Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

The fantasy film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), was directed by Alfonso Cuarón, with a screenplay by Steve Kloves. It is based on the 1999 novel of the same name written by J.K. Rowling. Once again, Harry Potter endures a disappointing summer with his relatives, the Dursleys. However, things take a turn for the worse on his thirteenth birthday when Vernon’s sister Marge insults Harry’s parents in a cruel manner. Enraged, Harry causes her to inflate and float away. Believing he will be punished for using magic outside of school, Harry decides to run away with his belongings. Luckily, he is rescued by the Knight Bus – an emergency mode of transportation for stranded wizards and witches. The bus takes him to the Leaky Cauldron where Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge assures him that he will not face consequences for his actions.

Upon reuniting with his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry discovers that Sirius Black – a convicted follower of Lord Voldemort – has escaped from Azkaban Prison with plans to kill him. At Hogwarts, the news from Headmaster Albus Dumbledore is that Dementors will be patrolling the school grounds until Black is captured. In addition, Rubeus Hagrid has taken on the role of Care of Magical Creatures teacher, but his first lesson did not go smoothly. A confrontation with Draco Malfoy leads to an incident with a Hippogriff named Buckbeak, causing Lucius Malfoy to call for Buckbeak’s execution. Later, upon returning to their dormitories in Gryffindor Tower, students discover the Fat Lady’s portrait has been vandalized and she reports that Black has entered the castle.