Why Rubeus Hagrid is the Best Harry Potter Character

In the Harry Potter books, the gamekeeper of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Rubeus Hagrid, is portrayed as a bit of a dim-witted, hapless oaf. But in the Harry Potter movies, Rubeus Hagrid is depicted as a soulful, gentle giant that is as loveable as any ever portrayed on the big screen. Here is why Rubeus Hagrid is the best character in the Harry Potter movies.

In the Harry Potter movies, the gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid is portrayed by Robbie Coltrane. Robbie Coltrane, who was born in Scotland, is one of Britain's funniest and most popular comedians. Robbie Coltrane was reportedly hand-selected by the author of the Harry Potter series, J. K. Rowling, who has said that when writing the Harry Potter novels, she imagined Robbie Coltrane in the role of Hagrid.

Rubeus Hagrid, who is usually simply referred to as Hagrid, has a big, black, bushy beard, and kind eyes. He towers over Harry Potter and his best mates, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, yet he is not the least bit intimidating.

Hagrid is a half-giant, living in a world where giants are looked down upon, so to speak. Most giants are fearsome and violent, but Hagrid is kind and gentle. He loves strange and interesting creatures, and even desires to keep a dragon as his pet. He himself was once expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, due to false accusations by a fellow student by the name of Tom Riddle, who would later come to be known as Lord Voldemort, or simply You-Know-Who.
Fortunately, Albus Dumbledore, in all of his great wisdom saw fit to keep Rubeus Hagrid on Hogwarts' grounds as the school's gamekeeper. Despite protests, he later hired Hagrid as the school's Care of Magical Creatures professor. After some early mishaps with a hippogrif, Hagrid nearly got himself sacked.

It is easy to become misty-eyed when watching the half-giant Rubeus Hagrid on-screen. He genuinely cares for Harry Potter and his friends, and holds a special place in his heart for Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. "A great man, Albus Dumbledore, he is," Hagrid frequently says.

Rubeus Hagrid is twice as tall as an average man and nearly three times as wide. And to watch all of the Harry Potter movies to date, one would suppose that Hagrid's heart is proportionate to his immense size. And that is why Rubeus Hagrid is the best character in the Harry Potter movies.