Film Genres

Film Genres

Sci-Fi

Science Fiction is a genre of fiction that has imaginative content such as futuristic settings, space travel, parallel universes, Aliens, Planets, futuristic science and technology, and paranormal activities. The term Sci-Fi was first used in 1954 by Forrest J Ackerman.

It differs from fantasy as the concepts and the imaginative elements of the film are mostly scientifically possible. Sci-Fi is also largely based on writing above alternative possible worlds and futures.

Sci-Fi elements include things such as: A time setting in the future (which can include alternative timelines or that which contradicts historical facts and events), characters that are aliens, androids, mutants and humanoid robots (can also include future human evolution), futuristic technology and weaponry (which include ray guns and teleportation machines and devices), new and different political and social systems, paranormal activities (such as mind control), different worlds and dimensions, and scenes set in outer space.

Sci-Fi also includes many sub-genres such which include: Alternative History, Time Travel, Super Human, Space Opera, Space Western and Comic Science Fiction.

Famous Sci-Fi Film, Film Series and TV Series:

Star Wars

Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
Episode III – Revenger of the Sith (2005)
Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Episode VII (2015)

Doctor Who (1963-Present)

Avatar (2009)

Alien Quadrilogy

Alien (1979)
Aliens (1986)
Alien 3 (1992)
Alien Resurrection (1997)

Predator Franchise

Predator (1987)

Predator 2 (1990)

Predators (2010)

Star Trek – All Series (1966-2005)
Star Trek Films Include:
Star Trek (2009)
Star Trek: Into Darkness (2013)

Transformers Series

Transformers (2007)
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)

Horror

Horror is a film genre that seeks the purpose of playing on people’s fears and scaring people. Horror films often include scenes that scare and startle viewers and also supernatural themes are frequent in horror films. Horror films also sometimes have themes of fantasy, supernatural and thrillers within them.

Horror films often deal with viewer’s nightmares, fears and terror of the unknown.  Frequent elements in horror films also include ghosts, aliens, demons, vampires, werewolves, zombies, cannibals, serial killers ad vicious animals.

The first horror films go back to the 1890’s with the first film based on Frankenstein being released in 1910 by Edison Studios. During the 1930’s Universal Studios became known for making horror films such as Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Old Dark House (1932), The Mummy (1932) and The Wolfman (1941).

Examples of Horrors

Evil Dead (1981)
Evil Dead 2 (1987)
Psycho (1960)
Cabin in the Woods (2012)
Insidious (2010)
Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)
The Ring (2002)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Friday the 13^th (1980)
The Crow (1994)
Paranormal Activity (2007)
Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)
Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)
Paranormal Activity 4 (2012)
The Sixth Sense (1999)

Thriller

Thriller is a very broad genre in film that is known for using tension, suspense and excitement as some its themes. Thrillers can make a viewer’s mood go to high levels of anticipation, uncertainty, anxiety, surprise and terror. Thrillers can also tend to be adrenaline rushing and fast paced.

There are many common sub-genres such as psychological thrillers, crime thrillers, erotic thrillers and mystery thrillers. Another sub-genre that is very common with thrillers is the spy genre that commonly deals with espionage and conspiracy.

The themes in thrillers include things like protagonists face death, a very smart antagonist, a lot of story has a sense of mystery, a sense of realism with the story and characters, the protagonist and antagonist will have some sort of conflict weather it’s on a physical level or mental level.

Examples of Thrillers

Inception (2010)

Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Hannibal (2001)

Red Dragon (2002)

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Seven (1995)

Vanilla Sky (2001)

Insomnia (2002)

Disturbia (2007)

Patriot Games (1992)

Air Force One (1997)

Limitless (2011)

Unbreakable (2000)

American Psycho (2000)

Shutter Island (2010)