The latest Batman blockbuster, The Dark Knight, has been voted Film of the Year by visitors to a cinema website, it was announced today.

Over a third of movie-goers voted for the Batman film in a online poll conducted by cinema experts Pearl & Dean.

The Dark Knight, which broke box office sales records around the world, is tipped as a solid contender for the Oscars next year and has recently received a string of nominations for film awards.

The late Heath Ledger, who died of an overdose in New York last January, has been nominated for best supporting actor for his role as the Joker at the Golden Globes and the Critics' Choice film awards, to be held next month.

The film also picked up nods for best picture and best action at the Critics' Choice awards.

The poll, which surveyed more than 3,000 people, found that 32% rated The Dark Knight as their film of the year.

Abba-inspired movie, Mamma Mia, came in second with 18% of the votes.

The feel-good film, starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Julie Walters and Colin Firth, became the highest-grossing British film, taking more than £68 million at the UK box office.

The latest James Bond thriller, Quantum Of Solace, took joint third place in the poll alongside sci-fi favourite, Iron Man, with 10% of the votes each.

Kathryn Jacob, chief executive at Pearl & Dean, said: "2008 has been a big year for blockbuster movies. The Dark Knight was the heavily-anticipated film of the year, without a shadow of a doubt, but it's had some fierce competition from Quantum Of Solace and not forgetting the smash hit of the year - Mamma Mia."

The results of the Film of the Year poll are:

• 1 The Dark Knight (32%)
• 2 Mamma Mia (18%)
• =3 Quantum Of Solace (10%)
• =3 Iron Man (10%)
• =5 Sex And The City (7%)
• =5 WALL.E (7%)
• 7 High School Musical (6%)
• =8 Indiana Jones (4%)
• =8 There Will Be Blood (4%)
• 10 Burn After Reading (3%)

To visit the Pearl & Dean website, go to www.pearlanddean.com