film series
Connected movie installments
A film series is a set of movies connected by shared characters, storylines, or fictional universe, released as distinct installments over time: the James Bond film series, the Marvel film series.
Unlike sequels alone, a series implies an ongoing franchise with multiple entries, often spanning decades.
Also called a movie franchise.
Continuation of prior work
- prequelLater work, earlier setting
- spin-offDerivative from a parent
- installmentPeriodic partial payment
- trilogyThree linked creative works
continuation · reboot · remake · cinematic universe · box office · merchandising · licensing · studio
Three linked creative works
- duologyTwo connected works
- quadrilogyFour-part creative series
- pentalogySeries of five works
- anthologyCollected literary works volume
chapter · part one · part two · installments · episodic · standalone · interconnected · chronological
Narrative's overall shape
- character developmentProtagonist's psychological growth
- continuityUninterrupted progression or coherence
- cliffhangerSuspenseful unresolved ending
- recurring themesRepeated central ideas
world-building · backstory · mythology · lore · canon · timeline · flashback · foreshadowing
Process of doing
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
- comedyWork meant to amuse
- sci-fiFuturistic fiction, abbreviated
- fantasyImaginative mental wandering
superhero · animated · thriller · romance · adventure · martial arts · spy · slasher
Long-distance footrace
- binge-watchConsume many episodes consecutively
- cosplayDressing as media characters
- conventionsAccepted social practices
- collectiblesItems people amass
memorabilia · fan theories · cult following · premiere · midnight screening · nostalgia · iconic moments · anniversary edition
sequel
Continuation of prior work
- prequelLater work, earlier setting
- spin-offDerivative from a parent
- installmentPeriodic partial payment
trilogy · continuation · reboot · remake · cinematic universe · box office · merchandising · licensing · studio · producer
trilogy
Three linked creative works
- duologyTwo connected works
- quadrilogyFour-part creative series
- pentalogySeries of five works
anthology · chapter · part one · part two · installments · episodic · standalone · interconnected · chronological · finale
story arc
Narrative's overall shape
- character developmentProtagonist's psychological growth
- continuityUninterrupted progression or coherence
- cliffhangerSuspenseful unresolved ending
recurring themes · world-building · backstory · mythology · lore · canon · timeline · flashback · foreshadowing · protagonist
action
Process of doing
fantasy · superhero · animated · thriller · romance · adventure · martial arts · spy · slasher · western
marathon
Long-distance footrace
- binge-watchConsume many episodes consecutively
- cosplayDressing as media characters
- conventionsAccepted social practices
collectibles · memorabilia · fan theories · cult following · premiere · midnight screening · nostalgia · iconic moments · anniversary edition
- serialsserials, periodicals, magazines, journals, newsletters
- cinemamovies, movie, cinema, directors, cinemas
- film cultureretrospectives, premieres, drive-ins, cinematheques, movie nights
- film termsauteur, genre, celluloid, mise-en-scene, 35mm
- franchisesfranchise, Star Wars, franchising, franchises, franchisor
- movie listsfilmography, movie database, streaming library, watchlist, release schedule
film seriestelevision series
Serialized broadcast entertainment program
TV show · miniseries · web series · podcast series · streaming series
film, series, films, serial, filmed, filming, serially, serialized, microfilm