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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

2004
Family/Kids, Fantasy
2h 22m
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. (imdb)
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

2004
Family/Kids, Fantasy
2h 22m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 55.95% from 15631 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(15631)
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Rated 14 Aug 2007
96
98th
A perfect piece of storytelling that surpasses its predecessors in every category. The music is better, the special effects more convincing (impeccable, really), the story is tighter, the laughs are funnier and the joy is more heartfelt. Even the closing credits are superior. Cuaron's direction is bold, putting his individual flair into the film while remaining absolutely true to Rowling's world.
Rated 08 Jul 2007
4
70th
Finally. In the first two movies, even though I thought each was solid, I found some of the changes rather odd, and the movies were a bit too hesitant, falling back on the source material instead of willing to take risks. This is by far the best of the series so far; every choice is bold, the movie feels much more alive and confident in itself than the others do. Across the board, everything is better - even the performances by the actors. It's really astounding. Nice job, Cuaron.
Rated 14 Jul 2015
88
75th
A marked improvement over the first two entries. Despite the omission of some significant plot points from the book (the identities of the Marauders, why Harry's patronus is a stag), this is the first time the HP movies really felt magical.
Rated 08 Jan 2022
80
65th
The first two films were too childlike and kid focused for me. So it's awesome that Alfonso Cuaron came onboard and made this a brooding coming-of-age story that matured along the with intended audience. I still think that the villains don't approach James Bond or Batman levels in terms of presenting an ideal conflict for Harry. But it looks cool and has some fun with time travel. Recommended. And it serves as an intriguing reboot as the franchise becomes darker from here on.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
7
84th
A superior Potter. Cuaron's grasp of visuals and mood are leagues beyond the first two films; Hogwarts feels a lot less like a soundstage and a lot more like an enchanted castle. Alan Rickman and Gary Oldman are of course gods. My only problem is actually the fault of J.K. Rowling: I really, really dislike the incorporation of time travel into the Potter universe. Plot hole city. Still, the film series' high point thus far.
Rated 20 Sep 2010
95
99th
My personal favorite of the Potter films; we are abruptly thrust into a much darker (yet beautiful) side to the series. Framed the look for all the following films (and several other non Potter films), and helped bring the more mature viewers into the fold.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
43rd
The best of the HP movies, so far. However, considering the other movies, that's not exactly a hard feat to accomplish.
Rated 09 Feb 2007
85
73rd
While I've enjoyed all of the books, Azkaban remains the best of the lot. It's just the tighest, cleverest and most effective of them all. As for the movie: while it's not without its flaws, I thought it did a good job of recreating the atmosphere of Rowling's universe. It's much better than its predecessors especially in terms of the visuals and the acting. I don't know why they didn't let Cuarón continue directing these.
Rated 29 Aug 2008
85
76th
Some fans criticize the artistic adaptation of the book and a few of Cauron's cinematic concepts, but most realize this was the necessary leap in style and atmosphere that the series needed to make the mature transition from children's fantasy. Oldman is an impeccable choice for Sirius Black and the young trio of stars start to develop as actors here. Quick and enthralling, it's one of the technical high points in the saga and the best film thematically aside from the final two installments.
Rated 05 May 2012
80
77th
What is with the defense against the dark arts professors. HEY DUMBLEDORE it's called a background check. Yeesh.
Rated 26 Jun 2010
0
0th
Rilla Roo = win
Rated 27 Jul 2010
90
73rd
Possibly the best of all the series. This film displays the matureness that the latter flms had, but still has the heart an spirit the early films had
Rated 15 Feb 2011
80
71st
Cuaron brings Harry Potter from pink dream to the dark world.. His stylist storytelling is sensible in every moment.
Rated 16 Jan 2009
63
60th
They all kind of meshed together. You've seen one, you've seen 'em all.
Rated 01 Jun 2010
70
54th
Dark atmosphere and undertones, fantastic (adult) actors and a meticulously laid out plot - this whole Potter thing might just be worthwhile if they got rid of those damn kids!
Rated 27 Jun 2009
4
35th
I'm admittedly not a fan of Harry Potter but I was interested to see what Cuaron could do with it. Sadly, it wasn't much. It's really predictable and cheesy a lot of the times and Daniel Radcliffe is a god awful actor. However, it is cool at parts but the CGI has aged very poorly (I write this only 5 years after it came out) and it just felt too rushed, almost like they had to jam as much shit as possible into 2 hours. Also, does Dumbledore look like an old Ricky Gervais to anyone else?
Rated 02 Mar 2008
70
45th
Best of the Potter movies.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
83rd
For the first time its entire movie franchise a Harry Potter movie is actually worth watching. Director Alfonso Cuaron bring the franchise to new heights that Chris Columbos would never reach.
Rated 16 Jun 2008
83
78th
The best Potter film.
Rated 16 Mar 2008
95
80th
My favorite HP film.
Rated 19 Jul 2011
91
78th
In Cuaron's hands, Azkaban has emotional depth to go along with the technical wizardry.
Rated 04 Mar 2023
85
80th
Significant jump from the previous two, especially visually. I thought the world was already well established, but it really comes to life here. This is a beautiful movie, so all props to Cuaron. Besides that, as I said with Chamber of Secrets, everybody here just puts in better work. Oldman is great as Oldman often is, and the lore/characters get deeper and deeper. Some of the action still needs a little work, but for the most part they were fine, ultimately.
Rated 27 Feb 2007
83
73rd
Easily the best installment in the series, this film found a way to allow the series to grow up and appeal to a more universal audience.
Rated 14 Dec 2008
80
77th
A more mature book (my personal favorite of the series) given an appropriately mature adaptation. Cuaron is not afraid here to make a film, not just an adaptation, and the film's more engaging and eclectic for it. The effects are also better and/or less intrusive this time around. It hurts to lose Richard Harris as Dumbledore but Michael Gambon is a fine replacement and the character hasn't suffered.
Rated 30 Oct 2009
75
13th
OK movie that is fun, but little more. This one is the most stylize of the Harry Potter films as of yet. At first this may seem to be a turn-off since we are expecting a style that fits with the other films, but over time I grew to appreciate the divergent style of this film.
Rated 08 Sep 2015
75
64th
Cuaron deftly matures the series by visually capturing Harry's emotional struggle that resonated so strongly in the novel. He also deviates from the source material, which is a welcome change from the previous two films.
Rated 20 Jan 2012
94
79th
A damn good movie. I don’t much care for the fatphobia in the beginning, and I would have loved more focus on the growing pains stuff from the book, but it’s otherwise a pretty faithful adaptation, and my oh my is it a gorgeous movie. Cuarón never misses. All of his movies are great. Also the best visual effects of the first three. Also the best cinematography and music of the first three. Also the best movie of the first three. Emotionally engaging, fun entertainment!
Rated 15 Aug 2007
82
69th
My favorite of the Harry Potter movies, and I hate the Harry Potter movies. I feel this is the only movie with a bona fide director. It is the movie that most resembled art.
Rated 15 Mar 2008
78
73rd
After two Chris Columbus-directed trainwrecks, Alfonso Cuaron gives me hope for Harry Potter (ironic that his Potter film opens with Harry under his bedsheets, playing with his wand). Azkaban was my favourite of the books, and the movie adapts it admirably, even if the story seems a bit too telegraphed at times. I like it for the nostalgia its conclusion inspires, and not even of reading the book, but of back when I saw it the first time -- when it was called Back to the Future Part II.
Rated 23 Jul 2008
49
19th
This is the same guy that made "Children of Men"? I guess the source material is ... Gotta hand it to him though, a GREAT improvement on the preceding horrors they dare call 'films'
Rated 20 Apr 2009
40
54th
My favourite Harry Potter film. Alfonso Cuaron takes the established story and somehow makes something undeniably creative using it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
94th
The very best of the series. The entire cast is at their best here, with fantastic special effects and an exciting story.
Rated 15 Feb 2012
83
92nd
I would say it's the best in the series. The special effects are great (George Lucas could learn a thing or two about proper use of green screen), story is really strong, and Gary Oldman is...as expected: fantastic.
Rated 10 Jul 2012
88
86th
In Cuaron's hands, Azkaban has emotional depth to go along with the technical wizardry.
Rated 30 Mar 2021
75
43rd
Good
Rated 02 Feb 2012
80
80th
This is one of e the best in the Harry potter series. Gary Oldman is a great addition to the cast. Michael Gambon is also very good in this film.
Rated 25 Oct 2017
75
91st
The best entry in the film series, and the only one I'd recommend watching.
Rated 13 Jul 2011
70
65th
Starting out poorly (aunt inflation, bus ride), this gets really good every time Thewlis hits the screen. The talented actor, unfortunately, by contrast makes it all too clear how horrible Radcliffe was back then. The time travel subplot is overly rushed.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
31st
Good acting by the grown-ups, great directing by Cuarón and frankly a quite horrible screenplay. I've never been into HP and this movie didn't change that.
Rated 23 May 2009
9
92nd
The best Harry Potter film to date.
Rated 24 Feb 2007
65
73rd
Entertaining adventure.
Rated 26 Jul 2010
90
88th
Here we go. This is the best Harry Potter movie (So far, hopefully) Cauron did an amazing job on this movie, he redesigned the entire franchise and kicked John William's ass into doing an amazing score. Amazing film based on amazing content.
Rated 18 Nov 2012
82
76th
There's plenty of gothic horror for kids in here, but there's still enough school-days fun to make it an expertly handled, appealing family adventure movie. One minute you'll see heavy-weight British actors yelling at each other, then plucky school children solving mysteries and saving the day. For me the iconic scene was when Harry, in his Professor's study, discovers that it is within him to hold back the cold chill darkness that would drain him: cgi at the service of story.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
87
80th
My favorite of the Harry Potter films. Alfonso Cuaron's knows exactly what visual tone to use, and it looks great.
Rated 21 Nov 2010
75
42nd
I just can't stand quidditch. So I was quite happy about his broom being destroyed.
Rated 11 Dec 2008
70
76th
good movie
Rated 30 Jul 2011
65
66th
Well-structured plot let down by some unimaginative reveals - Professor Wolf turning out to be a werewolf, quelle surprise. The quality of acting from the 3 leads has improved dramatically, while everything just seems fresher than the previous two. The combination of a new director and a concerted attempt to inject a sense of 'magic' into the series makes this a great family film and probably the first in the franchise to really hit home.
Rated 18 Oct 2007
80
94th
The best of the HP series to date. Very well-paced, well-written and cast. Really great special effects and appealing story.
Rated 23 Feb 2007
74
66th
My favorite thus far, thanks to Mr. Oldman.
Rated 13 Sep 2008
79
62nd
One of the best Potter films thus far and a high point for Cuaron. I'm proud and confident to say that Potter is back!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
74
66th
The best one yet, if only because Cuaron is willing to explore outside the previously-formidable walls of J.K. Rowling's world. Aware of the characters' maturation into adolesence, the film features some pretty tongue-in-cheek sequences. Full marks to doing my favorite book of series justice, Alfonso.
Rated 18 Oct 2013
75
77th
Very good entry in the Harry Potter series, a step-up from the previous two. The world feels richer and darker and the plot feels more important as well. Most characters are now already well established leaving more room for other things. Gary Oldman is great as Sirius Black.
Rated 03 Mar 2008
85
45th
It's impossible for me to not-enjoy an HP film, especially when so many of the actors are back. But, I felt the director took a very dark approach to the material (while the book certainly is dark in places, it also has a great deal of humor that the film lacks) and I feel Michael Gambon is terribly miscast as Dumbledore. I did appreciate their choice of David Thewlis as Lupin (a fav from the book!) and Gary Oldman as Sirius (I like Sirius better in the movie than the book, in fact!)
Rated 23 Nov 2013
9
91st
The Prisoner Of Azkaban is my favourite Harry Potter and technically it's the strongest of the series. Director Alfonso Cuaron brings real filmmaking quality to the franchise and perfectly balances the story telling, characters, set pieces and humour. It's much darker than the first two films and caters more for the maturer viewer also. Visually it's stunning and the time travel elements are brilliantly portrayed on screen. And Gambon, Oldman and Thewlis to name a few give great performances.
Rated 29 Feb 2008
85
62nd
The best entry into the "Potter" saga stands out because of a mature look and feel and the confident guidance of Alfonso Cuaron.
Rated 24 Feb 2007
30
12th
why is new dumbledore so fucking angry?
Rated 11 Aug 2015
75
17th
This is by far the best of the Harry Potter movies. Harry's growing up and in keeping with that, this third film has more of a coming-of-age feel to it. There's the hint of a budding romance, and even though these kids aren't your normal teens, their efforts to define themselves are relatable - even in our Muggle world. Great effects, spot-on direction, and terrific performances make this a must-see movie.
Rated 04 Sep 2018
100
97th
Not as fun as the first film, but Cuaron's dark take on the Harry Potter world has an amazing time travel storyline with great acting.
Rated 16 Jun 2019
77
66th
Time travel.
Rated 19 Jan 2020
90
91st
Harry Potter gets contemplative. Phenomenal direction from Alfonso Cuaron, who should have taken over the whole series. Music, cinematography, superb. New art design for this movie that came to define the series. Plenty of script problems, but never not entertaining.
Rated 01 Mar 2020
77
81st
While it may be far from a perfect fantasy movie, it can be the best HP movie adaptation before It All Ended.
Rated 05 May 2020
88
91st
The only movie in the Harry Potter installments that truly made me appreciate the filmmaking aspect of it. Cuarón made this his own, and I respect him so much for it. Now I can't unsee every single clock shown from the first scene on
Rated 13 May 2020
90
67th
The best Potter film, without a close second.
Rated 14 Sep 2020
82
45th
Haunting! One of the greatest adventures I had the pleasure of viewing as a child, a triumph against fear itself, readying young harry to fight against a true evil that produces it.
Rated 30 Mar 2021
79
73rd
The perfect Harry Potter movie.
Rated 20 Feb 2021
76
72nd
After a flop with the second Harry Potter movie, its great to see that Cuaron did occupy the directors chair. He makes his own magic and film start to live in much better pace where events are having some sense. This movie is not so childish as previous ones and that is a good thing.
Rated 02 Jan 2021
80
99th
One of the more visually blinding of the Harry Potters. And so much going on. The time-thing was a little cheap story-wise, but otherwise I was fully drawn to the 3rd Potter.
Rated 13 Dec 2021
70
42nd
It would be fair to say that I simply do not get this series at all. It strikes me as for children in the worst sense, essentially childish in tone filled with really terrible, excessively broad humour. I like the darker tone that Cuarón brought to this film, but it's really not enough for me.
Rated 07 Mar 2022
65
28th
Number 1 of first 3 films..
Rated 11 May 2009
65
52nd
The Prisoner of Azkaban follows the same line of the other films, if you liked them, will like this too. But I still have my opinion, it is a good movie, very well done, but infant too much.
Rated 03 Oct 2007
80
81st
Another potterhead...but the setting and tone were very well done
Rated 28 Dec 2006
75
24th
totally hated it the first time i saw it. it grew on me. not quite like a fungus, but similar.
Rated 25 Jan 2010
95
84th
My favorite Harry Potter movie of all 6. Brilliantly envisioned by Alfonso Cauron. People who expect a straight book to movie adaptions like 1st and 2nd movies will be disappointed. Brilliant soundtrack and amazing visuals.
Rated 18 Aug 2010
64
84th
#04#, hype, popcorn, story, 'pt 1-2'
Rated 30 Jan 2012
70
72nd
What a difference can a director do! Of course, also cinematography and edition are different, making this movie better in many aspects to those before (and after), something you know in a few minutes. Probably one of the best books, and no doubt, best adaptation. Delightfully dark, and dementors are a great adition to that. It's a pity all chapters weren't done by this team. The worst part is it doesn't have the best conclussion due to the repeating aspect, and not the most exciting one.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
79
74th
Harry Potter films started getting a lot darker with this entry. I didn't care too much for the story, but I loved the cast additions with Gary Oldman and David Thewlis.
Rated 25 Jul 2008
97
75th
Love this!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
65th
The best out of the first 3 movies, mostly due to the darker nature of the books.
Rated 26 Jul 2010
83
53rd
Alright.. the HP series shouldv'e just ended here as they're just getting worse and worse.
Rated 13 Feb 2012
70
61st
Definitely the least faithful adaptation. Some of the changes helped move things along more quickly without losing anything necessary, but others actually changed the plot in ways that were internally inconsistent. The look of this movie was great, including the new castle grounds. One major disappointment was the loss of Richard Harris--I never fancied Gambon's Dumbledore nearly as much as the original.
Rated 07 May 2015
75
68th
I love how the child actors here were not made to resemble child stars. They can be proud of their roles after this. (I mean some films out there make kids seem so sugary, like real kids weren't likable as they are.) The sense of fantasy is good. Though certain tidbits getting dropped leave the plot feel idle at times unless you know the story from the book in advance. Too bad, as they wouldn't even taken that much screentime. Overall however this is one of the best Harry Potter films.
Rated 14 Oct 2017
7
75th
Best one by far, best direction thanks to Cuarón, acting still wonky, again eclipsed by far superior side characters (pun intended), anytime time travel is involved, plot holes appear, better of the series; good movie.
Rated 31 Aug 2008
88
92nd
My favourite of the Harry Potter series. The break in style after parting from Christopher Columbus made a real good movie.
Rated 30 Jun 2007
55
40th
Alfonso Cur=aron managed to make the best movie in the series out of the worst book in the series, and could teach more than a few lessons to Chris Columbus. Unfortunately, it's still not very good. This is where I left the Harry Potter train.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
98
86th
Great movie, loved the majority. Not my favourite though
Rated 22 Mar 2008
55
20th
Easily the worst Harry Potter movie. Alfonso Cuaron is a hack and needs to stop getting hailed as anything else.
Rated 27 Feb 2008
92
74th
The best adaptation thus far.
Rated 26 Sep 2017
16
75th
8/8
Rated 08 Mar 2008
64
70th
eng
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
33rd
Am I the only one who can not stay awake through a whole harry potter movie ? Great fx, though
Rated 11 Oct 2009
100
87th
Great atmosphere
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
48th
Better than the first two, not as good as the fourth.
Rated 25 Jun 2007
78
78th
Better than the previous as was darker, but not as compelling as other films.
Rated 01 Jun 2008
80
57th
Not the best, but pretty good.
Rated 06 Oct 2008
65
8th
was very interesting... lol
Rated 03 Mar 2008
9
65th
Loved it. i love harry potter
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
8th
I'd rather just watch the lord of the rings
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
40th
The best-looking of the series so far. Suddenly everything gets darker and feels less whimsical. Nice touches all around.
Rated 15 Jan 2011
66
43rd
Got to love a bit of Oldman, but otherwise a bit meh.
Rated 24 Jul 2011
98
89th
Best HP.

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