Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

PG

Released May 31, 2004

2h 21m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

264 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Harry Potter's (Daniel Radcliffe) third year at Hogwarts starts off badly when he learns deranged killer Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison and is bent on murdering the teenage wizard. While Hermione's (Emma Watson) cat torments Ron's (Rupert Grint) sickly rat, causing a rift among the trio, a swarm of nasty Dementors is sent to protect the school from Black. A mysterious new teacher helps Harry learn to defend himself, but what is his secret tie to Sirius Black?

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Critics Consensus

Under the assured direction of Alfonso Cuaron, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban triumphantly strikes a delicate balance between technical wizardry and complex storytelling.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

[Alfonso Cuarón] attacked the Potter material with the instincts of an auteur. Everything darkened. Literally.

Rated: 4/5

May 31, 2024

Full Review

Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

This Potter is terse, swift, sad -- and welcome.

Dec 14, 2017

Full Review

Christopher Orr

The Atlantic

Cuarón brought to the Potter franchise a quality curiously missing from the two previous films: magic.

Nov 16, 2014

Full Review

Rebecca VanAcker

Screen Rant

Prisoner of Azkaban is a standout entry in the Harry Potter franchise – it establishes an effective tone under Alfonso Cuarón’s stellar direction.

Rated: 9/10

Mar 3, 2025

Full Review

Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

This is far more enjoyable than the first two films. I'm still not a fan of Dumbledore.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 15, 2025

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Brandon Collins

Medium Popcorn

It's a tad too long but serves as the turning point for the series where filmmakers were actually doing something unique with each new film. The performances of the three leads demonstrate their continued growth as actors, which I appreciated.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 15, 2025

Full Review

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popcornlover

Amazing in 4DX, very immersive

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/27/25

Full Review

Elayne

this is my favorite harry potter movie so getting to see it on theaters (i was a new born when it came out so i couldn’t the first time) was beautiful and mesmerizing

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/24/25

Full Review

Victoria

Story line great cinematography outstanding.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/24/25

Full Review

Dev P

Always has been one of the best HP films, and watching it in 4DX made it even more magical

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/23/25

Full Review

Sophie

It was awesome in 4DX!!! I didn’t even know i had bought 4DX tickets but it made the movie a million times more epic!! I love all of the dramatic scenes in the movie and the character arcs of every character. It has been one of my favorite Harry Potter movies since i was a kid!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

Full Review

Sulema E

Wonderful adaptation of the book. Fun for all!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

Full Review

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Alfonso Cuarón

Director

Daniel Radcliffe

Harry Potter

Rupert Grint

Ron Weasley

Emma Watson

Hermione Granger

Gary Oldman

Sirius Black

David Thewlis

Professor Lupin

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Harry Potter's (Daniel Radcliffe) third year at Hogwarts starts off badly when he learns deranged killer Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison and is bent on murdering the teenage wizard. While Hermione's (Emma Watson) cat torments Ron's (Rupert Grint) sickly rat, causing a rift among the trio, a swarm of nasty Dementors is sent to protect the school from Black. A mysterious new teacher helps Harry learn to defend himself, but what is his secret tie to Sirius Black?

Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Producer: Chris Columbus, David Heyman, Mark Radcliffe
Screenwriter: J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Bros. Television, Heyday Films, Warner Brothers, 1492 Pictures
Rating: PG (Frightening Moments|Creature Violence|Mild Language)
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 31, 2004, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Feb 15, 2025
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $249.4M
Runtime: 2h 21m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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