Genres are supposed to help define a story—but like music, they rarely stay in neat categories. In books and on screen, those labels shift and evolve, making them as useful as they are complicated. Like calling a band dream pop or shoe gaze, the lines often overlap.

Here’s a guide to some of the most common book-to-screen genres, with examples.

Adventure
Stories centered on journeys, quests or exploration.
Example: “Jumanji”  

Autobiography/Memoir
Stories based on a person’s real-life experiences, often told from a personal perspective.
Example: “Strangers”  

Biographical
Stories that chronicle the life of a real person. 
Example: “Ford vs. Ferrari”

Coming-of-age
Stories that follow characters through personal growth or transition into adulthood. 
Example: “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow”

Children’s
Stories written for younger audiences, often featuring moral lessons or imaginative worlds.
Example: “Propeller One-Way Night Coach”

Contemporary fiction
Stories set in the present day that focus on modern relationships, identity and social dynamics. Example: “Normal People”

Crime thriller
Fast-paced stories involving criminal activity, often with high stakes and tension. 
Example: “The Silence of the Lambs”

Dystopian
Stories set in broken systems—governments, societies or environments—where control is often the focus.
Example: “The Hunger Games”

Fantasy
Stories set in imagined worlds with magic, mythical creatures or supernatural elements.
Example: “The Lord of the Rings”  

Gothic
Dark, atmospheric stories featuring decay, isolation and psychological tension.
Example: “Frankenstein”

Historical drama
Stories set in the past that often blend real events with fictional characters. 
Example: “The Crown”

Horror
Stories designed to frighten, often involving supernatural or psychological elements or blood and gore. 
Example: “Dracula”

Literary adaptation
Character-driven stories often focused on internal conflict or theme.
Example: “Pride and Prejudice”

Mystery
Stories built around solving a crime or uncovering a secret.
Example: “Scarpetta”

Noir
A mood-driven crime style centered on moral ambiguity and flawed characters. There are many subgenres of Noir, including Classic, Domestic, Neo-noir, Nordic noir and Tech noir.  
Example: “Strangers on a Train”

Romance
Stories centered on relationships and emotional connection. 
Example: “People We Meet on Vacation”

Romantasy
A blend of romance and fantasy where relationships drive the story as much as the magic.
Example: “Outlander”

Satire
Stories that use humor, irony or exaggeration to critique society or institutions. 
Example: “American Psycho”  

Sci-fi
Stories driven by science, technology or future worlds.
Example: “Project Hail Mary”

Young adult
Stories centered on teenage protagonists, often dealing with identity and relationships.
Example: “My Life with the Walter Boys”