Are black and white films making a comeback? The nation's favourite monochrome movies revealed

Virgin Radio

27 Jul 2022, 13:32

The Lighthouse, It's A Wonderful Life, Roma

Credit: Netflix / A24 / Paramount Pictures

With cassettes and vinyl back in vogue, are black and white movies the next to make their own comeback?

From The Lighthouse, The French Dispatch, Netflix’s Roma, to Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast, film and TV producers are increasingly playing with more monochrome styles, bringing black and white movies back into cinemas and streaming services.

Now, new research by LG Electronics, the company behind LG's OLED TV, has looked into the popularity of black and white films, and we no longer think of the old film-making style as out-of-date.

Over half of Brits (54 percent) believe black and white movies are back in fashion, and not only that, but 65 percent of us don’t think vintage films are only for the older generation.

The study also found that almost two thirds of people (62 percent) would hope to be thought of as the type of person who enjoys black and white films.

Those who do enjoy watching movies in the old-fashion colour scheme are more likely to be seen by their peers as artistic (45%), cultured (44%) and an impressive film buff (38%)

According to the research, 43 percent of black and white film fans enjoy how the lack of colour helps to create an atmosphere that feels separate from real life, and 36 percent admit they can’t get enough of the aesthetic.

26 percent of people asked find that their eye is drawn to different things that you wouldn’t notice in a standard colour film.

Despite 57 percent of the 1,500 people asked saying black and white helps them to focus better on the content of a film, 38 percent admitted they can’t help but feel disappointed if a film starts and it’s in black and white.

It’s not for everyone it seems, as 21 percent of those polled admit they can’t stand black and white movies, and over a third (34 percent) feel they lose much of the cinematic experience due to not being able to distinguish between the shades of grey on screen.

With its growing popularity, the British public still love going back to watch the legendary black and white films of generations gone by.

LG also discovered the Christmas classic It’s A Wonderful Life, released in 1946, is the nation’s favourite black and white movie, while Schindler’s List came in second, and Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho landed at number three.

Casablanca and To Kill a Mockingbird rounded out the top five, while the most recent black-and-white movie to make the top 20 is Belfast, at number 17.

James Thomas, Product Manager at LG Electronics, said alongside the research: “It’s clear to see that visual clarity is important when enjoying your favourite movie or TV programme, so whether you enjoy a black and white or colour film, LG OLED technology ensures you won’t need to compromise on your picture quality."

The UK's favourite black-and-white movies: