Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Release Date
- May 31, 2004
- Director
- Alfonso Cuarón
- Cast
- Daniel Radcliffe , Richard Griffiths , Pam Ferris , Fiona Shaw , Harry Melling , Adrian Rawlins
- Runtime
- 141
- Main Genre
- Adventure
- Writers
- J.K. Rowling , Steve Kloves
- Tagline
- Something Wicked This Way Comes
- Website
- http://azkaban.warnerbros.com/
- Franchise
- Harry Potter
Summary
Thirteen year-old Harry Potter (DANIEL RADCLIFFE) has reluctantly spent yet another summer with the Dursleys, his dismal relatives, "behaving himself�? and not practicing any magic. That is, until Uncle Vernon's bullying sister, Aunt Marge (PAM FERRIS), comes to visit. Aunt Marge has always been particularly horrible to Harry and this time pushes him so far that he "accidentally�? causes her to inflate like a monstrous balloon and drift away! Fearing punishment from his Aunt and Uncle (and repercussions from Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic, which strictly forbids students from using magic in the non-magic world), Harry escapes into the night. He is promptly picked up by the Knight Bus, a fantastic triple-decker purple vehicle that whisks him off to the Leaky Cauldron pub. Upon arrival, Harry is met by the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, who inexplicably doesn't punish the teenager for his errant wizardry and instead insists that he spend the night at the Leaky Cauldron before heading back to Hogwarts for his third year of study. It quickly transpires that a dangerous and enigmatic wizard, Sirius Black (GARY OLDMAN), has escaped Azkaban prison and is believed to be searching for Harry. Legend has it that Black was responsible for leading Lord Voldemort to Harry's parents and ultimately to their subsequent deaths; it is also believed that he is determined to kill Harry too. To make matters worse, Hogwarts is playing host to the Dementors, the terrifying Azkaban guards who are stationed at the school in an attempt to protect the students from Black. The Dementors suck the souls from their victims and, unfortunately for Harry, they seem to have more of an effect on him than the rest of his classmates. Their ominous presence chills the young wizard to the bone, rendering him virtually helpless, until Professor Lupin (DAVID THEWLIS), the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, trains Harry in how to use the Patronus Charm to shield himself from the Dementors' paralyzing effects. Meanwhile, Harry's third year at Hogwarts is filled with exciting new creatures like Buckbeak, a magical half-horse, half-eagle creature called a "Hippogriff�?; eerie encounters with Divination Professor Sibyll Trelawney (EMMA THOMPSON) and the omen of death known as the "Grim�?; and breathtaking adventures, including clandestine visits to the wizarding village of Hogsmeade, deciphering secrets hidden in the enchanted Marauder's Map, and a terrifying trip to the Shrieking Shack (the most haunted dwelling in Britain). Along the way, Harry will try to make sense of Hermione's (EMMA WATSON) puzzling appearances and disappearances, with the help of Ron (RUPERT GRINT) and the giant Hagrid (ROBBIE COLTRANE), who has taken on a new position at Hogwarts as the Care of Magical Creatures teacher. A confrontation between Harry and the menacing Sirius Black seems inevitable�|but what exactly is Professor Lupin's relationship with Black? What is the dark secret that Professor Snape (ALAN RICKMAN) is so eager to reveal? And just why is Ron's pet rat Scabbers so frantic to escape his grasp? Harry will need all of the courage, magic and support he can muster to answer these questions and uncover the truth behind Sirius Black and his ties to the gifted young wizard's mysterious past.
latest
Is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban a Horror Movie? Alfonso Cuarón Responds
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban director shares his opinion on whether or not the film is a horror story.
Every Harry Potter Movie, Ranked by Letterboxd
Here's how the audiences of Letterboxd rank the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies.
These Are Gary Oldman's Best Performances, Ranked
Gary Oldman is set to appear in Apple TV+'s new British thriller series Slow Horses. In the meantime, here's a look at the actor's best performances.
These Are the Best Alfonso Cuaron Movies, Ranked
Roma director Alfonso Cuaron is one of today's most accomplished filmmakers, and these are his absolute best movies so far.
Emma Watson's Best Hermione Granger Moments in the Harry Potter Franchise
The Harry Potter franchise would be incomplete without the iconic character of Hermione Granger. Here are her best moments in the movies.
The Most Useful Harry Potter Spells For Everyday Life
Magic abounds in the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Here are the spells that would be most useful in everyday life.
Harry Potter Director Alfonso Cuaron Met with Warner Bros. for a DC Movie?
A new rumor claims director Alfonso Cuarón was being eyed for the DCEU, but is he still wanted?
Spectre Smashes International Box Office Records with $80.4M
The latest James Bond adventure Spectre opened with a massive $80.4 million internationally, one week before it debuts in the U.S.
Harry Potter Spin-Off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Will Shoot in the U.K.
J.K Rowling's spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is set 70 years before Harry Potter enrolls at Hogwarts, following the adventures of a fictitious author.
Alfonso Cuaron in Talks to Direct Harry Potter Spin-Off Fantastic Beasts
The Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban director will likely take on this new adventure set decades before the Harry Potter series.
13 Biggest Box Offices Surprises of 2013
Smaller movies were big-ticket items at this year's cinematic race. From Gravity to Instructions Not Included, we look at the releases that surprised everyone.
Alfonso Cuaron Receives 2014 Visionary Award from the VFX Society
The Gravity director is being honored for his extraordinary career. The awards ceremony will be held February 12th, 2014 in Los Angeles.
Comic-Con 2013 Schedule for Thursday, July 18th
Ender's Game, Divergent and Europa Report lead the movie side of the convention, with Psych, Sherlock and Dexter also appearing on the first day.
Star Wars: Episode VIII May Get Director Alfonso Cuaron?
Plus Simon Pegg shoots down a rumor that he will be involved in J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII.
Harry Potter Wizard's Collection Blu-ray Featurette [Exclusive]
Take a look at the on set magic that goes into turning actor Robbie Coltrane into the 7'6 Hagrid from this extensive new Blu-ray set.
Rupert Grint Lands Roles in The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman and CBGB
The Harry Potter star takes key roles in two new movies.
Harry Potter Wizards Collection Blu-ray Horcruxes Photo [Exclusive]
This photo is from the 48-page book Harry Potter's Catalogue of Artifacts, which is included in this massive set arriving September 7.
Bill George Talks I Am Number Four Special Effects
The visual effects supervisor discusses working with director D.J. Caruso, molding the effects shots for this sci-fi adventure, and more.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Sneak Peaks Begin Thursday!
ABC Family will be airing footage from the last installment, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews for Harry Potter Weekend.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 Blu-ray and DVD Hits April 15th
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint return as Harry, Hermione and Ron in the penultimate chapter of this Hogwarts saga.