Die Hard and Star Wars named among UK’s 20 most re-watched films ever

A study conducted by Now TV has laid bare the nation’s comfort viewing habits

Die Hard, Dirty Dancing and The Wizard of Oz have been named the most re-watched films of all time by a new study.

The research, undertaken by Now TV, attempted to find out more about the nation’s film obsessions, and compiled a list of the 20 films that people return to most.

According to the study, the three most re-watched films have been watched a total of 12 times on average, narrowly beating out Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, which has been watched, on average, 11 times.

The study also offered other insights into people’s viewing habits. Sixty-seven per cent of British people say they are using their time in lockdown to rewatch favourite movies and TV series.

What’s more, 79 per cent of respondents report that re-watching movies helps them feel nostalgic and comforted; 36 per cent said doing so “helped them forget about their worries and anxieties”.

Now TV’s managing director Marina Storti said: “It’s clear to see that as a nation, we find watching our favourite films and TV shows to be the ultimate comfort blanket in times of worry and anxiety.”

Here is the full list of the 20 most re-watched films in the UK:

1. Die Hard – 12 times

2. Dirty Dancing – 12 times

3. The Wizard of Oz – 12 times

4. Star Wars: A New Hope – 11 times

5. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back – 11 times

6. Mary Poppins – 11 times

7. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi – 11 times

8. The Sound of Music – 10 times

9. Back to the Future – 10 times

10. The Breakfast Club – 10 times

11. The Lion King – 10 times

12. The Incredibles – 10 times

13. Rocky – 10 times

14. Ghostbusters – 10 times

15. Monsters Inc – 10 times

16. Lethal Weapon – 9 times

17. Top Gun – 9 times

18. Harry Potter and the Philosophers’ Stone – 9 times

19. The Godfather – 9 times

20. Jaws – 8 times