After taking Cannes by storm and picking up a few awards in the process, the true comedy-drama Pride has already joined the ranks of beloved British crowd-pleasers, even though it's only opening in UK cinemas this weekend. In addition to the accolades it has already won, the film has a rare 100 percent positive rating from Rotten Tomatoes critics.

Pride

Pride joins a long history of British feel-good hits like Billy Elliot, The Full Monty, Brassed Off, Calendar Girls, Bend it Like Beckham and Kinky Boots. Plus of course the rousing movies that stormed the Oscars and walked off with Best Picture in the process: Chariots of Fire, Shakespeare in Love, Slumdog Millionaire and The King's Speech.

More: read our full review of 'Pride'

Britain's filmmakers have a long tradition for producing movies that are warmly embraced by audiences and critics alike, including the works of Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral/Notting Hill), Monty Python (Life of Brian/A Fish Called Wanda), Bill Forsyth (Local Hero/Gregory's Girl) and Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat/Bruno).

More: With 100%, 'Pride' is probably the best british movie of the year. 

But Pride adds something unexpected to the mix, with its relatively unknown true story about gay activists and striking miners in the mid-1980s who find unexpected ways to support each other through some rather dark days. It's the kind of movie that is making audiences laugh, cry and stand up cheering at the same time. And by touching on such relevant current topics as diversity, equality, political oppression and the nationalisation of public resources, it has a potent resonance for audiences that makes it a classic of the genre.

Watch the 'Pride' trailer: