Success follows success

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban captured the biggest opening-day box office in British history.

Opening on a bank holiday, the third film in the Potter series grossed an estimated $8.75 million, surpassing the previous record of $7.5 million set by the original film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 2001. The film received lavish acclaim from British critics.

Since the film opened in Malta, thousands of Harry Potter fans have flocked the cinemas for a couple of hours of magic and fun. In its opening week the third movie in the Harry Potter saga seems to be on track with its two predecessors, ensuring yet another success for Warner Brothers.

For the occasion, Embassy Cinemas are giving out hundreds of free Potter gifts to the young cinemagoers - children watching Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will be given a form with a very simple question. Thirty winners a week will receive different Harry Potter gifts.