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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a 2001 companion book by J.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a 2001 companion book by J. K. Rowling, written under the pseudonym Newt Scamander and presented as a Hogwarts textbook about magical creatures. It was later adapted into a 2016 fantasy film directed by David Yates, launching the Fantastic Beasts film series and expanding the Wizarding World franchise.

Original book

The 2001 book is a companion volume to the Harry Potter series and is framed as a Hogwarts textbook written by Newt Scamander. It introduces magical creatures from the wizarding world and presents itself as an in-universe reference work.

Film adaptation

The 2016 film adaptation is a fantasy prequel and spin-off set in the same universe as Harry Potter. It was directed by David Yates and written by J. K. Rowling, and it opened the Fantastic Beasts film series.

Franchise role

The title is part of the wider Wizarding World media franchise, linking the book, film series, and related tie-in material. The film is positioned as the ninth overall film in that franchise.

Publication and editions

The book was first issued in 2001 and later received updated editions, including a 2017 edition with new content by Rowling. It has been published in association with both Bloomsbury and Scholastic.

Key facts

  • The original work is a fictional school textbook about magical creatures in the Harry Potter universe.
  • The book was published in 2001 and credited to the fictional author Newt Scamander.
  • A film adaptation was released in 2016, directed by David Yates and written by J. K. Rowling.
  • The title is the first installment in the Fantastic Beasts film series and part of the Wizarding World franchise.
  • Both the book and film were created by J. K. Rowling.
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Canadian context

The book and film are widely distributed in Canada through major English-language publishers and the broader Harry Potter/Wizarding World readership and audience there.

Frequently asked questions

Is Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them a book or a film?
It is both: originally a 2001 companion book, and later the title of a 2016 film adaptation.
Who wrote Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?
J. K. Rowling wrote the book under the pseudonym Newt Scamander and also wrote the film’s screenplay.
What is the book about?
It is presented as a Hogwarts textbook about magical creatures and the study of magizoology.
When was the film released?
The film was released in 2016.
Who directed the film adaptation?
David Yates directed the 2016 film.
What franchise is it part of?
It belongs to the Wizarding World franchise and is a spin-off of the Harry Potter series.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantastic_Beasts_and_Where_to_Find_Them_(film)
    Supports: 2016 film, director David Yates, J. K. Rowling as screenwriter, first instalment in the Fantastic Beasts series, Wizarding World franchise placement
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantastic_Beasts_and_Where_to_Find_Them_(book)
    Supports: 2001 book by J. K. Rowling under Newt Scamander, magical creatures, magizoology, 85 species
  3. Harry Potter official site — https://www.harrypotter.com/fact-file/objects/fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them
    Supports: in-universe textbook by Newt Scamander, core Hogwarts textbook, title and magical beasts description
  4. J.K. Rowling official site — https://www.jkrowling.com/book/fantastic-beasts-find/
    Supports: book publication, approved Hogwarts textbook, 2001 release, 2017 edition
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fantastic-Beasts-and-Where-to-Find-Them
    Supports: book as companion volume, later adaptation into film series