My Favorite Movies by Genre (Format/Setting)

Film Genres (Format/Setting)

Super-Hero

A film that concerns the activities of a super-hero. A super-hero may be defined as an individual possessed of extraordinary or superhuman abilities, who usually has a secret identity, wears a distinctive costume (often skin-tight with a mask and cape), and who, without regard for personal safety or reward, fights criminals and other people, phenomena, or things which threaten harm to innocent citizens.

Animation

A film composed of hand-drawn or painted pictures (or cels) displayed rapidly in sequence to create the illusion of motion. Animation is a film format, not a genre.

Musical

A film of any genre (generally fantasy or romance) in which characters spontaneously burst into song. The songs themselves constitute part of the narrative and dialogue and are not performed in a self-conscious manner.

Science Fiction (SF)

A film that deals with or showcases speculative science, technology, or history. Films that take place in the future, parallel universes, the prehistoric past (when events are depicted realistically in accordance with current knowledge as in Quest for Fire or Clan of the Cave Bear as opposed to One Million Years BC), alien worlds, futuristic spacecraft, or alternate Earths or display extraterrestrial aliens, time travel, or the effects of unknown scientific processes (as in Phenomenon, Frequency, and The Butterfly Effect) are science fiction.

Fantasy/Myth

A film involving fantastic elements without any attempt at a scientific or technological explanation and often incorporating magic, the supernatural, or imaginary creatures and lands. Myths, fairy tales, and legends featuring magic or the supernatural are fantasy. The sub-genre Bangsian fantasy deals specifically with the afterlife and divine, angelic, or demonic beings. Fantasy is distinct from both SF and horror (although horror films frequently involve the supernatural).

Western

A film set in the North American West circa 1820-1920 regardless of plot. Westerns are generally action, adventure, or crime films, but they may also be romances (Somersby), dramas (Dances with Wolves), or comedies (Little Big Man). Western is technically a film setting rather than a genre.

Horror

A film primarily intended to frighten the audience. A film depicting vampires, werewolves, serial killers, zombies, demons, or ghosts is generally a horror film. There are notable exceptions, however, particularly in films with ghosts. Ghostbusters’ emphasis on science and technology qualifies it as SF, and Ghost’s and Casper’s lack of any horror elements place them in the fantasy genre.

Romance

A film whose prime focus is romantic love between a man and woman (or members of the same sex). Romances often contain elements of the comedy, drama, Western, or musical genres.

Comedy

The main intent of a comedy film is to amuse and provoke humor and laughter. There are several varieties of comedy film, and comedy films frequently contain elements of other genres.

Action

An action film is a film in which action sequences, such as fighting, stunts, car chases or explosions, take precedence over elements like characterization or complex plotting. The action typically involves a conflict between good and evil, which is resolved by physical force or violence. The action genre is closely linked with the thriller genre and may be hybridized with almost any other genre. The action film is the modern successor to the adventure film. Whereas the action film typically takes place in present-day cities, adventure films are set in the past often in less civilized areas.

Adventure

Adventure films are the thematic predecessors of modern action films. While action films incorporate gun fights and car chases, the adventure film displays swordfights and horse or chariot chases. Adventure films usually take place prior to 1700 AD (the time when swords became obsolete), often involve pirates, a roguish hero fighting injustice, and quests or searches for lost cities or treasure. The adventure film is frequently combined with the fantasy genre.

Sport

A sport film simply revolves around a particular type of athletic competition. Popular subjects of sport films include football, baseball, basketball, tennis, ice hokey, horse racing, and martial arts.

Drama

A drama film centers on the development of the characters and the emotionally charged interactions between those characters.

Thriller/Suspense/Mystery

In a suspense film, the gradual unveiling, distentangling, or solving of the method, scheme, or plot by which something is either to be accomplished or avoided provides the tension of the story. The something that either was accomplished or will be accomplished or thwarted could be a crime, a cover-up, a disaster (natural or man-made), a rescue, a scientific/technological discovery, etc. There may be action sequences, but these are not usually physical conflicts between people. Anxiety frequently results from the protagonist’s efforts to avoid discovery by means of stealth. Alfred Hitchcock was the acknowledged master of suspense, and even Psycho may be regarded as horror/suspense. Suspense films often have intricate plots and twist or surprise endings.

Crime

A crime film deals with crime, criminal justice, criminal organizations, and the dark side of human nature.

War

A war film depicts events surrounding military operations or training, the effects of warfare upon civilians, or the activities of prisoners of war. War films may be historically accurate, completely fictional, or intermediate regarding historicity. The tone of war films varies. Some war films hail the glory of combat, battles, and patriotism. Other war films denounce war in general, a particular war, or an isolated aspect of particular wars or battles.