film genres

Film GenresFilm GenresLecture prepared 11/16/08

by John M. Grace,film worker and instructor

D.A.T.A. Charter High SchoolAlbuquerque, NM

© 2008, John M. GraceAll Rights Reservedfor use availability,

email Newestprod@aol.com

Film GenresFilm GenresFilm genres are identifiable types, categories, classifications or groups of films that have similar techniques or conventions such as: content subject matter structures themes mood period plot settings

recurring icons stock characters narrative events situations motifs styles props stars

Film GenresFilm GenresPrimary film genres include the following:

Action Films Adventure Films Comedy Films Crime Films Dramas Epics

Horror Films Musicals Science Fiction War Films Westerns

Sub-genresSub-genresAre identifiable sub-classes within the larger film genre, with their own distinctive subject matter, style, formulas, and iconography.

Film GenresFilm GenresACTION:

Action films usually include high energy, big-budget physical stunts and chases, possibly with rescues, battles, fights, escapes, races against time and crises featuring non-stop motion, break-neck rhythm and pacing.

Action Sub-genresAction Sub-genres

spy espionage political thrillers martial arts films races against time

Action Sub-genresAction Sub-genres

spy espionage political thrillers martial arts films races against time

Action Sub-genresAction Sub-genres

spy espionage political thrillers martial arts films races against time

Action Sub-genresAction Sub-genres

spy espionage political thrillers martial arts films races against time

Action Sub-genresAction Sub-genres

spy espionage political thrillers martial arts films races against time

Film GenresFilm GenresADVENTURE:

Adventure films are exciting stories, with new experiences or exotic locales, very similar to or often paired with the Action film genre.

Adventure Sub-genresAdventure Sub-genres

swashbucklers serialized films historical epics expedition films treasure hunts disaster films strange mysteries

Adventure Sub-genresAdventure Sub-genres

swashbucklers serialized films historical epics expedition films treasure hunts disaster films strange mysteries

Adventure Sub-genresAdventure Sub-genres

swashbucklers serialized films historical epics expedition films treasure hunts disaster films strange mysteries

Adventure Sub-genresAdventure Sub-genres

swashbucklers serialized films historical epics expedition films treasure hunts disaster films strange mysteries

Adventure Sub-genresAdventure Sub-genres

swashbucklers serialized films historical epics expedition films treasure hunts disaster films strange mysteries

Adventure Sub-genresAdventure Sub-genres

swashbucklers serialized films historical epics expedition films treasure hunts disaster films strange mysteries

Adventure Sub-genresAdventure Sub-genres

swashbucklers serialized films historical epics expedition films treasure hunts disaster films strange mysteries

Film GenresFilm GenresCOMEDY:

Comedies are light-hearted plots deliberately designed to amuse and provoke laughter by exaggerating the situation, language, action, relationships and characters.

Comedy Sub-genresComedy Sub-genres

slapstick screwball spoofs parodies romantic comedies black comedy satirical comedy

Comedy Sub-genresComedy Sub-genres

slapstick screwball spoofs parodies romantic comedies black comedy satirical comedy

Comedy Sub-genresComedy Sub-genres

slapstick screwball spoofs parodies romantic comedies black comedy satirical comedy

Comedy Sub-genresComedy Sub-genres

slapstick screwball spoofs parodies romantic comedies black comedy satirical comedy

Comedy Sub-genresComedy Sub-genres

slapstick screwball spoofs parodies romantic comedies black comedy satirical comedy

Comedy Sub-genresComedy Sub-genres

slapstick screwball spoofs parodies romantic comedies black comedy satirical comedy

Comedy Sub-genresComedy Sub-genres

slapstick screwball spoofs parodies romantic comedies black comedy satirical comedy

Film GenresFilm GenresCRIME:

Crime films feature the sinister actions of criminals, mobsters, bank robbers, underworld figures, and ruthless hoodlums who operate outside the law, stealing and murdering their way through life.

Crime Sub-genresCrime Sub-genres

gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

Crime Sub-genresCrime Sub-genres

gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

Crime Sub-genresCrime Sub-genres

gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

Crime Sub-genresCrime Sub-genres

gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

Crime Sub-genresCrime Sub-genres

gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

Crime Sub-genresCrime Sub-genres

gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

Crime Sub-genresCrime Sub-genres

gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

Crime Sub-genresCrime Sub-genres

gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

Film GenresFilm GenresDRAMA:

Dramas are serious, plot-driven films, portraying realistic characters, settings, life situations, and stories involving intense character development and interaction.

Drama Sub-genresDrama Sub-genres

melodramas romance biographical films sports films road movies “guy” films

Drama Sub-genresDrama Sub-genres

melodramas romance biographical films sports films road movies “guy” films

Drama Sub-genresDrama Sub-genres

melodramas romance biographical films sports films road movies “guy” films

Drama Sub-genresDrama Sub-genres

melodramas romance biographical films sports films road movies “guy” films

Drama Sub-genresDrama Sub-genres

melodramas romance biographical films sports films road movies “guy” films

Drama Sub-genresDrama Sub-genres

melodramas romance biographical filmssports films road movies “guy” films

Film GenresFilm GenresEPICS:

Epics take an historical or imagined event, mythic, legendary, or heroic figure, and add an extravagant setting and lavish costumes, accompanied by grandeur and spectacle, dramatic scope, high production values, and a sweeping musical score.

Epic Sub-genresEpic Sub-genres

historical dramas costume dramas war films medieval romps period pictures adventure films religious films

Epic Sub-genresEpic Sub-genres

historical dramas costume dramas war films medieval romps period pictures adventure films religious films

Epic Sub-genresEpic Sub-genres

historical dramas costume dramas war films medieval romps period pictures adventure films religious films

Epic Sub-genresEpic Sub-genres

historical dramas costume dramas war films medieval romps period pictures adventure films religious films

Epic Sub-genresEpic Sub-genres

historical dramas costume dramas war films medieval romps period pictures adventure films religious films

Epic Sub-genresEpic Sub-genres

historical dramas costume dramas war films medieval romps period pictures adventure films religious films

Epic Sub-genresEpic Sub-genres

historical dramas costume dramas war films medieval romps period pictures adventure films religious films

Film GenresFilm GenresHORROR:

Horror films are designed to frighten and to invoke our hidden worst fears, often in a terrifying, shocking finale, while captivating and entertaining us at the same time in a cathartic experience.

Horror Sub-genresHorror Sub-genres

slasher science fiction supernatural teen terror serial killers satanic monsters

Horror Sub-genresHorror Sub-genres

slasher science fiction supernatural teen terror serial killers satanic monsters

Horror Sub-genresHorror Sub-genres

slasher science fiction supernatural teen terror serial killers satanic monsters

Horror Sub-genresHorror Sub-genres

slasher science fiction supernatural teen terror serial killers satanic monsters

Horror Sub-genresHorror Sub-genres

slasher science fiction supernatural teen terror serial killers satanic monsters

Horror Sub-genresHorror Sub-genres

slasher science fiction supernatural teen terror serial killers satanic monsters

Horror Sub-genresHorror Sub-genres

slasher science fiction supernatural teen terror serial killers satanic monsters

Film GenresFilm GenresMUSICALS:

Musicals/dance films are cinematic forms that emphasize full-scale scores or song and dance routines in a significant way, or they are films that are centered on combinations of music, dance, song or choreography.

Musicals Sub-genresMusicals Sub-genres

Broadway musicals musical comedy concert films performance films music biographies

Musicals Sub-genresMusicals Sub-genres

Broadway musicals musical comedy concert films performance films music biographies

Musicals Sub-genresMusicals Sub-genres

Broadway musicals musical comedy concert films performance films music biographies

Musicals Sub-genresMusicals Sub-genres

Broadway musicals musical comedy concert films performance films music biographies

Musicals Sub-genresMusicals Sub-genres

Broadway musicals musical comedy concert films performance films music biographies

Film GenresFilm GenresSCIENCE FICTION:

Sci-fi films are often quasi-scientific, visionary and imaginative - complete with heroes, aliens, distant planets, quests, fantastic places, new technology, and extraordinary monsters. Sci-fi films often feature multiple genres.

Sci-Fi Sub-genresSci-Fi Sub-genres

futuristic films visionary horrific

graphic novels medical miseries devil machines mad science space invaders

Sci-Fi Sub-genresSci-Fi Sub-genres

futuristic films visionary horrific

graphic novels medical miseries devil machines mad science space invaders

Sci-Fi Sub-genresSci-Fi Sub-genres

futuristic films visionary horrific

graphic novels medical miseries devil machines mad science space invaders

Sci-Fi Sub-genresSci-Fi Sub-genres

futuristic films visionary horrific

graphic novels medical miseries devil machines mad science space invaders

Sci-Fi Sub-genresSci-Fi Sub-genres

futuristic films visionary horrific

graphic novels medical miseries devil machines mad science space invaders

Sci-Fi Sub-genresSci-Fi Sub-genres

futuristic films visionary horrific

graphic novels medical miseries devil machines mad science space invaders

Sci-Fi Sub-genresSci-Fi Sub-genres

futuristic films visionary horrific

graphic novels medical miseries devil machines mad science space invaders

Film GenresFilm GenresWAR MOVIES:

War films acknowledge the horror and heartbreak of war, letting the actual combat fighting (against nations or humankind) on land, sea, or in the air provide the primary plot or background action for the of the film.

War Sub-genresWar Sub-genres

war dramas military operations anti-war films POW stories military training

War Sub-genresWar Sub-genres

war dramas military operations anti-war films POW stories military training

War Sub-genresWar Sub-genres

war dramas military operations anti-war films POW stories military training

War Sub-genresWar Sub-genres

war dramas military operations anti-war films POW stories military training

War Sub-genresWar Sub-genres

war dramas military operations anti-war films POW stories military training

Film GenresFilm GenresWESTERNS:

Westerns are the major defining genre of the American film industry - a eulogy to the early days of the expansive American frontier. They are one of the oldest, most enduring genres with very recognizable plots, elements, and characters.

Western Sub-genresWestern Sub-genres

epic Western the 'singing cowboy' the "spaghetti" Western contemporary Western revisionist Western comedy Western "post-apocalyptic"

Western Sub-genresWestern Sub-genres

epic Western the 'singing cowboy' the "spaghetti" Western contemporary Western revisionist Western comedy Western "post-apocalyptic"

Western Sub-genresWestern Sub-genres

epic Western the 'singing cowboy' the "spaghetti" Western contemporary Western revisionist Western comedy Western "post-apocalyptic"

Western Sub-genresWestern Sub-genres

epic Western the 'singing cowboy' the "spaghetti" Western contemporary Western revisionist Western comedy Western "post-apocalyptic"

Western Sub-genresWestern Sub-genres

epic Western the 'singing cowboy' the "spaghetti" Western contemporary Western revisionist Western comedy Western "post-apocalyptic"

Western Sub-genresWestern Sub-genres

epic Western the 'singing cowboy' the "spaghetti" Western contemporary Western revisionist Western comedy Western "post-apocalyptic"

Western Sub-genresWestern Sub-genres

epic Western the 'singing cowboy' the "spaghetti" Western contemporary Western revisionist Western comedy Western "post-apocalyptic"