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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90%

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261 Reviews

86%

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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

Times (UK)

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

Rated: 4/5

May 31, 2024

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Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

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

Dec 14, 2017

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Christopher Orr

The Atlantic

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

Nov 16, 2014

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Martin Carr

CBR

With a change in director and the replacement of an integral character actor, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban still manages to be one, if not the most impressive entry in this franchise.

Rated: 8/10

Jul 5, 2024

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Sebastian Zavala Kahn

Me gusta el cine

Yes, the first two Columbus films were a success and introduced us to this universe in a fun way. But Cuarón gave it texture, verisimilitude and thematic depth, establishing a tone that was maintained until the eighth instalment. Full review in Spanish.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jun 5, 2024

Full Review

Dave Giannini

InSession Film

This is the only Harry Potter movie that stands on its own as a good film, the best Harry Potter movie, and it’s not even close.

Feb 20, 2024

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Ryan

My favorite Harry Potter, and a true treat to see for the first time in a cinema. This movie absolutely has the sauce.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/04/24

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Jamie G

Timeless classic in the series!! /*

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/02/24

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Lupe P

Classic! Everything about this movie is a masterpiece!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/01/24

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Victor Zarate

BEST MOVIE EVER!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/31/24

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Olivia

This is such an awesome movie!! my favorite of all the Harry Potter movies. Such a great story, and really beautifully done. We were so excited to be able to see this in the theater!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/31/24

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Jermis

Takes me back to my Harry Potter obsessed day. Seeing this in theaters made me so giddy 😮‍💨

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/28/24

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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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: 1492 Pictures, Heyday Films, Warner Brothers
Rating: PG (Frightening Moments|Creature Violence|Mild Language)
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 31, 2004, Original
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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