Film Genres Lecture prepared 11/16/08 by John M. Grace, film worker and instructor D.A.T.A. Charter High School Albuquerque, NM © 2008, John M. Grace All Rights Reserved for use availability, email Newestprod@aol.com

Film Genres Film 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

content

subject matter

structures

themes

mood

period

plot

settings

recurring icons

stock characters

narrative events

situations

motifs

styles

props

stars

Film Genres Primary film genres include the following: Action Films Adventure Films Comedy Films Crime Films Dramas Epics Horror Films Musicals Science Fiction War Films Westerns

Action Films

Adventure Films

Comedy Films

Crime Films

Dramas

Epics

Horror Films

Musicals

Science Fiction

War Films

Westerns

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

Film Genres ACTION: 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-genres spy espionage political thrillers martial arts films races against time

spy

espionage

political thrillers

martial arts films

races against time

Action Sub-genres spy espionage political thrillers martial arts films races against time

spy

espionage

political thrillers

martial arts films

races against time

Action Sub-genres spy espionage political thrillers martial arts films races against time

spy

espionage

political thrillers

martial arts films

races against time

Action Sub-genres spy espionage political thrillers martial arts films races against time

spy

espionage

political thrillers

martial arts films

races against time

Action Sub-genres spy espionage political thrillers martial arts films races against time

spy

espionage

political thrillers

martial arts films

races against time

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

Adventure Sub-genres swashbucklers serialized films historical epics expedition films treasure hunts disaster films strange mysteries

swashbucklers

serialized films

historical epics

expedition films

treasure hunts

disaster films

strange mysteries

Adventure Sub-genres swashbucklers serialized films historical epics expedition films treasure hunts disaster films strange mysteries

swashbucklers

serialized films

historical epics

expedition films

treasure hunts

disaster films

strange mysteries

Adventure Sub-genres swashbucklers serialized films historical epics expedition films treasure hunts disaster films strange mysteries

swashbucklers

serialized films

historical epics

expedition films

treasure hunts

disaster films

strange mysteries

Adventure Sub-genres swashbucklers serialized films historical epics expedition films treasure hunts disaster films strange mysteries

swashbucklers

serialized films

historical epics

expedition films

treasure hunts

disaster films

strange mysteries

Adventure Sub-genres swashbucklers serialized films historical epics expedition films treasure hunts disaster films strange mysteries

swashbucklers

serialized films

historical epics

expedition films

treasure hunts

disaster films

strange mysteries

Adventure Sub-genres swashbucklers serialized films historical epics expedition films treasure hunts disaster films strange mysteries

swashbucklers

serialized films

historical epics

expedition films

treasure hunts

disaster films

strange mysteries

Adventure Sub-genres swashbucklers serialized films historical epics expedition films treasure hunts disaster films strange mysteries

swashbucklers

serialized films

historical epics

expedition films

treasure hunts

disaster films

strange mysteries

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

Comedy Sub-genres slapstick screwball spoofs parodies romantic comedies black comedy satirical comedy

slapstick

screwball

spoofs

parodies

romantic comedies

black comedy

satirical comedy

Comedy Sub-genres slapstick screwball spoofs parodies romantic comedies black comedy satirical comedy

slapstick

screwball

spoofs

parodies

romantic comedies

black comedy

satirical comedy

Comedy Sub-genres slapstick screwball spoofs parodies romantic comedies black comedy satirical comedy

slapstick

screwball

spoofs

parodies

romantic comedies

black comedy

satirical comedy

Comedy Sub-genres slapstick screwball spoofs parodies romantic comedies black comedy satirical comedy

slapstick

screwball

spoofs

parodies

romantic comedies

black comedy

satirical comedy

Comedy Sub-genres slapstick screwball spoofs parodies romantic comedies black comedy satirical comedy

slapstick

screwball

spoofs

parodies

romantic comedies

black comedy

satirical comedy

Comedy Sub-genres slapstick screwball spoofs parodies romantic comedies black comedy satirical comedy

slapstick

screwball

spoofs

parodies

romantic comedies

black comedy

satirical comedy

Comedy Sub-genres slapstick screwball spoofs parodies romantic comedies black comedy satirical comedy

slapstick

screwball

spoofs

parodies

romantic comedies

black comedy

satirical comedy

Film Genres CRIME: 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-genres gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

gangster films

detective films

film noir

mysteries

serial killer films

suspense films

thrillers

courtroom dramas

Crime Sub-genres gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

gangster films

detective films

film noir

mysteries

serial killer films

suspense films

thrillers

courtroom dramas

Crime Sub-genres gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

gangster films

detective films

film noir

mysteries

serial killer films

suspense films

thrillers

courtroom dramas

Crime Sub-genres gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

gangster films

detective films

film noir

mysteries

serial killer films

suspense films

thrillers

courtroom dramas

Crime Sub-genres gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

gangster films

detective films

film noir

mysteries

serial killer films

suspense films

thrillers

courtroom dramas

Crime Sub-genres gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

gangster films

detective films

film noir

mysteries

serial killer films

suspense films

thrillers

courtroom dramas

Crime Sub-genres gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

gangster films

detective films

film noir

mysteries

serial killer films

suspense films

thrillers

courtroom dramas

Crime Sub-genres gangster films detective films film noir mysteries serial killer films suspense films thrillers courtroom dramas

gangster films

detective films

film noir

mysteries

serial killer films

suspense films

thrillers

courtroom dramas

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

Drama Sub-genres melodramas romance biographical films 'adult' films sports films road movies “ guy” films

melodramas

romance

biographical films

'adult' films

sports films

road movies

“ guy” films

Drama Sub-genres melodramas romance biographical films 'adult' films sports films road movies “ guy” films

melodramas

romance

biographical films

'adult' films

sports films

road movies

“ guy” films

Drama Sub-genres melodramas romance biographical films 'adult' films sports films road movies “ guy” films

melodramas

romance

biographical films

'adult' films

sports films

road movies

“ guy” films

Drama Sub-genres melodramas romance biographical films 'adult' films sports films road movies “ guy” films

melodramas

romance

biographical films

'adult' films

sports films

road movies

“ guy” films

Drama Sub-genres melodramas romance biographical films 'adult' films sports films road movies “ guy” films

melodramas

romance

biographical films

'adult' films

sports films

road movies

“ guy” films

Drama Sub-genres melodramas romance biographical films 'adult' films sports films road movies “ guy” films

melodramas

romance

biographical films

'adult' films

sports films

road movies

“ guy” films

Drama Sub-genres melodramas romance biographical films 'adult' films sports films road movies “ guy” films

melodramas

romance

biographical films

'adult' films

sports films

road movies

“ guy” films

Film Genres EPICS: 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-genres historical dramas costume dramas war films medieval romps period pictures adventure films religious films

historical dramas

costume dramas

war films

medieval romps

period pictures

adventure films

religious films

Epic Sub-genres historical dramas costume dramas war films medieval romps period pictures adventure films religious films

historical dramas

costume dramas

war films

medieval romps

period pictures

adventure films

religious films

Epic Sub-genres historical dramas costume dramas war films medieval romps period pictures adventure films religious films

historical dramas

costume dramas

war films

medieval romps

period pictures

adventure films

religious films

Epic Sub-genres historical dramas costume dramas war films medieval romps period pictures adventure films religious films

historical dramas

costume dramas

war films

medieval romps

period pictures

adventure films

religious films

Epic Sub-genres historical dramas costume dramas war films medieval romps period pictures adventure films religious films

historical dramas

costume dramas

war films

medieval romps

period pictures

adventure films

religious films

Epic Sub-genres historical dramas costume dramas war films medieval romps period pictures adventure films religious films

historical dramas

costume dramas

war films

medieval romps

period pictures

adventure films

religious films

Epic Sub-genres historical dramas costume dramas war films medieval romps period pictures adventure films religious films

historical dramas

costume dramas

war films

medieval romps

period pictures

adventure films

religious films

Film Genres HORROR: 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-genres slasher science fiction supernatural teen terror serial killers satanic monsters

slasher

science fiction

supernatural

teen terror

serial killers

satanic

monsters

Horror Sub-genres slasher science fiction supernatural teen terror serial killers satanic monsters

slasher

science fiction

supernatural

teen terror

serial killers

satanic

monsters

Horror Sub-genres slasher science fiction supernatural teen terror serial killers satanic monsters

slasher

science fiction

supernatural

teen terror

serial killers

satanic

monsters

Horror Sub-genres slasher science fiction supernatural teen terror serial killers satanic monsters

slasher

science fiction

supernatural

teen terror

serial killers

satanic

monsters

Horror Sub-genres slasher science fiction supernatural teen terror serial killers satanic monsters

slasher

science fiction

supernatural

teen terror

serial killers

satanic

monsters

Horror Sub-genres slasher science fiction supernatural teen terror serial killers satanic monsters

slasher

science fiction

supernatural

teen terror

serial killers

satanic

monsters

Horror Sub-genres slasher science fiction supernatural teen terror serial killers satanic monsters

slasher

science fiction

supernatural

teen terror

serial killers

satanic

monsters

Film Genres MUSICALS: 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-genres Broadway musicals musical comedy concert films performance films music biographies

Broadway musicals

musical comedy

concert films

performance films

music biographies

Musicals Sub-genres Broadway musicals musical comedy concert films performance films music biographies

Broadway musicals

musical comedy

concert films

performance films

music biographies

Musicals Sub-genres Broadway musicals musical comedy concert films performance films music biographies

Broadway musicals

musical comedy

concert films

performance films

music biographies

Musicals Sub-genres Broadway musicals musical comedy concert films performance films music biographies

Broadway musicals

musical comedy

concert films

performance films

music biographies

Musicals Sub-genres Broadway musicals musical comedy concert films performance films music biographies

Broadway musicals

musical comedy

concert films

performance films

music biographies

Film Genres SCIENCE 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-genres futuristic films visionary horrific graphic novels medical miseries devil machines mad science space invaders

futuristic films

visionary

horrific

graphic novels

medical miseries

devil machines

mad science

space invaders

Sci-Fi Sub-genres futuristic films visionary horrific graphic novels medical miseries devil machines mad science space invaders

futuristic films

visionary

horrific

graphic novels

medical miseries

devil machines

mad science

space invaders

Sci-Fi Sub-genres futuristic films visionary horrific graphic novels medical miseries devil machines mad science space invaders

futuristic films

visionary

horrific

graphic novels

medical miseries

devil machines

mad science

space invaders

Sci-Fi Sub-genres futuristic films visionary horrific graphic novels medical miseries devil machines mad science space invaders

futuristic films

visionary

horrific

graphic novels

medical miseries

devil machines

mad science

space invaders

Sci-Fi Sub-genres futuristic films visionary horrific graphic novels medical miseries devil machines mad science space invaders

futuristic films

visionary

horrific

graphic novels

medical miseries

devil machines

mad science

space invaders

Sci-Fi Sub-genres futuristic films visionary horrific graphic novels medical miseries devil machines mad science space invaders

futuristic films

visionary

horrific

graphic novels

medical miseries

devil machines

mad science

space invaders

Sci-Fi Sub-genres futuristic films visionary horrific graphic novels medical miseries devil machines mad science space invaders

futuristic films

visionary

horrific

graphic novels

medical miseries

devil machines

mad science

space invaders

Film Genres WAR 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-genres war dramas military operations anti-war films POW stories military training

war dramas

military operations

anti-war films

POW stories

military training

War Sub-genres war dramas military operations anti-war films POW stories military training

war dramas

military operations

anti-war films

POW stories

military training

War Sub-genres war dramas military operations anti-war films POW stories military training

war dramas

military operations

anti-war films

POW stories

military training

War Sub-genres war dramas military operations anti-war films POW stories military training

war dramas

military operations

anti-war films

POW stories

military training

War Sub-genres war dramas military operations anti-war films POW stories military training

war dramas

military operations

anti-war films

POW stories

military training

Film Genres WESTERNS: 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-genres epic Western the 'singing cowboy' the "spaghetti" Western contemporary Western revisionist Western comedy Western "post-apocalyptic"

epic Western

the 'singing cowboy'

the "spaghetti" Western

contemporary Western

revisionist Western

comedy Western

"post-apocalyptic"

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

epic Western

the 'singing cowboy'

the "spaghetti" Western

contemporary Western

revisionist Western

comedy Western

"post-apocalyptic"

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

epic Western

the 'singing cowboy'

the "spaghetti" Western

contemporary Western

revisionist Western

comedy Western

"post-apocalyptic"

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

epic Western

the 'singing cowboy'

the "spaghetti" Western

contemporary Western

revisionist Western

comedy Western

"post-apocalyptic"

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

epic Western

the 'singing cowboy'

the "spaghetti" Western

contemporary Western

revisionist Western

comedy Western

"post-apocalyptic"

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

epic Western

the 'singing cowboy'

the "spaghetti" Western

contemporary Western

revisionist Western

comedy Western

"post-apocalyptic"

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

epic Western

the 'singing cowboy'

the "spaghetti" Western

contemporary Western

revisionist Western

comedy Western

"post-apocalyptic"