“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is nearly upon us. If this return to the world of “Harry Potter” goes as planned, four other movies will be as well. Whether it can recreate the magic of its predecessors remains to be seen, but there’s little doubt that many are ready for more.

J.K. Rowling’s novels first came to the screen a full 15 years ago courtesy of Chris Columbus, whose take on his massively popular source material was well liked by those seeking an ultra-faithful adaptation.

“Chamber of Secrets” plays similarly to “Sorcerer’s Stone,” in large part because it was also directed by Columbus. Were we ever so young?

The series began to change for the better under the direction of future Oscar winner Alfonso Cuarón (“Children of Men,” “Gravity”), whose more grounded vision matched his characters’ growing maturity.

“Goblet of Fire” was a turning point of sorts for the series, marking the first major death of an innocent character and serving as a sign of the dark times ahead.

David Yates, who directed the final four “Harry Potter” films as well as the upcoming “Fantastic Beasts,” first made his mark on the franchise with “Order of the Phoenix.”

Here we’re introduced to the Pensieve, a means of looking into the past that showed just how melancholy the world of “Harry Potter” can be.

Beloved characters start dying left and right in the two-part “Deathly Hallows” cycle, which we have to thank for the now-common practice of splitting one book into multiple movies.

10 years after “Sorcerer’s Stone” first graced screens, the franchise came to a close in rousing fashion with this battle-heavy final chapter.

As for what’s next, the “Harry Potter” faithful will have to take a wait-and-see approach — or make up their minds well in advance of actually seeing the new movie. Either way’s cool.