Top 10 Movies About The Brits Abroad

As the title suggests, this Hitchcock classic is about a woman disappearing whilst taking an Britain-bound train journey from mainland Europe. After she mysteriously goes missing, characters Iris and Gilbert begin to investigate, while the other passengers bring plenty of typical Hitchcock suspense. Ultimately, we suspect anyone who acts even the slightest bit shifty. Though the fashion faux pas are kept to a minimum, the continental setting and well-spoken English accents make this a ‘Brits abroad’ stereotype true to its time.

This fan favourite flick sees Bean leave his London home for Cannes after winning a competition. Before long, and in a way that only this lovable idiot could, he accidentally separates a father and son, and so spends his time in France trying to reunite them. Learning a few local customs along the way, including a very basic grasp of the French language, Bean typically bungles through almost everything he does - though lady luck certainly seems to be on his side.

Next, a shift in mood for a Scottish drama about a woman who heads to the Balearics after finding her boyfriend dead. The story builds on the stark contrast between chilly Scotland and the Costa del Sol, to truly highlight the character’s unfamiliar surroundings. Despite this story having a pretty dark edge to it, there’s plenty of picturesque scenery. But Samantha Morton steals the show with a definitive performance. If you haven’t seen it yet, then make time for “Morvern Callar”.

Set in the fictional Spanish resort of Elsbels, this instalment of the full-on, frantic film franchise sees a group of hopeful holidaymakers embark on a vacation from hell. From the relentlessly bad weather to the definitely dodgy hotel (an aspect which may well ring true for lots of us), Sid James and the gang deliver classic Carry On-style gags, innuendo and slapstick comedy throughout. If you’re a ‘nudge, nudge, wink, wink’ kind of comedy fan, this’ll hit the spot.

A much more timeless classic, this drama sees Jim Wormold, a vacuum cleaner salesman brilliantly played by Alec Guinness, acting as an agent for the British Secret Service. Funny, satirical and genuinely gripping, the Graham Greene story sees expat Wormold become entangled in a rich web of lies. All while he tries to maintain the charade that he’s keeping an eye on Cuban activities and reporting them back to England. Quickly, our man’s life gets turned upside down as he tries to make some extra money amid mounting suspicion.

When this group of holiday makers heads to India, their destination is a hotel whose name promises much more than it delivers. Featuring a who’s who cast full of everyone you might expect to see in a British movie, including Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith and the imperial Bill Nighy, our elderly explorers slowly warm to their sub-par accommodation, thanks largely to the enthusiastic efforts of Sonny, played by Dev Patel. With moments of humour and heartache, and some stunning shots of India in between, it’s not to be missed!

Centring on a sun-kissed Ray Winstone as Gal and a terrifying Ben Kingsley as Don Logan, this mob movie follows a retired safecracker who enjoys a leisurely life in sunny Spain... But his bliss is interrupted when his foul-mouthed former mentor hooks him for one last job. Cue plenty of tense confrontations, hilarious moments and expletive-laden scenes that are bluer than the Spanish sky. Seriously, Kingsley’s character is not to be messed with.

Starring Harry Enfield and Kathy Burke as the 90s’ favourite teenagers, Kevin and Perry pack plenty of awkward adolescent amusement into this cult comedy! After finally getting the money together for a holiday to Ibiza, the pair arrive with only one thing on their minds... but their innate lack of sex appeal proves quite the stumbling block. However, after a failed night at the notorious Amnesia nightclub, they decide to up their game. Enter DJ Eyeball Paul, who helps make their dreams come true.

Awkwardness reigns when Will, Jay, Simon and Neil take a trip to Malia, for a lads’ holiday which quickly goes wrong in hilarious and cringeworthy fashion. From some excruciating dancing, to Jay being bullied by a child by the pool, the guys actually took the holiday in an effort to get Simon to get over his recent break-up. But from the moment they realise their hotel is essentially a dilapidated ruin, things start to spiral out of control in the most entertaining of ways.

Taking top prize today, packing it into the back of a bus and precariously placing it on the edge of a cliff, this Michael Caine classic takes a super-quick, whistle-stop tour through Italy. Featuring those iconic Mini Coopers, a stand-out soundtrack and perhaps one of the most famous film quotes ever; “The Italian Job” sees Caine’s Charlie Croker fresh out of prison, but fronting a major gold heist on the streets of Turin. Loaded with cars, cash and Cockney criminals, it’s definitely the trip of a lifetime!