Drama

Drama refers to films of the dramatic genre. These films are set with a serious tone in mind, and are generally films that could otherwise take place in the so-called "real-world", even if such films take place in different time eras. Because drama is such a broad-sweeping category, it can actually be broken down into a multitude of subgenres. Which is to say, dramas may also fall into other film categories as well, though may not necessarily be considered part of that genre. Most horror films for example, are genres, but as the driving force of the film is to illicit fear, they will all be listed under horror rather than here.

Traditional drama
This is drama that cannot be pigeonholed into any particular subgenre. These are films that take place in the current day, that present stories that could conceivably take place in the real world with realistic characters and settings.


 * American Graffiti (1973)
 * Good Will Hunting (1997)
 * Sling Blade (1996)

Crime drama
Crime dramas are films that focus on procedural plot lines over that of character development, and are usually presenting the contrasting conflicts between some member or members of a law enforcement agency and whatever criminal enterprise they seek to defeat. Crime drama films also blend with the action genre.


 * Departed, The (2006)
 * Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The (2009)
 * Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The (2011)
 * Godfather, The (1972)
 * Godfather: Part II, The (1974)
 * Godfather: Part III, The (1990)
 * Infernal Affairs (2002)
 * Mobsters (1991)
 * Pulp Fiction (1994)

Film-noir

 * Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
 * Notorious (1946)

Gangster films
"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."

- Vito Corleone

Gangster films are a sub-category of crime drama. They focus on the exploits of organized crime and generally take place during the 1930s and 1940s, which is the height of the gangster era. Gangster films are different from "gangsta films", which is another subgenre of crime drama that arose in the early 1990s. The basic premise is the same, but usually involves an urban setting and takes place in the modern era.


 * Godfather, The (1972)
 * Godfather: Part II, The (1974)
 * Godfather: Part III, The (1990)

Period drama
Period dramas are films that glorify the splendors of correct punctuation. Just kidding. Period dramas are so named because they take place in a different time era from that of the present. This time era is always in the past, otherwise they would be considered part of the science fiction genre. Even amongst period dramas, there are several offshoot movie niches, the most famous one among them being westerns. There are also other historical dramas involving well-known time eras such as Victorian-era England, Medieval Europe, and the days of the Roman Empire.


 * Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The (2008)
 * Dracula (1992)
 * Godfather, The (1972)
 * Godfather: Part II, The (1974)
 * Godfather: Part III, The (1990)
 * Richard III (1955)
 * Warrens of Virginia, The (1915)
 * Warrens of Virginia, The (1924)

Romance drama

 * Casablanca (1942)
 * Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The (2008)
 * Dracula (1992)
 * Edward Scissorhands (1990)
 * Notorious (1946)
 * Under the Cherry Moon (1986)
 * Warrens of Virginia, The (1915)
 * Warrens of Virginia, The (1924)
 * Wicker Park (2004)
 * Wolf (1994)

Dramatic comedies

 * Made in Brooklyn (2007)