Allow yourself the luxury of discovering this enchanted world for yourself.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:198
Fresh:163
Rotten:35
Average Rating:7.1/10
Consensus: Darker and livelier than the first Harry Potter, but much of what's wrong with the first movie is also present here.
Runtime: 2 hrs 41 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
US Box Office: $261,835,892
Synopsis: Harry Potter (DANIEL RADCLIFFE) has not had a good summer. Not only has he had to put up with his overbearing Aunt Petunia (FIONA SHAW) and Uncle Vernon Dursley (RICHARD GRIFFITHS) and their dread... Harry Potter (DANIEL RADCLIFFE) has not had a good summer. Not only has he had to put up with his overbearing Aunt Petunia (FIONA SHAW) and Uncle Vernon Dursley (RICHARD GRIFFITHS) and their dread of his magical abilities, but it seems as if Harry’s best friends Ron Weasley (RUPERT GRINT) and Hermione Granger (EMMA WATSON) have forgotten him – as they haven’t replied to a single one of his letters. Then, suddenly and mysteriously, house-elf Dobby appears in Harry’s bedroom and warns of great danger if the aspiring wizard should attempt to return to Hogwarts. Dobby is so keen to prevent the young Gryffindor from returning to the school for witches and wizards, he has blocked all of Ron and Hermione’s correspondence from reaching Harry. But despite the elf’s mischievous efforts, the ever-determined Harry is rescued from the Dursleys’ dreary clutches by Ron and his brothers – with the aid of a flying car! – and welcomed into the warmth of the Weasley household. But when Harry and Ron are suspiciously prevented from entering Platform 9 and boarding the Hogwarts Express back to school, the boys take emergency action to avoid being late for the new term – only to incur the wrath of Professor Snape (ALAN RICKMAN), who calls for their expulsion. Meanwhile, news of Harry’s first year heroism has spread throughout Hogwarts and he finds himself the center of much unwanted attention. His new fans include Ron’s little sister Ginny (BONNIE WRIGHT); first year would-be photographer Colin Creevey (HUGH MITCHELL); and most irritatingly, the new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Gilderoy Lockhart (KENNETH BRANAGH). Outshone only by his own vanity, Lockhart craves the attention that Harry shuns and is only too keen to associate himself with Hogwarts’ young hero. But not even Lockhart can offer an explanation or solution to the slippery and sinister new terror that is gripping the school. Now all eyes are on Harry, and his so-called friends are beginning to doubt him. Everyone, that is, except Ron and Hermione and fragile young Ginny, who has shifted her focus to her mysterious new diary. But Harry is not about to let his friends down and, with or without the support of Gilderoy Lockhart, he will confront the dark force lurking in his beloved school. -- © 2002 Warner Bros. [More]
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Kenneth Branagh, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Jason Isaacs
Director: Chris Columbus
Director: Chris Columbus
Screenwriter: Steve Kloves
Producer: David Heyman
Composer: John Williams, William Ross
Studio: Warner Bros.
Reviews for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
A rich and rewarding family entertainment experience that teens and adults will thoroughly enjoy more -- as will the kids.
Everything about The Sorcerer's Stone pretty much applies to the adaptation of the second novel in the series.
The exciting second chapter in the Harry Potter chronicle that in many ways surpasses the original.
Though these films are trifles, they are at least high quality trifles.
The franchise is safe! Columbus' second alchemical movie ups the thrill quotient to satisfy the faithful. There's more action, and it's scarier.
May just be the most quintessential Steven Spielberg movie Steven Spielberg never made.
It's good enough that I might just start taking an interest in the books after all.
Back is Chris Columbus, whose direction this time around has a purposely darker, more ominous look.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, satisfies as a film adaptation, but it doesn't cast as enchanting a spell as the first movie.
The second film to spring forth from J.K. Rowling’s popular series of children’s books goes a long way towards amping up the dramatic tension promised by the source material.
It’s a depressing reality to face, but the second of J.K. Rowling’s boy-wizard books was the least interesting read... and hasn’t fared much better on film.
The franchise is showing no fear at exploring the novels’ darker moments, but needs to judiciously pare down the time it takes for the lights to come up.
Director Chris Columbus and company have done a stand-out job of capturing the imagination if not the detail of those books.
I still don't understand how J.K. Rowling could have made such obscene gobs of cash off of such a simple and overwrought premise ... I'll stick with LORD OF THE RINGS
Latest News for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
July 15, 2009:
RT Interview: David Yates on Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
When David Yates was hired to direct Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, fans took one look at his TV-heavy resume and panicked that he wouldn't be able to bring the same... More...
July 14, 2009:
RT Visits the Set of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
As RT is brought into Leavesden Studios, past a pair of workmen poring over blueprints for a large, conical tower with a tall spire roof, the sense that we're entering a... More...
August 19, 2008:
The Battle of the Harry Potter and Twilight Bands ![]()
Maybe you waited in line at midnight to get your Harry Potter fix, but compared to Paul DeGeorge and other "wizard rockers" -- not to mention the folks starting bands inspired... More...
August 11, 2008:
20 CGI Classics - From T2 to Batman Begins to WALL-E
We showcase 20 films which have employed Pixar's pioneering software RenderMan to create some of the last two decades' most visually-impressive movies. More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets at Rotten Tomatoes
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets at IGN
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Tim Burton's costume designer talks to Movieline about her long collaboration with the filmmaker and Johnny Depp.

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

We've got 20 copies of the hit TV series' Pilot Episode to giveaway.

Double passes up for grabs to the new comedy starring Paul Giamatti.

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions

Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser

Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.

We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection



Top Critic

