The wizarding world is back in “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” the first in a five-part series of films, as it masterfully reintroduces and expands the universe established in the “Harry Potter” series – all thanks to the skillful guidance of author and first-time screenwriter J.K. Rowling.

“Fantastic Beasts” takes place in New York circa-1926, centering on wizard zoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) and his quest to write a book focused on magical creatures. However, when some of them escape into the streets of Manhattan, Scamander has to work with the wizarding government officials to retrieve them while also fighting off dark forces.

While the synopsis is somewhat similar to the “Potter” series, the film is different in a number of ways. Gone is the whimsical nature of London – instead, we’re thrown right into the streets of New York where Flapper girls and businessmen run abound. Gone, too, is the confinements of a wizarding school. Rowling uses that to an advantage, opening up the world to foreign governments and underground wizardry.

The film also doesn’t talk down to its audience. While the “Potter” films took their time in explaining the world through its eight films, “Fantastic Beasts” embraces that knowledge and runs with it. Rowling doesn’t bother in redundancies when it comes to spells and wizarding governments, something that should prove well for “Potter” fans.

However, one of the most striking differences between the two series is the tone. “Harry Potter” grew with its audiences, its tone reflecting the darker nature of age. “Fantastic Beasts” doesn’t hold back, explicitly showing deaths and abuse that are jarring at first sight.

The film’s climax tackles it head-on, with Scamander working with his friends to take down both the film’s final monster and its human antagonist, Percival Graves (Colin Farrell), who serves as a welcome villain, even if takes a while to get to his true motivations.

It’s that same supporting cast that helps shape the film. From the onset, when Scamander meets Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA) worker Porpentina “Tina” Goldstein (Katherine Waterson), the chemistry is apparent. That extends to the rest of the cast including Dan Folger, Alison Sudal and especially Ezra Miller, who all prove to delight.

The film also excels in its technical aspects. Cinematographer Philippe Rousselot brings a colorful light to the movie, a reflection of its time period. The music, a notable staple of the “Potter” series, delights, with composer James Newton Howard (“The Dark Knight,” “The Hunger Games”) adding his own touch to the traditional “Hedwig’s Theme.”

In its visual effects, the film remains consistent with the main series. However, while “Potter” made it important to manage visual effects with practical ones, director David Yates, returning from the last four “Potter” films. “Fantastic Beasts” ironically leaps into the future. This is especially notable in a bar scene, where a completely digital elf proves a far cry from the costumed residents of Gringotts.

Despite these small complaints, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is a worthy successor to the “Harry Potter” films. Its dark tone, stellar cast and strong visual effects pave the way for a promising future for the wizarding world.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” premieres Nov. 18. Check out a trailer below.