Discover the best of British cinema, film, and television
Discover the definitive list of popular and critically-acclaimed movies and TV shows from United Kingdom. Find your next binge-watch, streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
The cinema of United Kingdom
British cinema stands as one of the world's most influential and enduring film traditions, with a rich history dating back to the late 19th century, playing a foundational role in the development of global filmmaking. The early days saw short, silent films in the 1890s, following the invention of motion picture technology, though the First World War allowed American films to dominate screens initially. The golden age emerged in the 1930s and 1940s with visionary directors like Alfred Hitchcock, whose thriller masterpieces including "The 39 Steps" established British cinema's reputation for sophisticated storytelling. Gainsborough Studios, founded in 1924, pioneered their own genre with the famous Gainsborough melodramas, whilst later decades brought social realism through the "kitchen sink" movement and eventually the British New Wave. What truly sets Britain apart is its television legacy. Doctor Who, launched in 1963, became a cultural phenomenon that has run for decades, inspiring generations and proving that British creativity could captivate global audiences. EastEnders premiered in 1985 and became the longest-running soap opera on BBC television with over 6,000 episodes, whilst shows like Coronation Street have entertained families for over six decades. Contemporary British television continues to punch above its weight internationally. From period dramas like Downton Abbey to crime series like Sherlock, British productions consistently set global trends. The industry's ability to blend high production values with distinctly British humour, social commentary, and storytelling has made it a cultural export powerhouse that influences entertainment worldwide.
Best British series
Sherlock 2010
A modern update finds the famous sleuth and his doctor partner solving crime in 21st century London.
BBC One88
Black Mirror 2011
Twisted tales run wild in this mind-bending anthology series that reveals humanity's worst traits, greatest innovations and more.
Netflix84
Peaky Blinders 2013
A gangster family epic set in 1919 Birmingham, England and centered on a gang who sew razor blades in the peaks of their caps, and their fierce boss Tommy Shelby, who means to move up in the world.
BBC Two85
Doctor Who 2005
The Doctor is a Time Lord: a 900 year old alien with 2 hearts, part of a gifted civilization who mastered time travel. The Doctor saves planets for a living—more of a hobby actually, and the Doctor's very, very good at it.
BBC One86
Sex Education 2019
Inexperienced Otis channels his sex therapist mom when he teams up with rebellious Maeve to set up an underground sex therapy clinic at school.
Netflix79
The IT Crowd 2006
The comedic misadventures of Roy, Moss, and their grifting supervisor Jen, a 'motley crew' of IT support workers at a large corporation headed by a hotheaded yuppie.
Channel 485
Best British movies
Mickey 17 2025
Unlikely hero Mickey Barnes finds himself in the extraordinary circumstance of working for an employer who demands the ultimate commitment to the job… to die, for a living.
67
28 Years Later 2025
Twenty-eight years after the Rage virus outbreak, Britain remains sealed off from the world. A fortified island community survives in isolation—until a young boy’s journey to the mainland reveals how both the infected and the survivors have evolved.
64
A Working Man 2025
Levon Cade left behind a decorated military career in the black ops to live a simple life working construction. But when his boss's daughter, who is like family to him, is taken by human traffickers, his search to bring her home uncovers a world of corruption far greater than he ever could have imagined.
66
Fountain of Youth 2025
A treasure-hunting mastermind assembles a team for a life-changing adventure. But to outwit and outrun threats at every turn, he'll need someone even smarter than he is: his estranged sister.
64
Heads of State 2025
The UK Prime Minister and US President have a public rivalry that risks their countries' alliance. But when they become targets of a powerful enemy, they're forced to rely on each other as they go on a wild, multinational run. Allied with Noel, a brilliant MI6 agent, they must find a way to thwart a conspiracy that threatens the free world.
68
The Woman in Cabin 10 2025
On a lavish yacht for an assignment, a journalist sees a passenger go overboard. But when no one believes her, she risks her life to uncover the truth.
64