Action/Thriller—typical
Hollywood blockbuster, plot-driven, possibly with violence. It is admittedly
the go-to genre where I put lots of movies. It is the standard, generic, basic
genre for non-drama/non-comedy movies. Examples from War of the Worlds to Fight
Club to King Kong etc.
Comedy—a movie that intentionally tries to be funny—comedy is the purpose of the movie—could be light-hearted, dark/black humor, slapstick, romantic, or “dramady”/dry humor. Examples would be Austin Powers to Notting Hill to perhaps Sideways.
Drama—could be funny in parts, but the focus is more emotional or based on characters and their relationships. Not necessarily sad, but not necessarily happy/funny/light-hearted either. Examples include Leaving Las Vegas, Lost in Translation and Dances with Wolves.
Family—meant for a younger audience, ie kids’ movie. Examples are Finding Nemo and Sleeping Beauty and Homeward Bound.
Horror/Scary—purposefully scary. Could be suspenseful, but the focus is on the scare (though not necessarily gory/violent). Examples: 28 Days Later, The Ring, The Exorcist.
Mystery/Suspense—the point is that the plot is driven by some secret or enigma that doesn’t get revealed completely until the end (if at all). Could be crime-cop-murder or could be a dark, mental, psychological mystery. Examples: Usual Suspects, Shutter Island, Inception.
Sci-Fi—more specifically has to do with something futuristic or a new technology or space. I’d say that it can also be plain old weird. For example, Being John Malcovich, 2001 A Space Odyssey and Avatar.
Western—we know what Westerns are: cowboys etc. Example: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, 3:10 to Yuma.
Comedy—a movie that intentionally tries to be funny—comedy is the purpose of the movie—could be light-hearted, dark/black humor, slapstick, romantic, or “dramady”/dry humor. Examples would be Austin Powers to Notting Hill to perhaps Sideways.
Drama—could be funny in parts, but the focus is more emotional or based on characters and their relationships. Not necessarily sad, but not necessarily happy/funny/light-hearted either. Examples include Leaving Las Vegas, Lost in Translation and Dances with Wolves.
Family—meant for a younger audience, ie kids’ movie. Examples are Finding Nemo and Sleeping Beauty and Homeward Bound.
Horror/Scary—purposefully scary. Could be suspenseful, but the focus is on the scare (though not necessarily gory/violent). Examples: 28 Days Later, The Ring, The Exorcist.
Mystery/Suspense—the point is that the plot is driven by some secret or enigma that doesn’t get revealed completely until the end (if at all). Could be crime-cop-murder or could be a dark, mental, psychological mystery. Examples: Usual Suspects, Shutter Island, Inception.
Sci-Fi—more specifically has to do with something futuristic or a new technology or space. I’d say that it can also be plain old weird. For example, Being John Malcovich, 2001 A Space Odyssey and Avatar.
Western—we know what Westerns are: cowboys etc. Example: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, 3:10 to Yuma.
