Many movie genres have existed throughout cinematic history. Things like romance and mystery are classic genres that never go out of style. However, some popular movie genres and subgenres didn’t exist until much later in the game. Many movies and shows that are widely loved are a result of new genres. Some are even responsible for the creation of beloved genres and subgenres. Here are 6 movie genres that didn’t exist 50 years ago.
6. Cyberpunk
While dystopian books and movies have existed for a long time, this subgenre is relatively new. Cyberpunk features dystopian worlds that have fully integrated technology into society. These films often showcase the protagonists fighting against the technology that has consumed their world.
One of the first examples of this is in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Phillip K. Dick. Though there was some literary integration of this genre in the 1960s and 1970s, it was not until the 1980s that the movie genre truly took form. The 1982 film Blade Runner helped establish it in film and popularize it.
The word “cyberpunk” originated from a short story written by Bruce Bethke. Though it was not his intention, Bethke created the name of this beloved genre.
5. Analog Horror
Though this genre is modern, the inspiration for it is not. Analog horror was introduced in the 2010s through internet culture. It uses old, outdated technology to tell a chilling story and paint a frightening picture.
Things like VHS tapes and radio broadcasts feature emergency messages, warnings, distorted audio, and eerie images. Regular technology becomes unsettling as the unknown story develops.
These films and videos are especially scary because they don’t rely on jump scares or special effects, but on real devices that people rely/relied on.
4. Mockumentary
This comedic subgenre has rapidly gained popularity with movies and shows like The Office. It is closely related to parodies, with emphasis on the mock-documentary aspect of it. It makes humorous moments more realistic and relatable. While documentaries can cover pretty serious topics, the filming style can be used to entertain and make people laugh.
3. Gun-fu
While impressive fighting techniques have made appearances in many early action films, the mix of martial arts and gun action came later.
John Woo’s 1980s and 1990s films are largely given the credit for this genre, with movies like The Killer (1989). These films feature impressive acrobatic moves to dodge enemy attacks. Characters even engage in hand-to-hand combat alongside using guns to fight their enemies up close.
This subgenre blends two classic types of films into modern-day action-packed movies.
2. Cringe Comedy
While most people want to leave behind cringey or embarrassing moments, watching them on TV is a different story. Cringe comedy recreates (and in many cases, exaggerates) awkward and cringey human experiences. Though it started to develop and grow in popularity during the 1990s, the introduction of internet culture in the early 2000s boosted its popularity significantly.
Movies like You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah showcase awkward middle school moments that would be embarrassing for anyone to experience. The goal is to elicit second-hand embarrassment in the viewer.
Though it might be a little hard to watch sometimes, viewers can’t get enough of the cringey yet entertaining movie genre.
1. Found Footage
This genre offers an immersive cinematic experience. It gives an authentic feeling to the movie, making it seem like the event was accidentally captures on camera, rather that strategically filmed in a studio.
While a shaky camera or amateur camera quality would be unideal for any other film, those qualities are exactly what makes this movie genre so appealing. It makes the experience feel real.
The Blair Witch Project is often credited for creating the subgenre, as it took off in popularity after the movie’s release.