<Tr> <Th> Budget </Th> <Td> $180 million </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $814 million </Td> </Tr> <P> Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a 2016 fantasy film directed by David Yates . It is an extension of the wizarding world from the Harry Potter film series, and it was produced and written by J.K. Rowling in her screenwriting debut, and inspired by her 2001 book of the same name . The film stars Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, with Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton, Jon Voight, Carmen Ejogo, Ron Perlman and Colin Farrell in supporting roles . It is the first installment in the Fantastic Beasts series, and the ninth overall in J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World, the franchise that began with the Harry Potter films . </P> <P> Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them premiered in New York City on 10 November 2016 and was released worldwide on 18 November 2016 in 3D, IMAX 4K Laser and other large format cinemas . It received largely positive reviews from critics and audiences, and grossed $814 million worldwide, making it the eighth highest - grossing film of 2016 . The film was nominated for five BAFTAs, including Best British Film, winning Best Production Design, as well as two Academy Awards, winning Best Costume Design, becoming the first film in J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World to win an Academy Award . A sequel, titled Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, is scheduled for release on 16 November 2018 . </P>

Who plays the main character in fantastic beasts and where to find them