British cinema has always given us stories that have been embraced by the whole world. The industry has given us countless characters like Sherlock Holmes, James Bond and Harry Potter that the whole world has become emotionally attached to.
Here is our list of the top 10 British films that you should definitely watch at least once.
1. Trainspotting (1996) –
Director: Danny Boyle
This film is a very different film. It is a serious portrayal of youth rebellion in the 90s. The film became a cult classic soon after its release.
That is why we have placed this film at number One In List.
Budget and Collection:
Budget: $3,100,000
Worldwide Gross: $71,981,823
Cast:
Ewan McGregor: as Mark Renton
Ewen Bremner: as Daniel “Spud” Murphy
Jonny Lee Miller: as Simon “Sick Boy” Williamson
Kevin McKidd: as Tommy Mackenzie
Robert Carlyle: as Francis “Franco” Begbie
Kelly Macdonald: as Diane
Shirley Henderson: as Gail
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2. The King’s Speech (2010)–
Directed by Tom Hooper,
This film is based on a true story. This heartwarming film stars Colin Firth as King George VI, who overcomes his stutter with the help of a therapist.
Awards:
Won 4 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Budget and Collection:
Budget: $15 million.
Worldwide Gross: $414.2 million.
Domestic Gross (US): $135.5 million.
International Gross: $288.5 million.
Cast:
Colin Firth: Portrayed King George VI, the stammering monarch.
Geoffrey Rush: Played Lionel Logue, the speech therapist who helps the King.
Helena Bonham Carter: Played Queen Elizabeth, the supportive wife of King George VI.
Other notable cast members:
Guy Pearce as Prince Edward
Timothy Spall as Winston Churchill
Michael Gambon as King George V
Derek Jacobi as Cosmo Lang, Archbishop of Canterbury
Jennifer Ehle as Myrtle Logue
3. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) –
Directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones
It would not be an exaggeration to call this a film that created a distinct identity in the comedy category in British cinema.
This low budget film is a masterpiece in itself.
And for this reason, this film has made its place at the third position in our list.
Budget and Collection:
Budget: $400,000.
Box Office: $2.9 million in the US box office.
Cast:
Graham Chapman
John Cleese
Terry Gilliam
Eric Idle
Terry Jones
Michael Palin
4. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) –
Directed by Danny Boyle
Made in India, this British-made film broke international records and won hearts across the globe. This rags to riches story based around a game show is a fine blend of love, emotions and more.
Awards: 8 Academy Awards, including Best Director.
Budget and Collection:
Budget: $15 million.
Worldwide Gross: $378,411,362.
US & Canada Gross: $141,319,928.
Opening Weekend (US & Canada): $360,018.
Cast:
Dev Patel as Jamal Malik.
Freida Pinto as Latika.
Anil Kapoor as Prem Kumar (game show host).
Irrfan Khan as Police Inspector.
Madhur Mittal as Salim Malik.
Saurabh Shukla as Police Constable Srinivas.
Mahesh Manjrekar as Javed Khan.
Rubina Ali as youngest Latika.
Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail as youngest Salim.
Ayush Mahesh Khedekar as youngest Jamal.
5. Skyfall (2012) –
Director :- Sam Mendes
One of the most stylish and emotionally distinctive James Bond films, Skyfall modernized 007 without losing the classic British spy flavor. The film has a good mix of action and grandeur.
Highlights:
Adele’s haunting title track wins an Oscar.
Budget and Collection:
Budget: $150 million – $200 million.
Worldwide Gross: $1.109 billion.
Opening Weekend (US & Canada): $88,364,714.
Domestic Gross (US & Canada): $304,360,277.
Main Cast:
Daniel Craig: as James Bond.
Judi Dench: as M.
Javier Bardem: as Raoul Silva.
Naomie Harris: as Eve Moneypenny.
Ralph Fiennes: as Gareth Mallory.
Ben Whishaw: as Q.
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6. The Full Monty (1997) –
Directed by Peter Cattaneo,
this is another British comedy film that has received love from all over the world. This heartwarming film with its funny story addresses masculinity, economic downfall and friendship.
Budget and Box Office:
Budget: $3.5 million.
Worldwide Gross: Over $257 million.
Cast:
Robert Carlyle: as Gaz
Mark Addy: as Dave
Tom Wilkinson: as Gerald
Steve Huison: as Lomper
Paul Barber: as Horse
Hugo Speer: as Guy
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7. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)–
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón
The Harry Potter franchise is undoubtedly the most successful franchise in British cinema history, and this third installment took the magical world to a darker, more mature place.With rich visuals and deep character arcs, it is often considered the best film in the series.
Filming locations: From the Scottish Highlands to the monasteries of Oxford.
Cast:
The main cast features Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter,
Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley,
Emma Watson as Hermione Granger.
Budget: $130 million.
Worldwide Gross: $796.7 million
Other Notable Cast Members:
Gary Oldman as Sirius Black,
Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid,
Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore (replacing Richard Harris who passed away after the first two films).
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8. This Is England (2006) –
Directed by Shane Meadows
Set in 1980s England, the film follows a 12-year-old boy as he searches for his identity.
The film deals with nationalism, racism and discrimination.
It is a social critique as well as a personal drama.
Cast:
Thomas Turgoose as Sean Fields
Stephen Graham as Andrew “Cumbo” Gallagher
Joseph Gilgun as Woody
Andrew Shim as Millie
Budget and Box Office Collection:
The exact information about the budget and box office collection of the film is not available, but this film is a British independent film, and such films usually have a low budget.
9. 1917 (2019) –
Director Sam Mendes
This master class film of British cinema is based on the First World War.
It tells the story of sacrifice, martyrdom and courage during the First World War.
Which makes this film an incredible film.
That is why we have placed this film at the ninth position in our list.
Budget and Box Office:
•Budget: $90-100 million
•Worldwide Gross: $446,064,352
Cast:
George MacKay: as Lance Corporal Schofield
Dean-Charles Chapman: as Lance Corporal Blake
Mark Strong: as Captain Smith
Andrew Scott: as Lieutenant Leslie
Richard Madden: as Lieutenant Blake
Claire Duburcq: as French Girl
Colin Firth: as General Erinmore
Benedict Cumberbatch: as Colonel Mackenzie
10. Love Actually (2003)–
Director: Richard Curtis
This romantic film is probably the greatest holiday movie in the world to watch at home.
Apart from the lovely star cast, this film has a very good story, which you will definitely like to watch.
Cast & Budget:
Budget: $40 million.
Worldwide Gross: $246 million.
Key Cast Members:
(Hugh Grant) as the Prime Minister.
(Liam Neeson) as Daniel.
(Colin Firth) as Jamie Bennett.
(Laura Linney) as Sarah.
(Emma Thompson) as Karen.
(Alan Rickman) as Harry.
(Keira Knightley) as Juliet.
(Martine McCutcheon) as Natalie.
(Bill Nighy) as Billy Mack.
(Rowan Atkinson) as Rufus (the gift wrapper).
Other Notable Cast Members:
Andrew Lincoln, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Joanna Page, Martin Freeman, Heike Makatsch, and Kris Marshall.
Conclusion:
The history of British cinema is very golden.
It has certainly left its mark on the whole world, and hopefully this industry will continue to entertain us all in the future too. Thank you for reading this.
Which one is your favorite British film — and what should have made this list? Drop it in the comments! 🇬🇧🎥
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