Surely more than once you have wondered how many different movie genres there are, and it is that depending on the style, setting or theme, they are classified in one or the other.
In principle, there are film genres that we all know and have studied or heard about. But we also find different classifications that can lead to that number increasing. In this publication we will clarify all your doubts about the different film genres.
Major film genres
The world of cinema is the strongest medium when it comes to connecting with the public and generating emotions through the story that is presented.
The cinema over the years, has known how to evolve and adapt giving different approaches, settings, styles, themes, etc.. He has managed to build a huge catalog of film genres.
The first thing we have to be clear about is the concept of film genre. We understand by this, the main theme of a film, with this theme the film is classified and organized in certain style parameters.
As we mentioned, movies can be classified among a large number of categories, always depending on the criteria that are being used. Not only can it be classified into one genre, but depending on the characteristics of the film, it can be classified into two or three different ones.
Below we show you the main classifications that exist.
Film genres by style
We have all read or heard at some time when going to the cinema, that it is a science fiction or comedy film. For these two aspects are examples of genres by style.
Action
Source: SensaCine.com
If we talk about action movies, spectacular scenes come to mind, with a lot of adrenaline and different movements. Action is synonymous with hand-to-hand fights, shooting, the fight between good and evil, etc.
It is not the same as another of the genres that we will talk about later, the war genre. Action films contain scenes from which we will not be able to take our eyes off, not only because of the fight but on many occasions because of the wonderful technical level with which they have been carried out. We all know that one of the best movies of this genre is The Matrix.
Comedy
Source: filmaffinity
In this genre, humor is used as a means to make viewers laugh and amuse.. Comedy is one of the most flexible film genres when it comes to its use, since humor can be combined with any other genre.
The purpose, as we mentioned, is to make the spectators have an entertaining and fun time, through the use of sarcasm and humorous scenes. An example of the use of comedy as a film genre is the movie Trapped in Time, starring Bill Muray.
Romance
Source: filmaffinity
This genre is related to drama and comedy. In movies of this type, scenes are created that focus on a love relationship between two or more people.. This relationship becomes the main core of the plot.
The romantic comedy is one of the most popular subgenres today in the world of cinema.. Romantic movies not only attract the female audience, but other audiences, since they are plots that we all can or have experienced in our lives. Call Me By Your Name is a perfect example of this genre.
Musical
Source: SensaCine
Film genre widely seen in recent years on the big screens, remember La La Land winner of several Oscars.
The plot of the film is suspended several times, and musical scenes are introduced in which the protagonists sing and dance.. This type of genre, may or may not be accompanied by choreography, is not essential.
Drama
Source: SensaCine
The films cataloged under this genre, they focus on developing a problem suffered by the protagonists, through a more serious context. Its main purpose is to provoke feelings of compassion or empathy in viewers.
It is another of the most flexible genres that you can find in this list. Important topics are discussed, and during the film you can see the evolution of the character as the plot unravels. One of the best dramas you should know about that is in theaters right now is The Williams Method.
Science fiction
Source: Filmaffinity
Two concepts come together to shape this genre of cinema, imagination and science, giving rise to one of the most creative and striking. Science is used as a means to tell a future, this future can be more or less close.
Imaginary phenomena are narrated as they can, be sightings of extraterrestrials, explosions of planets, invented worlds, etc. The world of technology plays a vital role in this type of film.. One of the best known of this genre is Alien vs Predator or Metropolis.
War
Source: mundopeliculas.tv
The films cataloged in the war or war genre are those in which their plot revolves around war stories, in which its characters are involved in armed conflicts or also, in historical contexts in which there is a war.
There will be no scenes in which weapons, tanks, armies, bombings, etc. appear to us. These types of movies are usually based on true stories., an example of this is, the boy with the striped pajamas.
Terror
Source: muycomputer.com
In these kinds of movies, the main plot is focused on transmitting fear to the viewers. This feeling is transmitted using a dark, gloomy setting, through suspenseful music, tense scenes, etc.
The horror genre is one of the most projected on the big and small screens. Viewers seek excitement and tension, seek to stir something in them. The Exorcist movie would be a classic of this genre.
Fantasía
Source: SensaCine
Fantasy is the genre of cinema in which invented characters and societies are foundAn example that perfectly defines this genre is the saga of The Lord of the Rings. The vast majority of the scenes or characters that are shown to us are unreal.
Fantasy does not give rise to realism, they are films that create their own laws through the use of magic, invented animals, mythologies, etc.
Suspense
Source: Filmaffinity
We can also find it with the name of intrigue, they are films in which their main objective is to generate that feeling of machination in the public. The plot goes through a narrative development that attracts viewers and the final outcome relieves all the tension generated.
They are usually movies that develop quickly, and in which the elements of the plot revolve around a character as we can see in the John Wick movies.
Western
Source: filmaffinity
The Western is a genre that mainly develops in American cinema from the 40s. In these films historical contexts are shown, they are usually related to war genres.
They are movies that take place in the old west, in their beginnings they told the story of fights between Indians and cowboys, they were evolving into the movies we have today where a character becomes a lone hero. Currently on the screens, there is the film directed by Jane Campion, The power of the dog.
Adventure
Source: filmaffinity
With this film genre, we will travel to the most hidden and little known corners of the world or even space. No matter where the story takes us, the protagonists will always live incredible stories never before lived.
The Indiana Jones saga is the perfect example of this film genre, in which the protagonist lives amazing stories.
Police
Source: filmaffinity
In this case we are talking about a subgenre of cinema, it is located within the genre of action or suspense. The characters of the plot, usually belong mainly to police forces, security, detectives, etc.
The story told in this type of film or series focuses on a crime and its subsequent resolution.. You can highlight the Martin Scorsese film, The Departed.
Erotic
Source: filmaffinity
With a dramatic tone, movies or series classified in this genre show scenes in which the characters appear nude. In addition, sex is used as a means to develop the plot.
Normally in this type of productions male or female genitalia are not usually shown, scenes are made with a more artistic style, which completely separates you from pornography. Yes, it is true that in this type of film the naked body of the woman is shown more than that of the man.
Animation
Source: filmaffinity
In the productions under this genre we find fictional characters, either made by hand or through digital media., animations made in 3D programs.
Not only are stories created for the little ones in the house, but there are several films for adult audiences as in the Ted movies, giving life to an inanimate object such as a teddy bear.
Bibliographic histories
Source: SensaCine
this genre, focuses on the narration of historical events of an important character of the time. They tell the main events and life of that character. Normally, the story that is told focuses on a famous character, but the opposite can happen, talking about someone whose story was not yet known.
The film that was released last year, in 2021, The Gucci house would fall within this genre that we have talked about.
Children's cinema
Source: SensaCine
The main target audience of this cinema are the little ones in the house. This genre is usually related to animation. In addition, we can not only find children's cinema with animated characters, but also films with flesh and blood characters.
A very important aspect of this genre is that in their productions a moral is hidden for children. One of the best films of this group is, The Lion King.
As we have told you, not only does this type of classification exist, we also find film genres by format or setting. But it is the cinematographic genres by styles that we must know and through which the films that are reproduced on the big and small screens are classified.