Alfred Hitchcock’s terrifying shower scene in Psycho has been voted the most iconic film moment – according to a poll of film fans. In a scene that spawned a thousand spoofs, the moment that Norman Bates appears in the bathroom while young Marion is having a shower took an impressive fifty five per cent of the votes.

Sunday marks 32 years since the death of the renowned director, whose career spanned more than half a century and spawned an unmistakable directorial style. To celebrate Hitchcock’s work, LOVEFiLM – Europe’s largest subscription service instantly streaming films and TV series over the internet and sending DVDs and games by post – asked over 900 people to vote for Hitchcock’s Most Iconic Moment.

Despite having more than 60 titles to his name, it was the director’s frightening plane chase scene in North by Northwest which motored into second place. Taking fifteen per cent of the vote, the moment where Cary Grant’s advertising executive finds himself in the precarious position of being mistaken for a spy couldn’t fail to thrill us.

In third place is the key opening scene from Rear Window – which sets up the voyeuristic feel to the whole film – with eight per cent of the votes.

Taking fourth place is scene from Hitchcock’s first American production, Rebecca, which cemented his fame internationally and won him his first and only Best Picture Oscar. The film’s most horrifying scene, where Mrs. Danvers plots to get rid of Mrs de Winter by encouraging her to jump to her death from an open window, stole six per cent of the vote and chilled viewers to the core.

This was closely followed by the unsettling green-hued scene from Vertigo in fifth place with five per cent, where Scottie has forced his new lover to change herself into an incarnation of a dead lover named Madeline.

The riveting carousel scene from Strangers on a Train careered into sixth place with four percent of the vote.

Three percent of voters were thrilled by a scene from the second spy flick in the list, The 39 Steps. A Canadian rancher becomes embroiled in an espionage conspiracy and opens the door to find a female spy with a map in her hand, a knife in her back, and murmuring something about the 39 steps…

The tense struggle scene between a wife and her lover from adulterous thriller Dial M for Murder, also packed a punch with film fans, pulling in two percent of the vote to take eighth place. We’ll never look at a pair of scissors in quite the same way again.

Floating into ninth place with one per cent of the vote is the Dali-esque dream scene from Spellbound, while the list was completed with the alarming cliff top fall from espionage thriller Secret Agent taking less than one per cent of the votes and tenth place.

The top ten most iconic Hitchcock moments are:
1. Psycho (1960) – Janet Leigh in the shower 55%
2. North by Northwest (1959) – Cary Grant chased by a plane 15%
3. Rear Window (1954) – First scene: Jimmy Stewart, just watching 8%
4. Rebecca (1940) – Mrs Danvers, Mrs de Winter, and the window 6%
5. Vertigo (1958) – Judy horrifies Scottie by mimicking Madeleine 5%
6. Strangers on a Train (1951) – Carousel scene 4%
7. The 39 Steps (1935) – Female spy at the door 3%
8. Dial M for Murder (1954) – The lovers’ violent struggle 2%
9. Spellbound (1945) – Dream sequence 1%
10. Secret Agent (1928) – Fall from a cliff-top 0.5%
Other – 0.5%

Helen Cowley, Editor of LOVEFiLM, commented:
“With a career spanning more than half a century, Alfred Hitchcock is undoubtedly one of the fathers of film and his influence is still felt more than 30 years after his death. There are many iconic scenes from his vast array of films, but we wanted to find out which ones have stuck in the minds of viewers. Whether it’s the notorious shower scene from Psycho, or the beautifully crafted dream sequence from Spellbound, there is something unforgettable for everyone.

“Film fans can enjoy Hitchcock’s meticulously-crafted work on LOVEFiLM’s huge catalogue of films available on DVD, Blu-ray or to stream instantly via LOVEFiLM Instant for as little as £4.99 per month.”

The brutal battle for Helm’s Deep has been named the top rain scene in film – according to a poll of avid film fans. This rain-drenched clash of 10,000 Uruk-hai against a mere 300 Rohirrim from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers beat the renowned dance scene from Singin’ in the Rain and the classic upside-down kiss from Spider-man to claim the top spot with 26 per cent of the votes.

As the UK continues to be soaked by seasonal April showers in one of the wettest weeks of the year so far, LOVEFiLM – Europe’s largest subscription service instantly streaming films and TV series over the internet and sending DVDs and games by post – asked over 2,000 people to vote for their favourites from a list of the best rain scenes.

The moving ‘tears in the rain’ encounter at the end of Blade Runner took the second spot in the chart with 18 per cent, while the gruelling prison escape from The Shawshank Redemption thoroughly deserved third place with 15 per cent of the votes. The image of Andy Dufresne raising his arms triumphantly as the rain pours down on his smiling face and he experiences freedom is one that we won’t be forgetting any time soon.

Gene Kelly’s toe-tapping-turn in 50s hit Singin’ in the Rain, twirled into fourth place with 14 per cent of the votes. Kelly’s performance here has long been considered as one of the ultimate rain scenes, but faced with thunderous competition it failed to claim a spot in the top three – despite the rumour that the scene was apparently filmed in one take.

Yet another battle – this time with the computer virus from hell – from Matrix Revolutions has hacked its way into fifth place with eight per cent. The Neo vs. Agent Smith fight scene takes place in a fierce storm with lightning and pelting rain which emphasises the sense of impending doom as the film draws to a close.

“We been through every kind of rain there is. Little bitty stingin’ rain … and big ol’ fat rain. Rain that flew in sideways. And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath.” Forrest Gump’s time in Vietnam is characterised by a relentless downpour, and perhaps its sheer persistence has pushed the scene into sixth place, with five per cent.

The emotional rowing boat revelation scene from The Notebook (“You wrote me?”) took seventh place with four per cent of the votes, while eighth place was held by yet another heartfelt performance – Holly Golightly frantically looking for her cat in a torrent of rain at the end of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, with three per cent.

The list ends with a couple of kisses, the first being the famous upside-down smooch between Kirsten Dunst and Tobey Maguire in Spider-man in ninth place with two per cent, while in tenth place is the kiss between Hugh Grant and Andie McDowell in Four Weddings and a Funeral. “Is it still raining?” asks McDowell’s Carrie, while being drenched in a typical British shower, “I hadn’t noticed.” We had.

The top ten Rain Scenes are:

1. The battle for Helm’s Deep scene, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – 26%
2. Tears in rain scene, Blade Runner – 18%
3. Escape scene, The Shawshank Redemption – 15%
4. Dance scene, Singin’ in the Rain – 14%
5. Fight scene, Matrix Revolutions – 8%
6. Vietnam scene, Forrest Gump – 5%
7. Rowing boat scene, The Notebook – 4%
8. Final scene, Breakfast at Tiffany’s – 3%
9. Upside-down kiss scene, Spider-man – 2%
10. Kiss scene, Four Weddings and a Funeral – 1%

Other – 4%

Helen Cowley, Editor of LOVEFiLM, commented:
“With rainy April upon us once again, we thought it only fitting to look at how directors have used rain in our favourite films. Whether it’s a trickle or a storm; providing a backdrop to an epic battle or a brief romantic encounter, rain scenes add something to our films that is far more enjoyable than getting caught without an umbrella in real life.”

“Film fans can curl up and stay dry indoors this April with LOVEFiLM’s huge catalogue of films available on DVD, Blu-ray or to stream instantly via LOVEFiLM Instant for as little as £4.99 per month.”

The number of films and TV episodes streamed online through Internet-connected devices including games consoles and connected TVs exceeded the number of DVDs, Blu-rays and Games rented by over 20%. This represents an increase on the same month last year of over 400%, while the rental of physical product is also growing, up over 25% over the year.

Jim Buckle, Managing Director of AMAZON’s LOVEFiLM, commented: “The first quarter of 2012 has shown us two things: that LOVEFiLM members are watching more films and TV series both on the Internet and on DVD than ever before and; in less than three years, streaming through LOVEFiLM Instant has become more popular than renting DVDs.

Our members crave instant on-demand access. With more world-class digital content being added to LOVEFiLM Instant and a growing number of Internet-connected devices delivering it to members’ living rooms we expect this trend to continue. At the same time, many of our members continue to enjoy the combination of LOVEFiLM Instant and LOVEFiLM By Post in one, great value for money, subscription, with both services growing rapidly.”

Amazon’s LOVEFiLM surpassed two million members in January 2012, cementing its position as Europe’s largest subscription service for streaming films and TV series over the Internet and sending DVDs and games by post. LOVEFiLM pioneered Internet film delivery in the UK through the world’s first download-to-own service in 2006. By 2009 LOVEFiLM had launched the UK’s first subscription film and TV series streaming service which, in December 2011, became LOVEFiLM Instant, a standalone service streaming on PCs and through over 175 internet-connected devices including Xbox, PS3, internet-connected TVs (SONY, Samsung and LG) and iPad.

Amazon’s LOVEFiLM is constantly adding to the range of film and TV series on LOVEFiLM Instant having signed major content deals including Sony, Warner Bros., STUDIOCANAL, ITV, ABC, and BBC, and offering exclusive titles including vampire phenomenon The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, action-thriller Source Code and, coming soon, critically-acclaimed Tinker Tailor Solider Spy.

With significantly more than just the luck of the Irish on his side, Oscar-nominated Liam Neeson has been named the Ultimate Irish Actor – according to a poll of appreciative film fans. Neeson beat young upstarts Colin Farrell and Michael Fassbender to claim the top spot with an impressive fifty two per cent of the vote.

To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, LOVEFiLM – Europe’s largest subscription service instantly streaming films and TV series over the internet and sending DVDs and games by post – asked over 2,500 people to vote for their favourites from a list of the best loved Irish and Northern Irish stars of the big screen.

Colin Farrell – the Dublin-born bad boy and Hollywood hellraiser, perhaps best known for his behaviour off-screen – took the second spot in the chart with eleven per cent, while newcomer, hearththrob and Kerry boy Michael Fassbender earnt a very respectable third place with eight per cent of the votes (no Shame in that position).

Another Dubliner, Brendan Gleeson, scooped fourth place with seven per cent of the votes. Gleeson stole the show in dark Irish comedy The Guard and is well-known for his portrayal of Professor Alastor ‘Mad-Eye’ Moody in the Harry Potter franchise.

Best known for taking on the demanding role of James Bond, Pierce Brosnan has stealthily slipped into fifth place with six per cent. Brosnan has played many a role in huge budget Blockbusters, but stole our hearts in Irish drama Evelyn, where he played a father fighting the courts for his family.

Making his way into sixth place is the striking Cillian Murphy, with six percent. An actor who has a diverse range of appearances up his sleeve, Murphy first entered our consciousness a decade ago as Jim in 28 Days Later and has more recently appeared with Thandie Newton in Retreat and Justin Timberlake in In Time.

The charming James Nesbitt took seventh place with four per cent of the votes, having entertained us in numerous TV series, while eighth place was held by yet another Dubliner – Colm Meaney. Meaney by name, but not by nature, this actor is best known for playing Miles O’Brien in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and has always proven to be up for a laugh, having guest-starred on several TV shows including The Simpsons.

The final entries in the Top Ten are held by women, with startlingly young (not yet 18) actress Saoirse Ronan occupying ninth place with two per cent of the vote and seasoned star of screen and stage Sinead Cusack taking tenth place, with one per cent.

The top ten Irish actors are:

1. Liam Neeson – 52%
2. Colin Farrell – 11%
3. Michael Fassbender – 8%
4. Brendan Gleeson – 7%
5. Pierce Brosnan – 6%
6. Cillian Murphy – 5%
7. James Nesbitt – 4%
8. Colm Meaney – 3%
9. Saoirse Ronan – 2%
10. Sinead Cusack – 1%

Other – 1%

Helen Cowley, Editor of LOVEFiLM, commented:
“With St Patrick’s Day being such a huge celebration of all things Irish, we thought it was only right to credit the contribution of Irish actors to film. And contribute they have! These film champions have racked up a huge range of films and some unforgettable scenes between them; from Neeson’s impressive performance in last year’s action blockbuster Unknown to Michael Fassbender’s harrowing portrait of a desperate man in Shame. It’s encouraging, too, to see new Irish talent Saoirse Ronan making it into the list and we look forward to seeing more of her in future.”

“Film fans can enjoy all the charm of these talented men and women with LOVEFiLM’s huge catalogue of films available on DVD, Blu-ray or to stream instantly via LOVEFiLM Instant for as little as £4.99 per month.”

The recent hype around multi-academy award winning film The Artist has prompted a revival of the silent age of cinema with rental figures of the genre increasing by up to 40 per cent in the seven days leading up to this year’s Oscars.

Statistics released today by LOVEFiLM – Europe’s largest subscription service instantly streaming films and TV series over the internet and sending DVDs and games by post – show that viewing of the 66 films within its Silent Cinema collection increased in the aftermath of The Artist’s success at every major award ceremony, with as much as a 300 per cent increase on some individual titles.

The increases suggest that silent cinema is set to enjoy a comeback. The ten movies within LOVEFiLM’s collection that enjoyed the highest growth, included four starring Buster Keaton – one of the greatest silent movie actor-directors of all time – who was best known for his trademark was physical comedy with a deadpan expression.

The ten silent movies to experience the biggest increase in rentals were:

1. Neighbours (300%) – a slapstick love story about two young lovers separated only by a garden fence
2. The Playhouse (300%) – a film made famous for its opening scene in which Keaton plays the role of everyone in a theatre simultaneously
3. Our Hospitality (300%) – 1923 costume-period piece Our Hospitality which tells the story of Willie McKay, a man caught in the middle of a family feud when he falls for the daughter of the head of the opposing family
4. Go West (200%) – Keaton plays a man called Friendless who travels West to make his fortune
5. A Fool There Was (200%) – tells the story of a married diplomat who falls hopelessly under the spell of a predatory woman
6. 7th Heaven (200%) – the tale of a prostitute and a street cleaner falling in love in the shadow of World War 1
7. Our Gang (125%) – previously considered a ‘lost film’, no longer known to exist in any studio archive
8. Phantom Carriage (100%) – about an eerie ‘collector of souls’
9. Son of the Sheikh (100%) – a tale of love and betrayal set in Yemen
10. City Girl (100%) – which follows the story of a woman who follows her husband to a wheat farm only to be suspected of adultery

Helen Cowley, Editor of LOVEFiLM, comments:
“It is great to see the silent era of film getting a boost from the success of The Artist and it is clear that film fans are looking to old classics for modern entertainment. What’s really interesting is how the subject matter of many of these films is still just as relevant to a modern audience, which is what makes them so timeless. There are a great many silent movie gems available and it is heartening to see this genre enjoying a revival.

“LOVEFiLM has a huge catalogue of films to watch instantly on a range of platforms for as little as £4.99 per month with an entire collection dedicated to silent cinema.”

The lovable pooch in Turner & Hooch has been named Top Dog in Film – according to a poll of animal-loving film fans.

Following the recent media frenzy over the performance of Uggie, the four-legged star of silent film The Artist, LOVEFiLM – Europe’s largest subscription service instantly streaming films and TV series over the internet and sending DVDs and games by post – asked over 3,000 people to vote for their favourites from a list of the best loved canine stars of the big screen.

Samantha – the last dog left in New York and loyal companion to lone scientist Will Smith in I Am Legend – took second spot in the chart with 12 per cent, while errant puppy turned beloved family member Marley from Marley and Me scooped position number three with 10 per cent, despite his naughty behaviour relentlessly landing him in the dog house.

The animated Dug from Up is flying high in the chart in third place with nine per cent of votes. It seems film fans were as taken with him as he was with Kevin, the exotic bird, in the Pixar classic.

Springing into fourth place is another of Tom Hanks’ dogs, Slinky from Toy Story. Sheriff Woody’s stretchy friend brought in eight per cent of the vote, followed closely by Lassie in Lassie Come Home who has won the hearts of film fans all over again and earned the collie the title of film’s sixth top dog with seven per cent.

Easy going friend to Jim Carrey turned super-dog, Milo from The Mask spins into seventh place, while elegant Lady from Lady and the Tramp pads into eighth with five per cent, cementing her place as the Elizabeth Taylor of the dog world.

Easing into the top ten, Rowlf (The Muppets) commandeers four per cent of film fans’ votes to be ninth top dog in film, followed by loyal dog Toto from the Wizard Of Oz in tenth (two per cent) for managing to hold his own against a tin man, a lion and a scarecrow.

The top ten screen hounds are:

1. Hooch (Turner & Hooch) – 15%
2. Samantha (I am Legend) – 12%
3. Marey (Marley and Me) – 10%
4. Dug (Up) – 9%
5. Slinky (Toy Story) – 8%
6. Lassie (Lassie Come Home) – 7%
7. Milo (The Mask) – 6 %
8. Lady (Lady and the Tramp) – 5%
9. Rowlf (The Muppets) – 4%
10. Toto (The Wizard Of Oz) – 2%

Other – 22%

Helen Cowley, Editor of LOVEFiLM, commented:
“We think it’s only fair that our canine friends receive praise for their noteworthy performances. With countless animal actors appearing in film over the years – just like Uggie from The Artist, we think they deserve a share of the limelight too!”

“Film fans can enjoy all the charm and heart-warming cuteness of these four-legged friends with LOVEFiLM’s selection of dog themed movies and TV series available on DVD, Blu-ray or to stream instantly via LOVEFiLM Instant.”

On 21 February members of LOVEFiLM – Europe’s largest subscription service streaming movies and TV episodes over the internet and sending DVDs by post – will be able to watch an exclusive streaming of the film while listening to live commentary from its director Joe Cornish and stars Alex Esmail and Nick Frost.

Fans will also be able to put forward their questions to Cornish and Frost via a dedicated chatroom on the same page.

Attack the Block, which tells the tale of a group of teenagers who take to the streets to defend their estate from an alien invasion, will then be available as part of members’ subscription packages at no extra cost via LOVEFiLM Instant. The live Q&A event will take place on 21 February from 8pm and can be accessed at:

https://www.lovefilm.com/features/detail.html?editorial_id=43826

The unexpected inter-animal romance – between Donkey and Dragon – in animated comedy Shrek has earned them the title of ‘Oddest Couple’ as voted for by film buffs.

To celebrate love of all shapes and sizes this Valentine’s Day, LOVEFiLM – Europe’s largest subscription service streaming movies and TV episodes over the internet and sending DVDs by post – asked over 1,500 film and TV fans to choose their favourite from a list of unexpected on-screen couples, with the loved-up pair in Shrek earning first place with 32 per cent of votes.

Hopping into second place with 20 per cent are the husband and wife duo Roger and Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Meanwhile, another animal pair – this time Muppet characters Miss Piggy & Kermit the Frog – prove that even pigs and frogs can fall in love, taking them to third place (13 per cent).

Age is but a number – and certainly something that didn’t stop teenager Harold proposing to an 80 year old woman in Harold & Maude. The unlikely pairing took fourth place and 10 per cent of votes.

Romance can take many strange forms and arguably none are stranger than the relationship between Morticia and Gomez Addams. The spooky couple, who head up the even spookier Addams Family take eight per cent and fifth place in the poll.

Love can hurt when your hands are covered in sharp blades – and no one knows this more than Johnny Depp’s character Edward in Edward Scissorhands. Despite his somewhat ‘sharp’ personality, he strikes up a romance with Winona Ryder’s character Kim in Tim Burton’s beautiful 1990 film placing the duo in sixth place (six per cent).

In seventh place (five per cent) are Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins in 1988 comedy Big who strike up a romance even though Tom’s character Josh is in fact a twelve year old boy in a grown man’s body.

It’s a tale as old as time, but that didn’t stop Beauty and the Beast’s leading couple taking eighth place in the poll (three per cent). Belle and the Beast make for a somewhat unexpected pairing in the 1991 animated classic, but their true love becomes apparent towards the end of the film when the spell is lifted and the Beast is transformed into a handsome prince.

Ninth place in the poll, with two per cent, is taken by the relationship between Steven Russell and con-artist Phillip Morris in I Love You Phillip Morris. Love ‘nose’ no boundaries – and this is certainly true for C.D Bales and Roxanne in Roxanne, which comes in at tenth place (one per cent). The pair fall in love, despite C.D’s enormous nose – proving that, when it comes to love, looks aren’t everything.

The Top Ten Oddest Couples are:
1. Donkey & Dragon (Shrek) – 32%
2. Roger & Jessica Rabbit (Who Framed Roger Rabbit?) – 20%
3. Miss Piggy & Kermit The Frog (The Muppets) – 13%
4. Harold & Maude (Harold & Maude) – 10%
5. Morticia & Gomez Addams (The Addams Family) – 8%
6. Edward & Kim (Edward Scissorhands) – 6%
7. Josh & Susan (Big) – 5%
8. Belle & The Beast (Beauty & The Beast) – 3%
9. Steven Russell & Phillip Morris (I Love You Phillip Morris) – 2%
10. C.D Bales & Roxanne (Roxanne) – 1%

Helen Cowley, Editor of LOVEFiLM, commented:
“Valentine’s Day is a perfect excuse to celebrate love in all its forms – whether it be between a donkey and a dragon or a pig and a frog. From the results of the poll, we can safely say that, when it comes to love, looks aren’t everything – and it’s great to see some less-than-conventional romances blossoming on the big screen.

“Film fans can enjoy watching their favourite love stories with LOVEFiLM which has some of the best Valentine’s Day movies and TV series of all time available on DVD, Blu-ray or to stream instantly via LOVEFiLM Instant. Who knows – you might just find something unexpected on there too”

Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, an expert in personality and psychological profiling at Goldsmiths College in London, monitored 1,000 adults over a 12 month period and discovered that avid film fans (those who watch over 100 movies a year, an average of two films a week) say they are 15 per cent happier than occasional film viewers (those who watch 50 films or less a year). Happiness was measured on a scale of well-being, levels of anxiety and general life satisfaction.

The ‘Movie Medicine’ academic report, commissioned by LOVEFiLM, discovered that the rate of happiness increased by one per cent for every additional 10 movies a person watched a year. It also revealed a correlation between the amount of movies a person watches and their professional success with an avid film fan (watching over 100 films a year) earning 26 per cent more – and being 40 per cent less anxious about their jobs – than those who were classed as occasional film viewers.

Amazon-owned LOVEFiLM has taken the findings of the report and requested a meeting with members of the Government, including Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley MP, as well as some of the biggest UK companies to discuss how better access to a wider selection of movies could have a positive impact on people’s health, well-being and professional productivity.

Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, from Goldsmiths College London, comments:
“The benefit of watching more movies is that your social brain studies the events on the screen and begins to relate to, and learn from, the characters and their experiences – indeed 65 per cent of the people analysed claim to have dealt with real-life scenarios based on what they have seen in a film. The research suggests that the act of watching film enables people to disconnect from everyday life, but also opens up our imaginations to be better prepared to make real-life decisions – with the analysis pointing to an end result of increased financial success and happiness.”

The top ten films that are likely to boost levels of happiness are as follows:
1. Finding Nemo
2. The Da Vinci Code
3. Casino Royale
4. Bruce Almighty
5. The Shawshank Redemption
6. Lord of the Rings (series)
7. Indiana Jones (series)
8. The Pursuit of Happyness
9. Hairspray
10. When Harry Met Sally

Helen Cowley, Editor or LOVEFiLM, comments:
“In the current gloomy economic climate, we’re confident that LOVEFiLM can go some way towards putting the joy and drive back into the daily lives of Britons.”

LOVEFiLM has a huge catalogue of films to watch instantly on a range of platforms for as little as £4.99 per month – providing an antidote to winter lethargy and an extra boost. This year film fans have exclusive access to favourites like Unknown, The Hangover, Submarine and Source Code.

Angelina Jolie as a CIA agent on the run proved irresistible to film fans making spy thriller Salt the most rented film of 2011. It was followed by action adventure Inception featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy and Facebook-founding fiction The Social Network directed by David Fincher.

LOVEFiLM – Europe’s largest subscription service streaming movies and TV episodes over the Internet and sending DVDs by post – has analysed the rental statistics of over two million members to find out the nation’s biggest film fans, the most popular rentals of the year, favourite film genres and regional favourites.

The top rented UK TV series of the year was BBC2 comedy Coupling by Dr Who and Sherlock writer Steven Moffat, followed by The Inbetweeners which won the Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Comedy Awards last December. Mad Dogs made the third spot as a four-part British comedy and thriller following a group of friends in Majorca.

Away from the UK, US sitcom Big Bang Theory and FBI drama Criminal Minds were the highest rated TV series – closely followed by The Sopranos and The Wire.

When it comes to film genre we are a nation of adrenalin seekers with a passion for thrillers and action/adventure movies. These two genres were the most popular for UK film fans in 2011. The most rented movie in the thriller genre was The Hole, which sees brothers Dane and Lucas (Chris Massoglia and Nathan Gamble) face their greatest fears via an infinite hole in their basement.

Half of the top ten rented titles were Academy Award winners including Toy Story 3 for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, plus The King’s Speech and The Hurt Locker – who both won Best Picture in consecutive years. The Social Network and Inception, which featured in the top five rentals, also picked up three and four gongs respectively.

When it comes to film consumption by city, Londoners proved to be the biggest at-home film fans followed by residents of Birmingham and Brighton.

Although London dominates lists for volume of films rented, if you look outside the capital a number of regional trends emerge. Residents in Birmingham rented the most copies of East is East – the comic story of a mixed-ethnicity family struggling to conform to their father’s strict Pakistani ways; Once Upon A Time in the Midlands was most popular in Nottingham, Mancunians party hardest to the Tony Wilson music biopic 24 Hour Party People, while Sheffield sticks to its own by watching The Full Monty more than any other city. Interestingly, Bristolians are particularly partial to animation – a telling tribute to the birthplace of Aardman Animation’s Wallace and Gromit.

The regional data also revealed film fans in London, Birmingham and Brighton rent more ‘adult’ titles than anyone else in the country. It may be pure coincidence, but Birmingham and London are also the biggest consumers of Blu-ray discs – regarded by many as superior when it comes to viewing quality and clarity of picture

The trend of staying-in as the new going-out is still strong across the UK. LOVEFiLM experienced a record number of new member sign-ups in 2011 and an unprecedented level of growth. The service’s growing membership of two million film and TV fans have access to LOVEFiLM Instant which allows instant streaming of film and TV series.

2011 saw an increase in the popularity of streaming movies instantly, particularly in the UK’s biggest cities. Viewers in London, Birmingham and Manchester topped the league table of those cities where the highest number of films were streamed.

Helen Cowley, Editor of LOVEFiLM, commented:
“When it comes to films and TV, it is clear we are a nation with eclectic tastes. Brits love Hollywood blockbusters but the past 12 months also saw unwavering support for home-grown acting and production talent too. We have been spoilt for choice by some of the best films and TV series of the last few years and with LOVEFiLM Instant people can watch what they want, when they want – from comedy classics to heart-thumping thrillers.”