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Last Updated on March 26, 2026 by Stefanie Hutson

Looking for a great British watch that doesn't commit you to an entire season or more? Below, we've gathered up 25 solid choices that are currently available to stream – though please remember that British movies bounce around between services a lot more often than the shows, so the availability could change at any time.

25 Delightful British Movies You Can Stream

Emma – 2020 – Anna Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit) and Miranda Hart (Miranda, Call the Midwife) appear in this playful adaptation of the already quite playful Jane Austen classic. For those not familiar with the story, it follows the misadventures of a young woman named Emma who enjoys meddling in the love lives of those around her. Watch it HERE

A Month in the Country – 1987 – Five hundred years ago, a mural was painted in an old country church in Yorkshire, only to be hidden away under layers of paint. The film is set during the summer of 1920 when the mural is discovered and restored. It’s based on JL Carr's 1980 novel of the same name, and it stars Colin Firth, Kenneth Branagh, Natasha Richardson, and Patrick Malahide. Watch it HERE

The Choral – 2025 – Set in Yorkshire during the First World War, The Choral follows a local singing society trying to continue its annual performance as the conflict drains the town of men and changes everyday life at home. When the group brings in a new choirmaster, Dr. Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes, The Grand Budapest Hotel), his arrival unsettles some in the community even as preparations move forward. The film uses the choir’s efforts to explore wartime loss, local tensions, and the role of music in holding people together. Watch it HERE

The Dig – 2021 – This drama re-imagines the 1939 excavation of Sutton Hoo, and it’s already received five nominations for the British Academy Film Awards. Carey Mulligan (Never Let Me Go) stars as Edith Pretty, a Suffolk landowner who hires the self-taught archaeologist Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes, The English Patient) to handle the burial mounds at her rural estate. Before too long, it becomes clear that it’s a site of significant archaeological importance, and the situation gets complicated. Netflix.

The Boxtrolls – 2014 – We wanted to make sure to include at least one family-friendly title on the list, and while this one's technically American, most of the voice talent is British. British TV fans will likely recognise the voices of Sir Ben Kingsley, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade, and Simon Pegg. The film comes from the creators of Coraline, and it follows a group of mischievous creatures who live in a cavern underneath the city of Cheesebridge. When a villain decides to wipe them out, they'll have to venture above ground to save themselves. Pluto, Roku Channel

Fisherman’s Friends – 2019 – This feel-good dramedy is set in Cornwall, and it’s going to look very familiar to many of our readers. That’s because it’s filmed in the very same village as TV series Doc Martin – Port Isaac. The series follows a London music executive who visits Cornwall for a colleague’s stag do, only to have his boss trick him into trying to sign a group of sea shanty-singing fishermen. He struggles to gain the respect of the community, but they’ll teach him a thing or two before it’s all over. The film is based on a true story. Watch it HERE: Original | Sequel

Green Fingers – 2001 – This British film follows a prison inmate, Colin Briggs (Clive Owen, Children of Men), who discovers an unexpected talent for gardening while serving time in an open prison. As the prison’s gardening project grows, he and the other inmates come under the guidance of horticultural expert Georgina Woodhouse (Helen Mirren, Prime Suspect), and the story develops into a comedy-drama about rehabilitation, second chances, and an unlikely run at a major flower show. Watch it HERE

Ammonite – 2020 – Loosely inspired by the true story of palaeontologist Mary Anning, this film stars Kate Winslet as Anning and Saoirse Ronan as Charlotte Murchison, a woman rumoured to be her romantic partner. James McArdle, Gemma Jones, and Fiona Shaw also star. Tubi.

Best Sellers – 2021 – In this comedy-drama, a struggling publisher turns to a once-famous novelist, Harris Shaw (Michael Caine), in hopes that a long-overdue manuscript might help save the family company. Instead, she finds herself dealing with an irritable, reclusive writer whose return to public life proves far more chaotic than expected. As the two set out on a difficult book tour, the film follows the uneasy relationship that develops between them. Watch it HERE

The Lady in the Van – 2015 – Based on Alan Bennett’s memoir and play, The Lady in the Van follows the uneasy relationship that develops when writer Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings, The Queen) allows Miss Shepherd (Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey), an eccentric homeless woman, to park her van in his Camden driveway. What is meant to be a temporary arrangement stretches into years, gradually revealing more about both of them. Hulu, Tubi, Howdy

Summerland – 2020 – Set on the Kent coast during the Second World War, Summerland follows Alice Lamb (Gemma Arterton, Their Finest), a solitary writer whose carefully ordered life is disrupted when a young evacuee from London is placed in her care. As the two gradually form a bond, the film also draws on Alice’s past, linking the wartime story with earlier love and loss. Watch it HERE

Enola Holmes – 2020 – This playful mystery is based on Nancy Springer’s young adult mystery novels, and both follow the adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ younger sister Enola. Millie Bobbie Brown stars alongside Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, and Helene Bonham Carter. There’s been no word on whether there will be a sequel, but the film was popular and there are more books available to adapt, so it seems like a solid possibility. Netflix.

Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone (aka Harry Potter & the Sorceror's Stone) – 2001 – Though many have written the series off as “kid stuff”, the entire Harry Potter series is imaginative, beautifully filmed, and well-acted. If you’re looking for something you can watch with the kids or grandkids, you could do far worse than to start with Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone and continue on through the series. Watch it HERE

Saving Grace – 2000 – Brenda Blethyn (Vera) stars in this film about an English widow who’s been left destitute after her husband’s suicide. She decides to take drastic measures to survive. Craig Ferguson, Martin Clunes, and Phyllida Law are also in the cast. Interestingly, this film featured Clunes as a doctor, and that role was later spun off into two films before the character was changed quite drastically to create the Doc Martin television series. If you watch the end credits on Doc Martin, you’ll see a nod to Saving Grace as the origin of the series. Watch it HERE

The Limehouse Golem – 2016 – Set in Victorian London, this murder mystery follows Inspector John Kildare (Bill Nighy, Living, Emma.) as he investigates a series of killings that have stirred public panic in Limehouse. At the same time, music hall performer Lizzie Cree (Olivia Cooke, House of the Dragon, Bates Motel) is on trial for poisoning her husband, and her case becomes closely tied to the wider investigation. The cast also includes Douglas Booth (Great Expectations) as entertainer Dan Leno and Daniel Mays (Line of Duty) as George Flood. The film is based on Peter Ackroyd’s 1994 mystery novel, Dan Leno and the Limehouse Golem. Watch it HERE

Hysteria – 2011 –  Set in Victorian London, this comedy follows Dr. Mortimer Granville (Hugh Dancy, Adam) as he takes a position in the practice of Dr. Robert Dalrymple (Jonathan Pryce, The Crown), where women are treated for what was then diagnosed as hysteria. As his work leads him into the Dalrymple household, he becomes involved with the doctor’s daughters, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Deuce) and Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything). The story is loosely built around the development of an early electromechanical vibrator. It’s a delightfully funny film, but not for the those who are easily offended by sexual topics. Watch it HERE

Love & Friendship – 2016 – Based on Jane Austen’s epistolary novel Lady Susan, this film is set in 1790s London and follows the scheming, recently widowed Lady Susan Vernon and she aims to secure husbands for both her daughter and herself. Kate Beckinsale stars, but British TV fans will also spot Stephen Fry in the cast. Watch it HERE

Juliet, Naked – 2018 – This fun film offers a twist on the rom-com genre, telling the story of an unlikely friendship and romance between a British woman and a washed up singer from the United States (who happens to be her boyfriend’s obsession). Rose Byrne (Bridesmaids), Chris O’Dowd (The IT Crowd), and Ethan Hawke (Before Sunset) star. Watch it HERE

Daphne – 2017 – An unhappy young Londoner is forced to confront the need for change after she sees a shopkeeper get stabbed during an unsuccessful robbery attempt. Though it might not sound like it, there’s an element of comedy to this drama, along with performances from Emily Beecham (Into the Badlands) and Geraldine James (Kavanagh QC). Those who prefer to avoid profanity and sexual situations will want to avoid this one. Watch it HERE

Quartet – 2012 – This delightful dramedy is one no British TV and film fan should miss. It includes performances from British acting greats like Dame Maggie Smith, Sir William Connolly, Sir Tom Courtenay, and Sir Michael Gambon. The action takes place in Beecham House, a retirement home for former professional musicians, and it sees our main characters attempting to raise funds to save the home. There’s music, drama, romance, and a number of appearances from British TV favourites like Sheridan Smith and the late Trevor Peacock. Watch it HERE

The Little Stranger – 2018 – Set in Warwickshire in 1948, The Little Stranger follows Dr. Faraday (Domhnall Gleeson, About Time, Ex Machina), a country doctor who is called to Hundreds Hall, a declining estate where his mother once worked as a maid. There he becomes increasingly involved with the Ayres family, including Caroline (Ruth Wilson, Luther), her brother Roderick (Will Poulter, The Bear), and their mother, Mrs. Ayres (Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years). Based on Sarah Waters’ novel, the film follows Faraday’s growing connection to the house and the unexplained events involving its residents. Streaming rental.

The Bookshop – 2017 – Emily Mortimer stars in this film about a widow who moves to a small coastal town to follow her dream of opening a bookshop. Set in the 1950s, the film also includes performances from Patricia Clarkson and Bill Nighy. It’s adapted from Penelope Fitzgerald’s 1978 novel of the same name. Watch it HERE

Swimming With Men – 2018 – This light-hearted film sees a group of middle-aged men come together on a synchonised swimming team. British TV fans will likely recognise Jim Carter (Downton Abbey), Rob Brydon (Gavin & Stacey), Nathaniel Parker (Inspector Lynley Mysteries), Rupert Graves (The Forsyte Saga), Jane Horrocks (Absolutely Fabulous) and Charlotte Riley (Press). Watch it HERE

Black Narcissus – 1947 – Set in the Himalayas, this 1947 film follows a group of Anglican nuns who are sent to establish a convent and school in a former palace high in the mountains. Led by Sister Clodagh (Deborah Kerr, The King and I), they struggle with the isolation, the unfamiliar surroundings, and growing tensions within the group as their plans begin to unravel. There's also a more recent 2020 adaptation, but it's a TV series rather than a film.  Watch it HERE

Clockwise – 1986 – Though dated, Monty Python/John Cleese fans will enjoy this light 80s comedy in which John Cleese plays Brian Stimpson, a headmaster with an obsession for punctuality. The film includes quite a few familiar favourites, including Dame Penelope Wilton (After Life), Alison Steadman (Hold the Sunset), and Geoffrey Palmer (As Time Goes By). Watch it HERE

 

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