From heroes to high stakes, cinema has always invested in stories full of universal truths. Whether it’s a sweeping epic or a small-scale drama, it likely follows one of the big seven themes. Audiences recognize themselves in these stories. Even if the action is in a galaxy far, far away.
Filmmakers the world over continue to return to certain ideas. Below are seven themes that continue to play a role on the big screen. Each offers a different way to connect with the human experience.
1. The Hero and The Journey
The most enduring of all cinematic structures! The hero’s journey. A character goes from humble beginnings to transformation. He (or she) goes through trials and setbacks along the way.
Audiences are drawn to these arcs because they reflect personal growth and resilience. And because who wouldn’t like to be a hero in their own story?
Luke Skywalker in Star Wars and Frodo in The Lord of the Rings are classic examples of this format. Audiences know what to expect—a familiar rhythm of triumphs and failures that reminds them of their own (albeit less dramatic) struggles.
2. Love and Relationships
Love is a cinema staple. In all its forms. Romantic comedies and tragedies alike capture human connections and love’s fragility (hello Romeo and Juliet). Friendships and family bonds are explored to the max. Even pets (I’ve still not recovered from Marley and Me). They reveal the complexities of human relationships and they resonate on a personal level, no matter the outcome.
3. Power and Corruption
The pursuit of power (and the corruption that often follows) is another theme we can’t resist. The Godfather and Scarface show how ambition raises characters to great heights. Often before they crash down.
The stories are compelling. They have that allure and danger of unchecked ambition. We may not live in the world of mob bosses or crime lords, but the themes of greed, betrayal, and downfall are relatable. And fascinating.
4. Risk and Gambling
The tension of the casino. The bright lights, the high stakes, the air of uncertainty. That’s instant drama right there. The suave poker game in Casino Royale. The slick heists of Ocean’s Eleven. Gambling scenes capture the thrill of risk and reward.
Even if we’re not the type to be searching for the best online casinos in New Zealand in our spare time, we can still appreciate the metaphor the casino gives us for life’s unpredictability. The roll of the dice. The cards we’re dealt. And if we daren’t push our luck, the characters sure will.
5. Escapism and Fantasy
Cinema has always been a portal to other worlds. Films like Harry Potter use hybrid realism to create immersive fantasy worlds. The superhero universes of Marvel. Even dystopian tales like The Hunger Games or Mad Max: Fury Road are perfect escapism tools. Their alternative realities challenge us to think differently about our own lives and world. We can step outside the everyday and experience wonder, danger, or possibility that doesn’t otherwise exist.
6. Transformation and Redemption
Cinema excels at showing characters change. The redemptive arc of Tony Stark in the Iron Man series or the deeply personal journey in The Pursuit of Happyness shows that humans can change—which is often what we want to hear! Transformations give us hope that even ‘bad’ characters can become ‘good’ ones.
We must mention The Shawshank Redemption in this category. Few films capture the theme more poignantly. Andy Dufresne’s determination to maintain his dignity even in the face of injustice has made the story one of the most celebrated examples of its kind. Stories like this reassure us that even in the darkest circumstances, flawed or suffering individuals can change. We get catharsis. And inspiration.
7. Justice and Revenge
In a similar vein, few themes provoke as much intensity as those built around justice and revenge. The raw fury of Gladiator, the stylish vengeance of Kill Bill… we’re drawn to stories where wrongs must be righted. Justice in cinema isn’t always about violence or retribution, though. Sometimes it’s about moral reckoning.
Stephen King adaptations like The Green Mile show us how justice can be both heartbreaking and transcendent. The story’s focus on Paul Edgecomb’s moral struggle and John Coffey’s unjust fate moves the idea of justice beyond legal outcomes. It asks us as the audience to consider compassion, empathy, and humanity in ways we haven’t. The result is often a narrative that’s unsettling and profoundly moving.
Conclusion
Cinema’s universal themes speak to our shared experiences as humans. Love, justice, transformation, ambition, and survival all resonate because they mirror the struggles and triumphs humans face in real life. Themes are more than just a creative device for filmmakers. They help the audience connect. Sometimes they comfort us. Sometimes they confront us. The most powerful films continue to use these ideas because they tap into timeless emotions, whether it’s a blockbuster or an indie drama.