Fantastic Beasts: 5 stunning GIFs to take you behind the film’s magical VFX

Recreating 1920s New York in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was a tall task. A new video takes us behind the VFX magic of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter spinoff.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, JK Rowling’s Harry Potter spinoff, released to positive reception in November. And now, just shy of the Oscars (where it has been nominated for two awards), a VFX video has been released that pulls the curtain on some of the movie’s behind-the-scenes magic.

JK Rowling and David Yates are already working on the sequel to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

The video, released by Rodeo Visual Effects Company offers a unique view into the artistry behind the creation of cutting-edge visual effects.

The film was a critical and commercial success, earning more than $800 million at the worldwide box office since its release. It will also kick off a new series of films based in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Fantastic Beasts 2 will reunite writer/director pair JK Rowling and David Yates and will be set in Europe, as opposed to the first film’s 1920s New York setting. Gellert Grindelwald, a dark wizard played teased at the end of the first film will feature more prominently in the sequels. He will be played by Johnny Depp.

The effects reel shows how the filmmakers used large soundstages and enhanced the world with CGI. Since most of the film was shot in a closed studio environment, recreating ‘20s NYC was a challenge.

Take a look at the GIFs we’ve made to highlight the magic:

Here’s Newt Scamander and Tina walking down the street

Take a tour of the Magical Congress of the United States

What’s Fantastic Beasts without the Fantastic Beasts?

The inside of Newt’s wondrous suitcase is an amazing place

You can watch the full video here:

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