In film theory, genre refers to the method of film categorization (分类) based on similarities in the narrative elements (叙事要素) from which films are constructed. A genre is always a vague term with no fixed boundaries. Many works also cross into multiple genres. Film genres can be generally categorized as fiction (故事片) and documentary (纪录片).
Fictional films are usually categorized according to their setting (背景), theme (主题), and mood (基调). The setting is the environment where the story and action takes place. The theme or topic refers to the issues or concepts that the film revolves around. The mood is the emotional tone of the film. In fact, it is rare to find a film that belongs exclusively (仅仅) to one genre; that is to say, almost no film will possess all of the characteristics of a single genre and none of the characteristics of any other.
The following table gives an overview of fictional film genres defined according to setting, theme and mood.
Fictional Film Genres | Defining Criteria (标准) | Film |
| Prison / Crime | Setting Theme Mood | The Shawshank Redemption 肖生克的救赎 |
| Fantasy | Harry Potter 哈里•波特 | |
| History | Troy 特洛伊 | |
| War | Saving Private Ryan 拯救大兵瑞恩 | |
| Science fiction | Star Wars 星球大战 | |
| Espionage（间谍） | James Bond 邦德系列片 | |
| Comedy drama | Bridget Jones’ Diary 单身日记 | |
| Tragedy drama | Brave Heart 勇敢的心 | |
| Romance | Titanic 泰坦尼克号 | |
| Action | The Matrix 黑客帝国 | |
| Disaster | The Day After Tomorrow 后天 | |
| Thriller / Horror | Alien 异形 | |
| Musical and Dance | Dancer in the Dark 黑暗中的舞者 | |
| Animated film | Beauty and the Beast 美女与野兽 | |
| Biographical film | The Fighter 斗士 |
