The British film industry is a great place to look if you want to practise listening to different accents. The films in this list are good examples of different accents to compare how people speak in different areas of the British Isles. It is not an exclusive list – if you would like more examples of films to test specific regions, please ask!

• Southern Accents
• Midlands and the North Accents
• Scottish Accents
• Irish Accents
• Welsh Accents

Southern Accents

1. Four Weddings and a Funeral

The archetype Hugh Grant romance, Four Weddings made British romantic comedies a massive international success. The robust cast represent the classy, well-spoken members of British society. It also contains some American, for a little contrast.

2. Love Actually

Continuing the Four Weddings vibe, Love Actually is an ensemble film – meaning it has a vast range of characters. Contains various English accents and some well-spoken Irish (from Liam Neeson).

3. Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

The opposite extreme to Four Weddings, the film that started a modern movement of British gangster comedies, Lock Stock… has a range of horrible people talking in a range of dirty London accents. Plus two from Liverpool.

Midlands and the North

4. The Full Monty

Dealing with the depressed industrial communities, The Full Monty is both a charming comedy and an effective portrait of 80s’ Sheffield.

For a similar look at communities in the Midlands to North, try Brassed Off.

5. This is England

Another gritty look at 80s England, this film has a mix of midlands accents and one very strong Liverpool accent. Shane Meadows’ other films contain further midlands accents, Dead Man’s Shoes is a particularly good dark comedy.

6. 24 Hour Party People

A history lesson in music, 24 Hour Party People charts the success of the Manchester music scene in the 70s. Steve Coogan, the star, may not be entirely representative of Northern accents, but the supporting cast certainly are.

Scottish Accents

7. Braveheart

Again the lead’s not Scottish, but the fine supporting cast are, and it’s an epic historical tale. Aside from watching it for the Scottish, it’s worth watching for Patrick McGoohan as the wicked king of England.

8. Trainspotting

Madcap, brutal and good fun, Trainspotting will really test your ability to understand the Scottish accent. For something a little softer, you might consider other films starring Ewan McGregor, where he’s allowed to use his own accent. Like A Life Less Ordinary.

Irish Accents

9. In Bruges

Solid Irish accents from the two leads, and a soft menacing London accent from Ralph Fiennes as a bonus. And a great, quirky film.

10. In the Name of the Father

Looking at injustice and the trauma caused by the Troubles in Ireland, this classic also contains some fine Irish accents.

11. Waking Ned

A lighter look at Ireland, the antics of a local community trying to claim a lottery ticket from one of their deceased neighbours.

Welsh Accents

Gavin and Stacey

To finish the list, not a film, but for a nice contrast of English and Welsh you can’t do much better than this quirky British comedy series.