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22 Quintessentially British Movies to Cheer You Up
Is there anything more comforting than Colin Firth and a royal palace?
By Emily SelterIn these uncertain times, comfort viewing has become more essential than ever before, and one great way to escape from reality is to delve into a story set all the way across the pond. And though the best British films will arguably always be those led b posh accents, grand English country estates, and Colin Firth, the movies on this list prove there's so much more to love about British cinema. From haunting black-and-white tales to slapstick comedies and beloved classics, these are some of our all-time favourite British movies that are guaranteed to cheer you up.
Love Actually
Though this beloved classic takes place during Christmas, the heartwarming film can really be viewed any day of the year. It stars all of your favorite British actors – Hugh Grant! Emma Thompson! Colin Firth! Keira Knightley! Liam Neeson! We could go on! – and weaves together a collection of love stories so varied that at least one of them is bound to resonate with you.
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Hamlet
This 1996 Kenneth Branagh film is one of the best adaptations of Shakespeare's most iconic tragedy. It stars Julie Christie, Charlton Heston, Kate Winslet, Rufus Sewell, and even Branagh himself, who plays Hamlet.
Notting Hill
Hugh Grant stars as a bookshop owner from London's idyllic Notting Hill neighborhood, who falls in love with Anna Scott, an A-list actress played by real-life A-lister Julia Roberts. It is, very simply, one of the best romantic comedies of all time.
Brief Encounter
This achingly poignant story of impossible romance is one of the most significant works from seminal British director David Lean. It follows two married people who meet by chance at a train station in pre-World War II England, and fall passionately in love despite their impossible circumstances.
The Red Shoes
Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger are one of the most influential filmmaking duos of all time, and no film better embodies their groundbreaking work than The Red Shoes. The 1948 movie follows the story of a ballerina who becomes the lead dancer in a ballet based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale The Red Shoes. Though the movie may appear whimsical, it has a dark undercurrent and a tragic ending.
Gosford Park
The film takes place in 1932 and follows the story of a murder that occurs at Gosford Park, a grand English country estate. A precursor to Downton Abbey–series creator Julian Fellowes wrote the script–it presents the events from the perspective of both the guests and the servants.
Billy Elliot
The poignant movie (which is now a Broadway play) tells the story of a young boy growing up in a conservative town in Northeastern England who trains to become a ballerina against the wishes of his coal miner father.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
This iconic 1975 parody stars the British comedy group Monty Python as King Arthur and his knights, who embark on a daring and increasingly surreal quest for the Holy Grail.
The King's Speech
If you're feeling The Crown withdrawal, you'll definitely want to check out this Oscar-winning royal drama, which explores the relationship between King George VI (the father of Queen Elizabeth II) and the speech therapist who helped the King overcome his debilitating stutter.
Atonement
When a young English girl falsely accuses her sister’s lover of a heinous crime, a heartbreaking downward spiral ensues. The film earned a handful of Academy Award nominations and took home the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture in 2008.
The Third Man
This visually innovative and psychologically rich thriller often tops lists of the Best British Films of All Time, and with good reason. A classic film noir, The Third Man follows an American in Vienna (Joseph Cotten) who's drawn into a dangerous web as he investigates the mysterious death of his friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles).
Goldfinger
Sean Connery starred in this 1964 movie, which was the third film in the James Bond series–but Shirley Eaton managed to steal his thunder in her scene as a corpse covered in gold paint.
Great Expectations
An adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel came out in 2012 (and featured a perfectly cast Helena Bonham Carter as Miss Havishman) but nothing beats the original 1946 version, which was nominated for five Academy Awards.
Elizabeth
Cate Blanchett stars as Queen Elizabeth I in this film, which covers the first years of the monarch’s reign. The sequel Elizabeth: The Golden Age features the later years of her rule.
My Fair Lady
Though the 1964 film itself may be American, it tells the very British story of a young Cockney girl, Eliza Doolittle, who's taken on as a project by a snobby professor determined to transform her into a "proper English" lady fit for London's high society.
The Young Victoria
Written by Downton creator Julian Fellowes and starring Emily Blunt, this film depicts Queen Victoria’s early life and the beginning of her reign. It was shot at historic locations around England, including Blenheim Palace in Oxford and Lanscaster House in London.
Berkeley Square
This 1933 film, reminiscent of an episode of The Twilight Zone, tells the story of a young American man who is transported back to 18th century England where he meets his ancestors.
Sweeney Todd
Tim Burton’s tale of the demon barber of Fleet Street is brought to the big screen with impeccable style and flair thanks to Johnny Depp, who plays Sweeney Todd, and Helena Bonham Carter, who portrays his accomplice Mrs. Lovett.
Bridget Jones's Diary
Though we can’t recommend the sequels as highly, the original movie is one of the best romantic comedies ever made. Renee Zellweger's performance as the lovelorn but plucky Bridget is one for the ages, and she's supported by the ultimate British heartthrob duo: Hugh Grant and Colin Firth.
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