The film is set in 1926 and follows magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) as he arrives in New York City with a magical suitcase containing a variety of magical creatures. Some of these creatures inadvertently escape, leading to a series of events that involve dark magic and political tensions within the magical community.
In the climax of the film:
Obscurial Revelation: It is revealed that Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller) is an Obscurial—a young wizard who has repressed their magical abilities, resulting in the manifestation of a dark force known as an Obscurus. Credence’s Obscurus wreaks havoc in New York, causing destruction and chaos.
Battle at Obscurus Form: The Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA) seeks to destroy the Obscurus to prevent further damage. Aurors, including Percival Graves (Colin Farrell), initially try to capture Credence, believing him to be a threat. However, Newt Scamander and his friends, along with a reformed Percival Graves, intervene to save Credence.
Credence’s Fate: Despite their efforts, Credence loses control, and the Obscurus becomes a destructive force. In the chaos, MACUSA’s President, Seraphina Picquery (Carmen Ejogo), orders the destruction of the Obscurus, seemingly resulting in Credence’s death.
Revelations and Departures: Graves is revealed to be Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) in disguise, a dark wizard with a dangerous ideology. Grindelwald is captured and detained by MACUSA. Newt and his friends—Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), Queenie Goldstein (Alison Sudol), and Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler)—are hailed as heroes, and Newt departs for London.
Final Scene: The final scene reveals that Newt’s magical suitcase has a hidden compartment where he keeps some of his creatures. Jacob, despite having his memories erased earlier in the film, retains some residual memories of the magical world, hinting at the lasting impact of their adventures.
The film sets the stage for the larger narrative in the Wizarding World, introducing Grindelwald’s rise to power and the challenges faced by wizards and magical creatures. “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is the first installment in a planned five-part film series, exploring the magical world’s history and characters.