Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
2 Oscar Nominations
Rent/Purchase
Harry Potter's life is in danger once more as dangerous wizard Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban Prison and is heading to Hogwarts.
What critics thought
Alfonso Cuarón's entry is broadly celebrated as the point where the series found its soul — darker in tone, more character-driven, and more visually inventive than its predecessors. A small but notable minority felt the shift came at the cost of emotional depth, with the BBC finding it not quite engrossing enough and The Guardian sensing the magic losing some of its lift.
“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 wizard hero.”
Peter Travers·Rolling Stone
“darker, more complex, rooted in character.”
Mick LaSalle·San Francisco Chronicle
“This new Harry Potter picture will cast a spell on its fanbase. But the broomstick's losing altitude.”
The Guardian
Genres
Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Cast & Crew
DirectorAlfonso Cuarón
StarringDaniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon
ComposerJohn Williams
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
2 Oscar Nominations
Harry Potter's life is in danger once more as dangerous wizard Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban Prison and is heading to Hogwarts.
What critics thought
Alfonso Cuarón's entry is broadly celebrated as the point where the series found its soul — darker in tone, more character-driven, and more visually inventive than its predecessors. A small but notable minority felt the shift came at the cost of emotional depth, with the BBC finding it not quite engrossing enough and The Guardian sensing the magic losing some of its lift.
“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 wizard hero.”
Peter Travers·Rolling Stone
“darker, more complex, rooted in character.”
Mick LaSalle·San Francisco Chronicle
“This new Harry Potter picture will cast a spell on its fanbase. But the broomstick's losing altitude.”
The Guardian
Genres
Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Cast & Crew
DirectorAlfonso Cuarón
StarringDaniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon
ComposerJohn Williams
Rent/Purchase