The word genre is defined as the style or category of a work that denotes or relates to a particular theme. When we go to find a movie to watch, genre is often an important factor in our ultimate decision. At a video library, like books, movies are categorized by their themes into genres. Films are classified into genres through their use and manipulation of genre conventions such as iconography, style and plot. For example, the setting of a distant galaxy, the presence of characters such as aliens and robots, the many associated added visual special effects of the popular Star Wars series amount to it being classified as a science fiction film. Below are listed some of the most popular genres and the conventions that makes them so, with some examples.

Horror; Gothic landscape, eerie music/score, the presence of super human powers/characters such as monsters or ghosts, incorporated violence, the manipulation of suspense and jump scares,

Examples: The Exorcist, Friday the 13th, Paranormal Activity

Comedy; Skits, gags, spoofs/parodies of other things, caricatures/imitations

Examples: Horrible Bosses, Grown Ups, The Hangover

Romance; The “dream” partner trope, romanticized landscape/setting, an obstacle for characters to overcome to continue/develop their relationship

Examples: The Notebook,  Dirty Dancing, Love, Actually

Art House/alternative; Experimental films, often contemporary, defying conventions of mainstream cinema, may be made in alternate format or without elements such as audio or moving image

Examples: Her, Frank, Boyhood

Thriller; Often psychological, more focus on suspense than horror, exciting or confronting plot, often involving crime or espionage,

Examples: Shutter Island, Phone Booth, Taken