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Movie Themes: 100+ Strong Theme Examples and Their Impact

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on October 18, 2023

Categories Creativity , Filmmaking , Inspiration , Storytelling , Writing

Movies have long captivated audiences by telling powerful stories that speak to the human experience. At the heart of these stories are movie themes, which serve as the underlying messages or foundations that hold a film together.

They drive the narrative and create a unifying element that connects all aspects of a film, from the script to the visuals, and the music.

Understanding and identifying themes goes beyond merely looking at the subject matter or genre of the film.

Rather, it’s about recognizing the deeper meaning, the struggles and triumphs that the characters undergo, and the emotions evoked among viewers. In short, themes transcend the movie itself and resonate with the audience on a personal level.

Iconic movie themes often leave a lasting impact on viewers, shaping the way we perceive not only the film industry but also our own lives, society, and our shared experiences.

From love and friendship to loss and sacrifice, these themes reflect the complexity of the human experience and help elevate movies from mere entertainment to meaningful works of art.

Key Takeaways

• Movie themes serve as the foundation of a film, driving the narrative and connecting all aspects of the story.
• Understanding themes goes beyond looking at the genre, focusing on the deeper meaning of the story and emotions evoked in viewers.
• Iconic movie themes leave a lasting impact on viewers, reflecting the complexity of human experiences and shaping our understanding of society.

100 Popular Movies With Strong Themes

Here are 100 popular movie themes organized by theme:

• Indiana Jones
• Mission: Impossible
• Pirates of the Caribbean

Jurassic Park

• Lord of the Rings
• Harry Potter
• The Chronicles of Narnia
• Back to the Future
• The Lion King
• Finding Nemo
• Despicable Me
• How to Train Your Dragon
• Austin Powers
• Ghostbusters
• Meet the Parents
• Wedding Crashers
• The Hangover
• Bridesmaids
• The Lego Movie
• Pitch Perfect
• Forrest Gump

Schindler’s List

• The Pianist
• The Pursuit of Happyness
• Slumdog Millionaire
• The King’s Speech
• The Imitation Game

The Lord of the Rings

• Alice in Wonderland
• The Wizard of Oz
• Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
• Mary Poppins
• Edward Scissorhands
• Pan’s Labyrinth
• A Nightmare on Elm Street
• Friday the 13th
• The Exorcist
• The Shining
• The Silence of the Lambs
• The Conjuring
• The Notebook
• Pretty Woman
• When Harry Met Sally
• Sleepless in Seattle
• The Princess Bride
• Love Actually
• Pride and Prejudice
• The Fault in Our Stars
• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
• Interstellar
• Guardians of the Galaxy
• The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
• Once Upon a Time in the West
• The Magnificent Seven
• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
• Dances with Wolves
• True Grit (2010)
• Django Unchained
• The Hateful Eight

Understanding Movie Themes

Common Themes

When watching movies, you may notice that there are certain themes that frequently appear across different films.

Some common themes found in movies include love, death, justice, coming-of-age, and man vs. nature. These themes help to convey deeper messages within the film and can provoke thoughts and emotions in you, the viewer.

Theme Vs Plot

Now, it’s essential to differentiate between a movie’s theme and its plot.

The theme is the underlying message or idea that the film conveys, whereas the plot refers to the sequence of events that take place in the movie. The theme often addresses universal issues or experiences, giving the movie a greater meaning and significance.

For example, let’s consider the film The Panic Room. The plot revolves around a therapy group for anxiety disorders who discover something deeper about their fears. The theme, however, focuses on fear, anxiety, and the power of the mind.

Understanding the difference between a movie’s theme and plot can help you appreciate the film on a deeper level.

By recognizing the underlying messages and ideas, you can form connections between different films with similar themes and develop a more comprehensive understanding of what makes movies resonate with you.

Iconic Movie Music Themes and Their Impact

The Star Wars theme is undoubtedly one of the most iconic film scores in history. Composed by John Williams, this epic theme perfectly captures the spirit of adventure, instantly transporting you to a galaxy far, far away. The rousing melody accompanies every major milestone in the Star Wars journey, creating an unforgettable connection between the audience and the characters.

The Godfather

Nino Rota’s evocative score for The Godfather perfectly complements the movie’s elegant storytelling. The melancholic melody immediately transports you to the heart of the mafia, symbolizing the complex dynamics of family, betrayal, and power. This iconic theme has since become synonymous with crime dramas and the Godfather franchise.

Another masterpiece from John Williams, the Jurassic Park score combines awe and wonder with a thrilling sense of adventure. The music transports you to Jurassic Park itself, feeling the awe of seeing dinosaurs for the first time. This memorable theme continues to capture the imagination of audiences, as the epic franchise constantly evolves and expands.

2001: A Space Odyssey

In 2001: A Space Odyssey, Stanley Kubrick chose to use existing classical music, rather than composing something new. The film’s unforgettable opening theme is an excerpt from Richard Strauss’s “Also sprach Zarathustra.” This iconic score perfectly sets the tone for the film’s exploration of human evolution and the mystery of space, forever associating the theme with the grandiosity of space travel.

John Williams’s haunting score for Schindler’s List is one of the most emotionally powerful film themes of all time. The somber violin melody, masterfully performed by Itzhak Perlman, evokes the profound tragedy and hope in the midst of the Holocaust. This stunning piece of music is a fitting tribute to the movie’s poignant message on the power of human kindness.

The themes from The Lord of the Rings trilogy, composed by Howard Shore, perfectly reflect the epic and emotional scope of the films. Encompassing a vast range of melodies and motifs, these themes transport you to Middle-earth, connecting you to the characters and their incredible journey. This music will continue to endure as a testament to the power of storytelling through both cinema and music.

Theme Influence on Viewer

Movie themes play a crucial role in engaging the audience and capturing their attention. When you watch a film with a well-developed theme, it brings the story to life and makes it more relatable.

Themes often illustrate universal concepts and ideas, connecting viewers on a deeper emotional level. For instance, a film with a theme of good vs evil can elicit strong feelings of heroism, justice, or empathy, pulling you into the story and making you care about the outcome.

The effectiveness of a movie theme in engaging the audience lies in its ability to evoke emotions and provoke thoughts. It enables you to understand the characters’ motivations and actions, making their journey more meaningful and helping you to form an emotional bond with the story.

Your perception of a movie is significantly impacted by its underlying theme. It has the power to shape your understanding and interpretation of the plot, influencing the way you perceive events and characters.

Often, film themes revolve around basic human experiences, like love, betrayal, or redemption, allowing you to relate to the narrative on a personal level.

By recognizing and reflecting on a film’s theme, you can gain new insights and perspectives that might otherwise go unnoticed. For example, a coming-of-age story might touch on the complexities of growing up and forging your identity, encouraging you to reevaluate your beliefs and values.

Depiction of Society and Human Nature

When you explore films that focus on society and human nature, you will notice that there are common themes that often revolve around the various aspects of our lives.

Let’s take a look at some of the key themes present in movies that delve into the intricacies of human relationships, societal norms, and the challenges that we face as we grow and evolve.

One essential theme that frequently emerges in movies about society and human nature is the coming-of-age narrative. This theme centers on the growth and transformation that individuals experience as they confront the realities of adulthood, finding their own identities and learning from life’s challenges.

Movies like The Breakfast Club exemplify this theme by showcasing the struggles faced by teenagers and how they learn to overcome them with the help of newfound friendships.

Love and romance often play a pivotal role in human nature. Films about love depict the various emotions, sacrifices, and trials that come with romantic relationships, allowing you to witness the power and vulnerability inherent in human connections.

Classic films such as Casablanca and contemporary movies like Her help illustrate the broad range of feelings and experiences surrounding love and companionship.

Death is another inevitable part of our existence that has been widely explored in movies. As a powerful theme, it acts as a reminder of the fragility and transient nature of life. Movies that deal with death can challenge your perceptions about mortality and help understand the way different societies cope with this reality.

Films like American Beauty and The Sixth Sense exemplify how various aspects of death can be portrayed and dealt with through the art of filmmaking.

Throughout the history of cinema, there have always been movies that tackle the conflicts between individuals and society. These films often present characters who struggle to fit in or find acceptance while highlighting the pressures exerted by societal norms or expectations.

Films like Charlie Kaufman’s Human Nature pose questions about the absurdities present in society, making you think about the role you play within it.

Themes and Technology in Movies

As you explore themes and technology in movies, you’ll find that filmmakers often use technology as a tool to convey universal human experiences. In recent years, technology-centered themes have become increasingly popular, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and engaging audiences in new ways.

One theme to consider is the impact of artificial intelligence on society.

Films like “Her” and “Ex Machina” explore the blurred line between human emotions and machine programming, raising questions about love, loyalty, and morality. As you watch these movies, you’ll see how filmmakers delve into the ethical implications of technological advancements.

Another prevalent theme in movies focuses on the consequences of surveillance and loss of privacy. Films such as “The Circle” and “Minority Report” highlight the potential dangers that come with omnipresent technology, as they tackle issues like freedom, control, and trust. These movies challenge you to reflect on the balance between safety and personal rights in a rapidly evolving, tech-driven world.

Virtual reality and simulated worlds also make for compelling movie themes. Movies like “Inception” and “The Matrix” play with the idea of manipulated realities, where technology transports characters into fabricated environments.

As you immerse yourself in these films, you’ll be drawn into thrilling journeys that question the nature of reality and the limits of human imagination.

Music and Themes: The Role of Soundtracks

Your experience of a film is greatly influenced by its soundtrack. The music sets the tone for each scene, immersing you in the atmosphere and providing an emotional backdrop to the story. Soundtracks not only complement the visuals and narrative, but they also carry the movie themes to establish a connection with you, the viewer.

As you watch a movie, you may notice how the soundtrack weaves variations of these themes throughout the film. This creates a cohesive and dynamic listening experience that enhances the film’s impact, allowing you to fully engage in the story.

The carefully chosen music in a film can make you feel transported to the past or future, or even evoke complex emotions.

For instance, a nostalgic theme in a romantic movie may tug at your heartstrings, while an intense orchestral score can keep you at the edge of your seat in an action-packed thriller. According to ECG Productions , musical themes play a crucial role in conveying these deep emotions.

Furthermore, an iconic and well-crafted theme can become synonymous with the movie itself, encapsulating its essence. Think of John Williams’ classic score for Star Wars or Hans Zimmer’s haunting notes in the Dark Knight Trilogy. These memorable soundtracks have woven themselves into the fabric of popular culture, making them recognizable even to those who haven’t seen the films.

One interesting aspect of movie soundtracks is the use of background music to subtly introduce themes and communicate emotions to the audience. While this music is not the central focus, it plays a vital role in enhancing the overall experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top party ideas inspired by movies?

Hosting a movie-themed party can be a fun and creative experience. You can choose decorations, food, and activities inspired by your favorite movies. For instance, a Harry Potter themed party might feature a Sorting Hat game, while a Star Wars party could include lightsaber training sessions. Use your imagination and think about what elements from the movie can enhance your party experience.

How can I identify a film’s main theme?

To identify a movie’s main theme, pay close attention to the plot, characters, and the conflicts they face. Themes can be expressed through dialogue, visuals, or even music. Look for recurring ideas or messages that occur throughout the movie. Sometimes, movie themes might not be apparent at first, but after reflecting on the story and discussing it with others, the main theme may become clearer.

Which genres feature unique themes?

Each movie genre has its distinct themes that set it apart. For example, action movies often explore themes of heroism and determination, while romantic comedies focus on love, relationships, and personal growth. Science fiction films may delve into themes of technology, humanity, and the future. So, depending on the genre, you can expect different themes to be explored.

What are popular themes in horror films?

Horror films often explore themes of fear, survival, and the unknown. They may tackle societal issues or delve into darker aspects of human nature and psychology. Examples of popular horror themes include isolation, the supernatural, and the monstrous, which may manifest both metaphorically and literally. Keep in mind, though, that as the horror genre evolves, new themes may emerge.

What are some modern movie theme examples?

Modern movies often tackle contemporary issues and explore themes relevant to today’s society. Some examples include climate change (e.g., “The Day After Tomorrow”), income inequality (e.g., “Parasite”), and racial discrimination (e.g., “Get Out”). Other themes may address mental health, politics, or war. These movies provide a way for filmmakers and audiences alike to explore and discuss pressing issues of our time.

How can students create short film themes?

Creating a short film theme can be an exciting challenge for students. Start by brainstorming interesting topics or exploring personal experiences. Consider what ideas you want to convey and how they can be depicted visually and narratively. Next, outline this story, develop your characters, and consider how the theme will be reinforced throughout the film. Don’t be afraid to experiment and collaborate with others to refine your theme and bring your vision to life.

• Scriptwriting

Ultimate Guide to Movie Genres — 90+ Genre Examples for Film & TV

Y ou’re looking for a movie and TV genre list, maybe for inspiration, but every list you find has categories that are either too broad or so hyper-specific that it becomes overwhelming.

We’ve created the perfect movie and TV genre list that will explain the various categories of film and television with their specific subgenres, and we’ll also include helpful examples for each along the way.

Watch: Movie Genres and Subgenres Explained

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Action Genre

Animation genre, comedy genre, crime genre, drama genre, experimental genre, fantasy genre, historical genre, horror genre, romance genre, science fiction genre, thriller genre, western genre.

• Other Genres

Movie & TV Genres Preface

Why should you learn about genre.

There are storytellers and filmmakers who live inside particular genres, and you may even hear some of them say, “I make genre movies.” This seems simple enough on the surface, but being a ‘genre storyteller’ requires you to fully understand what your specific genre means. 

Let’s do a quick refresher on the overall meaning of genre:

Movie Genre Definition

What is a movie genre.

M ovie genres  are stylistic categories where a particular movie can be placed based on the setting, characters, plot, mood, tone, and theme. A film's main genre category will be based on where the majority of the content lands. A sub-genre  is a smaller category that fits inside a particular genre. Often this is a mixture of two separate genres. Genres and sub-genres change over time and are informed by one another. 

How do you determine a movie genre?

• Has the ability to generate sub-genres
• Describes the style of a work of entertainment
• Can be combined with other genres if needed

Genres and sub-genres can be mixed and combined until you go blue in the face (or fingers), so if you don’t see a sub-genre on this list you can combine the meanings of each respective genre to make your own. 

Now that you have a better understanding of genre's definition, let’s go over each category along with their sub-genres. We’ll have popular and accurate examples that will help clear up any confusion.

Action genre

Action movie genres, action movie genre list.

Movies in the action genre are defined by risk and stakes. While many movies may feature an action sequence, to be appropriately categorized inside the action genre, the bulk of the content must be action-oriented, including fight scenes , stunts,  car chases , and general danger.

Action Movie Supercut

Heroic bloodshed.

This action sub-genre is defined by values like duty, brotherhood, honor, redemption, and the protection of the vulnerable. It was initially created in Hong Kong cinema but has since made its way around the world. Ex. The Killer (1989), Hard Boiled (1992).

Military Action

While some movies may incorporate various military characters, settings, themes, and events, this particular sub-genre focuses on their exploits and suggests these events are entertaining rather than tragic. Some of the best Michael Bay movies come to mind. Ex. Commando (1985), G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009).

Espionage action movies are similar to military action movies in that they’re intended for excitement and entertainment rather than focusing on the political and psychological aspects of espionage. James Bond movies might be the most recognizable but there are plenty of others. Ex. Casino Royale (2006) , Mission: Impossible III (2006).

Wuxia Action

This highly specific sub-genre focuses on martial arts as both a form of excitement, but also as a chivalrous act of protection and honor. Ex. Hero (2002), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).

"To go is to die."

Disaster movies are defined by a large amount of destruction, specifically from naturally occurring events, where characters try to survive. If an alien force is the force of destruction, the film will be categorized as science fiction rather than a straight disaster movie. Ex. The Day After Tomorrow (2004) , Dante’s Peak (1997).

Movies in the adventure genre are defined by a journey, often including some form of pursuit, and can take place in any setting. Some of Steven Spielberg's best movies capture the essence of what makes this genre so exciting. Ex. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) , Lawrence of Arabia (1962).

The superhero movie is defined by characters not only with supernatural abilities but using those abilities for altruistic purposes. If the film has superpowers that are used for questionable purposes, it would be more of a supernatural thriller versus a “superhero” movie. Marvel movies have been dominating of late but they only occupy a small percentage of the best superhero movies ever made. Ex. Iron Man (2008), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014).

Animation Movie Genres

Types of animation movies.

The animation genre is defined by inanimate objects being manipulated to appear as though they are living. This can be done in many different ways and can incorporate any other genre and sub-genre on this list. For more info on animation, you can dive deeper on the types of animation or see our list of the best animated movies of all time.

Animation Genre Supercut

Traditional.

Traditional animation is defined by hand-drawn and painted images that are assembled to animate a cartoon that tells a story. Ex. Robin Hood (1973), The Flight of Dragons (1982).

Stop Motion

Stop motion animation is defined by taking real objects and adjusting them frame by frame to simulate motion and emotion. Stop motion refers to the style of photography, while stop motion such as claymation and sometimes puppet animation can fall into multiple sub-genres. Ex. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), The Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) and some of the best stop motion movies of all time.

Claymation is a form of stop motion animation, except the subjects used are built specifically out of clay. Ex. Chicken Run (2000), Early Man (2018) and many of the best Rankin Bass Christmas movies .

This is where shapes are cut out and placed on top of one another to make figures and settings, all used to tell a story. Ex.  South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut  (1999).

Computer Generated Imagery

CGI is the most common form of modern animation, where modeling programs and software are used to animate cartoons. Ex. Shrek (2001), Rango (2011) and Pixar's incredible short films .

Puppetry animation is where puppets, including hand, stick, shadow, ventriloquist, and marionettes are used to tell a story.  Ex.  Team America: World Police  (2004).

Live-Action

Live-action animation is where animation, of any kind, is mixed with real-life subjects to create a single world.  Ex.  Who Framed Roger Rabbit  (1988),  Space Jam (1996).

Comedy genre

Comedy movie genres, list of comedy film genres.

The comedy genre is defined by events that are intended to make someone laugh, no matter if the story is macabre, droll, or zany. Comedy can be found in most movies, but if the majority of the film is intended to be a comedy you may safely place it in this genre. The best comedy movies range throughout this entire spectrum of humor.

Comedy Genre Scene Supercut

Action-comedy.

The action-comedy sub-genre incorporates humorous actions within the action, using the exciting events in the story for laughs. Ex. Hot Fuzz (2007),   Charlie’s Angels (2000).

Dark Comedy (Black Comedy)

Dark comedy (or Black Comedy) is defined by using attitudes and events that would normally be objectionable to set up humorous situations. Ex. Very Bad Things (1998),   Fargo (1996) and more of the best dark comedy movies ever made.

Romantic Comedy

Romantic comedies (aka Rom-Coms) are defined by comedy derived from relationship frustrations that are intimate in nature. This includes any combination of gender or situation across the sexual spectrum with films that include some of the best romantic quotes ever written. Some of Woody Allen's best movies redefined the genre. Ex. Sleepless in Seattle (1993), How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003).

Buddy Comedy

A buddy comedy is defined by at least two individuals who we follow through a series of humorous events. Often their (platonic) relationship is the main source of comedy in the story. Ex. Rush Hour (1998), Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (2003).

Road Comedy

Road comedies are defined by humorous situations derived from a journey along a set path, and often feature a set of stops and characters along the way that forces the protagonist(s) further down the road. Ex. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987),   Dumb and Dumber (1994).

Road Comedy Meets Slapstick

Slapstick comedy.

Slapstick comedy is defined by humor derived from physical movement, harm, or frustration that requires little to no dialogue. Ex. The Party (1968), Mouse Hunt (1997).

I’ve decided to put parody, spoof, and satire next to one another because they’re often thought to be synonyms, but truthfully they are not. A parody mocks and specifically targets a single piece of art or connected body of work. A parody is more precise, and more limited. Ex. MacGruber (2010),   Spaceballs (1987).

A spoof is broader than a parody because it mocks an entire genre or collection of similar, but separate works. Where parody targets a specific piece of art or entertainment, spoofs target the entire genre. Ex. The Naked Gun ( 1988), Not Another Teen Movie (2001).

Satire movies are the broadest of the three in that it mocks overall ideas, vices, human nature, institutions, or any number of concepts that don’t necessarily have a specific connection to another piece of art.

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Ex. In The Loop (2009),   Idiocracy (2006) or even Dr. Strangelove , just one of Stanley Kubrick's best movies .

A sitcom (situational comedy) is defined by a set group of people who must navigate through humorous situations and misunderstandings. Sitcoms in the past were very often captured using multiple cameras on a soundstage, but it is by no means required. For an inside look at how sitcoms are written, download your own copy of this Seinfeld script or the The Office pilot episode . Ex. Seinfeld (1989), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005).

Sketch Comedy

Sketch comedy is defined by a collection of separate situations, with no inherent connection to each other, and can include the use of parody, satire, spoof, and many other comedy sub-genres. Ex. Chappelle’s Show (2003), The Whitest Kids U’ Know (2006).

"Do you wanna go to war, Blake?"

Mockumentary.

Mockumentaries use the documentary format for parody, satire, or spoof. They don’t mock the format, but rather use the format to mock. Ex. This is Spinal Tap   (1984), The Office (2004).

The prank genre is defined by a mixture of real-life participants who are lead through a planned event without their knowledge. The orchestrators often have a premeditated intention to coerce foolishness or error from the participant for the sake of humor or surprise. Ex. Borat (2006), Nathan For You (2013).

Related Posts

• How to Write a Screenplay →
• The Best Dark Comedy Movies →
• Best Comedy Movies of All Time →

Crime Movie Genres

Crime film genre list.

The crime genre deals with both sides of the criminal justice system but does not focus on legislative matters or civil suits and legal actions. The best crime movies often occupy moral gray areas where heroes and villains are much harder to define. Many of Martin Scorsese's best movies or Quentin Tarantino's movies fall within the crime genre.

Heat Gun Battle

The caper sub-genre is defined by a group of criminals, often non-violent, who set out on a heist or job. A caper is often humorous and less serious in nature when compared to the other crime sub-genres. Ex.  Ocean’s Eleven (2001), A Fish Called Wanda (1988). 

The heist sub-genre is defined by a criminal, or group of criminals, who set out to steal something valuable, and have a more serious tone when compared to a caper story. The subjects must navigate a set of obstacles and avoid law enforcement, and often the “getaway” is incorporated. Ex. Heat  (1995), The Score (2001). 

A gangster story follows and explores the world of organized crime. A film may include organized crime, but if the majority of the story doesn't explore organized crime, it wouldn’t fall into this sub-genre. Ex. Goodfellas  (1990), Boyz in the Hood (1991) are just some of the best gangster movies (not to be confused with the best Mafia movies ). 

Cop (Police)

The cop sub-genre follows a street cop (not a detective) who deals with criminals, crime, and the overall lifestyle as an officer of the law. You might find that some lists will have cop movies and detective movies intertwined, but for our list, we’ll focus on the beat-cops. Ex. End of Watch (2012), Beverly Hills Cop (1984).   

"The nerve of some people, huh?"

A detective story follows an investigator or set of investigators, either private or as a representative of a government, and follows the clues and revelations of a particular case, or set of cases. Ex. L.A. Confidential (1997),   Se7en (1995). 

The courtroom sub-genre requires the majority of the story to take place inside, or support the events that are connected to a court case. Ex.   A Time To Kill (1996). 

A procedural is defined by following the established day-to-day events of investigating, solving, and prosecuting crime. Procedurals often end in situations where law enforcement has learned a valuable lesson, but their lives may not be irrevocably changed from each particular case. Ex.  Law & Order (1990), Miami Vice (1984).

Drama Movie Genres

Types of drama movie genres.

The drama genre is defined by conflict and often looks to reality rather than sensationalism. Emotions and intense situations are the focus, but where other genres might use unique or exciting moments to create a feeling, movies in the drama genre focus on common occurrences. Drama is a very broad category and untethered to any era — from movies based on Shakespeare to contemporary narratives.

Drama Genre Scene Supercut

A modern melodrama is defined by the prioritization of dramatic rhetoric and plot over character. The events are intended to elicit an intense emotional response. A melodrama strives for situations used to illustrate a larger moral thesis that acts as an agent of empathy. Ex. Beaches  (1988), The Fault in our Stars (2012). 

The teen drama sub-genre is both simple and redundant. It focuses on the lives of teenagers, group dynamics, and general woes of adolescence. Ex.  The Virgin Suicides (1999), Kids (1995). 

Philosophical Drama

The philosophical sub-genre is defined by an exploration of the human condition, and the drama is derived from the questions that are presented by mere existence and life itself. Ex. The Razor’s Edge (1984), I Heart Huckabees (2004).

"What happens in a meadow at dusk?"

Medical drama.

The medical sub-genre focuses on the inherent drama of health conditions, the inner workings of hospitals, the relationship between doctors and medical staff, and the medical industry. There are medical procedurals that follow the day-to-day life of health care professionals. Ex.  House (2004), Bringing Out The Dead (1999).

Legal Drama

The legal-drama sub-genre is defined by lawyers, judges, and legal complications that may be peripheral but not enveloped by the criminal justice system or matters relating to crime and punishment. While a legal drama may dip into criminal justice matters, the real focus is on characters at a law firm or judges chambers rather than a crime. Ex. The Practice (1997), The Firm (1993).

Political Drama

The political-drama sub-genre focuses on the complications and inherent drama that takes place inside the world of politics. This can range anywhere from local government to national political climates. Ex.  Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), House of Cards (2013).

Anthropological Drama

The anthropological sub-genre focuses on the drama derived from human behavior and society at large, and while the story may feature a central protagonist , the story might focus on a specific culture or a broad representation of society. Ex. City of God (2002) is a great example along with some of Spike Lee's best movies .

"Get that chicken!"

Religious drama.

The religious sub-genre is similar to the previous categories in that it focuses on the questions and inherent drama derived from religious situations and has the ability to incorporate supernatural events. Ex. The Passion of the Christ (2004), Silence (2013).

A docudrama takes real-life accounts and recreates them in a way that attempts to accurately represent events while also realizing the dramatic potential of those events. Docudramas are held to a higher standard of accuracy (not quality) than historical accounts or memoirs . Ex. Captain Phillips (2013), 127 Hours (2010).

Experimental genre

Experimental movie genres, experimental movie genre list.

The experimental genre is often defined by the idea that the work of art and entertainment does not fit into a particular genre or sub-genre, and is intended as such. Experimental art can completely forego a cohesive narrative in exchange for an emotional response or nothing at all. 

Un Chien Andalou — Experimental Cinema Genre

Surrealism cannot be stylistically defined, and this is the point of the sub-genre itself. The intention of surrealist art is to act as an activity to broaden horizons, either of oneself or of others. Surrealist art often uses irrational imagery to activate the subconscious mind. Ex. Eraserhead (1977), 8 ½ (1963).

The absurdist sub-genre focuses on characters who experience situations that suggest there is no central purpose to life. Another way to frame it is a set of experiences that catalyze a descent into nihilism. Ex.  The Exterminating Angel (1962), Brazil (1985).

Fantasy genre

Fantasy movie genres, list of fantasy movie genres.

The fantasy genre is defined by both circumstance and setting inside a fictional universe with an unrealistic set of natural laws. The possibilities of fantasy are nearly endless, but the movies will often be inspired by or incorporate human myths.

The genre often adheres to general human psychology and societal behavior while incorporating non-scientific concepts like magic, mythical creatures, and supernatural elements. 

Fantasy Genre Supercut

Contemporary fantasy.

A contemporary fantasy story introduces elements of fantasy into or around a world that closely resembles the time period when it was conceived. Urban fantasy can serve as contemporary fantasy but must take place in an urban setting whereas contemporary fantasy can be set anywhere that resembles the corresponding time period. Ex. Harry Potter (2001), The Chronicles of Narnia (2005).

Urban Fantasy

An urban fantasy is a story introduces elements of fantasy and is set entirely in an urban environment. The urban environment can be real, fictional, modern, or inspired by history, but the story must take place and deal with concepts and themes related to an urban environment. Ex.  Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV) (1997), Supernatural (TV) (2005).

Dark Fantasy

A dark fantasy is a story where elements of fantasy are introduced into a hostile and frightening world. If a significant portion of the story takes place in a world that has a range of circumstances, mood, and tone it would most likely be categorized as a high fantasy or general fantasy. Ex.  Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), Solomon Kane (2009). 

High Fantasy

High fantasy can also be referred to as epic fantasy, and introduces elements of fantasy in a fictional setting, and will include romance, battles, and mythical creatures. High fantasy is the fantasy genre equivalent of a historical epic or a science fiction space opera. Ex. The Lord of the Rings (2001), Game of Thrones (2011). 

Attack of the Ents

A myth is defined by a story that often plays a fundamental role in the development of a society, which may include the origin story for humanity and existence. Often this will include characters that are gods, demigods, and supernatural humans. As noted by Joseph Campbell theory on The Hero's Journey , myths have similar characteristics despite an apparent lack of influence, which gives a myth the ability to be universally accepted. Ex. Jason and the Argonauts (1963), The Monkey King (2014).

Historical MOVIE GENRES

Historical movie genre list.

The historical genre can be split into two sections. One deals with accurate representations of historical accounts which can include biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. The other section is made up of fictional movies that are placed inside an accurate depiction of a historical setting. 

The accuracy of a historical story is measured against historical accounts, not fact, as there can never be a perfectly factual account of any event without first-hand experience. 

Historical Event

The historical event genre focuses on a story that creates a dramatized depiction of an event that exists in popular accounts of history. This is different from a biography in that it focuses on an event. Ex. Apollo 13 (1995) , Lincoln (2012) 

A biography (or biopic ) is a story that details the life and is told by someone other than the subject. A biography will often span a large portion of the subject's life, but in some rare cases, it may focus on the time period where that person’s life had the greatest effect on history and society. Ex. A Beautiful Mind (2001), Catch Me If You Can (2002) 

Historical Epic

A historical epic is the dramatized account of a large scale event that has an attached historical account. They often feature battles, romance, and journeys, and will commonly revise history or provide assumptions that fill in gaps in the account of the historical event. Ex. Ben-Hur (1959) , Troy (2004) 

Historical Fiction

Historical fiction takes place during a historical time period, and will often take a more liberal approach to representing history for the sake of drama and entertainment. Historical fiction may use real-life events and people to build context, but they’re meant to be accepted as a supposition rather than serve as an accurate historical account.  Ex.  Spartacus  (1960) ,  Titanic  (1997) 

Period Piece

The difference between a period piece and historical fiction is slight, but the main difference is a general omission or a lack of necessity for real-life characters or events to provide context. Period pieces are merely defined by taking place in, and accurately depicting the time period as opposed to specific lives, events, or accounts.  Ex.  The Age of Innocence   (1993) ,  Barry Lyndon  (1975)

Alternate History

Alternate history is defined by the rewriting of historical events for the sake of speculative outcomes. These movies commonly focus on important, highly influential moments that often lead to alternate futures. Some of these movies may even include supernatural elements. Ex.  The Man in the High Castle   (2015),   Inglourious Basterds   (2009)

Horror MOVIE GENRES

Horror sub-genres.

The horror genre is centered upon depicting terrifying or macabre events for the sake of entertainment. A thriller might tease the possibility of a terrible event, whereas a horror film will deliver all throughout the film. The best horror movies are designed to get the heart pumping and to show us a glimpse of the unknown. 

A ghost movie uses the spirit or soul of a deceased creature to introduce elements of horror. These movies can take place in any time period and are only required to evoke terror through the use of ghosts. Ex. The Frighteners (1996) , The Others (2001)

A monster movie uses a deformed or supernatural creature or set of creatures, to introduce elements of horror. These movies can also take place in any time period or setting, and their only real requirement is that the antagonist is can be categorized as a monster. Ex. The Babadook   (2014),   Pumpkinhead (1988)

A werewolf movie introduces elements of horror through the use of a human or set of humans that transform into a wolf-like creatures. Sometimes these werewolves have the ability to shape-shift at will, but in other cases, their transformation is dictated by a full moon. The only requirement is the use of the werewolf as the antagonist . Ex. An American Werewolf in London (1981), The Wolfman (1941) are just some of the best werewolf movies ever made.

A vampire movie introduces elements of horror through the use of undead, immortal creatures that drink blood. They can be set in any time and place and must only use vampires as the antagonist. Some vampire movies feature vampires as the protagonist, but this is often used to build sympathy rather than as a device for terror. Ex. Near Dark (1987) is one of the best '80s vampire movies while Nosferatu (1922) is one of the best vampire movies of all time.

Different Movie Genres  •  Near Dark

Occult movies are defined by an extension of pure reason and use paranormal themes to introduce elements of horror. Occult literally translates into “hidden from view” and involves the study of a deeper spiritual reality that extends scientific observation. Ex. Hereditary (2018),   Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

A slasher story introduces elements of horror through an antagonist or set of antagonists who stalk and murder a group of people, most commonly through the use of a blade or a sharp weapon. The slasher movie is so engrained in our movie culture, even non-slasher movies use some of the same techniques and tropes. Ex. Halloween (1978) , The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

A splatter story introduces elements of horror by focusing on the vulnerability of the human body, and an emphasis on gore. Splatter movies often involve torture and attempt to present gore as an art form. Ex. Day of the Dead (1985) , Jigoku (1960)

Found Footage

Found footage can be used for any genre, but it is most commonly used in horror and features footage that appears to be an existing and informal recording of events with the purpose of simulating real-life horrific events. Ex. The Blair Witch Project (1999) , V/H/S (2012)

The zombie movie has roots all the way back to the '30s but it didn't really kick into high gear until the late 1960s. The general plot of the best zombie movies involves a group of characters trying to survive in a world overrun by zombies. The specific cause for the event ranges from infectious disease to experimental drugs gone wrong. Ex. Night of the Living Dead  (1968) and  28 Days Later (2002)

Romance genre

Romance movie genres, types of romance movies.

The romance genre is defined by intimate relationships. Sometimes these movies can have a darker twist, but the idea is to lean on the natural conflict derived from the pursuit of intimacy and love.  

Romance Drama

The romance-drama sub-genre is defined by the conflict generated from a  romantic relationship. What makes a romance-drama different from a romantic-thriller is both the source of the drama but also the intentions and motivations that drive each character’s perspective. Ex.  Revolutionary Road (2008) , Blue Valentine (2010) 

Romance Thriller

The romance-thriller sub-genre is defined by a suspenseful story that includes and is most likely based around a romantic relationship. Some romantic thrillers can divert into psychological thrillers where the relationship is used to manipulate, but most focus on the characters attempting to make it out of events so that they may be together. Ex. The Saint (1997) , Unfaithful (2002) 

The Saint Trailer

Period romance.

A period-romance story is defined by the setting and can include and incorporate other romance sub-genres. The setting must be a historical time period, and often will adhere to the societal norms of the specific time period, though some movies have taken a more revisionist approach. Ex. Pride & Prejudice (2005) , Jane Eyre (2011)

Science fiction Genre

Science fiction movie genres, list of sci-fi genres.

Science fiction movies are defined by a mixture of speculation and science. While fantasy will explain through or make use of magic and mysticism, science fiction will use the changes and trajectory of technology and science. Science fiction will often incorporate space, biology, energy, time, and any other observable science. Most of James Cameron's best movies lean heavily on science fiction.

Post-Apocalyptic

Post-apocalyptic movies are based around the occurrence, effects, and struggle generated by an apocalyptic event. While a dystopian story may incorporate a large war or apocalyptic event in its narrative history, it will include a centralized government that was formed after the event. Apocalyptic movies will not have a centralized government but may feature smaller societies and tribes as part of the story. Ex. 12 Monkeys (1995) , 28 Days Later (2002) 

The utopian genre is defined by the creator’s view of an idyllic world since each person has a unique view of what they deem to be the absence of struggle and incident, but generally, themes included in the movies are peace, harmony, and a world without hunger or homelessness. In the past, utopian movies have been tied to satire because the nature of a story is often conflict, and a utopian society is viewed as an unrealistic concept. Ex. Gattaca (1997),   Tomorrowland (2015)

A dystopian story is one that features a world or society that serves as a contradiction to an idyllic world. Often there is a centralized and oppressive government or religion that dictates the value of citizens on a dehumanizing level, and may or may not incorporate a destructive event that drove the creation of that centralized institution. Ex.  Children of Men  (2006) , Equilibrium (2002) 

The cyberpunk sub-genre is defined by a mixture of a desperate society oversaturated with the crime that takes place in a high tech world that includes cybernetic organisms, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. Ex. Blade Runner (1982),   Elysium (2013) are just two of the best cyberpunk movies we've ever seen. 

The steampunk sub-genre is inspired by technology created during the 19th century and the industrial revolution and may be set in a speculative future, alternate universe, or revision of the 1800s. Ex. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) , Mortal Engines (2018)  

Tech noir is similar to dystopian but defined by technology as the main source behind humanity's struggle and partial downfall. There is no requirement for a centralized government, and the only true aspect that places a story in this category is that technology threatens our reality. Ex. The Terminator   (1984)

Space Opera

A space opera is defined by a mixture of space warfare, adventure, and romance. The genre got its name from similarities to “soap operas” and “horse operas” due to their collective connection to melodrama. The term “space opera” has no connection to the music of any kind. Ex. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) , The Fifth Element (1997) 

Contemporary

A contemporary science fiction story is set in the actual time period of its conception and introduces some form of a theoretical technology or scientific concept to serve as the story’s main source of conflict. This is different from tech-noir both due to scale and a strict time period. Ex. Ex Machina (2014) , Arrival (2016)

A military science fiction story is defined by a strict focus on the military conflict in a speculative or future setting. While other movies may include space warfare, a military science fiction story will be limited to themes and events directly tied to military service and battle. Ex. Starship Troopers (1997),   Arrival (2016)

Thriller Movie Genres

Thriller movie categories.

A thriller story is mostly about the emotional purpose, which is to elicit strong emotions, mostly dealing with generating suspense and anxiety. No matter what the specific plot, the best thrillers get your heart racing.

Psychological

A psychological thriller focuses and emphasizes the unstable psychological state of the characters inside the story. Often there is a mysterious set of circumstances, and a paranoia, warranted or otherwise, that catalyzes extreme actions from the characters. Many of Darren Aronofsky's best movies explore the dark depths inside the broken psyche of his protagonists. 

A mystery story can often be connected to the crime genre, but may not involve or use law enforcement or the justice system as the main characters or backdrop for the story. A mystery story is defined by the plot, and both the character’s and the viewer’s relationship with the motivations and reality behind the events that occur. If you've seen any of M. Night Shyamalan's movies , you know how mystery plays a part.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Trailer

The techno-thriller sub-genre is defined by a conflict that takes place for or through Various forms of technology. What makes a techno-thriller different from various action sub-genres is the level of detail paid toward the underlying technical aspects of the technology and its effects. 

Some consider the definition of film noir to more of a style than a genre, because there is no requirement to be connected to a crime. There is, however, a natural overlap between style and genre in the best Film Noir movies . The central theme behind the noir sub-genre is a psychic imbalance that leads to self-hatred, aggression, or sociopathy. Recently, Neo-Noir movies have modified these themes to the modern day. 

Western genre

Western movie genres, western movie sub-genres.

Westerns are defined by their setting and time period. The story needs to take place in the American West, which begins as far east as Missouri and extends to the Pacific ocean. They’re set during the 19th century, and will often feature horse riding, military expansion, violent and non-violent interaction with Native American tribes, the creation of railways, gunfights, and technology created during the industrial revolution. 

Neo-Westerns Explained  •   Subscribe on YouTube

Epic western.

The idea of an epic western is to emphasize and incorporate many if not all of the western genre elements, but on a grand scale, and also use the backdrop of large scale real-life events to frame your story. 

Empire Western

These movies follow a protagonist or a group of protagonists as they forge a large scale business based on natural resources and land. It can also follow the creation of the railroad, or large scale settlement. 

Marshal Western

A marshal western is where we follow a lawman as they attempt to track down, apprehend, and punish a criminal or group of gangsters.

Tombstone Trailer

Outlaw western.

An outlaw western is where we follow a criminal or group of criminals as they attempt crimes and evade the law. Often, these movies will portray the outlaws in a somewhat favorable manner.

Revenge Western

This genre is defined by a singular goal and will incorporate the elements of the western genre while the protagonist seeks revenge. 

Revisionist Western

A revisionist western challenges and often aims to disprove the notions propped up by traditional westerns. Early westerns often had their own agenda, and revisionist westerns attempt to dissolve and cast aside a commonly one-sided genre.

Spaghetti Western

The Spaghetti Western genre was named such because the films were initially made in Italy or produced by Italian filmmakers. Because these films are defined by their ‘heritage’ they can also fall into many of the other western genres as long as they are Italian built. Here are our picks for the best Spaghetti Westerns of all time .

Other GenreS

Other movie genres, movie genre list, musical genre.

Musicals originated as stage plays, but they soon became a favorite for many film directors and have even made their way into television. Musicals can incorporate any other genre, but they incorporate characters who sing songs and perform dance numbers.

La La Land  •  Another Day of Sun

War movie genre.

The war genre has a few debatable definitions, but we’re going to try to be as straightforward and impartial as humanly possible. Movies in the war genre center around large scale conflicts between opposing forces inside a universe that shares the same natural laws as our own.

War movies can be historical accounts, fictionalized events, or future speculations that incorporate civilian interaction, political interaction, and espionage that takes place alongside a large scale, violent conflict. Some of the best WWII movies include all of those elements.

Saving Private Ryan Trailer

They are not intended to act strictly as a form of entertainment, but rather to create a deep sense of empathy toward the reality of war. Movies in the war genre may romanticize aspects of military action and camaraderie, but the purpose is to convey the reality that war brings. 

They can be set in any time period or setting, but the central theme and bulk of the content must incorporate war to remain in this genre.

Biopic Movies

Biopics (biographical film).

A movie genre that has been around since the birth of cinema , biopics are a category all their own. Biopics can technically run the gamut of movie genres ( Sports movies , War, Westerns, etc.) but they often find their home in dramas. At their core, biopics dramatize real people and real events with varying degrees of verisimilitude. 

Lately, we've seen a resurgence of the musical biopic (e.g.,  Rocketman ,  Judy ,  The Greatest Showman ), and there isn't a more massive example than  Bohemian Rhapsody .

Bohemian Rhapsody  •  Live Aid

Learn how to write a screenplay.

Now that you have a better idea of movie categories and the various film and television genres, why not start writing your own story. Read up on How to Write a Screenplay.  We take you through the steps necessary to create a professionally structured and formatted screenplay. 

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Talking About Movies for IELTS

Posted by David S. Wills | Nov 28, 2017 | IELTS Tips , Speaking | 0

Because movies are a common part of life for most people, it is quite common for them to appear in the IELTS exam. It is very possible that you could be asked to talk about them in the speaking test, for example.

As such, in this lesson I am going to show you how to talk about movies by giving you some useful language for describing them. We’ll also look at sample questions from the IELTS exam.

You can learn about other common IELTS topics here .

Vocabulary about Movies

First of all, let’s look at some useful movie-related vocabulary. We will group it in different sets so that it is easier to learn.

Types of Movies

Let’s look at the different types of movies. These are called “genres.” (This is a French word, but it is commonly used by native speakers of English.)

• Documentary
• Romantic comedy (or “rom-com”)
• Science fiction

Note that there are other types of movies and of course some movies fall into more than one category. There are also various subgenres (meaning a specific type of film within a wider genre). The slasher and zombie genres above, for example, are part of the wider horror genre. In terms of comedies, we also have “dark comedy” and so on.

There’s a list of movie genres (and subgenres) on Wikipedia .

Describing Movies

It is not enough to just know the names of movie types. You should also be able to describe movies. That means you should be able to talk about them a little bit.

Here are some useful adjectives:

• Bone-chilling
• Captivating
• Challenging
• Educational
• Exhilarating
• Fascinating
• Frightening
• Informative
• Spine-tingling

You should choose a term that is appropriate and then use it to describe a type of movie that you want to discuss. For example:

• I like action films because they are exhilarating .

This could easily be used in the IELTS speaking test, combining a genre word with an example and an adjective to explain. Here’s a common part one question:

• A: What kind of movies do you like watching?
• B: I really like watching action movies like the Avengers because they are exhilarating .

You can avoid very common words like “funny” and “interesting” by upgrading them to more accurate synonyms:

• I recently saw a hilarious film!
• I watched a movie last weekend that was captivating .

Other Vocabulary

Try to avoid being formulaic with your language. Instead of just inserting lots of those adjectives, we can express ourselves in other ways. Instead of saying “funny” or “hilarious,” we could say:

• That movie made me laugh out loud!
• I just couldn’t stop laughing.
• It was really silly but I liked it a lot.
• Sometimes you just need a good laugh.

Likewise, when talking about documentaries, it is tempting to say they are “interesting” or “educational,” but we can say more:

• They teach us about our world.
• Documentaries open our eyes to important issues.
• I saw a documentary that really inspired me.

We can also go beyond just our personal feelings and describe the movies in slightly more objective ways. For example:

• Fantasy movies involve magic, supernatural events, and exotic worlds.

Here, I have explained what the movie contains. The word “involve” is very useful! Let’s see some other ways that we can include it:

• Comedies involve ridiculous situations and hilarious characters.
• Disaster movies involve lots of dramatic action and terrifying scenarios.
• Action movies involve incredible stunts and fast-paced action.

Film vs Movie

So far, I have talked about “movies” because this word is now more common, but in my country (the United Kingdom), we also say “film.” You can use either of these words in IELTS because they are both correct. However, be aware that if you travel to America you will more likely hear “movie” and in the UK you’ll more likely hear “film.”

Bonus: People in the UK talk about “going to the cinema” whilst in America people might say “going to the movie theatre.”

IELTS Speaking Questions about Movies

Here are some questions about movies that you may encounter in the IELTS speaking test.

• Do you like to watch films?
• How often do you go to a cinema or watch a movie?
• What was the first film that you watched?
• Do you prefer foreign films or local films?
• What genre of movies do you enjoy most?
• Which was the first movie that you watched?
• Which genre of movies do you try to avoid?
• What kind of movies did you like to watch when you were a child?
• Has your taste in films changed as you’ve got older?

Describe a film that you have recently seen. You should say: what the film was when and where you saw it what the film was about and explain how you felt about this film.

Describe your favourite movie. You should say: what the film is about who the characters are what message the movie gives and explain why you like it so much.

Describe a book or a film that had a strong impact on you. You should say: what was it when you read or saw it how it influenced you and say if you liked it and why.

• Do old people and young people like watching the same kinds of films?
• To what extent do you think films reflect real life?
• Do you think people will continue to go to the cinema in the future?
• Statistics show that visits to the cinema are up despite the availability of DVDs and online downloads. Why do you think this might be?
• What kinds of films are popular in your country?
• Why do you think some people prefer going to the cinema to watching films at home?
• What’s the difference between the movies or your country and Hollywood movies?
• What do you think of violent films?
• Why do you think people like watching films?
• Is cinema a popular form of entertainment in your country?
• Do you think films have changed since you were a child? How?
• As the technology for home viewing improves, do you think people will stop going to the cinema in future?

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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What Is Your Favorite Movie? IELTS Speaking (10 Example Answers)

The examiner might ask you about movies in part one of your IELTS Speaking test. In this case, they will probably ask, “What is your favorite movie?”

Let’s take a look at the best way to answer this question. Below, you can also read 10 good example answers ( go straight to the answers here ).  

How You Can Answer

If you don’t have a clear favorite movie, just talk about any movie that you like or a movie you’ve seen recently.  

The important thing is that you can remember the movie clearly and say a few things about it.  

Using one or two sentences, you can talk about:

• What kind of movie it is (action, science fiction, romance, comedy, animated, fantasy…)
• What it’s about (very briefly)
• Why you like it (or used to like it)
• What happens (or happened) in the movie
• Who the main characters are
• Who stars in the movie (the actors)
• Who directed the movie  
• When you last saw it
• Anything else that comes to mind

A Common Problem: Translating Movie Names

Maybe you think of a movie you really love, but you don’t know how to say the movie name in English!  

Don’t worry. It can be difficult to quickly translate the name of a movie into English.  

If you don’t know the English name, just say something like ‘ My favorite movie is an American action movie about two policemen who… ‘

You can leave the movie name out, no problem. Just don’t waste ten seconds in silence trying to think of the English name.  

But it might be a good idea to talk about a movie where you already know the title in English.   Or choose a movie like Titanic, Avatar, or Avengers, where the name is the same in every language. 

Focus on Fluency, Not Grammar

In part one, don’t worry too much about using complex grammar or vocabulary.

Part one is only to warm you up . It’s better to speak as quickly as fluently as you can, without hesitation.

For this, simple English is fine.  

Use the Three-Step YES Method

Also, keep your answers short in part one.  

Don’t make the mistake of speaking for too long in your answers. Just 10 or 20 seconds of talking is fine.  

You can use the three-step YES Method for all your part-one answers. Just say:

• Y our answer (say a movie you like)
• E xplain your answer (say why you like it) or add more details
• S top talking (let the examiner know you’re ready for the next question)

Example Answers

Here are 10 good answers, which you can use for ideas.

1. My favorite movie is a classic romance movie called Titanic. It’s about a poor young man called Jack who falls in love with a rich young woman named Rose on board a huge ship that sinks at sea. It’s very romantic and tragic. It’s very moving and it always makes me cry.

2. I love this amazing science fiction movie called Avatar. It’s about humans trying to get special resources from another planet, which has tall blue aliens living there. The special effects and action scenes are incredible.  

Lord of the Rings

3. Lord of the Rings is my favorite movie. It’s a trilogy of three movies, really. I love it because I’m a big fan of fantasy and I’ve read all the books as well.

The Lion King

4. I’ve always loved the Lion King, which is a wonderful animated movie about a young lion who has to become king of the animals. The best thing about this movie is the music, which is very inspiring and heart warming.  

5. I think Avengers is such a cool movie. I love all superhero movies, but Avengers is my favorite. To my mind, Iron Man is the best character. He’s played by an actor named Robert Downey Junior.  

6. I love Toy Story because I can watch it with my children and they love it as well. It’s a very charming story about toys that come to life at night.  

The Big Lebowski

7. There’s a funny movie called The Big Lebowski that was a kind of cult classic movie when I was younger. I love it because the protagonist, who’s called Lebowski, is so laid back and hilarious.

8. My favorite movie is The Matrix, which is a really popular science fiction film. The plot is totally mind-blowing. And the fight scenes are out of this world.  

Harry Potter

9. I’ve always loved the Harry Potter movies. I love fantasy stories like that, and I’ve also read all the books.  

Don’t Know the English Name

10. My favorite movie is a film from my country about a soldier who goes to war to protect the people he loves. It’s a very moving story about brotherhood and friendship and making sacrifices for people you care about.

Now, It’s Your Turn  

Give this question a go yourself. It’s best to practice by recording yourself.

Set up a voice recorder and ask aloud, “What is your favorite movie?”

Answer as quickly as you can, using the three-step YES Method.  

When you’ve finished answering, listen to yourself, and think of any ways you could improve your answer.

Then… do it again!

Keep repeating this process and you’ll soon be ready for part one of your IELTS Speaking test.  

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What your favorite movie genre says about you.

Curious what your favorite film genre says about you to others? Let us help out! Take a look below and find out what your favorite genre means.

Your Favorite Movie Genre and What It Represents

There are several different types of movie genres to choose from, and personality science has examined the various personality types in combination with movie themes. The information they gathered certainly seems to indicate a correlation.

The findings were not as uncomplicated and direct as saying if you enjoy the best thriller movies , you are probably a psychopath, but instead, showed you likely share certain character traits consistent with others who also enjoy the same genre.

The multi-billion-dollar movie industry knows the elements and organization of how they put a flick together. They are also master marketers specifically targeting their advertising towards appealing to specific people and groups that tend to gravitate towards one type of movie over another. This way, they can increase turnouts to the theater which leads to revenue.

Movie Genre Preferences and the Big Five Theory

The movies we enjoy not only provide us satisfying entertainment but may also be attractive because of our personality traits.

Classification of personality trait psychology has evolved, but currently, the Big Five theory of extroversion, agreeableness, openness, consciousness, and neuroticism is what is accepted.

A person can have varying degrees and combinations of these traits and the unique mix that an individual has is strongly linked to life outcomes like education and professions. The mix-match of traits that comprise our complex personality matrix can also be linked to the movies we choose to watch.

What Movie Types Appeal To Which Personality Traits?

Comedy movies.

The way that comedies are put together is by challenging the traditional formulas that govern conventional storytelling rules.

There are classical methods of story compilation that are known to dictate success in the movie industry. These unorthodox comedy schemes keep the viewer watching all the elements of a film unravel in unexpected ways.

Those that are creative, laid back, open, and a bit disordered in life may be drawn to the chaos of comedies . A comedy fanatic will stay up late and be a heck of a good time to hang out with.

Action Films

Action films are intense but their structure is predictable and stable. Action films rate very high for many people and are a popular genre across the board, although due to their inherent masculinity, men may be more drawn to action films than women.

In general, rule followers and individuals that are dependable — just like the heroes who save the day in an action movie — those people that can always be counted on for engaging in a specific routine will enjoy an action movie.

Romance Movies

The method for which a romance is put together is often expected and routine with a standard sequence of events and a plot that can be much easier to figure out as a viewer.

The natural femininity of a romance makes women tend to enjoy this genre more so than men, but there are plenty of stories with charming elements that both genders can respect.

If you are steady and responsible with how you live your life but have personal insecurities and emotional vulnerabilities, you may really appreciate the structure and assured fuzziness that a romance movie provides.

The sequence of events that take place in dramas describes complex connections between characters and under varying circumstances. There is a struggle, uncertainty, and conflict that can lead to suspense and strife.

Dramas do not always unravel the way a viewer expects and don’t always have a predictable ending or conclusion that the audience prefers. Individuals who are serious, introspective, and thoughtful, and maybe find gratification in turmoil could prefer to watch dramas.

Fantasy and Science Fiction

Those with broad imaginations that can understand ideas of the abnormal will appreciate fantasy.

Incredibly creative and imaginative people who can make sense and understand a vast amount of reverie and abstraction will do well by choosing fantasy films.

Horror Movies

Horrors elicit intensified emotion and sensations and they trigger a person’s chemical response to stimuli that is shocking or disturbing.

The lack of control and the anxiety that comes with situations associated with horror films make this ideal for adventure seekers who handle and even welcome stress.

Additionally, because of the twisted and psychological situations that a horror film can show, those who tend to be more intellectual will be more interested in watching the best thriller movies the cinematic world has to offer.

Resources—   Simply Psychology ,  National Center for Biotechnology Information , 123 tests

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I am a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelors Degree in Science and Neuroscience. I'm a small business owner, a writer, and a fitness enthusiast, as well as a wife and mother. In my free time, I enjoy reading a good book, crabbing, cooking healthy foods, creating art, and being the ultimate beach bum.

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Quiz: What Is My Favorite Movie? We Can Guess 99% Accurately

Can we guess what your favorite movie is? This 20-question cinema and films quiz accurately reveals your preferred titles, genres and analyzes your personality.

what is my favorite movie

The favorite movie finder explained.

It’s a series of personality and preference questions that expose what movies you favor. Unlike other quizzes, it doesn’t provide direct matches. Instead, it analyzes your behaviors, combines them with your genre, actor, director, and story preferences to deliver the most accurate results.

The First Scientific Quiz to Answer “What Is My Favorite Movie?”

A 2015 study by Andrew Romans , We Are What We Watch, showed a positive correlation between the personality trait of extraversion and the film genres of comedy and romance. According to the same study, “The factor of agreeableness correlated positively with the romance genre, as did the factor of conscientiousness. The factor of openness to experience positively correlated with the genres of documentary and science fiction. Finally, the factor of neuroticism correlated negatively with science fiction, and openness correlated with drama ratings.

We used Romans’ findings to create the world’s first scientific quiz to reveal your favorite films. Here’s what you learn about yourself by participating in the test.

Find out what your favorite movie is.

The primary goal of the test is to answer questions like, “What is my favorite movie?” And that’s the first piece of information you get. We created a database of the most popular favorite movies of all time (inspired by the IMDB’s Top 250 Movie List ). Your answers allow us to explore the database, finding the perfect matches for you based on key factors like personality and preference.

Receive a list of others pictures you might like.

The big question on this page is, “What’s my favorite movie?” But it would be a wild guess if we picked only one film. That’s why the results include a list of several titles that we guarantee you love at least one of them. We don’t want to waste your time. And no online quiz can guess what your beloved movie is with 100% accuracy. So, we finetuned the results and enriched them with our top 10 guesses to make them fun and reliable.

Let us analyze your personality based on your favorite movies.

Several studies have confirmed the impact of films on viewers’ characters. We used some of them to provide you with a personality analysis. Your result includes a section that breakdown your attributes and character elements deeply. The section lets you know if you’re an extroverted or introverted person or if you have any unique trait that affects your film preferences.

How the Favorite Movies Quiz Works

The test has four stages. Each inspects a particular aspect of your likes and dislikes—as well as your overall persona. Here’s what you need to know about each step of the test.

Step #1: Gathering some personality data.

The test starts with random psychological questions that help us discover who we are. The goal is to analyze various aspects of your characteristics to finetune the results. Your traits and behaviors directly affect the movies we match you with. So, take your time and read each question carefully to receive accurate results.

Step #2: Discovering your preferred genre.

We don’t like to ask you a direct, obvious question like, “What is your favorite movie genre?” That’s because the whole point of the test is to GUESS! So, during the second phase of the quiz, you encounter cinema-related questions that eventually reveal your preferred category without you noticing.

Most others online tests make it so boring by forcing you to give them all the information they need. But we promise that participating in our quiz is going to be fun.

Step #3: Talking about your favorite movies.

Again, we don’t want you to reveal the answer and make it easy. However, we’d like to talk about the things you like about your preferred films. So, we’d have a small talk about your likings and try our best to gather as much information as possible to finetune the results.

Step #4: Creating a list of your best-loved films.

At the final stage of the Favorite Movie Quiz, you receive a list of films that we think you like. All of them are handpicked based on your personality, likes, and dislikes. You can share the list with your friends and see if it matches their expectations or run a poll on your social media account to see if your friends can guess your favorite movies as accurately as we do—and compare the results.

Wait; What Are the Top 10 Favorite Movies of All Time?

Yes, we are here to answer your big question of, “What is my favorite movie?” But what about the rest of the world? Is there any way to find out what films people love the most? The answer is yes. If you consider the worldwide gross of all the movies ever, you’ll have a list of pictures that most people are in love with or have favored one way or another.

So, here’s a list of 10 movies that [almost] everyone loves and favors:

Why Does It Matter to Know What Your Favorite Movie Is?

Not that you don’t know what your beloved movie is. But sometimes, we might ignore such details about our personalities. It’s actually pretty important to ask questions like, “What your favorite movie is?” when talking to people that we care about or are interested in. It’s the easiest way to have a glance at their personality and find out more about them. We think such details about people are important because:

· It’s tied to your personality.

Studies confirm that movies you watch, love, or hate reveal information about who you are. So, having more info about a person’s favorite picture is like getting to know them further.

· It’s a chitchat-friendly topic.

If you have been dating for a while, you have probably heard this question a lot, “What is your favorite movie?” It may sound silly or cliché. But it’s an important topic to talk about. Just like anything else in life, there’s a reason why you like certain movies and dislike some others. So, talking about your preferences can help introduce yourself better and get to know others, even during small talk.

· It’s always fun to have others guess your preferences.

Well, we created a whole test to answer, “What is my favorite movie?” So, we’d like you to know that it’s fun to have others picking your best-loved films based on things they know about you. Give it a try, and you’d see for yourself. You can run a poll on your Instagram Story and ask your friends and family to vote on movies they think you like. People who guess it right probably know you better than the rest.

QuizExpo does not own any of the images used in the ‘What Is Your Favorite Movie Quiz.’ Please, contact us for any copyright infringements.

A professional binge-watcher, Akash spends most of his time reviewing movies and TV shows. But also takes the time to turn them into engaging personality and trivia quizzes. As an avid QuizExpo writer, he has entered the Quiz Hall of Fame a few times for his viral quizzes. But he says, “That’s just the beginning.”

How to Play?

Playing personality quizzes is straightforward: Choose the option that’s true about you—or you relate to—and select “Next.” Unlike trivia quizzes, personality tests have no right or wrong answers. But the questions are in forced-choice format. The point is to push you to choose an option that makes the most sense, not the one that’s 100% true. For the most accurate results, don’t overthink your responses. Go with options that you “feel” are the best.

Questions of the quiz

16 or younger

36 or older

Hyperactive

Exciting and cool

Vivid and detailed

Emotional and deep

Extraordinary and unique

Memory-like and realistic

Random and unpredictable

Scary and stressful

I'm not sure. But I'm not against them.

I would like to have more novel experiences.

I don't really like new experiences.

I LOVE new experiences.

I think new experiences in life are stressful.

I only prefer new experiences that challenge me.

I don't have a specific opinion on that.

I can express my emotions fairly easily.

I usually find creative ways to express my emotion.

I have so many emotions that it's hard to express them.

I find it challenging to express my emotions.

I'm good at understanding emotions rather than expressing them.

I spend some time alone thinking.

I try to express my emotions through an art form.

I talk to my loved ones and vent.

I try to forget about it and focus on something else.

I don't do anything specific. I just wait.

I put the negative into positive work.

I feel like I need to break something. (And I usually do).

A silly adventure.

A children's story.

A romantic relationship.

A space mission.

A story about slavery.

A gangster's life.

Scary folklore.

It's about how much fun I have watching it.

It's about how much effort the creators have put into it.

It's about the emotions that the movie transfers.

It's mostly about SGI and creativity.

It's about the story, plot, and twist.

It's about the action.

It's about the intensity of the story.

Thought-provoking

Adrenaline-boosting

Make you laugh.

Are more like moving artwork.

Transfer the emotions correctly.

Use the technology wisely.

Make you care about the characters.

Engage the audience.

Are unpredictable.

Serious and gloomy

Soulless and doll

Dark and scary

Dramatic or tragic

SGI-oriented and fictional

Slow and boring

Happy and romantic

Recommendations

Director and actors

Story and writer

Ads and trailers

Director and media reviews

None of them

I can watch my favorite movies forever

I don't know. It depends.

I can't watch a movie more than once

Warmhearted

I don't know

Director and writer(s)

Relationships and feelings

The originality of the story

The pacing and rhythm of the story

I'm not sure about the answer

When I have free time

Every night

Every weekend

Whenever a good movie is out

Once in a while

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Essay on the topic “My favorite film”

My acquaintance with the world of cinematography began very recently. To be honest, I don’t like to watch all kinds of movies or series, because I don’t enjoy it because I always watch them alone. I still like to watch movies when a large company of people gathers, and it is especially interesting to watch the horror genre of movies at such a time. It must be horror, because at this moment mass abuse of those who do not really like this genre begins. So to be honest, it was quite difficult to choose one movie that I like the most.

I want to start with the fact that there are movie genres that I do not understand and do not like at all. These include action films, detective films and documentaries. However, I recently discovered a new genre for myself – horror, and in addition to them I love fantasy and comedies. My acquaintance with horror films began in September, when I entered a higher educational institution and my neighbors and I decided to choose a movie for the evening. It was very difficult, because everyone had their favorite genre and we were never able to reach a compromise until someone decided to choose a horror movie on their own and turn it on. Of course, there was no way out of this situation at all, so we decided to watch the movie “The Decisive Night”. This movie is currently in my top 5 favorite movies.

This film is about the one night of the year in America when the fire, police, medical and gas services are turned off and on this night the mass murder, or in other words the purge, begins. In this way, everyone does whatever they want. Someone kills, someone sets fire to other people’s homes, someone starts to scare the population. It doesn’t matter at all what you will do, because the most important thing is that you won’t get anything for it.

This film evoked in me a huge number of different emotions that I could not understand for a long time. It was scary, sometimes fun, sometimes completely incomprehensible. To be honest, lately I’ve come to love those movies that you start watching and immediately get excited not only about the main characters, but also about the meaning of the movie.

But this was a little post more about my introduction to horror movies than my favorite movie. Now I want to tell the story of how, after that very night of horrors in the dorm with the girls, I decided to try to watch a movie alone. As always, my friends and the Google search page helped me in this, where I was looking for interesting novelties this year. I accidentally came across the movie “Red Message” from Netflix. At the moment, I consider this particular movie to be my favorite, because I did not stop watching it the whole time.

I was completely satisfied with this film from the moment I got acquainted with the main events that I will be watching. In addition, I like to watch movies that have a beautiful cover and an interesting story. I liked the actors who played the main roles in the film “The Red Message” no less. I love the actor Dwayne Johnson who played the lead role of the cop in this movie.

During the entire viewing of the film, I watched and did not understand how the film would end, because everything was so interesting and unclear.. In the end, when I finished watching this film, my brain simply exploded. I didn’t believe until the end that there could be such an interesting turn of events that could cause so many emotions in me.

To be honest, everyone has a favorite movie, but I’m against movies that everyone knows. There is no point in lying and saying that the coolest and most favorite movie is “Harry Potter” or “Hatiko”. These are classic films that absolutely everyone in this universe already knows. I wanted to share the movie that came out recently, because few people know about it, but based on my story, I think many people will want to watch it.

Modern cinematography fascinates me every time more and more, and sometimes not entirely in a positive way. To be honest, in the past, films were created where the emphasis was more on meaning than on specificity. Currently, everything is the opposite. I really like old movies, but I can’t call them my favorite, because after all, a beautiful picture attracts me more than the meaning of the movie, which, moreover, everyone understands as they like.

Movies are what distracts a person’s brain after a hard day’s work. This is what helps to spend the evening in relaxation and enjoy the performance of your favorite actors in combination with an interesting plot and bright special effects. I believe that every person should choose a movie for the evening not only to think about what the director was trying to convey, but also such movies that will simply give your brain a rest.

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