It's called Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. But it could be called Harry Potter and His First Girlfriend. Or even Harry Potter Meets Hitchcock.

The premiere of the fourth movie about the young wizard, held in driving rain in London, has fans around the world buzzing about whether it matches the standard of one of the most successful series in cinema history.

The three previous instalments have grossed more than $US2.6 billion ($3.5 billion). At the all-time Australian box office, they are ranked seventh (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone), 10th (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) and 16th (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban).

In London at the weekend, more than 5000 fans watched 16-year-old Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry, arrive with 18-year-old Katie Leung, who plays his love interest in the movie. Radcliffe said it had been an odd, but great five years playing the character. "I've been through all the same stuff as Harry - like the hormones and everything," he told the BBC.

The first reviews were from young fans rather than critics. They rattled enthusiastically to The Times about Harry fighting a fire-breathing dragon, swimming underwater in the Black Lake, travelling through a dangerous giant maze and forlornly asking girls to the Yule Ball.

The Australian rating has yet to be announced for its December 1 release but in Britain Goblet of Fire has been classified unsuitable for under 12s unless accompanied by an adult.

"Here, the fear comes in the shape of scary dragons, a poisonous vision of Lord Voldemort. Ralph Fiennes's whispy ghost is an ice age chillier than the previous incumbents."

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