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

90%

Tomatometer

263 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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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

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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Robin

I loved the new seating in the movie theater. It was a very intimate showing and we enjoyed revisiting such a classic movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

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Gevian D

It's one of the better Harry Potter movies (Goblet of Fire is my personal favorite) and it was fun watching it on the big screen. My daughters have never seen the films on the big screen and they were very EXCITED to have the opportunity to do so!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

Full Review

Morgan W

The movie was fine. What hurt the most was getting bent over by Fandango and realized they charged me nearly double the face value of the theater tickets.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

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Laura

It was a throwback to taking my kids to all of the movies before. A lot of fun to enjoy with my only one still at home.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

Full Review

Jethro S

Great to see it on the big screen!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

Full Review

Jonathan

Classic, I love it when they show old movies thank you Fathom

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

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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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
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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