Skip to content

MuggleNet

  • Site
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • History
    • Meet the Team
    • MuggleNet Live!
    • Press
    • Publications
    • Special Projects
    • Volunteer with Us!
    • Year in Review
  • Podcasts
    • Alohomora!
    • Full Circle
    • LITHAPPENS
    • Potterversity
    • Promptly Potter
    • SpeakBeasty
  • Harry Potter
    • Book Quotes
    • Book Series
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Film Series
    • Hogwarts Library
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • Fantastic Beasts
    • Book
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Fantastic Beasts Film Quotes
    • Film Series
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • The Quibbler
    • Owl Post
    • Bathilda’s Notebook
    • The Department of MYTHteries
    • The Dirigible Plum
    • Into the Floo
    • Muggle Studies
    • The Pensieve Papers
    • The Three Broomsticks
    • April Fools’
    • The Quibbler Vault
  • The Daily Prophet
    • Book Trolley
    • Editorials
    • Event Reports
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Features
    • Giveaways
    • Listicles
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • Television Reviews
    • Theater Reviews
    • Wizolympics
  • Muggle World
    • Charity
    • Exhibitions
    • J.K. Rowling
    • MinaLima
    • Quadball
    • Studio Tours
    • Theatrical Play
    • Theme Parks
    • Wizarding World Digital
  • Fans & Fun
    • Crazy Caption Contest
    • Fan Focus
    • Fandom
    • Fandom Sortings
    • Fandom Timeline
    • Fun Lists
    • Games and Trivia
    • GNOMEs
    • Potter DIY
    • Potter Weddings
    • #PotterItForward
    • Rosmerta’s Recipes
    • Song Parodies
    • Wizard Rock
    • Wizarding Wordle
  • Site
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • History
    • Meet the Team
    • MuggleNet Live!
    • Press
    • Publications
    • Special Projects
    • Volunteer with Us!
    • Year in Review
  • Podcasts
    • Alohomora!
    • Full Circle
    • LITHAPPENS
    • Potterversity
    • Promptly Potter
    • SpeakBeasty
  • Harry Potter
    • Book Quotes
    • Book Series
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Film Series
    • Hogwarts Library
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • Fantastic Beasts
    • Book
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Fantastic Beasts Film Quotes
    • Film Series
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • The Quibbler
    • Owl Post
    • Bathilda’s Notebook
    • The Department of MYTHteries
    • The Dirigible Plum
    • Into the Floo
    • Muggle Studies
    • The Pensieve Papers
    • The Three Broomsticks
    • April Fools’
    • The Quibbler Vault
  • The Daily Prophet
    • Book Trolley
    • Editorials
    • Event Reports
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Features
    • Giveaways
    • Listicles
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • Television Reviews
    • Theater Reviews
    • Wizolympics
  • Muggle World
    • Charity
    • Exhibitions
    • J.K. Rowling
    • MinaLima
    • Quadball
    • Studio Tours
    • Theatrical Play
    • Theme Parks
    • Wizarding World Digital
  • Fans & Fun
    • Crazy Caption Contest
    • Fan Focus
    • Fandom
    • Fandom Sortings
    • Fandom Timeline
    • Fun Lists
    • Games and Trivia
    • GNOMEs
    • Potter DIY
    • Potter Weddings
    • #PotterItForward
    • Rosmerta’s Recipes
    • Song Parodies
    • Wizard Rock
    • Wizarding Wordle
  • Listicles / The Daily Prophet

Fantastic Beasts: The “Simple” Sidekicks Who Save the Day

by Catherine Horvath · November 8, 2018

SPOILERS AHEAD: PROCEED WITH CAUTION

 

In 2016, filmmakers let on that the true title characters of all five Fantastic Beasts films would be taking a back seat as conflicts with Grindelwald came to the forefront. After watching Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, it is true that these multi-legged friends are not central to the storyline. Even though we’d love to see more of the magical creatures, they still play a part in helping Newt (and his exponentially growing squad) out of tight spots. If you do not mind minor spoilers, we are happy to introduce you to the following cast of creatures.

 

The Heroic Sidekicks

Zouwu

As with normal giant cat-like creatures, the majestic zouwu has large teeth, long claws, and quite the roar. Yet Newt knows how to make magical cats cuddle and put away their claws – a little love and feathery toys. After Newt gains the zouwu’s trust, the creature helps Newt, Tina, and Leta fend off Matagots and escape from the French Ministry of Magic. The zouwu is even instrumental in bringing Newt and Tina closer together.

 

 

 

Niffler

Our beloved mischievous friend is back! Only this time, instead of causing trouble, this little guy helps Newt out of trouble. The Niffler’s long snout is quite useful when it comes to tracking the presence of other creatures. His love for shiny things does not hinder Newt in his quest to “move against Grindelwald,” but helps it. Our little thieving friend stealthily steals something valuable off Grindelwald that may lead to his demise. Just like Voldemort, Grindelwald underestimates anything he thinks “simple.”

 

Bowtruckle

Anyone who can stealthily pick a lock is always a good friend to keep around. Pickett is back and just as handy at freeing Newt and the gang as he was in the first film. Since Pickett has a special relationship with Newt, we get the chance to learn some lovely backstory about these two.

 

Troublesome Beasts

Chupacabra

Despite what Newt says – “There are no strange creatures, only blinkered people” – he’s clearly never met Antonio. As for Grindelwald’s six-legged pet chupacabra, Antonio is a vicious little thing that bites and scratches Ministry guards during Grindelwald’s escape. He does cuddle up to Grindelwald like an alien kitten, so we do feel a little bad for him when Grindelwald coos at Antonio about how needy he is and then tosses him out the window.

 

 

 

Matagot

Cat-like creatures seems to be a theme in this film. However, as Newt teaches us, Matagots are not cats; they are “spirit familiars that guard the French Ministry of Magic.” Apparently, Matagots “won’t hurt you unless attacked.” Too bad Leta provoked them. (It’s okay, Leta – we understand. Their glowing eyes and growl are intimidating.) The Matagots try to ensnare Newt, Tina, and Leta but are comically reduced to small black cats upon leaving the French Ministry of Magic.

 

 

 

Rare Creature Sightings

Augurey

That strange-looking bird behind Jacob’s head in a lot of promotional stills is an Augurey. He flies about Newt’s gigantic animal sanctuary in his London home.

 

Baby Nifflers

We only get to see the baby Nifflers for a minute or two, but the mess they make about Newt’s kitchen is rather hilarious. They make such cute squeaking sounds; like any baby animal that causes mischief, it’s so hard to be mad at them!

 

 

 

Kappa

The Japanese water demon (with a giant bowl-like head) from Newt’s recently published book makes an appearance in the circus that Credence and Nagini are stuck in. We hope Newt tracks him down in the future so we can see more of him.

 

Kelpie

A short water ride with this “seaweed dragon” creature that Newt is nursing back to health is a great first look at how close Newt is with his creatures. He does gently lecture the kelpie about hurting Bunty’s fingers, though. The kelpie’s enclosure in Newt’s home looks a lot like the Black Lake at Hogwarts.

 

 

 

Leucrotta

This moose-like creature is receiving a checkup from Newt’s assistant, Bunty, but his big goofy smile proves he’s in good health. He clops around the sanctuary, making goofy faces at Jacob.

 

Jacob has made some new beastly friends – an Augurey (left) and a Leucrotta (right).

 

 

Phoenix

Dumbledore and Fawkes were always a good pairing, and we learn that phoenixes and the Dumbledore family actually have an interesting connection. Dumbledore is back and we were happy to catch a brief look at this fiery bird.

 

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald hits theaters November 16.

Social:

  • Next story Move Over, Pixar: “Crimes of Grindelwald” Is Its Own Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt
  • Previous story Newt’s New Crew: Meet the New Characters from “Crimes of Grindelwald”

MuggleNet Archive

Important Dates

May 2025

Thu, May 15

Pomona Sprout's birthday
Recurs yearly

Fri, May 16

Stanislav Yanevski's birthday
Recurs yearly

Viktor Krum

Sun, May 18

Miriam Margolyes's birthday
Recurs yearly

Pomona Sprout

Mon, May 19

Geraldine Somerville's birthday
Recurs yearly

Lily Potter

MuggleNet podcasts are sponsored in part by Secretlab.

Thanks to its research-backed ergonomic design, including a proprietary 4-way adaptive lumbar support system, the Secretlab TITAN Evo Harry Potter Edition will comfortably support you even when you’re up to no good.

Did You Know

Magic makes electronics go haywire, so Muggle devices don’t work at or near Hogwarts.

Potter History

July 7, 2011 – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 premiered in Trafalgar Square in London.

Potter Quote

“Sir, I wondered what you know about . . . about Horcruxes?”

MuggleNet is an unofficial Harry Potter fansite.
Please email us if you have any questions or concerns.
© 1999–2025 MuggleNet.com. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | COPPA Policy | Terms of Use | Feedback


MuggleNet is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Bookshop.org's affiliate program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and bookshop.org.