What Are Different Types of Genres?

By Kasey Jones ; Updated September 15, 2017

Film and literature combine many types of genres meeting the needs of the public. Within each genre, there are sub genres that reach niche audiences more specifically. According to Dummies.com, Romance novels reign as the most popular literary genre, while romantic dramas and comedic films also score well at the box office.


The comedic genre of novels and films aims to be lighthearted and provoke laughter. According to Filmsite.org, there are categories within the comedy genre that include slapstick, parodies, romantic comedies and black comedies.

According to Flick Chart, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," "The Naked Gun," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Fargo" are examples of comedic movies. Comedic novels follow the same pattern as films and include works such as "Pride and Prejudice" and "Bridget Jones's Diary."


According to Filmsite.org, the action and adventure genre include high-energy scenes with possible rescues, battles, fights, escapes, and even disasters like floods, volcanoes, tornados and hurricanes. Exotic locations and fast-paced heroes and bad guys evoke excitement and have the viewer on the edge of his seat. Such films include "The Matrix," "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" and "Iron Man." Action novels include "The Rainmaker," "Rainbow Six" and "Timeline."


Horror films scare, terrify and keep the audience in suspense. The horror genre often includes supernatural happenings, special effects, the living dead, monsters and aliens as well as serial killers.

According to IGN Movies, the top 25 horror movies of all-time include "The Exorcist," ranked No. 1, followed by "Psycho," "Jaws," "Alien" and "Silence of the Lambs," ranking No. 5. Good Reads ranks "The Shining" and "It" by Stephen King as the best horror novels.


Dramatic films and novels focus on serious and possible real-life situations, realistic characters and settings. This genre includes melodrama, which plays on the emotions of the audience, and romantic drama, which focuses on a sad, romantic conflict. Dramatic films include "The Shawshank Redemption," "Taxi Driver" and "Casablanca." "Great Expectations" is an example of a dramatic novel.

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