusive boyfriend/stalker in any other situation. As a writer, Twilight makes me want to tear my eyes out for how poorly it is written. I don't know how it was ever published without being completely revised and edited. The story is compelling, but once you are removed from that, it's really awful. Harry Potter is created with plans and foreshadowing 5 books before and characters with depth, and questioning good vs. evil and just everything a good book should have. Twilight is a joke next to it. And remember, I was a fan. I went to a Twilight convention. I had posters up. And now I say I am ashamed of myself. And Harry Potter has lived in my heart for 12 years and I love it and appreciate it as much as ever-- maybe more now that I'm older and understand it more.
@tomomi - I totally agree with you. 1000% Harry potter is better than Twilight, and you did a great job of expressing my exact opinions in your comment. There is another thing that I would like to add to question 5. Twilight does have quite a large fan base (consisting of teenage girls, as you said) in America, but is lacking a big fan base in any other countries. Harry Potter, on the other hand, is just as famous (and in some cases, even more famous) in other countries.
As someone who's read all the Harry Potter books and all the Twilight books and seen both sets of films, it's no debate.. Twilight has nothing on Harry Potter. Harry Potter weaves a much more intricate web of details and the character plot is so much thicker. When talking about standing the test of time, Harry Potter wins! Universal Studios didn't dedicate a world of their theme park to Harry Potter on a whim, they know it will bring in tourists for many years to come. I think a lot of Twilight fans have already grown out of the fandom, getting sick of all obsessive talk over Edward and Jacob. I still enjoy both sets of movies, Harry Potter much more though.. And while I'm not reaching to read Twilight anytime soon, I still sit down and open Harry Potter when I want to get lost in a wonderful book.
ReplyWell we all agree to disagree. I'm not going to reach for the Potter books again and I'm sure everyone I know is doing the same thing.
while i definitely do lean toward one side, they both have their merits and should not be compared to one another. generations to come will love both of them and why should we ask anyone to choose? i enjoyed watching this, but i feel like it is futile to debate over which is better even if it is interesting to watch.
@Sia. Not going to reach for the Potter books again. Twilight is nowhere near the same level of imagination and an epic story that will last forever. People will be reading and loving these books for decades. Why would you reread a story with a pathetic and weak main character (Bella). Twilight is all about selling sex and therefor is not a family series. You wouldn't sit down with your parents and dsicuss if you'd rather be with Edward or Jacob.
I do agree that Andrew didn't debate as well but don't think that it means Twilight is any better.
Its impossible to make a point that Twilight is better than Harry Potter. Its the biggest and most loved series ever written in history. Deathly Hallows is certainly the biggest movie realease in movie history. Thats a fact.
I agree with Kerry. Twilight has nothing on Harry Potter. Why does Twilight sell? Because its selling sex.
When you read Harry Potter, you feel as if you are actually there. JK imagined the world of Harry Potter and thought of every detail for about 5 years before she even wrote the series.
As for Twilight, it's just a fad. People are only into it because vampires are "in" at the moment. In a few years, after the movie is out, the hype for Twilight will definitely die down. Harry Potter on the other hand has already been popular for over a decade and the Harry Potter Theme park is proof that it will be popular for years to come.
I've read the Harry Potter series more times than I can remember because it is just such an amazing series. I've read the Twilight series once... enough said.
I totally agree. I used to find the question " harry potter or twilight?" an excruciating question, but i've grown out of twilight. The Twilight books i could only read 3 or 4 times before i got bored. I have read all of the harry potter books over a dozen times each, and the joy they bring hasn't wavered a bit.
Does twilight have a musical? I dont think so.
Harry could easily beat Edward, as he just has to use fiendfire and could kill edward from a long way away.
As to devoted fans, if you go to fanfic.net, the most popular thing to write fanfics on is harry potter. harry potter has 484,376 fanfics ( not counting cross overs) and twilight has 168,002.
AS to bonding families, my dad and i debate about HP all the time.
Does Twilight have it's own theme park? no.
Twilight definitely deserved to win. I like the Potter books but they didn't touch me as much as the Twilight series.
ReplyFor those hating on Twilight SPARKLING VAMPIRES ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH ANYMORE !
The Potter books are well written BUT WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO TELL ME OR THE TWILIGHT FANS WHAT SERIES TO LIKE ?
There books and honestly it's all based on preference AND TWILIGHT FANS SHOULD NEVER EVER APOLOGIZE FOR LOVING TWILIGHT MORE !
Sia, everything you said is why Harry Potter is better. Not to be a stan but let's guess that you are about 13-15 years old. Using caps about something that wasn't even brought up until you started blatantly saying how fans of Harry Potter are demanding an apology by Twilight fans where I promise you, we are not.
"For those hating on Twilight SPARKLING VAMPIRES ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH ANYMORE!"
-- What does that even mean? Also I'm going to ask you to please pick up the book "Interview with the Vampire" to open your mind on different genres of Vampires.
"The Potter books are well written BUT WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO TELL ME OR THE TWILIGHT FANS WHAT SERIES TO LIKE ?"
-- Yes The Harry Potter books are very well written but who is telling you what to like?
"There books and honestly it's all based on preference AND TWILIGHT FANS SHOULD NEVER EVER APOLOGIZE FOR LOVING TWILIGHT MORE!"
-- What you like is based on preference and no one is asking for an apology?
To be a stan:
Harry Potter is written by someone who is educated and intelligent. It's ok if you like something written by a Mary Sue. I do enjoy reading romance novels as well (I'm a very big fan of the Princess Diaries series despite being mostly teenage banter I find it very real to life -- Harry Potter will still trump Princess Diaries). My sister is a senior in college, top of her class and positively loves Twilight and the House of Night Series. Neither interest me but maybe you should look into House of Night (another Vampire thing) she actually prefers it over Twilight after reading it.
Oh please, there are NUMEROUS reasons to hate Twilight. Sparkling vampires is one of them, as Stephenie Meyer pretty much destroyed the concept of vampires, but there's also poor characterization, awful writing, cringe-worthy dialogue, pathetic visual effects, unrelatable and unsympathetic characters, the most whiny, personality-less heroine ever, abusive, unrealistic "hero", would you like me to continue? Harry Potter will always be better than Twilight. Also, I might add, JK Rowling is not obsessed with her characters' appearances. Just sayin'.
Listen, everyone has the right to like what they want but everyone is going to support different things. I read the first Twilight and I found Bella to be far too clingy to a guy she just met and Edward was stalking her. He's also abusive and tells her who she can and cannot hang out with. No guy should do that to a girl which is one of many reasons I dislike Twilight. Bella needs someone to hang on to instead of being an independent woman. This is bad and because Stephanie Meyer is a Mormon. Not saying Mormon men abuse their woman but mormon woman are basically homemakers. In today's society you need to go to college and work. You're husband should not be your primary income. Does Edward even work?? How does income with sparkling vampires?
Seriously? HP is way better. HP is something you can be very emotionally connected to. I love HP and always will. HP will stand the tests of time. All Twilight is about is a war between vampires and werewolves and a girl that can't decide whether to love a vampire or a werewolf. Sounds like a Soap Opera to me. Harry Potter is about a war about evil wizards trying to take over the muggle world. It is very realistic (you know what I mean) and is epic! It has humor, action, friendship, sadness, and yes, some love. Twilight is just love, action, love, love, love, oh, did I mention love? People can talk about HP, obsess over HP, play HP, relate to HP. I love HP and will defend it to the end! It will always stand the many tests of time. Their will never be another series like Harry Potter! IT ALL ENDS HEAR!
Ok Sia, why is Twilight better? Oh, I know. It's not. Twilight is about a girl who can't decide who she likes more. A kind person who is always there and loves her? Or a vampire who stalks and abuses her. HP is about love, action, good, evil, and just a little romance. Bella means beautiful and Edward means protecter. 'Nuff said.
If you didn't get touched by the Harry Potter books, you must've been reading them wrong.
I really doubt that 20-30 years from now anyone will pick up the twilight books, they just arent written well enough to survive the anticipation of the movies. without all the popularity, it will be hard to continue the fan base. I just recentally read the Harry Potter series, and just couldnt stop because of the quality of the writting. JK rowling spent years developing the world and story, ahe knew exactly where she was going, and how to get there. the twilight series just wasn't written like that, and to be totally honest it all came about in a very risque dream. And fandom Harry Potter wins every time. True the release wasnt until around the 4 book part of that is due to british authorship, and time delays between, not to mention the distance the popularity had to travel. Forget about cruses, the is a Harry Potter theme park, if that doesnt speak of immortality, i dont know what does. Harry Potter has done so much more for its there main leads then twilight has for its entire cast. Also it seems that the twilight movies are rushed too much, but that just means the screenwriters know the possiblity of the twilight fad ending eventually. While the Harry potter series has spent over to years with these characters. It just show how much it stands the test of time. And generation wise, i remember my dad and brother takling about the books way more then i ever did with twilight. I got to a certain age of maturity where i realized how unsophisticated twilight is, Harrry Potter however just keeps bringing in fans. Harry potter has been here to stay. To quote emma Watson, "This isn't twilight, were not selling sex"
Really you're actuallty going to compare "SPARKLING VAMPIRES " to Harry Potter? Obviously your taste in books isnt that good. Then again we're all entitled to our own opinon, no matter how far off they are (im talking about your opinion). And as a former HUGE Twilight fan the movies are what ruined it for me they DO NOT compare to the Harry Potter movies nor do the Twilight books compare to the Harry Potter books. And btw no one is telling "YOU OR THE TWILIGHT FANS WHAT SERIES TO LIKE" they're just stating the obvious, and using their common sense. "SPARKLING VAMPIRES" HAHAHAHA that just cracks me up!!!!