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IELTS Speaking: Types / genre of movies
If you want to talk confidently about movies in the IELTS Speaking test, you will need to know different types of films, be able to describe, the setting, characters, plot and even soundtrack.
Let’s look first at different genres and how to say which one we like.
Movies (U.S.) (go to the movies / watch movies)
Films (G.B.) (go to the cinema/watch films)
When talking about a film we often use the noun in the plural
I like _____
- Comedies (funny, hilarious, humorous)
- Thrillers (exciting, full of suspense)
- Dramas
- Period Dramas (e.g. Pride and Prejudice)
- Mysteries (intriguing, exciting)
- Romances (endearing, full of emotion, soppy = too soft and romantic, cheesy = low quality or stereotypical, cliché = unoriginal or overused)
- Romcoms (romantic comedies)
We can also use adjectives (these need to be followed by ‘film’ or ‘movie’)
I like romantic films
I love horror films
- Sci Fi films
- Adventure movies
- Historical films
Fantasy films - Crime movies
Here are some other ways of saying you like something.
- I am big on _____
- I am keen on ____
- I am a big fan of ____
- I am fond of _____
- I am really into _____
- I’m partial to _____
- I’m a die hard fan of_____
IELTS Speaking tip: Learn to paraphrase
It’s important to be able to paraphrase (= to say something in a different way) in IELTS Speaking.
Don’t worry if you don’t know the name of the film in English, or you can’t remember the actor’s name – just find a way to explain your idea.
Here are some useful expressions you can use to paraphrase in this case.
I don’t know the name in English, but in Spanish it is_____
If I am not mistaken, it’s called _____
If my memory serves me right, I think in English it’s called ____ or something like that.
If I remember correctly, I think in English it’s called ____ or something like that.
I can’t quite remember the actor’s name but he was great…
It’s on the tip of my tongue
- To be on the tip of your tongue = something you almost remember, but cannot speak out.
IELTS Speaking vocabulary: Talking about movies
1. The Setting
The setting is where and when the film happens. Here are the most common ways of expressing this.
It’s set in space
It’s set in the 15th century
It’s set during the first world war
To be set = to take place
2. The Characters
The main character is a the most important person in the film.
“The main character is a boy who was bit by a spider”
- A protagonist (hero/heroine of the story)
- An antihero/antiheroine – a main character who does not have the expected qualities of a hero such as brave, strong and beautiful.
- An antagonist (villain) – baddie, the bad person
3. The Soundtrack
Some good adjectives to describe the soundtrack include the following
- engaging, catchy
- enchanting
- impressive
- upbeat, lively
4. The Plot
Plot (n.) = storyline
Here are some good adjectives and phrases to describe the plot of a movie.
- fast-paced
- intricate, complex,
It has a plot with twists and turns
- over-complicated (too much, negative)
- intriguing (makes you curious)
- full of suspense,
It keeps you on your toes
- It has a twist at the end = an unexpected ending
It has amazing stunts
I love the frantic car chases
- A sequel – the follow-up movie (e.g. A Quiet Place: Part 2)
5. Film popularity
We can use the following phrases to say whether a film has been successful or not.
- An award-winning film (e.g. ‘Parasite’ from Korea)
- It’s a blockbuster = very successful
- It’s a box-office hit = made a lot of money
- It was a flop = unsuccessful
- The movie flopped = it was unsuccessful
IELTS Speaking: Making recommendations
Here are some common ways you can make a recommendation in English.
- You should watch Spiderman
- If I were you, I would watch Spiderman
- I recommend you watch Spiderman
- I suggest you watch Spiderman
- I recommend watching Superman
- I suggest watching Superman
- It’s worth watching
- It’s well worth watching
NOTICE: You’d better watch Superman
😲…this is not a recommendation, it is an order or a threat.
If you don’t do it, something bad will happen!
IELTS Speaking: Idioms to talk about movies
- A film buff = a fan of films
I am a real film buff
- The big screen = the screen at the cinema
I like to see films on the big screen, rather than on my laptop
- To be on the edge of your seat = to be excited and really engaged in something
I was on the edge of my seat watching this film
- A cliffhanger = an ending with suspense
The movie had a great cliffhanger, so now I am waiting for the sequel
- Nail-biting (adj.) = very exciting
The film ‘A Quiet Place’ was a nail-biting thriller.
More Free Lessons
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FAMOUS PEOPLE in IELTS Speaking. Idioms and vocabulary to learn how to talk about famous people.
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FOOD in IELTS Speaking. Vocabulary and collocations to talk about food, healthy food and cooking.