Smash hit

"The real success story of UK film is that we not only make big budget films like Harry Potter but we also make hugely successful smaller indie films such as Control and This is England...

"What's more if we look ahead, despite the tough economic outlook everyone is optimistic about what the box office will look like at the end of this year."

In 2007 the UK scooped 32 awards, 15 per cent of the total, including Helen Mirren's Best Actress Oscar for her role in The Queen.

The Yearbook also found comedy was the most popular genre with UK audiences taking £207 million, or 22 per cent of the box office share.

Women preferred films like Hairspray, Miss Potter and Enchanted, while men liked 300, Transformers and Die Hard 4.0.

Film tastes varied regionally, with I Am Legend popular in the Midlands, Hairspray a hit in the North West and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End striking a chord in Yorkshire.

Scottish audiences enjoyed The Last King of Scotland and Ratatouille.

Top 10 UK films worldwide in 2007
According to Variety, including country of origin and gross (million pounds)

1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix UK/US 469

2 The Bourne Ultimatum UK/US 221

3 The Golden Compass UK/US 127

4 Mr Bean's Holiday UK 113

5 Stardust UK/US 67

6 1408 UK/US 61

7 Casino Royale UK/US/Cze 50

8 Fred Claus UK/US 48

9 Hot Fuzz UK 40.5

10 Hannibal Rising UK/Fra/Ita 40.5

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