Movies: Oxford Languages Definition, Meaning & Examples Now!

Name: Movies: Oxford Languages Definition, Meaning & Examples Now!
Genre: Documentary
Rating: 9.1

Reggie Klocko 21 May 2025

Ever sat in a darkened theater, utterly transported to another world, another time, another life? Thats the power of the movie, a potent art form that continues to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. But what exactly is a movie? It's more than just moving pictures; it's a complex tapestry woven from storytelling, visual artistry, and technological innovation.

Oxford Languages defines a movie as a recording of moving images that tells a story, something we watch on a screen or television. Its a deceptively simple definition for something so multifaceted. The term "movie" is often used interchangeably with "film" or "motion picture," each carrying slightly different connotations. "Film" might evoke a sense of artistic merit or historical significance, while "movie" can feel more casual, referring to popular entertainment. Regardless of the label, the essence remains the same: a sequence of images designed to create the illusion of movement and convey a narrative or evoke an emotion. Movies have become ubiquitous in our lives, available not only in cinemas but also on our televisions, computers, and mobile devices. Theyre a shared cultural experience, a source of endless conversation, and a powerful tool for shaping our perspectives.

Category	Information
Definition	A recording of moving images that tells a story, watched on a screen or television.
Synonyms	Film, motion picture
Technical Aspects	Filmed with movie cameras or video cameras at 24 or 25 frames per second. Projected at 24 frames per second to create the illusion of movement.
Narrative Structure	Scenes are the building blocks of a movie's narrative. Each scene serves a purpose: advancing plot, developing characters, creating tension, etc.
Genres	Horror: A genre intended to scare, shock, and thrill. Thriller: A genre with overlapping subgenres like crime, horror, and detective fiction.
Feature Film Length	More than 40 minutes (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences); 60 minutes or longer (Screen Actors Guild).
Key Roles	Film Director: Controls artistic and dramatic aspects, visualizes the screenplay. Producer: Oversees the film's production.
Examples	"The movie contains a lengthy car chase through the streets of Paris." "The movie follows their lives on a small Arkansas farm." "The movie is set in a New England school."
Historical Significance	"Jaws" (1975) is regarded as the first film of the blockbuster era. "Star Wars" (1977) expanded on the success of "Jaws," setting box office records.
Further Reading	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences