Details Revealed for Crimes of Grindelwald Soundtrack

One of the best aspects of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was its lush, majestic score composed by James Newton Howard. Luckily, the famed composer has returned for the sequel Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and WaterTower Music is going all out for the soundtrack — and even released a couple of tracks early for streaming and purchase.

The Crimes of Grindelwald soundtrack will feature a whopping 25 tracks, all of which will be available for digital purchase on November 9. The CD will hit shelves on November 30, while the vinyl is scheduled to go out in January 2019. In addition to the score, the soundtrack will treat fans to three solo piano cues performed by James Newton Howard and not heard in the film: “Dumbledore’s Theme (Solo Piano)”, “Fantastic Beasts Theme (Solo Piano)” and “Leta’s Theme (Solo Piano).” Those three tracks are scheduled to be released October 26, 2018.

For those fans unable to wait, WaterTower has also released two tracks for early streaming and purchase titled “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” and “Salamander Eyes,” which you can listen to HERE. And just so you know, the music is quite fantastic, featuring lush, beautiful, choir-driven melodies reminiscent of Danny Elfman’s Edward Scissorhands and Howard’s own Maleficent.

“To work on Fantastic Beasts is a wonderful musical opportunity,” describes composer James Newton Howard. “The movie is delightful, substantial, and complex; and [director] David Yates focuses very seriously on the music and is a truly passionate and enthusiastic collaborator.”

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is the second of five all-new adventures in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. The film stars Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamandar alongside returning stars Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, and Ezra Miller. They’re joined by Claudia Kim, Zoe Kravitz, Callum Turner, with Jude Law as Dumbledore and Johnny Depp as the titular Grindelwald.

At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is being directed by David Yates, from a screenplay by J.K. Rowling, and produced by David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram. The film will debut in theaters on November 16, 2018