SHREK’S DONKEY CROWNED UK’S FAVOURITE BIG SCREEN MOVIE ANIMAL

Animated sidekick Donkey has been named as Britain’s favourite big screen movie animal, according to new research1 released today.

The study, carried out by Showcase Cinemas in advance of the highly anticipated release of Paw Patrol: The Movie, sees Donkey take centre stage with over a quarter (26%) of film fans choosing the wise-cracking mule as their favourite animal in a big screen movie.

It was a close run thing, as Bambi narrowly missed out on the top spot with 24% of the votes and The Jungle Book’s Baloo rounding off the top three with 23%.

But every lovable animal needs a cunning and corrupt rival. And Baloo’s nemesis Shere Khan takes the crown as more than a third of cinemagoers picked the terrifying tiger as the best animal villain of all time. Following the big bad cats theme, Scar from The Lion King followed in second with 32% of the vote.

Paw Patrol: The Movie lands at Showcase cinemas on 9th August and sees a flurry of everyone’s favourite heroic pups facing challenges, whilst armed with new gear and gadgets to save the citizens of Adventure City.

With dogs being known to be brave, heroic animals, it’ll come as no surprise that the legendary Lassie beat other pooches to the punch, by being named top dog with 36% of the UK choosing the courageous canine as their favourite film canine. The loveable and charming Scooby-Doo followed behind with 27% of the votes.

Tramp from Lady and the Tramp won third place (23%), narrowly beating the pooch’s partner, Lady who received 22%.

The animated animals on the big screen usually include a wide variety of A-list celebrities, with the upcoming Paw Patrol: The Movie being no exception. The film includes reality TV star Kim Kardashian, TV talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and actor Dax Shepard, alongside local talent Ronan Keating, Tom Fletcher and Sam Faiers.

The Shrek franchise has seen a range of famous film icons voice the animated characters for the big screen, and the film series seems to be a favourite amongst participants, as Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas were crowned first and second place when asked who the most memorable voice actor of all time was.

Over one in three Brits voted Eddie Murphy – who voices Donkey – and Puss in Boots’ Antonio Banderas received almost a quarter of the votes.

More than one in 10 of the UK claimed that John and Marley from the heart-warming (and heart-breaking) rom-com Marley and Me had the best human-animal friendship in a movie.

The Showcase Cinemas study also investigated the saddest big screen animal death of all time, and a staggering 37% of film fans voted Bambi’s mother’s demise in Disney’s Bambi as number one. One in 10 chose Hedwig’s heroic sacrifice in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One.

However, there is a gender gap when it comes to our favourite big screen movie animals, as over a quarter of females crowned Bambi as their number one, compared to one in five males who picked Simba from The Lion King.

Mark Barlow, UK General Manager for Showcase Cinemas, said: “The animals featured in movies on the big screen have provided us with many memorable cinematic moments. They offer the ultimate escapism from day-to-day life, and it is a challenge to pinpoint a favourite.

“However, Eddie Murphy’s performance as Donkey in Shrek is iconic and sets the standard of how to add personality and flare to an animated animal by solely using your voice. The release of the family friendly Paw Patrol: The Movie, features a variety of talented actors and celebrities and who knows, they may take Eddie Murphy’s title!

“We can’t wait to see the families sit back and enjoy Paw Patrol: The Movie and the many movies that are set to be released throughout the rest of this year. There is no greater place to enjoy a blockbuster than on the big screen.”

Paw Patrol: The Movie lands in screens nationwide on Monday 9th August, to book your tickets at your local Showcase Cinema, head to the website here: https://www.showcasecinemas.co.uk/film-info/paw-patrol-the-movie

At Showcase, there will be an unoccupied single seat positioned between each party that has booked seats at its cinemas and Showcase recommends that guests continue to wear face coverings.

All Showcase staff within the cinemas will still wear face coverings in the coming weeks, Perspex screens will remain in place at till points, and hand sanitiser will continue to be freely available for guests to use in multiple locations around the cinema, meaning guests can enjoy the big screen experience as safely as possible.