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Directed by
Alfonso Cuarón Written by
J.K. Rowling, Steven Kloves Cast
Daniel Radcliffe, Richard Griffiths, Pam Ferris, Fiona Shaw, Harry Melling [more]
Release Date
• USA: Jun 4, 2004
• UK: 31 May 2004
DVD Release Date
• R1: Nov 23, 2004
• R2: 19 Nov 2004
Budget $130,000,000
BoxOffice: $99.9M
Official Website:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Website
MPAA Rating
Rated PG for frightening moments, creature violence and mild language.
Running Time
2 hours, 15 minutes
Country UK, USA
Production Companies
Warner Bros., 1492 Pictures, Heyday Films, P of A Productions Limited
Studio 1492 Pictures, Alfonso Cuaron Films, Heyday Films, Warner Brothers
More info on IMDb.com
Other Titles
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The IMAX Experience
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Reviews |
Almost wall-to-wall exposition with no breathing room for Muggles, "Azkaban" is missing the wonder and excitement that Chris Columbus brought to the first two installments. It's still filled with witchcraft and wizard delights, but new director Alfonso Cuaron doesn't quite have a grip on the material, and the sheer weight of the tale overwhelms him. [read review] B
--Brian Orndorf (FilmJerk.com)
As a laymen who has not read any of the Harry Potter novels, as someone who didn't particularly care for either of the two previous movies, I can safely say that the third part of this children's series is certainly the most accomplished in terms of its look and atmosphere, but also the lamest in terms of its story, development and conclusion. [read review] 5/10
--'JoBlo' (JoBlo.com)
Is "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" as good as the first two films? Not quite. It doesn't have that sense of joyously leaping through a clockwork plot, and it needs to explain more than it should. But the world of Harry Potter remains delightful, amusing and sophisticated; the challenge in the films ahead will be to protect its fragile innocence and not descend into the world of conventional teen thrillers. [read review] 
--Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times)
There are nice twists to the story and everything moves at a brisk enough pace so that no one really gets bored and before you know it, the 140-minute running time has blown past. The stylistic changes breathe fresh air into the series, but a slightly longer running time would have cleared up some plot points that seemed rushed. Nonetheless, it is a wonderful installment and definitely recommended. [read review] 8/10
--Nate Anderson (Movie-Vault.com)
There is no doubt that this film is extremely deserving, and well worth your hard-earned buck, though. Watching it is like being transported into a world of joyful sensation for two and a half hours, and there is truly nothing better than partaking in anexperience of such a sort. This is a pure motion picture, fully absorbing in every way possible. [read review] 
--Danny Baldwin (BucketReviews.com)
The film is never boring and always involving and where it does not capture the entire vast world of Harry Potter it catches near all it needs to for the film. So, see the first two, see the third and enjoy them all. The third just may be the best yet. [read review] A-
--Samuel Tolliver (MovieJustice)
"Azkaban" leaps into a much darker universe while still retaining all the mystery, magic and charm of the first two movies. This is due, in large part, to the presence of a new creative force in the director's chair, Alfonso Cuaron. [read review]
--Paul Clinton (CNN Showbiz)
Potter looks older, Dumbledore looks younger...well, he is younger, technically, and while this is visually beautiful and a fairly entertaining movie, it doesn't quite conjur the same magic as the first two movies. [read review] 
--Brian Gallagher (MovieWeb)
Funny, thrilling and, yes, somewhat enchanting, Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban is widely regarded as the best book of JK Rowling's phenomenally successful series. It is certainly the best film. [read review] 
--Nev Pierce (BBC Films)
It’s great. I guess. I don’t know. I didn’t see the (word that makes Webmaster B.’s eyes cross even when it’s spelled with asterisks; it starts with the letter F, ending in u-c-k-i-n-g) thing. [read review] 
--B. Alan Orange (MovieWeb)
Overall, Azkaban succeeds in being both suspenseful and cheerful, dark yet wonderfully bright – a delightful film – the best book in the series and, for the moment, the best film in the lot. [read review]
--Christopher Monfette (MovieWeb)
Hippogriffs, Dementors and Harry, oh my! Director Alfonso Cuaron finally decants the essence of J.K. Rowling's work and brings us one of the greatest fantasy films of all time. [read review]
--Stephanie Zacharek (Salon)
The third Harry Potter movie is the best yet, seemingly less dependent than its predecessors on cinematic gadgetry, and stronger in conveying its characters and story. [read review] 84/100
--Brian Webster (Apollo Guide)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban proves that a new director with a different perspective can freshen a series that could otherwise resort to stale repetition. [read review]
--James Berardinelli (ReelViews)
In a summer of overwrought special effects films, Harry Potter offers just the right balance for children and grown-ups who’ve forgotten what being a child is like. [read review] 
--Blake Snyder (MovieWeb)
Alfonso Cuaron proves he has a knack for dark storytelling, shifting the previously lighthearted tone while still keeping with the humor and fun of the series. [read review] B
--Craig Younkin (Lee's Movie Info)
Director Alfonso Curan keeps the franchise moving along and stays true to the vision that Chris Columbus started while imprinting his own unique style. [read review] A-
--Gareth Von Kallenbach (Lee's Movie Info)
I was a prisoner of The Prisoner of Azkaban, and after the 2 hour and 20 minute sentence, I am quite glad to finally be released. [read review] 
--Vince Leo (Qwipster.net)
A film based on a book will rarely be able to compete with the source material but this remains one of the better conversions. [read review]
--Carl Lazarevic (MovieWeb)
Overall, 'Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban' succeeds at being one of the more enjoyable experiences of the season. [read review]
--Joseph Kastner (Movie-Gurus.com)
The eagerly anticipated third film in the Harry Potter series is, like the book, easily the best of the three so far. [read review]
--Matthew Turner (ViewLondon)
There hasn't been a truly great "Harry Potter" movie yet, but this is a step in the right direction. [read review]
--Kevin N. Laforest (Montreal Film Journal)
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