British cinema, although not as widely known as that of the United States', is considered as one of the most influential world cinemas in the history of film making. Although pioneering filmmakers and inventors such as William Friese, Robert W. Paul, and Birt Acres were not as successfully recognized as Edwin Porter and Thomas Edison, British filmmaking and films have certain left many a momentous landmarks in the history of world cinema.

From the invention of the camera to the advent of the twenty-first century, the history of British cinema has been a roller coaster ride with its booms and recessions. During the early development of silent films in the 1910's, the novelty of moving pictures has captured the interest of the British viewing public. This was followed by a decline in the 20's, another boom during the 30's, and followed by a series of ups and downs due to different factors such as low productions and competition with American films.

However complex and unstable the history of British films maybe, they have produced many outstanding films and ingenious directors, producers, scriptwriters, actors and actresses. The legendary director Alfred Hitchcock who was known for making innovative British films such as The Man who Knew Too Much on 1934 and The Lady Vanishes on 1938. Alexander Korda was another great figure in British cinema history producing masterpieces like Rembrandt (1936) and The Four Feathers (1939).

Throughout the years, British cinema has also churned out popular film characters such as the sleek James Bond, dashing debonair Alfie, and the wacky crew of the Monty Python Flying Circus. At present however, British cinema is more widely recognized through popular films such as Four Weddings and A Funeral (1994), Trainspotting (1996), Notting Hill (1999), Bridget Jones' Diary (2001), Love Actually (2003), Wallace and Gromit:The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005), The Last King of Scotland (2006), The Queen (2006) and the blockbuster movie series of Harry Potter.