10 Main ‘Harry Potter’ Characters Who Were Way Better In The Books

Ron Weasley

Ron Weasley is one of the biggest losses in the movie adaptations. In the books, Ron is smart, brave, and emotionally aware. He understands the wizarding world better than Harry and Hermione and often comes up with practical ideas. He also grows a lot, moving from insecurity and jealousy to becoming a loyal and dependable leader. In the movies, many of his clever lines and heroic moments are given to Hermione.

Ginny Weasley

Book Ginny Weasley is confident, bold, and full of personality. She’s popular at Hogwarts, excellent at Quidditch, and never afraid to speak her mind. She jokes with her brothers, stands up to bullies, and plays an important role in Dumbledore’s Army. Her relationship with Harry feels natural because she’s strong and independent. In the movies, Ginny is quiet and awkward, often pushed into the background. Her fiery personality is missing, which makes her romance with Harry feel rushed and uncomfortable.

Albus Dumbledore

In the books, Albus Dumbledore is calm, thoughtful, and rarely raises his voice. He is deeply intelligent, manipulative, and full of regret over his past mistakes. His power comes from patience and control. The movies change this, especially in Goblet of Fire, where he is shown yelling and acting aggressively. This version feels very different from the gentle but dangerous mastermind in the books. By making him louder and sterner, the films lose the subtle complexity that makes Dumbledore so fascinating.

Neville Longbottom

Neville Longbottom’s growth is much clearer in the books. His early failures make sense because he’s using a wand that doesn’t belong to him. Over time, he slowly gains confidence and courage. The books also explore his painful family history, especially his parents’ condition, which adds emotional depth to his character. In the movies, his development is rushed. While he does kill Nagini, many of his brave leadership moments at Hogwarts are left out.

Hermione Granger

Hermione Granger is brilliant in both the books and films, but the books show her flaws more clearly. She can be bossy, stubborn, and overly focused on rules. She panics under pressure and sometimes refuses to see other points of view, like with S.P.E.W. These imperfections make her feel real. In the movies, Hermione is almost perfect and rarely wrong.

Sirius Black

Book Sirius Black is angry, reckless, and deeply damaged by his years in Azkaban. He struggles to be a proper father figure and often treats Harry more like a friend or brother. His bitterness and impulsive nature explain many of his bad decisions. In the movies, Sirius is shown as warmer and more stable. While still caring, he feels too balanced compared to the books. This removes much of the emotional conflict that makes Sirius such a tragic and complicated character.

Severus Snape

In the books, Severus Snape is cruel, petty, and emotionally abusive, especially toward his students. His love for Lily is intense and unhealthy, driven more by obsession than kindness. While his final loyalty is important, it doesn’t erase his behavior. The movies soften Snape’s personality, largely due to Alan Rickman’s performance. He appears quieter, sadder, and more sympathetic. This makes him easier to like but removes the uncomfortable truth that Snape is meant to be a deeply flawed and unpleasant man.

Harry Potter

Book Harry Potter has much more personality than his movie version. He’s sarcastic, quick-tempered, and openly angry at times, especially when dealing with loss and trauma. Readers get deep insight into his thoughts, fears, and doubts. He struggles with power, temptation, and his own emotions, which makes his choices more meaningful. In the movies, Harry is calmer and more passive. Many of his sharp comebacks and emotional outbursts are removed, which makes his journey feel less intense and personal.

Dudley Dursley

Dudley Dursley starts out as a spoiled and cruel bully, and the movies capture that well—but they miss his growth. In the books, Dudley slowly begins to understand how badly his family treated Harry. After Harry saves him from the Dementors, Dudley changes. He stops bullying Harry and even tries to make peace by offering him a cup of tea, unsure how else to show regret. By the final book, Dudley openly acknowledges Harry and shows concern for his safety.

Bill Weasley

Bill Weasley is much more important in the books than in the movies. He is the most successful of the Weasley siblings. At Hogwarts, he was a prefect and Head Boy. Later, he became a Curse-Breaker at Gringotts. The books show his bravery when he joins the Order of the Phoenix. Even after being attacked by Fenrir Greyback, Bill stays strong and continues fighting. The movies barely focus on him, which makes his achievements and courage easy to miss.