Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Something wicked this way comes.
Harry Potter's life is in danger once more as dangerous wizard Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban Prison and is heading to Hogwarts.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 31 May 2004 |
| Genre | Adventure, Fantasy |
| Director | Alfonso Cuarón |
| Starring | Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson |
| Runtime | 141 min |
| Rated | PG |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes (average) 7.8/10 · Metacritic 82/100 · Rotten Tomatoes 91% · IMDb 7.9/10 · TMDB users 8.0/10 |
| Budget | $130 million |
| Box office | $797 million worldwide |
Where to watch Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is streaming on Fubo in the US. It is also on Max ($18.49 a month) and Peacock ($16.99 a month). If that is the only reason to subscribe, one month of Peacock is $16.99 at list price.
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What kind of watch this is
Alfonso Cuarón directs this 141-minute entry, swapping the usual bright school uniforms for a colder, darker palette. The hook is a man who escaped prison to hunt a boy, which sounds like a simple chase until the truth about who he is gets complicated. Cuarón treats the magic as a system of rules rather than a miracle, grounding the fantasy in practical effects and physical space. It feels less like a children’s book adaptation and more like a coming-of-age story that happens to involve wizards. The tone is distinct: tense, atmospheric, and surprisingly mature for its subject. You press play expecting a fairy tale, but you get a thriller instead.
What the critics said
Critics mostly agreed the third installment raised the stakes. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 91% approval rating as of January 2026, based on 264 reviews. Metacritic gives it a 82, which it labels universal acclaim. The consensus notes the film balances technical wizardry with complex storytelling under Alfonso Cuarón’s direction. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone called it the best of the three movies, arguing it stands on its own even if you never heard of author J.K. Rowling and her young wizard hero. Roger Ebert was less certain, ranking it below the first two, yet still found it delightful and sophisticated. The Guardian saw a spell cast on fans, though the broomstick lost altitude.
How it did with audiences
It cost $130 million and returned $797 million worldwide. In the United States, it pulled in $250 million. Audiences rate it 8 out of 10 on TMDB. For context, IMDb users gave it a 7.9/10 in March 2026. The numbers say it worked. The reviews say it worked harder.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Read more: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets · Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone · Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Sources
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q102448 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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