The Importance of Hybrid Genres

Films which include the stereotypical codes and conventions of two or more different genres are described as having a hybrid of genres. For example the 1988 feature film 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' combines elements of a stereotypical slapstick animated childrens movie with a more adult mob/crime plot filmed in live action. The effectiveness of this and with all hybrid genre films is that it appeals to a wider audience: the animation appeals to a child audience whilst the adult crime elements for the plot and comedy will also attract parents and adults in general to watch.

Instead of targeting a specific niche market, Directors and Producers use hybrid genres to create a more commercially successful film that will appeal to a wider audience and in result produce a larger profit. Hybrid genre films are also important to the cinematic experience as a whole: the majority of people that go to cinemas are usually in a group of individuals with different tastes, so watching a film that contains elements to suit these diverse preferences will be considerably more successful at the box office.


Another example is the Star Wars franchise which first hit screens in 1977, the films all come under the Sc-Fi genre including conventions such as spaceships, lightsavers and ailiens. Science Fiction Films stereotypically appeal to a male audience - the action sequences and adventure/ quest narrative of these movies also build on this however the franchise also incorporates a Romantic plot line between the two of the main protagonists: Princess Leia and Han Solo.

Films which come under the Romance genre with a strong female character falling for the dashing hero stereotypically appeal to a female audience so by using a hybrid genre Star Wars has widened it's viewing figures to both genders who will apreciate the cinematic experience as the film is tailored to their tastes.

The film poster here illusrates the film comes under the Science Fiction Genre but appeals to a female audience with the presence of a female protaganist and hero love interest.

Typical Superhero Films such as Spiderman and Superman are also largely marketed towards a male target audience with a strong predominant male protaganist swooping in to save a ditzy 'damsel in distress' love interest.
The 2010 comic book style superhero film 'Kick Ass' completely turned this stereotype on it's head featuring a little girl as a strong, potty mouthed independent hero with her own trailer campaign.



This film widens it's audience to females which will appreciate a strong young girl character and also brings in elements of the comedy genre.
I think challenging stereotypical genres will always be an interesting and effective way of attracting new audiences.