From The Full Monty to Kes: The Star readers reveal their favourite film shot in South Yorkshire

We’ve had some classics filmed on our streets!

In the wake of Brassed Off celebrating its 30th birthday, we asked Star readers what they think the best film based in South Yorkshire is.

The Full Monty, which was filmed in Sheffield and told the uplifting story of a group of unemployed steelworkers baring all to make ends meet, defied the odds to become a worldwide hit in 1997. | Fox Searchlight

placeholder image — The Full Monty, which was filmed in Sheffield and told the uplifting story of a group of unemployed steelworkers baring all to make ends meet, defied the odds to become a worldwide hit in 1997. | Fox Searchlight

Brassed Off is set against the backdrop of pit closures for miners in Sheffield and was released in 1996. The movie is set a decade on from the year-long strike that took place from 1984-85.

Ewan McGregor stars in the film, which follows a brass band of miners facing the closure of their pit. The soundtrack was provided by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band from South Yorkshire, a brass band that formed in 1917.

Adeel Akhtar as Faisal in the film Four Lions (2010). | Film4 Productions

The film was a success and finished third at the UK box office upon its release, but is it our readers’ favourite depiction of South Yorkshire on the silver screen?

Opinions immediately swing towards 1997 comedy The Full Monty directed by Peter Catteneo, a film that follows six unemployed steelworkers starting a striptease act to make money.

“The film unfortunately shows the decline of the Sheffield steel industry,” Phil Baggaley said. “But the brilliant side of Sheffield people.”

A few other readers echo their vote for The Full Monty, but it struggles to fight for popularity amongst a sea of one word: Kes.

Kes is a 1969 coming of age film directed by award winning filmmaker Ken Loach. It follows 15-year-old Billy through his working class upbringing in rural South Yorkshire, as he adopts a kestrel and trains it in falconry.

David (Dai) Bradley, who played the lead character in Kes, will attend a screening of Ken Loach's film at The Showroom, Sheffield on May 10, 2026.

The love for Kes is apparent, with readers like Dave Spooner calling it an “absolute classic,” Andrew Day saying it's “iconic,” and Thomas Bower saying there’s “no contest.”

“Kes, anything else is wrong,” added reader Gareth Richard Lane.

Peaking out from behind these popular suggestions are the likes of This Is England, 2006, and 1996 film When Saturday Comes.

Shane Meadows’ This Is England was hugely successful, and even had sequels made by Channel 4. It perhaps didn’t receive as many votes due to its unidentifiable setting was filmed in a school in Derbyshire, but predominantly areas of Nottingham.

Sean Bean attends the premiere of 'When Saturday Comes' at the Warner Brothers Cinema, Meadowhall shopping centre, in February 1996. He grew up in Handsworth, Sheffield, and went to Brook Comprehensive School | Picture Sheffield/Sheffield Newspapers Ltd

When Saturday Comes directed by Maria Giese focuses on a more local angle, with reader Jonathan Lawrence adding that the film features Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane.

The set also includes scenes from Rotherham and Sandygate Road, and follows a working class brewery worker getting scouted by Sheffield United Football Club.

Amongst some more niche favourites were Girl With A Pistol 1968. “Not many have seen this, it’s worth looking,” Paul Mann suggested, the film features a shot on Granville Street as well as Rotherham.

Sarah Morgan highlights the 1958 black and white film Tread Softly Stranger, with onsite filming in Parkgate, Rotherham.

A more recent film that was put forward twice is Four Lions, a 2010 black comedy directed by Chris Morris, featuring scenes shot in the city centre and Meadowhall.

What's your favourite film shot in South Yorkshire?