Escapism, thrills and laughs - film can lift our spirits and transport us into other worlds during testing times.

We're celebrating cinema this century and revealing the Top 10 films since 2000, as chosen by our readers.

Maximums Decimus Meridius stands victorious over all other films made this century, according to your votes.

Gladiator, made in 2000 and starring Russell Crowe, gained the most votes from our readers who voted for our Top 10 of the century so far.

A total of 126 diverse films were nominated, from blockbusters to kids' movies, musicals to sci fi fantasies and action films to tear-jerking tales.

The Lord of the Rings epic trilogy came a close second with The Dark Knight third, JK Rowling's Harry Potter series in fourth place and Avengers: Endgame fifth.

Here's the films with the most votes, as chosen by KM Group What's On readers.

1 Gladiator

2 Lords of the Rings

3 The Dark Knight

4 Harry Potter

5 Avengers: Endgame

6 Slumdog Millionaire

7 Moulin Rouge

8 Blade Runner 2049

9 Star Wars Skywalker Saga

10 Wall-e

Read our cinema writer Mike Shaw's Top 5 films of the century and his reasons here.

For more arts and entertainment news across Kent click here.