American Film Institute
AFI's Ten Top Ten
America's 10 Greatest Films in 10 Classic Genres
AFI's Top Ten Genres
Animation
AFI defines “animated” as a genre in which the film’s images are primarily created by computer or hand and the characters are voiced by actors.
Romantic Comedy
AFI defines “romantic comedy” as a genre in which the development of a romance leads to comic situations.
Western
AFI defines “western” as a genre of films set in the American West that embodies the spirit, the struggle and the demise of the new frontier.
Sports
AFI defines “sports” as a genre of films with protagonists who play athletics or other games of competition.
Fantasy
AFI defines “fantasy” as a genre where live-action characters inhabit imagined settings and/or experience situations that transcend the rules of the natural world.
Sci-Fi
AFI defines “science fiction” as a genre that marries a scientific or technological premise with imaginative speculation.
Gangster
AFI defines the “gangster film” as a genre that centers on organized crime or maverick criminals in a twentieth century setting.
Courtroom Drama
AFI defines “courtroom drama” as a genre of film in which a system of justice plays a critical role in the film’s narrative.
Epic
AFI defines “epic” as a genre of large-scale films set in a cinematic interpretation of the past.
The American Film Institute
The American Film Institute is America's promise to preserve the heritage of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers.
More AFI Movie Lists
AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies documented AFI's ongoing celebration of cinema's centennial. Each special honors a different aspect of excellence in American film.