I’ve always believed that the Harry Potter film franchise did a solid job of adapting the original eight books, yet there is one major character change that I will never get over. There are many ways in which Harry Potter’s directors succeeded in bringing Harry and his peers to life. For one thing, the Harry Potter cast was incredibly strong, and managed to play their characters until the very end. On top of that, I thought some of my favorite book moments, from Quidditch to the Battle of Hogwarts, were executed in epic ways.

Of course, the Harry Potter movies made plenty of mistakes as well. Many of them were small enough that I couldn’t blame the franchise too much. For example, Daniel Radcliffe’s eyes were blue rather than Harry’s iconic green. Even bigger missteps may have been the right choice for the movies. As much as I loved Hermione’s campaign for the house elves in the Harry Potter books, that plot didn’t quite fit the films. However, the Harry Potter movies made other, more integral changes that I think ruined the reputations of certain characters forever.

I Still Can’t Believe The Harry Potter Movies Did Such A Poor Job Portraying The Weasleys

Most Of The Weasleys Were Badly Adapted

I will always love the Harry Potter movies, but I continue to be disappointed by how they portrayed certain members of the Weasley family. Ron was Harry’s most loyal friend throughout the entire series, yet the movies portrayed him as whiny and selfish. Though Ron had low moments in the books, he was much funnier and kinder than the movies made him out to be. His dialogue was often witty, and he balanced out Harry’s stressed personality. Unfortunately, though, the movies cut so much of Ron’s original dialogue that he appeared more bratty than heroic.

Where the book’s Ginny was bold and funny, Bonnie Wright’s Ginny was quiet, and easily faded into the background.

Other Weasley family members fared even worse. Like Ron, Ginny was written to be much more intelligent and brash than the movies portrayed her. Where the book’s Ginny was bold and funny, Bonnie Wright’s Ginny was quiet, and easily faded into the background. The same goes for Percy, whose redemption arc in the book was a delight to read. Additionally, we can’t forget that Bill only appeared in the very last Harry Potter movie, and Charlie didn’t make an appearance at all. Overall, the movie cut back so much on the Weasleys that many of them lost their best attributes.

The Weasley Siblings Were So Much Better In The Harry Potter Books

The Weasleys Were Magical

I strongly believe the Weasleys were more entertaining in the Harry Potter books than in the movies. Not only are they better individually, but as a family unit, they are also improved. On the page, all the Weasleys were quirky and unique. Though they each had their defining features, they were brought together by their humor and their ability to be themselves. Though Ron may have been more fearful at times, and Percy more uptight, they were still Weasleys. The movie ruined this idea by focusing on their worst qualities, rather than those that made them enjoyable.

Furthermore, I think the books’ focus on the Weasleys’ oddity was vital to Harry Potter, and the movies tarnished it. The wizarding world was already strange, but the Weasleys proved that it could be even stranger. In the books, they were clearly not like other wizards, but that was part of their charm. Through the Weasleys, Harry learned that magic was fun and weird and something to embrace. I think that the movies attempted to make Ron and Ginny more normal, and by doing this, gave up what was most heartwarming and genuine about the Weasleys.

HBO’s Harry Potter Remake Can Finally Fix This Major Movie Flaw

HBO Can Make The Weasleys Weird

Although I have long had a problem with the Harry Potter movies and their depiction of the Weasleys, I’m thrilled that HBO can finally fix the problem. Now that the Harry Potter television show is coming out, the Weasleys can have a proper on-screen adaptation once and for all. In fact, I think it’s integral that HBO make this change, considering that the series’ main draw is its dedication to book accuracy. If HBO wants to really be accurate, they will revive the amazing Ron moments that the film franchise cut out.

The Harry Potter TV show is set to premiere in 2026.

HBO can give the Weasleys a strong adaptation by making them weird. As previously mentioned, I think the heart of the Weasleys is their strangeness, and by focusing on this, I believe HBO can rejuvenate the magic that the movies lost. Additionally, on the character level, I think that Ron needs to be portrayed as a better friend, Ginny needs to appear more confident, and the remaining Weasley siblings must have bigger roles. By doing this, Harry Potter will be on its way to fixing its old mistakes that fans like me just can’t stop thinking about.