UK loves comedy films - but Coventry is crazy about sci-fi

FILM FANS are choosing to laugh their way through tough economic times, with comedy named as the UK's favourite genre.

Cinema chain Odeon polled more than 5,000 UK moviegoers - and found that comedy came out on top, with just over a fifth of votes (21 per cent). This was followed by action/adventure with 15 per cent, and romantic comedies with 12 per cent.

Nearly a quarter of those who took part in the poll (24 per cent) named police spoof Hot Fuzz, starring Simon Pegg, as their favourite comedy film of all time.

The survey also found regional variations, with the action adventure genre particularly popular in Oxford, Bollywood in Brighton, comedy in Cardiff, gangster in Norwich, sci-fi in Coventry, horror in Wolverhampton, musical in Worcester and rom com in York.

Luke Vetere, sales and marketing director at Odeon and UCI cinemas said: "2009 has proved to be a real treat for comedy fans with blockbuster offerings such as The Hangover and Bruno taking the nation by storm during the summer, and the heart-warming Christmas Brit flick Nativity set to wrap up the year."

The survey also found that 47 per cent of UK cinemagoers have smooched in the back row, 19 per cent have had a first kiss at the cinema, 58 per cent have cried - and 44 per cent have fallen asleep.