In the early 1950s, films began to move away from melodramatic styles and incorporate more naturalistic acting techniques pioneered by performers like Marlon Brando. By the late 1970s, realism had come to dominate film. Throughout the mid-20th century, dramatic films used characters and their relationships to explore social issues and teach audiences. They also examined genres like sports and courtroom procedurals. In later decades, dramas tackled topics like the civil rights movement, science fiction, prison life, the Holocaust, and existential themes. Biopics and war films also became popular dramatic genres in the 2000s.

2. EARLY FILM- 1950S (WIKIPEDIA)
In the early years of cinema, melodrama held sway, as the transition from silent
cinema's pantomime left film with a more presentational manner. In the
1950s, however, the arrival of stage actors like Marlon Brando, trained in more
naturalistic techniques, slowly changed drama to a more realistic tenor.
By the late 1970s, melodrama was nearly finished as an overt genre, as the hunger for
realism dominated film in groundbreaking movies like Martin Scorsese's Mean
Streets.
From the silent era to the 1950s, Dramas were tools to teach the audience. Films like
The Grapes of Wrath (1940) show the effects of the depression.
Dramatic Films focused on character relationships and development. All About Eve
(1950) focused on women, and their relationship with men. Rebel Without a Cause
(1955) displayed teenage angst. Films like 12 Angry Men (1957) and Anatomy of a
Murder (1959) show the inner workings of a courtroom.

3. 1960S-1970S (WIKIPEDIA)
The 1960s brought politically driven dramas focusing on war, such as Judgment
at Nuremberg (1961).
Sports dramas became inspiration such as The Hustler (1961) and Downhill
Racer (1969).
War films and specifically World War II films were produced, giving the most
realistic adaptation of the war seen in films at that time. Tora! Tora! Tora!
(1970), Patton (1970), and Apocalypse Now (1979), which all show the trials
and hardships of war, are still considered classic war films.

4. 1980S-1990S (WIKIPEDIA)
In the 1980s, dramatic film put emphasis on highly emotional themes. Do the Right
Thing (1989), Spike Lee's debut film, and The Color Purple (1985) were full
character studies of African American culture and history.
Drama, with a science fiction edge was a theme when Steven Spielberg directed E.T.
the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
During the 1990s, Goodfellas (1990) took a gritty, hard-edged look at mob crime. The
Shawshank Redemption (1994), which was set inside a prison, had strong themes
of hope, as did the Holocaust-themed Schindler's List (1993).
Dramas also took a turn with existentialist thrillers such as Fight Club (1999) and the
tale of suburban angst American Beauty (1999). Coming of age was dealt with in
Good Will Hunting (1997), race relationships were a theme in American History X
(1998), and the AIDs epidemic and discrimination were the focus of Philadelphia
(1993).
Comedy-drama was featured with films like Forrest Gump (1994)
Child-oriented dramas also became more popular with titles such as The Lion King
(1994).

5. 2000S (WIKIPEDIA)
In the 2000s, biopics such as Ali (2001), Frida (2002), 8 Mile (2002), Ray
(2004), Walk the Line (2005), and Milk (2008) have become popular among
filmmakers. Gladiator (2000) is an epic, dramatic film, along with The Last
Samurai (2003). The Gulf War and similar skirmishes were an inspiration for
dramatic films in war drama movies like Black Hawk Down (2001) and
Jarhead (2005). Despite the drop on popularity of the romantic dramas, some
of them have enjoyed big box office and critical success, as the
controversial, groundbreaking Brokeback Mountain (2005) for example, that
won several awards and Slumdog Millionaire (2008), a critically acclaimed
romantic-drama that has been nominated for ten Academy Awards, and went
on to win eight of them, including Best Picture.