History YMMV / FantasticBeastsAndWhereToFindThem

* HarsherInHindsight: Credence going on a rampage would be harder to watch when his actor Ezra Miller went on to do crime spree left and right.

** Michael Gambon once [[https://www.futuremovies.co.uk/filmmaking/qa-with-michael-gambon/adam-tanswell played pranks on Johnny Depp]], who now portrays his character's arch-enemy. Also, the castings of both are [[WTHCastingAgency not particularly beloved by the fandom]].

* AntiClimax: Some see the end as this, as the villain ([[spoiler:Gellert Grindelwald, one of the most powerful dark wizards in history]]) starts [[CurbStompBattle curbstomping an entire squad of Aurors]] before Newt ends the battle in an instant by physically restraining him using a beast, in what others see as a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome.

* {{Fanon}}: It's generally agreed that, after the many reveals in this film, [[spoiler:Ariana Dumbledore made her own Obscurus, and her death was what inspired Grindlewald to go looking for Obscurials in the first place.''Film/FantasticBeastsTheSecretsOfDumbledore'' confirms that she was indeed an Obscurial. ]]

* {{Fanon}}: It's generally agreed that, after the many reveals in this film, [[spoiler:Ariana Dumbledore made her own Obscurus, and her death was what inspired Grindlewald to go looking for Obscurials in the first place]].

* AntiClimax: Some see the end as this, as the villain ([[spoiler:Gellert Grindelwald, one of the most powerful dark wizards in history]]) starts [[CurbStompBattle curbstomping an entire squad of Aurors]] before Newt ends the battle in an instant by physically restraining him using a beast, in what others see as a MomentOfAwesome.

* MorePopularReplacement: Newt Scamander replaced the titular Franchise/HarryPotter as TheHero. While Harry was never hated, many have cited Newt as being a better protagonist and a more interesting character. Fans give points to Newt for crafting his own greatness, while Harry was made great by virtue of being TheChosenOne.

* CatharsisFactor: While the way it happens can qualify as {{Narm}}, it's still very satisfying when [[spoiler:[[TheFundamentalist Mary]] [[AbusiveParents Lou]] [[KnightTemplar Barebone]] dies with an expression of [[KickTheSonOfABitch obviously horrific agony]] on her face at the hands of [[TheDogBitesBack the son she abused so horribly]]]].

* DiagnosedByTheAudience: Newt rarely looks people in the eye, is far more comfortable with animals than people, and is a BadLiar. A lot of his mannerisms could probably qualify him as somewhere on the autistic spectrum, actually, but since the wizard community doesn't have Muggle-standards of psychiatry (and it's the 1920s, besides)[[note]]whilst the term was coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, it wouldn't enter wide use till Leo Kanner used it in 1943, and even then, it was mostly used to describe only children with significant support needs rather than "can just about cope in society" adults like Newt.[[/note]], he's just seen as "annoying."

* DiagnosedByTheAudience: Newt rarely looks people in the eye, is far more comfortable with animals than people, and is a BadLiar. A lot of his mannerisms could probably qualify him as somewhere on the autistic spectrum, actually, but since the wizard community doesn't have Muggle-standards of psychiatry (and it's the 1920s, besides)[[note]]whilst the term was coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, it wouldn't enter wide use till Leo Kanner used it in 1943, and even then, it was mostly used to describe only children with significant support needs rather than "can just about cope in society" adults like Newt.

* DiagnosedByTheAudience: Newt rarely looks people in the eye, is far more comfortable with animals than people, and is a BadLiar. A lot of his mannerisms could probably qualify him as somewhere on the autistic spectrum, actually, but since the wizard community doesn't have Muggle-standards of psychiatry (and it's the 1920s, besides)[[note]]whilst the term was coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, it wouldn't enter wide use till Leo Kanner used it in 1943, and even then, it was mostly used to describe only children with significant support needs rather than "can just about cope in society" adults like Newt. It wasn't until around 61 years later that autism became a well-known disorder in the Muggle world thanks to ''Film/RainMan''[[/note]], he's just seen as "annoying".

* FanficFuel: How Newt acquired the many creatures in his care seems rife with narrative possibilities. Furthermore, what ''else'' was going on in [=MACUSA=] during the RoaringTwenties?

** This is also isn't [[Film/PacificRim the first time]] that a character named Newt who likes Fantastic Beasts has gone to Creator/RonPerlman in a somewhat seedy underground location in order to get information.

* NarmCharm: Creator/{{Eddie Redmayne}}'s performance as Newt Scamander is remarkably dorky and awkward (as is Creator/{{Katherine Waterston}}'s performance as Tina Goldstein), but it never really stops being incredibly endearing and adorable to watch. Special mention must be given to Newt and Tina's farewell at the film's end, as the awkward and stilted delivery of their dialogue actually helps better sell their attraction to and (now deep) friendship with each other.

* RetroactiveRecognition: One of the Wizard Dignitaries visiting MACUSA is played by Creator/GemmaChan, who only a year later would become famous to American audiences thanks to her roles in ''Literature/CrazyRichAsians'' and ''Film/CaptainMarvel2019''.

* StrawmanHasAPoint: MACUSA officials are depicted as closed-minded persecutors for not initially believing Newt's pleas that his creatures aren't dangerous. Yet, this was after Newt's creatures had escaped multiple times (due to his own carelessness!) and caused massive amounts of theft and property damage at best (stealing candy and jewelry, breaking windows, causing car crashes, leveling buildings, etc), threatened human lives and TheMasquerade at worst. While MACUSA undeniably goes overboard, it can be hard to blame them for viewing the creatures poorly, or not trusting Newt to keep carrying them around in an unsecured suitcase.
* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: Words in this case, as mentioned above, many fans are upset that the word "Muggle" is replaced by "No-Maj." Some take issue with the lack of the word "Muggle"; others simply believe that "No-Maj" is a weak substitute.

* SugarWiki/VisualEffectsOfAwesome: The special effects and [=CGI=] are ''very'' impressive, with the most obvious examples being [[spoiler:MACUSA agents rebuilding the devastated New York after the Obscurial rampage and Frank the Thunderbird's epic rainstorm]].

** President Picquery seems meant to be a ReasonableAuthorityFigure forced into making hard choices. In the film proper, she comes across as a needlessly hostile obstructionist who takes her stress out on Tina. This seems especially true at the second meeting scene wherein Picquery sees proof that a magical creature killing a No-Maj ''might'' be linked to the emergency Tina tried to tell her about the day before... then she orders Tina arrested for ''not telling her sooner'', ignoring the fact that the only reason Tina didn't tell her is because ''[[NeverMyFault Picquery brushed her off]]''. This coupled with her [[spoiler:unrepentantly ordering the death of [[WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds the Obscurus, Credence Barebone]],]] even though Newt and Tina were close to talking him down, and then [[spoiler:forcing Jacob Kowalski to have his memories erased regardless of all the help he provided]], just make her come across as LawfulStupid.