Prisoner of Azkaban breaks records

"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" has had a magical opening, breaking UK box office records.

10:10 03 June 2004

"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" has had a magical opening, breaking UK box office records.

There had been some concern over the launch of the third film in the series as the film has a darker, less child friendly, tone and a new director .

In addition the second film in the franchise did not live up to the box office performance of the first.

However, fears proved unfounded as UK box office records fell and the film took 5 million on its first day.

This is more than double the 2.18 million taken by the second film - "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" - which then went on gross 55 million in UK cinemas.

The figures for "Azkaban" were boosted as the film's release date was brought forward to coincide with the bank holiday and the first day of half term.

The film follows the adventures of Harry, Ron, and Hermione after a dangerous dark wizard Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) escapes from the wizard prison Azkaban.