From the inception of Hollywood to the dawn of modern-day cinema, movie genres continue to shape the film industry. That’s why it’s easy to predict your next watch based on your movie history. Chances are, your favorite films have a pattern and you can quickly conclude you like fantasy films or comedy movies.
While there are many movie genres, some have stood the test of time, and new ones continue to come up thanks to advanced technology. Take animation, for instance, a movie genre that became popular because of improved technology like CGI. Also, movie genres have evolved and nowadays you can find hybrid or subgenres that combine the best of both worlds. An example is an action thriller or crime drama film.
So, before you commit an hour or two to watch a film, or even four hours if you’re considering Zack Snyder’s movies, let’s take a look at some of the most popular movie genres that have been known to captivate audiences’ time and again, some even breaking records.
Action
Action films are all about bigger and more intense action, leaving you on the edge of your seat. The movies feature crazy stunts, slow-motion effects, nail-biting pursuits, and a good vs evil narrative. With action films, the plot isn’t the point of focus most of the time, but instead, how it’s delivered.
These adrenaline-pumping films branch into subgenres like spy and espionage, military, martial arts, and even casino gambling. James Bond is a classic action franchise that features the suave 007 agent.
Casino gaming is also known to bring out high-intensity scenes in movies, and that’s why most James Bond movies feature a scene or two. There are also casino-themed action movies like Ocean’s Eleven and Rounders which are popular. The spiral effect is that the films have created even more interest in land-based and real money online casinos where players try out the tricks and hacks seen in movies.
Drama
Drama movies are woven with the perfect storylines to create an epic connection with the viewers. The characters will have in-depth stories exploring complex themes like conflicts, injustice, personal growth, and emotions.
Most of the top movies rated by IMDB fall under this category because of their impressive plots. Top must-watch examples include The Shawshank Redemption and Schindler’s List. As for the subgenres, drama films can cover medical, political, and teen drama.
Fantasy
Fantasy films have no creative limits and the producers, writers, and directors, bring a fictional and magical world to life. As far as their imagination takes them, fantasy movies create a sense of escapism and wonder, taking you to realms you never thought of before.
Mythical creatures, imaginary worlds, unknown races, and new languages are some of the qualities of fantasy films. The Lord of The Rings Trilogy and The Harry Porter franchise are some famous fantasy films that have broken box office records.
Animation
Animation movies are unique in how they bring inanimate objects to life using advanced technology or creative techniques. They rank as one of the highest-grossing movies today, with films like Inside Out and Frozen making over a billion dollars.
Animations also include diverse subgenres such as CGI movies (Shrek and Toy Story), Claymation and stop-motion films (Chicken Run and Isle of Dogs), cutout animation, and puppet animation. Production houses known for coming up with the best animations include Disney and Pixar.
Comedy
At times you simply want to sit back, relax, and have a good laugh when watching a movie. Comedy films come packed with a punch of humor that even the most stoic person will have a giggle. Whether it’s silly dad jokes, sophisticated satire, dark humor, or funny parodies, comedy films are a popular genre that has existed for decades, even a century.
The Jerk is an old comedy released in 1979 that will make you chuckle. Other honorable mentions include The Big Lebowski and Dumb and Dumber.
Why Movie Genres Are Important?
While movie genres have their entertainment value, they play a crucial role in influencing popular culture. Movie producers, directors, and writers show contemporary issues, trigger different thinking, and challenge existing norms, through strong storytelling.
