The Big List of Genres
This is a ridiculously big list of every genre and sub-genre I can think of. I have no idea where the original list came from. I’ve been adding to this for years and it has now grown out-of-control into something far too big to manage, but I do want to make it available to you so that you can see just how many variations there are out there.
As you browse the list, keep in mind that every single genre is unique and has unique AUDIENCE EXPECTATIONS, so make sure you know exactly which genre you are working within before you start writing.
ACTION
A film genre in which the protagonist or protagonists end up in a series of challenges that typically include violence, extended fighting, physical feats, and frantic chases. Action films tend to feature a resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include life-threatening situations, a villain, or a pursuit which generally concludes in victory for the hero. The genre is closely associated with the thriller and adventure film genres, and it may also contain elements of spy fiction and espionage.
Examples:
DIE HARD (1988) - A New York cop gives terrorists a dose of their own medicine as they hold hostages in an LA office building.
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981) - An adventuring archaeologist races around the world to single-handedly prevent the Nazis from turning the Ark of the Covenant into a weapon of world conquest.
ADVENTURE
Unlike action films, Adventure Films often use their action scenes to display and explore exotic locations in an energetic way. Main plot elements often include quests for lost continents; a jungle, mountain, island, ocean, city, or desert setting; characters embarking on treasure hunts, battles against antagonists, or heroic journeys for the unknown.
Adventure films are commonly set in a period background and may include adapted stories of historical or fictional adventure heroes within the historical context. Kings, monarchies, battles, rebellion or piracy are commonly seen in adventure films. Adventure films may also be combined with other movie genres such as science fiction, fantasy, horror, or war.
Examples: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Tomb Raider, National Treasure
ACTION-COMEDY
As its name suggests, this sub-genre combines action with humour. Action-Comedy relies on the characters to bring out the humour, while the action scenes tend to be less intense than in the traditional action movie.
Examples: Beverly Hills Cop, Rush Hour, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Disaster Film
A Disaster Film is based around a plot that includes a seemingly unavoidable and impending disaster. The disaster can be either natural or man-made. Many films in this sub-genre will rely heavily on special effects.
Examples: The Towering Inferno, San Andreas, Airport, and Twister.
Action-Thriller
Featuring guns, cool explosions, and amazing set pieces, this movie type first appeared in the 1970s in such films as Dirty Harry and The French Connection and became the exemplar of the Hollywood mega-blockbuster in the 1980s in such works as Die Hard and Lethal Weapon. These films often feature a race against the clock, lots of violence, and a clear—often flamboyantly evil—antagonist. Though they may involve elements of crime or mystery films, those aspects take a back seat to the action.
Examples: Hard Boiled, True Romance, Point Break, The Warriors, Bullitt
Action-War
Action-War is a sub-genre of Action film that incorporates the traditional aspects of an action film into a storyline that revolves around war or wartime. Not only can these movies contain stunts, battles, and a hero, but they can also explore the more serious topic of war.
Examples: Apocalypse Now, All Quiet on the Western Front, Platoon
Action-Spy / Espionage
In this subgenre, the hero is generally a government agent who must take violent action against agents of a rival government or (in recent years) terrorists. They often revolve around spies who are involved in investigating various events, often on a global scale. This subgenre deals with the subject of fictional espionage, either in a realistic way (such as the adaptations of John Le Carré) or as a basis for fantasy (such as James Bond). The subgenre showcases a combination of exciting escapism, heavy action, stylized fights, technological thrills, and exotic locales. Not all spy films fall in the action genre, only those showcasing heavy action such as frequent shootouts; spy films with lesser action would be in the thriller sub-genre.
Examples: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Three Days of the Condor, The Third Man
Superhero
Usually having elements of science fiction and fantasy, they focus on the actions of one or more superheroes, who usually possess superhuman abilities and are dedicated to protecting the public. These films are almost always action-oriented and the first film of a particular character often includes a focus on the origin of their special powers, including the first fight against the character's most famous supervillain archenemy.
Examples: Batman v Superman, Wonder Woman 1984, Everything produced by Marvel Studios,
Comedy is a genre of film focused on humour. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement and most often work by exaggerating characteristics for humorous effect. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy can also be incorporated into many other genres to create subgenres. Comedies are more likely than other films to fall back on the success and popularity of an individual star.
Examples:
THIS IS SPINAL TAP (1984) - Spinal Tap, one of England's loudest bands, is chronicled by film director Marty DeBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.
TOOTSIE (1982) - Michael Dorsey, an unsuccessful actor, disguises himself as a woman in order to get a role on a trashy hospital soap.
BRIDESMAIDS (2011) - Competition between the maid of honour and a bridesmaid, over who is the bride's best friend, threatens to upend the life of an out-of-work pastry chef.
Action-Comedy
Same as listing in the comedy section.
Black-Comedy
Black Comedy is a sub-genre of both Comedy and Satire. These films often explore concepts and topics that are considered taboo. Black Comedy takes topics and situations that are commonly held as serious and explores them in a comical way. Because of this approach, Black Comedies often cause the audience to laugh and feel uncomfortable simultaneously.
Examples: Fargo, Harold and Maude, Dr. Strangelove
Horror-Comedy
Horror-Comedy combines comedy with traditional horror movie themes and characters. Because of the subject matter, Horror-Comedy films can cross over into the Black Comedy sub-genre. Horror-Comedy films aim to scare the audience, but also provide comical outlets that let the audience laugh at their fear.
Examples: Zombieland, Shaun of the Dead, Tucker & Dale vs Evil, Army of Darkness
Dramedy
Dramedy film is a genre that has a dramatic tone, yet has important elements of comedy. In Dramedies, the amount of drama and comedy are almost equally balanced. This balance provides comedic relief for the audience, while still addressing serious issues.
Examples: Little Miss Sunshine, The Royal Tenenbaums, Lost in Translation, Lady Bird
Parody/Spoof/Satire/Mockumentary
Parody is a sub-genre of Comedy film that bases itself in reality. These films impersonate, ridicule, or scoff at serious situations and people. These films rely heavily on satire and can be used as a means of social or political commentary. Parody films have also spawned a new category of film known as the “Mockumentary” wherein the film appears to be an actual documentary, but features broad and ridiculous content over any real-world examination of a subject.
Examples: Life of Brian, Naked Gun, Scary Movie, Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman
Romantic-Comedy aka “Rom-Com”
Romantic-Comedy is a genre that attempts to catch the viewer’s heart with a combination of love and humour. This sub-genre is light-hearted and usually places the two protagonists in humorous situations. Romantic-Comedies revolve around a romantic ideal, such as true love. In the end, the ideal triumphs over the situation or obstacle, thus creating a happy ending.
Examples: Roman Holiday, When Harry Met Sally, Knocked Up
Slapstick
Slapstick comedy is a sub-genre of film that incorporates physical comedy into the story. Slapstick uses visual action, such as harmless violence and horseplay, to depict humour. Slapstick film often relies on comedic timing and the controlled physical performance of a single actor or actress.
Examples: Caddyshack, Airplane!, Deadpool, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Crime is a genre that revolves around the action of a criminal mastermind. A Crime film will often revolve around the criminal himself, chronicling his rise and fall. Some Crime films will have a storyline that follows the criminal's victim, yet others follow the person in pursuit of the criminal. This genre tends to be fast-paced with an air of mystery – this mystery can come from the plot or from the characters themselves.
Examples :
FARGO (1996) - Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of the quite pregnant Marge Gunderson.
GOODFELLAS (1990) - Henry Hill and his friends work their way up through the mob hierarchy.
SCARFACE (1983) - In Miami in 1980, a determined Cuban immigrant takes over a drug cartel and succumbs to greed.
Mob/Gangster
Mob/Gangster films are a sub-genre of crime films that centre on organized crime or the mafia. Often the plot revolves around the rise and fall of an organized crime leader. Many Gangster films explore the destructive nature of organized crime, while others attempt to show the humanity of the individual characters.
Examples: Goodfellas, Scarface, The Departed, The Untouchables
Film-Noir
Film-Noir is not simply a genre, but rather a term for a distinct, stylistic type of crime drama that was popular throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Film-Noir is characterized by a black-and-white visual style and stark lighting effects. The main character is usually a cynical hero. Film-Noir relies on a narrative voice and various flashbacks to explain the intricate plot.
Examples: Sunset Boulevard, The Maltese Falcon, Sweet Smell of Success
Neo-Noir
Neo-Noir refers to a modern film that takes on the characteristics of Film-Noir. Modern updates are made within Neo-Noir in terms of media and visual elements. Neo-Noir films also update themes and content to fit with current society.
Examples: Chinatown, Sin City, L.A. Confidential, Brick, The Kid Detective
Police Procedural
A mainstay and particularly popular on television, this subgenre focuses on the process in which police investigate and eventually prosecute the criminal. Shocking twists and turns are revealed slowly throughout the script, leading to an eventual arrest.
Examples: In the Heat of the Night, Madigan, The French Connection.
Crime-Thriller
Crime-Thriller is a sub-genre that incorporates the suspenseful aspects of a thriller with a crime film plot. This subgenre's plot usually centres on a serial killer, murderer, robbery or manhunt. As opposed to traditional crime films, the storyline focuses both on the criminal and the protagonist. Crime-Thrillers use both action and psychological aspects to build tension and suspense.
Examples: The Usual Suspects, The Fugitive, Jagged Edge
Drama is a genre that relies on the emotional and relational development of realistic characters. While Dramas rely heavily on this kind of development, dramatic themes play a large role in the plot as well. Often, these dramatic themes are taken from intense, real-life issues. Whether heroes or heroines are facing an external conflict or a conflict within themselves, Drama film aims to tell an honest story of human struggles.
Examples:
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994) - A former banker convicted of murdering his wife develops a lifelong friendship with a fellow prisoner and ultimately tries to defy the odds by keeping hope alive inside prison walls.
ORDINARY PEOPLE (1980) - The accidental death of the older son of an affluent family deeply strains the relationships among the bitter mother, the good-natured father, and the guilt-ridden younger son.
THE ICE STORM (1997) - 1973, suburban New Canaan, Connecticut: middle-class families experimenting with casual sex and substance abuse find themselves losing control of their lives.
Biography / Biopic
A Biography drama incorporates dramatic elements into a biographical film. These films differ from Historical and “based in truth” films because they specifically chronicle the life of a person or a group of people. Biography films attempt to show a comprehensive and accurate picture of the specific subject; thus, they tend to be serious and intense.
Examples: Ray, Monster, Blow, Rocketman, Judy, Bohemian Rhapsody
Courtroom Drama
Courtroom drama film uses the justice system as a main component of the plot. The story usually unfolds inside a courtroom with the prosecutor, judge, jury, and the defence. Tension plays a large part in courtroom dramas as the verdict can often mean life or death.
Examples: A Few Good Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, 12 Angry Men
Dramedy
Same as in Comedy Sub-Genre list
Historical Drama
Historical is a sub-genre of Drama film that examines a specific time or people from world history. Most Historical films are only loosely based on these events and people, however. These films tend to focus on the more glorified societies and people in history such as the Romans, specific Kings and Queens, or important political figures.
Examples: Frost/Nixon, Hotel Rwanda, Chariots of Fire, The Patriot
Melodrama
Melodrama film is a sub-genre that appeals to the heightened emotions of the audience. The plot and characters often are more unrealistic than those found in a traditional drama. Melodramas usually cater towards a female audience and tell a story that centres on a great crisis and a heroic protagonist.
Examples: The Bridges of Madison County, Steel Magnolias, Sophie’s Choice
Period Piece
Period Piece is a sub-genre of Drama that focuses on a specific time era. The era in which the film is set adds not only to the plot but to the characters and costumes as well. Period Piece films are often based on a novel. These films tend to have a longer run time than traditional Dramas.
Examples: Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Romeo and Juliet, The King’s Speech
Political Drama
Political drama films contain themes, characters, and a plot specifically about politics and the political scene. The main protagonist is often at odds with the harsh reality of corruption in politics. Many Political Dramas are based in fact but focus on exploring conspiracy theories.
Examples: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Wag The Dog, The Manchurian Candidate
Romantic Drama
Romantic Drama film is a genre that explores the complex side of love. The plot usually centres on an obstacle that is preventing love between two people. The obstacles in Romantic Drama film can range from a family's disapproval to forbidden love, to one's own psychological restraints. Many Romantic Dramas end with the lovers separating because of the enormity of the obstacle, the realization of incompatibility, or simply... fate.
Examples: Titanic, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Dr. Zhivago
Fantasy film is a genre that incorporates imaginative and fantastic themes. These themes usually involve magic, supernatural events, or fantasy worlds. Although it is its own distinct genre, these films can overlap into the horror and science fiction genres. Unlike science fiction, a fantasy film does not need to be rooted in fact. This element allows the audience to be transported into a new and unique world. Often, these films centre on an ordinary hero in an extraordinary situation.
Examples:
TLOTR: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2001) - When a young hobbit is trusted with an ancient ring, he must travel to the fires of Mount Doom in order to destroy it.
STAR WARS (1977) - Luke Skywalker joins the Rebel Alliance and tries to save Princess Leia from the sinister Darth Vader.
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE (2001) - After discovering his true identity as a wizard, Harry Potter takes on adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Bangsian Fantasy
Bangsian fantasy is fantasy in the style of author John Kendrick Bangs, where the plot is set at least in part in the afterlife. These films explore the concepts of Heaven and Hell, through different religious sects. Often, Bangsian Fantasy will incorporate Greek themes. Many films in this sub-genre base characters on actual, real world people.
Examples: The Lovely Bones, What Dreams May Come, A Matter of Life and Death
High Fantasy
High fantasy is defined either by its setting in a fictional universe or by the epic stature of its characters, themes, and plot. The term "high fantasy" was coined by Lloyd Alexander in a 1971 essay, "High Fantasy and Heroic Romance".
Examples: The Chronicles of Narnia, The NeverEnding Story, John Carter of Mars
Low Fantasy
Low fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy fiction involving "non-rational happenings that are without causality or rationality because they occur in the rational world where such things are not supposed to occur.” Low fantasy stories are usually set in a fictional but rational world and are contrasted with high fantasy stories, which take place in a completely fictional fantasy world setting with its own set of rules and physical laws.
Low fantasy places relatively less emphasis on typical elements associated with fantasy, setting a narrative in realistic environments with elements of the fantastical. Sometimes there are just enough fantastical elements to make ambiguous the boundary between what is real and what is purely psychological or supernatural. The word "low" refers to the level of prominence of traditional fantasy elements within the work and is not any sort of remark on the work's quality.
Examples: Pippi Longstocking, The Borrowers, Pinocchio, The Indian in the Cupboard
Sword and Sorcery
Sword and Sorcery is a subgenre of fantasy generally characterized by sword-wielding heroes engaged in exciting and violent conflicts. An element of romance is often present, as is an element of magic and the supernatural. Unlike works of high fantasy, the tales, though dramatic, focus largely on personal battles rather than world-endangering matters. Sword and sorcery commonly overlaps with heroic fantasy.
Examples: Conan the Barbarian, The Sword in the Stone, Legend
Sword and Sandal
The peplum film (pepla plural), also known as Sword-and-Sandal, is a genre of largely Italian-made historical or Biblical epics (costume dramas) that dominated the Italian film industry from 1958 to 1965, eventually being replaced in 1965 by Eurospy films and Spaghetti Westerns. They can be immediately differentiated from the competing Hollywood product by their use of dubbing. The pepla attempted to emulate the big-budget Hollywood historical epics of the time, such as Spartacus, Samson and Delilah and The Ten Commandments.
The terms "peplum" (referring to the tunic-style Greek and Roman garment often worn by characters in the films) and "sword-and-sandal" were used in a condescending way by film critics. Later, the terms were embraced by fans of the films, similar to the terms "spaghetti western" or "shoot-'em-ups". Italian director Vittorio Cottafavi called the genre "Neo-Mythology".
Examples: Goliath and the Barbarians, Hercules, Son of Samson
Horror film is a genre that wants to elicit a genuine sense of fear, panic, alarm, and dread from its audience. These films are often unsettling and rely on scaring the audience through a portrayal of their worst fears and nightmares. Horror films usually centre on the arrival of an evil force, person, or event. Many Horror films include mythical creatures such as ghosts, vampires, and zombies. Traditionally, Horror films incorporate a large amount of violence and gore into the plot. Though it has its own style, Horror can often overlap into Fantasy, Thriller, and Science-Fiction genres.
Examples:
HOUSE OF THE DEVIL (2009) - During a night of 1983 with full lunar eclipse, Samantha Hughes takes a babysitting job surrounded by mysterious circumstances before she discovers her client's terrifying secret.
HEREDITARY (2018) After the family matriarch passes away, a grieving family is haunted by tragic and disturbing occurrences, and begin to unravel dark secrets.
THE THING (1981) - A research facility in Antarctica discovers a frozen extra-terrestrial that can mimic anything it touches with 100% accuracy. The members must now find out who's human and who's not before it's too late.
Action-Horror
A subgenre combining the intrusion of an evil force, event, or personage of horror movies with the gunfights and frenetic chases of the action genre. Themes or elements often prevalent in typical action-horror films include gore, demons, vicious animals, vampires and, most commonly, zombies. This category also fuses the fantasy genre.
Examples: Aliens, I Saw The Devil, Army of the Dead, Underworld
Comedy-Horror
Comedy-Horror combines comedy with traditional horror movie themes and characters. Because of the subject matter, Comedy-Horror films can cross over into the Black Comedy sub-genre. Comedy-Horror films aim to scare the audience, but also provide comical outlets that let the audience laugh at their fear.
Examples: Beetlejuice, Zombieland, Shaun of the Dead, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
Teen-Horror
Teen-Horror is a sub-genre that revolves completely around a teenager or a group of teenagers. Typically, these movies have a large cast and a clear hero or heroine. Teen-Horror films often play upon traditional teenage issues, such as dating and prom, and turn them into suspenseful and thrilling situations.
Examples: I Know What You Did Last Summer, Scream, Final Destination
Monster
A Monster film is a subgenre of Horror that centres on a struggle between human beings and a monster(s). Often, the monster in the film has been created in an “experiment gone wrong.” The monster usually serves as a villain, and the film portrays a hero or heroine that ultimately saves the world from the monster. Although these movies commonly fall into the Horror genre, Monster films have a long tradition within Science-Fiction and Fantasy films as well.
Examples: Alien, Godzilla, Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Host
Psychological Horror
Psychological horror is a subgenre of horror and psychological fiction that relies on mental, emotional and psychological states to frighten, disturb, or unsettle viewers. The subgenre frequently overlaps with the related subgenre Psychological Thriller. It often uses mystery elements and characters with unstable, unreliable, or disturbing psychological states to enhance the suspense, drama, action, and paranoia of the setting and plot and to provide an overall unpleasant, unsettling, or distressing atmosphere.
Examples: Rosemary’s Baby, Repulsion, The Shining, Black Swan, Midsommar
Slasher
Slasher film is a sub-genre of Horror film that revolves around a psychopathic killer. The killer stalks and murders his victims in extremely violent and inventive ways. Though it centres on a specific killer, the violence is what sets Slasher films apart from other horror films. A Slasher film will devote more screen time to illustrate more of the “how” of its murder and mayhem than a traditional Horror film.
Examples: Halloween, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street
Torture Porn / Splatter Film
A splatter film is a subgenre of horror film that deliberately focuses on graphic portrayals of gore and violence. These films, usually through the use of special effects, display a fascination with the vulnerability of the human body and the theatricality of its mutilation.
Torture porn is a term used to describe – particularly between 2003–2009 – a body of films that combined elements of the splatter and slasher film genres. The films were dubbed "torture porn" by critics and detractors, most notably by David Edelstein who is thought to have coined the term. Like their splatter forerunners, "torture porn" films reputedly emphasize depictions of violence, gore, nudity, torture, mutilation and sadism.
Examples: Saw, Hostel, Funny Games, I Spit on Your Grave
Supernatural-Horror
The supernatural-Horror film is a sub-genre that includes ghosts, demons, or other depictions of supernatural occurrences. Often, Supernatural-Horror films combine elements of religion into the plot. Common themes in Supernatural-Horror films include the afterlife, the devil, and demonic possession. Unlike Religious Thrillers, Supernatural-Horror films are not limited to specific religious elements and can contain more vivid and gruesome violence.
Examples: The Exorcist, The Ring, The Omen, Dark Water
Zombie
Zombie film is a sub-genre of Horror film that feature mindless human beings who are raised from the dead. These films often include a Zombie invasion and centre around Zombies feasting on human flesh. The plot of a Zombie film then revolves around the struggle between the living and the living dead. Zombie film not only falls into the Horror genre, but Sci-Fi, Thriller, and Comedy as well.
Examples: Night of the Living Dead, Shaun of the Dead, 28 Days Later
A Mystery or Suspense film centres on a person of authority, usually a detective, trying to solve a mysterious crime. The main protagonist uses clues, investigation, and logical reasoning. The biggest element in these films is a sense of “whodunit” suspense, usually created through visual cues and unusual plot twists.
Examples:
THE MALTESE FALCON (1941) - A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette.
BLUE VELVET (1986) - The discovery of a severed human ear found in a field leads a young man on an investigation related to a beautiful, mysterious nightclub singer and a group of psychopathic criminals who have kidnapped her child.
CHINATOWN (1974) - A private detective hired to expose an adulterer finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption and murder.
Closed-Mystery
A Closed-Mystery is a sub-genre of Mystery/Suspense Film that conceals the identity of the main perpetrator until the very end of the film. This kind of storyline adds an extra element of suspense to the plot, as the audience is not sure who has committed the crime. Often, there are a variety of characters that are possible suspects.
Examples: Clue, Murder of the Orient Express, Twelve Little Indians
Film-Noir
Film Noir is not simply a sub-genre, but rather a term for a distinct, stylistic type of crime-drama or thriller/mystery that was popular throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Film-Noir is characterized by a black-and-white style with stark visual lighting effects. The main character is usually a cynical hero. Film-Noir relies on a narrative voice-over and various flashbacks to explain the intricate plot.
Examples: Sunset Boulevard, The Maltese Falcon, Sweet Smell of Success
Open-Mystery / Heist / Caper
The Open-Mystery Film is the opposite of a Closed Mystery. In these movies, the main perpetrator is revealed at the beginning of the story. These films showcase “the perfect crime” scenarios. Suspense in these films come less from the “whodunit” aspect and more from how the crime was committed.
Examples: Oceans 11, Thomas Crown Affair, The Italian Job
Romance film can be defined as a genre wherein the plot revolves around the love between two protagonists. This genre usually has a theme that explores an issue within love, including but not limited to: love at first sight, forbidden love, love triangles, and sacrificial love. The tone of Romance film can vary greatly. Whether the end is happy or tragic, Romance films aim to evoke strong emotions in the audience.
Examples:
ANNIE HALL (1977) - Neurotic New York comedian Alvy Singer falls in love with the ditzy Annie Hall
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (2005) - The story of a forbidden and secretive relationship between two cowboys, and their lives over the years.
LOVE ACTUALLY (2003) - A look at eight very different love stories that are loosely intertwined in England during the Christmas season.
Romantic Drama
See listing in the Drama section.
Romantic-Comedy aka “Rom-Com”
See listing in the comedy section.
Science Fiction is a genre that incorporates hypothetical, science-based themes into the plot of the film. Often, this genre incorporates futuristic elements and advanced technologies to explore social, political, and philosophical issues. The film itself is usually set in the future, either on earth or in space.
Examples:
SILENT RUNNING (1971) - In a future where all flora is extinct on Earth, an astronaut is ordered to destroy the last of Earth's botany, kept in a greenhouse aboard a spacecraft.
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968) - An artifact is discovered on the moon and humans set out on a quest, with the help of a sophisticated computer system named HAL.
THE MARTIAN (2015) – An astronaut becomes stranded on Mars after his team assumes he is dead, and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to survive and signal Earth he is alive.
Apocalyptic Sci-Fi
Apocalyptic film is a sub-genre of Science-Fiction film. The plot revolves around an impending disaster. Within this genre, the disaster is usually an alien invasion, a nuclear war, a pandemic, or a natural disaster. The development of technology plays a large role in these films and often serves as the source of conflict. While many films in this sub-genre centre around the disaster, many focus on the post-apocalyptic state of the world.
Examples: Independence Day, War of the Worlds, Armageddon
Dystopian Sci-Fi
Dystopian film is a sub-genre of Science-Fiction film that focuses on the upset state of the world. These films take place in the future and feature a world that is overrun with violence, oppression, and disease. In other words, a Dystopian film explores what it would look like to achieve the opposite of a Utopian society. This sub-genre often holds the same themes and characteristics of a post-apocalyptic film. Generally, the common themes within Dystopian films include dehumanization, the repression of individuality, and uniformity at the cost of human rights.
Examples: V for Vendetta, Mad Max, Blade Runner
Time Travel Sci-Fi
As stated in its name, this sub-genre of Science-Fiction film centres around the concept of time travel. These films can explore traditional time travel through futuristic devices or space-time travel. The Time Travel sub-genre can also explore the concept of alternate histories, alternate realities, and parallel universes.
Examples: The Terminator, Back to the Future, Star Trek, Looper
Alien Sci-Fi
Alien films are perhaps the most prominent themed sub-genre in Science-Fiction film. These films can explore the existence of extra-terrestrials, alien invasions, and alien abduction. Often, these movies include some sort of government conspiracy or cover-up. A common theme in this sub-genre is the coexistence between human beings and aliens.
Examples: Predator, Mars Attacks!, Alien Nation, Arrival
Monster Sci-Fi
Sci-Fi films focused on Monsters and Mutants is a sub-genre with a long tradition within Science-Fiction. Unlike horror films, this sub-genre contains a monster or mutant that derives from a scientific explanation or origin. These films may contain a scientific experiment or accident that produces said monster. In many Science-Fiction films, these mutants can be created from technology and take the form of robots and technologically advanced beings.
Examples: Alien, Godzilla, Cloverfield, Tremors, The Fly, Annihilation
Cyber Punk Sci-Fi
A genre of science fiction set in a lawless subculture of an oppressive society dominated by computer technology.
Examples: Blade Runner, The Matrix, Ghost in the Shell
A true Thriller is defined by its edge-of-your-seat suspense and most often, believable and compelling characters in unbelievable, nail-biting situations. Plot twists that stun and amaze are the norm with spectacular action scenes serving only to strengthen the storyline, not arbitrarily entertain. Most of all, a Thriller is the kind of story that grips you like a vice, never letting the audience know what's coming next until massive relief and shock of the final revelation at its conclusion.
Examples:
THE CHASER (2008) - A disgraced ex-policeman who runs a small ring of prostitutes finds himself in a race against time when one of his women goes missing.
THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991) - A young F.B.I. cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims.
NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959) - A hapless New York advertising executive is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies and is pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive.
Action Thriller
An Action Thriller uses physical action to create suspense within the film. Like a traditional Action film, this sub-genre will often have continuous motion and action including physical stunts, chases, fights, battles, and races. Often, these scenes will contribute to the overall sense of danger that the protagonist is facing.
Examples:- Die Hard, Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2, The Bourne Identity
Crime Thriller
Crime Thriller film is a sub-genre that incorporates the suspenseful aspects of a thriller with a crime film plot. This subgenre's plot usually centres on a serial killer, murderer, robbery, or manhunt. As opposed to traditional crime films, the storyline focuses both on the criminal and the protagonist. Crime Thrillers use both action and psychological aspects to build tension and suspense.
Examples: The Usual Suspects, The Fugitive, Jagged Edge
Film-Noir
See description in the Crime section.
Psychological Thriller
In addition to the traits of a regular Thriller, a Psychological Thriller incorporates elements of drama and mystery film. The suspense in this sub-genre comes from the mind, rather than from a psychical threat. The protagonists in Psychological Thrillers must rely on their mental resources to solve the situation. Because of their nature, many Psychological Thrillers cross over into the Horror genre.
Examples: Memento, Rear Window, Taxi Driver
Science Fiction Thriller
Science Fiction Thrillers incorporate hypothetical, science-based themes into the plot of the film. Traditionally, a Science Fiction film will incorporate heroes, villains, unexplored locations, fantastical quests, and advanced technology. These elements can be used in a Science Fiction Thriller to create anticipation and suspense. Often, this sub-genre will explore the “future-gone-bad” theme, including plots that revolve around alien invasions, dystopian scenarios, and super-diseases.
Examples: Aliens, Inception, District 9, Tenet
Religious Thriller
Religious Thriller film incorporates religious themes, including religious questions, ceremonies, and objects. Though some films can revolve around a specific church, many Religious Thrillers include supernatural experiences not pertaining to a certain religion. Exorcisms, demon possession, and church cover-ups are typical themes of Religious Thrillers.
Examples: The Devil’s Advocate, The Ninth Gate, The Da Vinci Code
Supernatural-Thriller
Supernatural-Thriller films incorporate supernatural themes that are considered mysterious. Unlike other sub-genres, Supernatural-Thrillers thrive on an “edge-of-your-seat” feeling. The audience is in an almost constant state of fear and anticipation. The plot usually revolves around a mysterious event or person and the quest to find out the truth
Examples: The Sixth Sense, Frequency, The Dead Zone
A “Western” film is typically set in the late 19th century in the American Wild West, most often between the American Civil War (1865) and the early 1900s. Common themes include Man vs Nature, the cultural separation of the East and West, the West’s resistance to modern change, the conflict between Cowboys and Native Indians, outlaws, and treasure/gold hunting. American Westerns most often feature a stoic hero committing acts of masculine violence and focus on the importance of honour and sacrifice.
Examples:
TOMBSTONE (1993) - A successful lawman's plans to retire anonymously in Tombstone, Arizona, are disrupted by the kind of outlaws he was famous for eliminating.
THE SEARCHERS (1956) - An American Civil War veteran embarks on a journey to rescue his niece from the Comanche.
THE WILD BUNCH (1968) - An ageing group of outlaws looks for one last big score as the "traditional" American West is disappearing around them.
Modern Westerns
The Modern Western is a sub-genre that reflects the motifs and themes of classic Westerns, yet is set in current day. These films are usually still set in the American West, but not always. Modern Westerns often explore the “classic cowboy” struggling in the “civilized” world. These films not only examine an individual in these settings, but also the way the West has changed since the 1800s.
Examples: No Country for Old Men, Hell or High Water
Revisionist Western
Revisionist Westerns came about in the 1960s as a direct response to the waning popularity of classic Westerns. These films took a subverted and often contrarian view of the West. For example, Revisionist Westerns began portraying Native Americans as complex and reasonable people and not simply as “savages.” Revisionist Westerns also asked the audience to examine whether the use of violence is moral – even if the protagonist is justified.
Examples: Dances With Wolves, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Wild Bunch
Science-Fiction Western
Science-Fiction Western is a genre that combines elements of Sci-Fi and Westerns into a single film by either introducing high-technology to the old West or by using Western genre sensibilities in the distant future and outer space. At times, future technology is used to transport characters into the Wild West.
Examples: Back to the Future III, Serenity (FireFly), Outland.
Spaghetti Westerns
Spaghetti Westerns, also known as Italian Westerns or Macaroni Westerns, are a broad subgenre of Western films that emerged in the mid-1960s in the wake of Director Sergio Leone's film-making style and international box-office success. The term was used by American critics and other countries because most of these Westerns were produced and directed by Italians, but the genre stands out more for its adherence to the style of Sergio Leone.
Examples:
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, Once Upon a Time in the West, For A Few Dollars More
Did it surprise you just how many genre categories and sub-categories there are?
Although It is very important that you learn a deep understanding of genre and genre conventions, the most important takeaway remains that you really do need to know exactly what it is that you are trying to create before you get started.
Once you identify which genre you want to work with, pay close attention to the attributes that are unique to that genre so that you can actively address GENRE CONVENTIONS and AUDIENCE EXPECTATIONS. You need to do that to succeed.
