The last and best Harry Potter movie by far was already gaining Oscar nods at its release this summer. Now that award season is almost here, many fans are hopeful Alan Rickman will finally get a well-deserved Academy Award nomination. The film might even have a shot at Best Picture.

“Deathly Hallows” picks up right where the (let’s face it) not so eventful Part 1 left off. Lord Voldemort has just taken the Elder Wand from Dumbledore’s tomb and Snape has become Hogwarts Headmaster. Meanwhile, Harry, Ron and Hermione continue to seek out the last three Horcruxes, including one that leads them back to Hogwarts. Upon Harry’s return to the school, an all-out war of good versus evil breaks out when Voldemort’s followers attack the students and staff. Harry, the Chosen One, must fulfill the prophecy 17 years in the making by defeating Voldemort, which—spoiler alert—he does, of course.  

Admit it, you shed at least one tear while watching “Deathly Hallows”—and don’t blame it on the onions in the bangers and mash at Alamo Drafthouse. It’s a bittersweet ending to the Potter series that so many have grown up with, and it’s easily one of the best films of 2011.