Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Metascore
63 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 35
  3. Negative: 1 out of 35
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  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    Brimming with invention and new ideas, and its Hogwarts School seems to expand and deepen before our very eyes into a world large enough to conceal unguessable secrets -- What a glorious movie.
  2. Dallas Observer
    Reviewed by: Gregory Weinkauf
    90
    It's definitely an enchanting spectacular for Potter fans anxious to ride the Hogwarts Express toward a new year of magic and mischief.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    83
    And among the things this ''HP'' does very well indeed is deepen the darker, more frightening atmosphere for audiences of all ages already familiar with the intricacies of the ''Potter'' landscape. (This is as it should be: Harry's story is supposed to get darker.)
  4. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: William Arnold
    83
    Best of all, the second Potter movie reunites its adult cast: Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, John Cleese, Alan Rickman, Julie Walters and others -- a veritable Who's Who of British actors that single-handedly elevates the proceedings out of the kid's movie genre into something special.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 345 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 96 out of 121
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 121
  3. Negative: 16 out of 121
  1. grandpajoe6191
    6
    The movie isn't what you expect if you waited for a another marvelous Harry Potter film. However, it still has impressive visuals and and well made CGI creature...DOBY!!!!… Full Review »
  2. Seriously
    7
    Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second out of the eight films, but this and the first would be the only ones that actually makes sense and do not feel jumpy. Someone who has read all the novels would have no problem decyphering the other Harry Potter movies, but this is one of the few that will be easy to follow even by non-Harry Potter fans. It may not be a completely enjoyable film, but this is because it is aimed a slightely younger and less age-ranged target audience. Still, it will keep you interested from beginning to end, and don't forget it has Dobby!… Full Review »
  3. heyitsmegrif4
    8
    With it being even longer, and lacks some adventure, the film has good performances, thrills and a strong story making it somewhat an improvement and somewhat not. I give this film an 82% of a good movie.… Full Review »
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