Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban (PG)

As it celebrates its 20th anniversary, it’s time to revisit the film that perhaps best captures the essence of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World.

Following the escape of notorious prisoner Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), Harry begins to learn the darker truths of his troubled past. With the help of Ron, Hermione and new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), Harry learns to confront his deepest fears and face the truth about his destiny. Commendable for its darker tone and deeper exploration of themes such as friendship, identity and the consequences of one’s choices, Azkaban marked a turning point in the franchise, both thematically and stylistically. It delves deeper into the complexities of its characters, allowing them to grow and evolve in meaningful ways. Radcliffe, Watson and Grint demonstrated newfound maturity and depth in their roles while new additions Oldman and Thewlis boosted an already stellar supporting cast to new heights. There’s no doubt this is one of the strongest entries in the series. Director Alfonso Cuarón understood perfectly how to bring Rowling’s magical world to life. Two decades after its release, it’s status