It has been over a decade since the Boy Who Lived defeated Voldemort on the big screen, but the debate over which Harry Potter star has had the most “magical” post-Hogwarts career is officially breaking the internet.
While Daniel Radcliffe has become the king of “weird” indie roles and Rupert Grint has found his niche in chilling thrillers, social media is currently crowning Emma Watson as the ultimate breakout star. The reason? Her stunning turn in the period drama Little Women.
Boasting a near-perfect % score on Rotten Tomatoes, the Greta Gerwig-directed masterpiece is being hailed by critics and fans alike as the single best film any of the “Big Three” have starred in since the credits rolled on Deathly Hallows Part .
On platforms like X and TikTok, fans are revisiting Watson’s performance as Meg March, noting how she transitioned from the brightest witch of her age to a sophisticated leading lady. “Emma Watson as Meg March was the casting choice of the century,” one fan gushed in a viral post.
While Radcliffe has earned major respect for his “bold and bizarre” choices—think the flatulent corpse in Swiss Army Man or growing antlers in Horns—those films haven’t always captured the zeitgeist quite like Watson’s projects.
Even though Radcliffe has appeared in mainstream hits like The Lost City, Watson’s ability to balance massive blockbusters with high-brow cinema has set her apart. Let’s not forget that her live-action Beauty and the Beast raked in a staggering $. billion at the box office!
However, it’s Little Women that serves as the crown jewel of her resume. Starring alongside heavy hitters like Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan, and Florence Pugh, Watson proved she could hold her own in one of the most talented ensembles in recent Hollywood history.
“Gerwig brings warmth, humor, and verve to the story,” insiders say, noting that Watson’s portrayal of Meg brought a grounded, emotional heart to the film that resonated with a whole new generation.
Meanwhile, Rupert Grint has stayed largely under the radar, winning over horror fans in M. Night Shyamalan’s Servant and ’s Knock at the Cabin. While his talent is undeniable, Watson’s career trajectory remains the most “illustrious” of the group.
From her hilarious, axe-wielding cameo in This Is the End to the gritty reality of The Bling Ring, Watson has carefully curated a filmography that is as diverse as it is successful.
Thirteen years after leaving the Wizarding World, it seems “Hermione” is still at the top of her class.
Would you like me to put together a ranking of the top post-Harry Potter films from the entire cast?
