• COMEDY IS THE UK’S FAVOURITE FILM GENRE FOR A FIRST DATE
  • LOVE ACTUALLY IS THE UK’S FAVOURITE ROM-COM
  • JULIA ROBERTS IS THE NATION’S FAVOURITE ACTRESS FROM A ROMANTIC FILM 

Pretty Woman has been named the most romantic movie of all time, according to new national research revealed today1.

The 1990 classic starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere took 17% of the vote, narrowly beating out competition from ’80s favourite Dirty Dancing (16%) and James Cameron’s epic Titanic (15%), according to the nationwide study carried out by Showcase Cinemas.

The survey, which was commissioned to celebrate Valentine’s Day, also revealed Julia Roberts is the nation’s favourite actress in a romantic film (13%), while Hugh Grant (9%) is the UK’s favourite romantic actor.

There was another win for Hugh Grant, as more than one in five named Christmas favourite Love Actually (22%) as the greatest rom-com of all time.

In fact, the British actor has made himself synonymous with romantic comedies over the years, starring in four of the top five rom coms. Bridget Jones’s Diary (21%) followed Love Actually, with Notting Hill (16%), Four Weddings and a Funeral (15%) and The Holiday (12%) make the top five.

In the battle for the most romantic movie scene of all time, the famous “I’m flying” scene featuring Rose and Jack from Titanic landed in number one spot, taking 15% of the vote.

Elsewhere, the ‘drive-in movie’ scene from Grease was named the greatest big screen date of all time, with 1 in 10 opting for Sandy and Danny’s classic cinema date.

A Showcase Cinemas spokesperson said: “Romantic films are always a huge hit on the big screen, whether that be a fun-filled rom-com or an emotional epic romance. Our survey revealed the UK believes Pretty Woman is the most romantic film of all time, which is no short achievement in such a crowded field!

“Titanic landed in second spot, and to celebrate its 25th anniversary, we’re happy to announce we’ll be screening it in jaw dropping 3D at our cinemas nationwide from 10 February – and of course on Valentine’s Day – meaning guests can sit back and enjoy date night in front of the big screen”.

What’s more, the survey revealed that comedy movies are the UK’s favourite film genre to watch on a first date, meaning the nation prefers to have a good laugh to break the ice.

There is a generational divide when it comes to the most romantic films of all time, with 18-24-year-olds opting for Love Actually (19%) while those aged 65 and over voted for Pretty Woman (22%).

To see what’s screening in the lead up to Valentine’s Day and to book your tickets, please visit the Showcase Cinemas website: www.showcasecinemas.co.uk, and to book for Titanic in 3D, head here: www.showcasecinemas.co.uk/film-info/titanic-25th-anniversary-3d

TOP TEN MOST ROMANTIC FILMS OF ALL TIME:

  1. PRETTY WOMAN (17%)
  2. DIRTY DANCING (16%)
  3. TITANIC (15%)
  4. LOVE ACTUALLY (15%)
  5. GHOST (13%)
  6. THE BODYGUARD (10%)
  7. NOTTING HILL (9%)
  8. BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY (8%)
  9. SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (7%)
  10. THE HOLIDAY (6%)

TOP FIVE ROMANTIC COMEDY FILMS OF ALL TIME:

  1. LOVE ACTUALLY (22%)
  2. BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY (21%)
  3. NOTTING HILL (16%)
  4. FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL (15%)
  5. THE HOLIDAY (12%)

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