Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is a 2004 fantasy film directed by Alfonso Cuarón, based on J.K. Rowling's 1999 novel of the same name. It is the third installment in the Harry Potter film series. The film follows Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger during their third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as they investigate Sirius Black, an escaped prisoner believed to be a threat to Harry.

The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger. Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Emma Thompson, and Alan Rickman also star in supporting roles. Gambon replaced Richard Harris as Professor Albus Dumbledore after Harris's death in 2002.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban marked a stylistic shift from the previous two films, with a darker and more mature tone, as well as Cuarón's emphasis on character development and practical effects. It was a critical and commercial success, praised for its direction, performances, and faithfulness to the source material. The film grossed over $796 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 2004. It received two Academy Award nominations for Best Visual Effects and Best Original Score. The film is often cited by fans and critics alike as one of the best, if not the best, in the Harry Potter film franchise. Key plot points include the introduction of the Dementors, creatures that guard Azkaban prison; the revelation of Peter Pettigrew's betrayal of Harry's parents; and the use of the Time-Turner by Hermione to save Sirius Black and Buckbeak the Hippogriff.