Alan Rickman, Daniel Radcliffe, David Thewlis

Approaching his third year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter has had enough of his muggle relatives. He runs away from them (finally) and enters his third term facing trouble from more than one side: for usin...( read more  read more... )g magic outside the school and from the news that a notorious criminal, serial killer Sirius Black, has escaped the wizard's prison at Azkaban and apparently is headed for Harry. The school calls in supernatural help against Black in the form of Dementors, but unusual things continue to put Harry in peril. He is thrown into a confusing panoply of shifting alliegences and shifting shapes where nobody is who or what they seem. Who is the real criminal? What is the real crime? Who is telling or knows the truth?

Flixster Users

85% liked it

1,064,361 ratings

Critics

89% liked it

225 critics

PG, 2 hrs. 19 min.

Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón

Release Date: June 4, 2004

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DVD Release Date: November 23, 2004

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Stats: 62,449 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (62,449)


  • October 10, 2006
    More darker & action-packed than the previous two.
  • August 27, 2009
    Prisoner of Azkaban was the first Potter film I actually enjoyed. The previous films I'd caught because my family would watch them at Christmas. I still wont read the books and can't understand why many adults do, but I started watching the films. I even saw one in the cinema. Th...( read more)e films also improved immensely with actors such as Oldman and Thewlis joining the cast.
  • July 31, 2009
    My favorite of the first 3 movies, despite the departure from the book. I love the time manipulation in the movie!
  • July 14, 2009
    This chapter is maybe the weakest so far, it still looks amazing and the general imagination on show is still brilliant in every department but it just seems alittle flat. Its getting that bit more spookier as it goes on, the Dementors are great (again abit LOTR) and i do like th...( read more)e purple school bus hehe
    Oldman makes a good entrance here in the prison, again more top English actors are crammed into the Potter universe, this proves the quality and standard of these films.
  • July 4, 2009
    "Something wicked this way comes."

    It's Harry's third year at Hogwarts; not only does he have a new "Defense Against the Dark Arts" teacher, but there is also trouble brewing. Convicted murderer Sirius Black has escaped the Wizards' Prison and is coming after Harry.

    ...( read more)
    REVIEW

    Delightful, visually spectacular third entry in the Harry Potter series finds the omnipotent young wizard fed up with his obnoxious family members and out on his own. When he returns to Hogwarts, he's dumbfounded to learn that Sirius Black, an infamous murderer who may or may not have been involved in the death of his parents, has escaped from Azkaban and is trying to track him down to settle a score. The most lively entry in the series yet, with an engrossing story, a quicker pace, and some truly astonishing effects that manage to be exciting, as well as create a genuine sense of awe and wonder. A glorious treat from start to finish.
  • November 21, 2009
    Loved the first and second one? You will love this one
  • November 21, 2009
    Mi libro favorito, y la película me pareció una buena adaptación
  • November 19, 2009
    The kind of Harry Potter movies are very nice story.
  • November 19, 2009
    I like it the most among the Harry Potter.
  • November 19, 2009
    at first, Jonny Depp is a little bit scare
    but at last, he is so cooooool!!!

Critic Reviews


July 21, 2005
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

This is a luminous movie -- luminous, imaginative and affecting. For Harry Potter, at least, the third time is the charm. full review

May 4, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

Visually marvelous. full review

June 5, 2004
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

The first true Harry Potter movie -- the first to capture not only the books' sense of longing, but their understanding of the way magic underlies the mundane, instead of just prancing fancifully at a... full review

June 4, 2004
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Thanks to director Alfonso Cuaron, a dazzling storyteller with a keen eye for whimsical detail, the third film in the Potter franchise is a visual delight. full review

June 4, 2004
Edward Havens, FilmJerk.com

This chapter leaves me little enthused for the future. full review

June 4, 2004
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

A marvelous adventure. full review

June 3, 2004
David Edelstein, Slate

In Cuaron's hands, the world of Harry Potter doesn't feel like a synthetic movie theme park anymore. It's almost real, Hogwarts and all. full review

June 3, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The world of Harry Potter remains delightful, amusing and sophisticated. full review

June 2, 2004
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

The third Harry Potter movie is the first one that actually looks and feels like a movie, rather than a staged reading with special effects. full review

May 28, 2004
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Not only is this dazzler by far the best and most thrilling of the three Harry Potter movies to date, it's a film that can stand on its own even if you never heard of author J.K. Rowling and her young... full review

View more Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • nishaunique97
    May 25, 2009
    This one is definitely the best of the Harry Potter sequels.
    The most entertaining of all wit a great screenplay.
    D setting n everything, nicely done.

  • roxana12896
    November 23, 2008
    i think it is good ... but i dont think daniel is gud enough to act in this movie
  • ayseseniha365
    July 27, 2008
    OMG I just Watched it now it is soo good it has got to the best HP Film (Other That Goblet of fire)!
  • ladybug197627
    July 6, 2008
    its the bestharry potter film besides the 4th
    i liked it very much it was soo awesome i luved it
  • karthu1993
    April 9, 2008
    Best Harry Potter film.
  • hermionejpotter
    March 16, 2008
    Cuaron is one of HP's best directors..he had good camera angles and the sensitivity for details/emotion without being melodramatic.
    His style is haunting,yet,infused with lightness and comedy.
    Harry looks good here,hermione is all girl power and ron is the cool side kick.
  • hermionejpotter
    March 16, 2008
    Cuaron is one of HP's best directors..he had good camera angles and the sensitivity for details/emotion without being melodramatic.
    His style is haunting,yet,infused with lightness and comedy.
    Harry looks good here,hermione is all girl power and ron is the cool side kick.
  • kkq2003
    February 17, 2008
    no body lke harry potter he is the best
  • putrishanaz
    January 19, 2008
    i love harry potter. i'm very angry if any body of my friends
    hates you...i will do anything for you...your hair like my boyfriend
  • XMrsxEdwardxCullenX
    December 30, 2007
    harry looks the best in this one!

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Trivia

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of ... Trivia


  • In which of the Harry Potter movies does Hermione punch Draco Malfoy in the nose?  Answer »
  • In which Harry Potter movie did Harry find out he has a godfather?  Answer »
  • In wnich Harry Potter Movie did Harry meet Sirius Black?  Answer »
  • which was the third harry potter film?  Answer »

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