Remember to evaluate the setting of the film. Some films, like the Mad Max movies, are chase films, but take place in more exotic and special locations, as opposed to the cityscape of the Fast And Furious movies. This means Mad Max would be more of a sub-genre of adventure than of action.
Escape films are sometimes considered a sub-genre of adventure instead of action. It’s up to you to choose.
You could consider crime a sub-genre of the action movie.
There’s more information on this interesting genre down below.
You probably won’t see a Mumbai crime film without your knowledge, as it’s a much more popular genre in Indian cinema rather than Hollywood.
Although “spaghetti western” is a slightly derogatory term, remember that some of the most famous movies of all time were directed by Italian people.
World War I: Wonder Woman (2017), Paths of Glory, All Quiet On the Western Front World War II: Dunkirk, Saving Private Ryan, Inglorious Basterds Civil War: Glory, Shenandoah Revolutionary War: The Patriot, Revolution Iraq War: The Hurt Locker, Thank You For Your Service, Jarhead Vietnam War: MAS*H, The Deer Hunter, Platoon, First Blood Afghanistan War: Charlie Wilson’s War, Lone Survivor
The urban fantasy sub-genre is like “genreception”, since it’s technically a sub-genre of contemporary fantasy.
The film is only considered alternate history if the plot centers around it. For example, in Back to the Future: Part II, Marty McFly briefly travels to an alternate 2015 where he never lived in his house and never met Doc. However, since this only takes up about five minutes of the film, the movie isn’t considered an alternate history film.
If the movie does mix action and comedy, make sure it’s more slapstick humor than intense violence, or you may be watching a dark comedy.
Remember, spy films can also be considered sub-genres of action/adventure. To tell the difference, evaluate the setting, the mood, and the plot.
Drama: Gone With the Wind, Ben-Hur, 12 Angry Men Action: Goldfinger, Die Hard, Dirty Harry Crime: The Godfather, Scarface (1932), The Big Sleep, Dog Day Afternoon Adventure: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Ran, The Third Man Western: Shane, Stagecoach, The Searchers, High Noon War: Schindler’s List, Tora! Tora! Tora!, The Longest Day, Paths of Glory Fantasy: Fantasia, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Thief of Bagdad Horror: Frankenstein (1931), The Birds, Rosemary’s Baby, Psycho Science Fiction: Solaris (1972), 2001: A Space Odyssey, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) Comedy: Modern Times, City Lights, Ninotchka, Bringing Up Baby Thriller: Notorious, Touch of Evil, Rear Window
Drama: There Will Be Blood, Boyhood, Warrior Action Kill Bill, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Sin City Crime: Zodiac, The Departed, City of God, Killing Them Softly Adventure: Mad Max: Fury Road, Gladiator, Skyfall Western: No Country for Old Men, The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford War: Argo, Inglorious Basterds, The Hurt Locker Fantasy: The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Tree of Life, Pan’s Labyrinth Horror: Get Out, It Follows, The Babadook Science Fiction: Primer, Gravity, Moon, Interstellar Comedy: Superbad, Punch-Drunk Love, Hot Fuzz, Zoolander Thriller: Donnie Darko, Drive (2011)
Drama: Clerks, The Warriors, Fight Club Action: Escape From New York, The Boondock Saints, Mad Max, The Road Warrior Crime: Scarface, Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs Adventure: Labyrinth, The Princess Bride, Galaxy Quest Western: El Topo, Blazing Saddles War: Deathdream , Apocalypse Now, Starship Troopers Fantasy: Repo Man, Edward Scissorhands, Spirited Away Horror: The Exorcist, The Evil Dead, REC, The Room (2003) Science Fiction: The Thing, Alien, Predator, Brazil, THX 1138 Comedy: Trainspotting, Fargo, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian, The Big Lebowski Thriller: Battle Royale, Oldboy, 12 Monkeys
Some movies are even more debated about as to whether or not they should be considered holiday films or not, like The Godfather, Boogie Nights, and Rocky. These are all definitely a stretch. Some movies are debated what holiday the film actually depicts. Tim Burton’s animated classic The Nightmare Before Christmas is still being argued over. Is it a Halloween or Christmas movie?
Black comedy is not to be confused with dark comedy (above), which is sometimes also known as a black comedy.
