One of the highest-rated Harry Potter films is making a big return to UK cinemas to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Can you believe it’s been two whole decades since Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was released to the world?
Well, whether it’s something you can wrap your head around it or not, the beloved film – which is the third instalment in the Harry Potter franchise, which is arguably, one of the most famous film franchises of all time – officially hit cinemas on 23 May 2004… and then, from that date onwards, the rest is history, as they say.
Starring Daniel Radcliffe as the title character, alongside Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, as well as a hugely-star-studded wider supporting cast, the movie went on to gross a whopping $804 million worldwide, and has not only earned its place in fans’, but was also widely-praised by critics at the time.
One of the highest-rated Harry Potter films is returning to UK cinemas for its 20th anniversary / Credit: Warners Bros.
In fact, according to critic websites such as Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, and Metacritic, it’s actually one of the best-rated films in the franchise.
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And now, to celebrate this impressive 20-year milestone, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is making a return to UK cinemas from the end of this month, and this means you’ll be able to rally together your fellow Potterheads and head to your nearest screen to immersive yourself in all the nostalgia.
A synopsis for the beloved blockbuster – which is based on the 1999 novel of the same name, and was directed by acclaimed director, Alfonso Cuaron – explains: “Harry Potter is lucky to reach the age of 13, particularly since he has survived the murderous attacks of the feared Dark Lord on more than one occasion.
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“But, his hopes for a quiet school term concentrating on Quidditch are dashed when a maniacal mass-murderer escapes from Azkaban, pursued by the soul-sucking Dementors who guard the prison.
“It’s assumed that Hogwarts is the safest place for Harry to be.. but is it a coincidence that he can feel eyes watching him in the dark? And should he be taking Professor Trelawney’s ghoulish predictions seriously?”
The beloved film will hit cinemas nationwide from the end of this month / Credit: Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)
Several cinema chains will be showing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban at a whole host of sites across Greater Manchester from the 31 May onwards.
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Vue, Odeon, Cineworld, and Everyman Cinemas are just a few of the participating companies.
Fancy it then? If you’re a big Harry Potter fan and are keen to reminisce on an important film from your younger years, then tickets to see Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in UK cinemas are now on sale.
You can book tickets to a screening online from your chosen participating cinema.
Featured Image – Warner Bros.
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A tribute festival in memory of Mani from The Stone have been announced
Danny Jones
After plenty of talk and rumours ever since his passing, a tribute festival in memory of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield will honour the late great Stone Roses and Primal Scream bass player later this year.
Despite various organisations and regional residents having observed their own memorial services following his death on 20 November 2025, the city and Greater Manchester as a whole made it clear that they wanted to carry out a more dedicated form of remembrance.
And we couldn’t agree more.
Deciding to remember him in the past best way possible – by celebrating one of his greatest loves and legacies: music – ‘Manichester’ festival will be held this spring.
Hosted in partnership with Madchester.com and simply dubbed as “a tribute to a true Manc legend”, names both new, old and current will be joining the inaugural Manichester lineup.
Organised by the website and iconic Manchester streetwear brand GIOGOI, not to mention being “blessed by Mani’s family” directly, artists playing will range from those who were lucky enough to have played with him or, like us all, were simply left inspired by his unforgettable basslines.
As well as a ‘AAA headliner’ still yet to be confirmed, there are some serious legendary names on here, both local and beyond; at the minute, the roster of acts is looking like this:
Manichester 2026 lineup
Cast
Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order)
The Kowloons
A “specially assembled core band” featuring Aziz Ibrahim (The Stone Roses), Rowetta, Simone Butler (formerly Primal Scream) and Mick Rossi (Slaughter and The Dogs)
Dave McCabe (The Zutons)
Baz Fratelli (The Fratellis)
Zak Starkey (Mantra of the Cosmos)
Steve White (ex-Oasis drummer)
Jon McClure (Reverend and the Makers)
However, as they have teased in the announcement, “that’s just the start”, and with more names incoming, many are already trying to guess who the headliner could be. Some have even suggested Ian Brown himself might get up on the stage…
As per an official statement, key artwork for the event comes from the one and only and equally influential Stone Roses guitarist, John Squire, whose new designs will feature on flyers, limited-edition physical tickets and other promotional materials.
Manichester will take place on Saturday May 30, doors open 2pm.
Most importantly, all the proceeds from the special one-off in memoriam show will go towards Mani’s and Imelda’s twin boys, Gene and George – and who knows? This could be the start of a brand-new annual festival spawned in the name of a very special Mancunian.
GIOGOI added: “Manchester is the best city in the world, and we do things differently here. This is Manchester showing up. This is Madchester showing love. This is ‘Manichester’.“
Taking place on Saturday, 30 May and held at Diecast on Ducie Street in Manchester city centre from 2pm, it’s sure to be a momentous ocassions with thoughts of Mani and his family looming large in everyone’s minds.
The Premier League is keeping its crucial cap on away game ticket prices – for now
Danny Jones
The Premier League has announced it is extending its crucial price cap for away games, as the general cost of match tickets continues to creep up all over the country.
Most season card holders, be they here in Greater Manchester or elsewhere, are likely looking at their annual spending going up simply, so steps like these are key in keeping first division football as affordable as possible.
And that’s just the ongoing cost of living, let alone the clubs that are continuing the trend of charging more each year and, unfortunately, even pricing some supporters out entirely.
With that in mind, the news of England’s top-flight sides voting unanimously to keep the £30 cap intact for at least another two years comes as relief to those who spend most of the year putting their hard-earned cash towards following their team home and away.
BREAKING: The Premier League extend £30 cap on away tickets for another two seasons 🚨 pic.twitter.com/L336aZwmn3
Now confirmed to remain in place until the end of the 2027/28 campaign, travelling fans obviously still spend plenty of money on transport and so on every year, but at least they don’t have to worry about rising general admissions.
At least not for the time being…
Writing in a statement, the Premier League said: “Away fans help create the incredible atmosphere Premier League matches are renowned for. Since the cap’s implementation in 2016, it has contributed to attendance at away games increasing from 82% to 91%.”
They also acknowledged the significant and regular funds that supporters still spend on these trips, with plenty of people online also praising the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), which helped spearhead the campaign over a decade ago.
With so many other obstacles still getting in the way of fans making it to games either at their usual stadium or on an away day – not least of all the constant and increasingly frustrating rescheduling of fixtures – it’s good to see this isn’t an area the Prem are trying to target.
As always, the multi-billion-pound business can always seek out other, newer money spinners, and we’re absolutley certain they will. For instance, there’s at least one happening over in Spain that we’d happily see carried over here.
Following the news, this now means that fans will ultimately have enjoyed 12 back-to-back seasons of the benefit, and long may it continue.
Nevertheless, the biggest barrier for people to watch the beautiful game at its highest level in the UK remains the cost of standard tickets.
The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Leeds and more have already let matchgoers know that their season ticket prices will be going up, and the likes of Man City have already seen backlash for increasing rates amid the expansion of the Etihad Campus.
Emily Sergeant -
28th May 2024 
