Vocabulary Related to Films

Vocabulary Related to Films

Hello, dear English learners! Welcome to a new lesson. Today we’re diving into useful vocabulary related to films — perfect for everyday English and for Cambridge exams such as B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE). Whether you’re a cinema lover or just want to understand film reviews more confidently, this guide will walk you through the most common film genres, key expressions, and handy collocations.

Types of Films

Here are the most common genres you’ll come across:

Action

A film full of fast-paced scenes, fights, explosions, and chase sequences.

Examples: Mad Max, Die Hard, James Bond films.

Adventure

Stories about exciting journeys or quests, often set in distant or unusual places.

Examples: Jurassic Park, Into the Wild, Avatar.

Animation

Films made using drawings, computer graphics, or stop-motion techniques.

Examples: Zootopia, The Lion King, Shrek.

Comedy

A film designed to make you laugh.

Examples: A Fish Called Wanda, Mr Bean, Bridesmaids.

Crime

Stories that revolve around criminals, detectives, investigations, or gangs.

Examples: Goodfellas, Heat, The Godfather.

Documentary

A non-fiction film that presents facts and real events.

Examples: Fahrenheit 9/11, Super Size Me, Food, Inc.

Horror

A frightening film that aims to scare or shock the audience.

Examples: A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Shining, Psycho.

Musical

A film featuring songs, dancing, and choreographed performances.

Examples: La La Land, Singin’ in the Rain, Mamma Mia.

Romance

A love story, often focusing on relationships, emotions, and personal struggles.

Examples: Pride and Prejudice, Titanic, Pretty Woman.

Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)

Films set in imaginary or futuristic worlds, often with advanced technology or extraterrestrial life.

Examples: 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Wars, The Matrix.

Thriller

A suspenseful film full of tension, twists, and unexpected turns.

Examples: Black Swan, American Psycho, Vertigo.

War

Films focusing on battles, soldiers, and historical conflicts.

Examples: Saving Private Ryan, Apocalypse Now, The Deer Hunter.

Drama

A realistic story that explores strong emotions or relationships.

Examples: The Pursuit of Happyness, Manchester by the Sea.

Fantasy

A film full of magical elements, mythical creatures, or imaginary worlds.

Examples: Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia.

 

Useful Vocabulary & Collocations Related to Films

Cast

All the actors in a film.

Mary is auditioning for a place in the cast of a new film.

Audience

People watching the film in a cinema or theatre.

There wasn’t much of an audience when the movie started.

Soundtrack

The music used in a film.

I’ve just bought the soundtrack to “The Bodyguard”.

Subtitles

Text on the screen that translates or displays the dialogue.

We watched an Italian movie with English subtitles.

Dubbed

A film where the original voices have been replaced in another language.

I prefer watching films in the original language rather than dubbed versions.

Plot

The main events of the story.

The plot of the movie was gripping and unpredictable.

Sequel

A follow-up film that continues the original story.

There’s a sequel to this film. Shall we watch it?

Prequel

A film that tells the story before the events of the original film.

The prequel explains how the main character became a villain.

To be based on

When a film uses a book, true story, or historical event as the source.

“The Irishman” is based on a true story.

To be set (in a place/time)

Describes the location and time of the story.

The film is set in Scotland in 1879.

Trailer

A short promotional video showing highlights of a film.

I watched the trailer for the new Greta Gerwig movie — it looks great!

Review

An article or opinion about a film’s quality.

The film received excellent reviews.

Script / Screenplay

The written text of the film, including dialogue and scene descriptions.

“Green Book” won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

Star (verb)

To play the main role in a film.

Johnny Depp has starred in many popular films.

Leading actor / actress

The main performer in a film.

Emma Stone played the leading role in “La La Land”.

Supporting actor / actress

An actor with an important but not central role.

Joe Pesci has won awards as a supporting actor.

Extra

A background performer with no lines.

Thousands of extras were used in “The Lord of the Rings”.

Director

The person responsible for guiding the film’s artistic vision.

Alfred Hitchcock was a groundbreaking film director.

Cinematography

The visual style and camera work of a film.

The cinematography in that film was breathtaking.

Special effects (SFX)

Visual or sound tricks used to create illusions.

The special effects in “Avatar” changed cinema forever.

Box office

The financial success of a film.

The movie broke box office records in its first week.

Useful Phrases for Talking about Films

• The acting was outstanding.
• The ending was a bit disappointing.
• It’s not my cup of tea.
• I was on the edge of my seat.
• It lived up to the hype.
• I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen.

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