The 10 types of films and their characteristics

The cinema has stories and proposals for all types of audiences. The cinematographic offering is so wide that it would take too long to go through all the films of a single genre. And there is no doubt that the work of the film industry is the most extensive.

Among all the types of movies that exist, there are classifications according to the content and the type of stories. The different film genres are based on large categories that are reviewed in this article.

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The cinematographic genres that currently exist.

All the movies that are created can be placed in some category. The types of films are defined by their plots, which help to locate the viewer about what to expect from that film production.

Although a great way to locate films is in classics, premieres, old and current, in the end they are all located in one of these great cinematographic genres. Each of them has unique characteristics, and here is a review of the different types of films that exist.

1. Drama

Drama films pose situations in a serious and thoughtful environment. They focus on presenting conflicts, either between the protagonists, the protagonist and his environment, or the protagonist against himself. The script tackles a serious topic with little or no humor.

The story usually unfolds in a historical or current context. It can pose social or psychological situations. Some famous drama movies are The Godfather, Braveheart, Titanic or Citizen Kane.

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2. Comedy

Comedy is a very unique and easily recognizable type of film. The objective is to provoke the laughter of the spectator. He generally resorts to funny situations, although sometimes the weight can fall completely on the performance of the protagonist (s).

There are many animated films that can be considered great representatives of the comedy genre. However, it is also true that some combine drama and comedy to give a result full of nuances. "Crazy About Mary" and "The Mask" are examples of this type of film.

3. Action

The type of action movie is one of the most popular. Usually the stories are centered in a fight of good and evil. What characterizes them is that this confrontation is intense, often with physical or strategic struggle.

It is common in this genre that there are scenes with violence, explosions and battles of all kinds, and they can be posed in a fictional, real or even historical environment. Some of the most famous belong to the Marvel movie series. Many of the movies played by Arnold Schwarzenegger also represent a good example.

4. Adventure

The adventure genre derives from the action movie type. Its plot is based on showing combat and adventure, but with a much lower dose of violence to make it more accessible to an underage audience.

It can be set in a fantasy world or also in a specific time, and it is a genre that is used a lot in children's films. "The Lord of the Rings" or "Star Wars" are part of this genre.

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5. Terror

Horror is a film genre that uses special effects. Already in the first films that were created in history, this genre has been present. The objective is to cause fear and shock in the public.

To achieve this goal, in addition to a story that causes tension, it uses grotesque characters and scenes out of the ordinary. Representative films of this genre are "Halloween", "The Exorcist", "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and the recent "Hereditary".

6. suspense

The suspense or suspense genre involves complex plots full of tension. It is not properly about terror, because scenes or situations with terrifying characters are seldom used. It is more focused on the uneasiness of the story itself.

Thus, complex situations and plots are created that keep the viewer in constant tension and waiting for the resolution. Without a doubt, the great master of this genre is Alfred Hitchcock, author of "Rear Window" or "Psycho".

7. Romantic

Romantic movies are one of the highest grossing genres. As the name suggests, these films present stories of love and heartbreak, and are often combined with the drama genre. However, the difference is that there is always a plot based on love.

Many of these films are adaptations of great literary works. Some are "vintage", that is, they are set in a passage in history. Youth romantic movies are also a highly recognized and acclaimed genre.

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8. Musical

The genre of musicals has true gems of cinematography, being this genre is an adaptation of musical theater to the big screen. Over time it has managed to generate its own language, and great stories have emerged accompanied by music.

"Mamma Mia", "La la land", "Vaseline", "The Wizard of Oz" or "Chicago" are some of the most representative films of the genre. These types of films have won the hearts of audiences, with memorable musical performances and performances.

9. Science fiction

Science fiction has found an ideal showcase in the cinema. Thanks to the development of increasingly sophisticated and realistic special effects, science fiction stories have managed to create striking images that seem possible.

This genre is based on the use of scientific principles to imagine and recreate stories of a possible future, although of course, with a lot of fantasy. In this genre there are great films like "Matrix", "Jurassic Park", "Inception" or "Avatar".

10. Western

The Western genre or western movies is one of the first film genres. It is characterized by developing in the old North American west. It is considered a separate genre, different from action or adventure, because it meets certain immovable characteristics.

In this type of film there are always gunmen, horses, canteens, whiskey and gun fights between the protagonists. One of the most famous films of this genre is "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." More recently Quentin Tarantino made "Django", which is also considered Western.

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Bibliographic references

• Schneider, S.J. (2017). 1001 movies you must see before you die. Barcelona: Grijalbo.