# Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

> 2004 film directed by Alfonso Cuarón

**Wikidata**: [Q102448](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102448)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter_and_the_Prisoner_of_Azkaban_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban

## Summary
*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* is a 2004 fantasy adventure film directed by Alfonso Cuarón, serving as the third installment in the *Harry Potter* film series. Produced by Heyday Films and 1492 Pictures, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, the movie is based on J.K. Rowling's novel and falls under the genres of fantasy, children's, and adventure cinema. It was released globally in mid-2004, with specific premiere dates ranging from May 31 to July 29 of that year.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates:** The film premiered on May 31, 2004, with subsequent releases on June 2, June 3, June 4, June 10, and July 29, 2004; a later date of August 18, 2022, is also recorded.
- **Director:** The film was directed by Alfonso Cuarón.
- **Production Companies:** It was produced by Heyday Films (founded in 1996, UK-based) and 1492 Pictures (founded in 1995, US-based).
- **Distributor:** Warner Bros. Pictures (founded in 1969, US-based) handled distribution, operating under the parent company Warner Bros. Entertainment (founded in 1923).
- **Genre Classification:** The film is categorized as a fantasy film, a children's film, and an adventure film.
- **Series Position:** It is the third film in the *Harry Potter* series, preceded by *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets* (2002) and succeeded by *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire* (2005).
- **Series Context:** The *Harry Potter* series consists of eight fantasy films released between 2001 and 2011, based on novels by J.K. Rowling.
- **Associated Personnel:** Genevieve Gaunt, a Dutch-British actress, is linked to the entity's ecosystem.
- **Digital Presence:** The official information can be found at https://www.wizardingworld.com/discover/films/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban.
- **Wikipedia Title:** The specific article title is "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)".
- **Sitelink Count:** The entity has a sitelink count of 89.

## FAQs
**Who were the key production companies and distributors behind the film?**
The movie was a joint production effort between the British studio Heyday Films, established in 1996, and the American company 1492 Pictures, founded in 1995. Distribution was managed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a subsidiary of the larger Warner Bros. Entertainment conglomerate.

**How does this film fit into the broader Harry Potter franchise timeline?**
Released in 2004, this title serves as the third entry in the eight-film saga that ran from 2001 to 2011. It follows the 2002 release of *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets* and precedes the 2005 release of *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*.

**What genres define the movie and who directed it?**
Alfonso Cuarón helmed this project, which blends elements of fantasy, adventure, and children's cinema. These genre classifications reflect its target audience and narrative style within the magical world created by J.K. Rowling.

**What are the specific release windows for this film?**
The film had a staggered global rollout in 2004, with initial dates in late May and early June, followed by releases throughout June and a July 29 date. A distinct date of August 18, 2022, is also associated with the entity's publication history.

## Why It Matters
*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* represents a pivotal shift in the cinematic adaptation of J.K. Rowling's work, marking the transition to a darker, more artistic tone under the direction of Alfonso Cuarón. As the third installment in a globally dominant franchise, it solidified the series' ability to evolve visually and narratively while maintaining commercial viability. The film's production involved a collaboration between major British and American studios, highlighting the transatlantic nature of modern blockbuster filmmaking. Its existence contributes significantly to the *Harry Potter* universe, which spans eight films and has generated extensive cultural and digital footprints, evidenced by its high sitelink count and dedicated web presence.

## Notable For
- Being the third film in the eight-part *Harry Potter* series based on J.K. Rowling's novels.
- Marking the directorial debut of Alfonso Cuarón for the franchise, distinguishing it from the previous entries by Chris Columbus.
- Showcasing a collaboration between Heyday Films (UK) and 1492 Pictures (US), two major production entities.
- Releasing across multiple dates in 2004, including a specific premiere on May 31, 2004.
- Belonging to the intersection of fantasy, children's, and adventure film genres.
- Maintaining a significant digital footprint with 89 sitelinks and a dedicated page on Wizarding World.
- Following the 2002 release of *Chamber of Secrets* and preceding the 2005 release of *Goblet of Fire*.

## Body

### Production and Corporate Structure
The creation of *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* involved a complex network of production and distribution entities. Heyday Films, a British film studio founded in 1996 with headquarters in the United Kingdom, served as a primary production house. Working alongside them was 1492 Pictures, an American film production company established on January 1, 1995, in the United States. The distribution rights were held by Warner Bros. Pictures, an American film studio that began operations in November 1969 and is headquartered in Burbank, California. Warner Bros. Pictures operates under the umbrella of Warner Bros. Entertainment, a massive American entertainment conglomerate founded on April 4, 1923. This corporate structure highlights the international cooperation required to bring the film to global audiences, leveraging the resources of both the UK and US film industries.

### Release Timeline and Publication History
The film's release strategy spanned several months in 2004, reflecting a staggered international rollout. The earliest recorded publication date is May 31, 2004, followed closely by releases on June 2, June 3, and June 4, 2004. Additional release dates occurred on June 10, 2004, and July 29, 2004, ensuring wide availability across different territories. A later date, August 18, 2022, is also associated with the entity, potentially indicating a re-release, digital remaster, or specific archival publication. These multiple dates underscore the film's enduring presence and the logistical complexity of its distribution.

### Genre and Classification
*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* is classified under three distinct film genres: fantasy, children's, and adventure. As a fantasy film, it utilizes magical elements and supernatural settings central to the *Harry Potter* universe. Its designation as a children's film indicates its primary target demographic, while the adventure classification highlights the narrative's focus on quests, danger, and exploration. These genre tags align with the broader *Harry Potter* series, which is defined as a collection of eight fantasy films released between 2001 and 2011. The film's identity is further cemented by its Wikipedia title, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)," and its categorization within the broader class of "film" as a sequence of images creating the illusion of movement.

### Franchise Context and Sequencing
Within the *Harry Potter* film series, this title holds the position of the third installment. It is directly preceded by *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, a 2002 film directed by Chris Columbus. Following this entry is *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*, a 2005 film directed by Mike Newell. The series itself, which contains eight films in total, is based on the novels written by J.K. Rowling. The continuity of the series is maintained through these sequential releases, with each film building upon the narrative established in the previous entries. The entity is also linked to the broader *Harry Potter* "Thing," which encompasses the entire film series and its associated lore.

### Associated Personnel and Digital Ecosystem
The film's ecosystem includes notable figures such as Genevieve Gaunt, a Dutch-British actress with citizenship in both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Her occupation includes acting, and she is associated with the broader *Harry Potter* universe. The film maintains a robust digital presence, with a dedicated official website at https://www.wizardingworld.com/discover/films/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban. This digital footprint is supported by a high sitelink count of 89, indicating significant coverage and linking across various language versions of Wikipedia and other platforms. The entity's description on Wikidata explicitly notes it as a "2004 film directed by Alfonso Cuarón," ensuring accurate metadata for search and retrieval systems.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. The Movie Database
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Rotten Tomatoes
4. IMDb
5. BFI Film & TV Database
6. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures
7. [Source](http://flickfacts.com/movie/1749/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban)
8. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0304141/releaseinfo)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. Source
11. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0304141/)
12. [Source](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/chart/top_lifetime_gross/?area=XWW)
13. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban/)
14. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
15. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
16. film distribution certificate
17. [Source](http://www.classification.gov.au/Pages/View.aspx?ncdctx=PLZOkIWT1p%252f7rPks8owPoZuGs3380wnzBW4p7He2Gb6K9XJw0D8z0DCN%252fx87xoHMb4AbiArxxLVgbo5LPmSF715OL1JPYl1ASoE4YZ1IN6U%253d)
18. [Source](http://www.classification.gov.au/Pages/View.aspx?ncdctx=qrpDxl0ef7Oh8eA%2byzmhwpuGs3380wnzBW4p7He2Gb6K9XJw0D8z0DCN%252fx87xoHMb4AbiArxxLVgbo5LPmSF715OL1JPYl1ASoE4YZ1IN6U%253d)
19. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=2929)
20. [Source](https://jmkextern.bmb.gv.at/app/detail.aspx?FILID=15363)
21. Bechdel Test Movie List
22. mymovies.it
23. Letterboxd
24. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
25. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/3031-1E2A-41A9-FEA0-20A8-H)
26. Danish Film Database
27. [Source](https://norske-dubber.fandom.com/no/wiki/Harry_Potter_og_fangen_fra_Azkaban_(Film)?oldid=101374)
28. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Harry_Potter_and_the_Prisoner_of_Azkaban_(film)-Y3RZRZM)
29. [Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) - Trakt](https://trakt.tv/movies/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban-2004)
30. TheTVDB
31. Trakt.tv
32. FilmVandaag.nl