Free-Talk Idea: Movie Vocabulary (with Quiz + Discussion Questions)
Being a movie fan these days often involves much more than simply going to the theater. Movie buffs have passionate discussions about their favorite films on social media and face to face. Even simply reading a movie review may expose learners to many terms they have never heard before.
Why not take advantage of the situation and explain some of this unique vocabulary in a free-talk lesson? In fact, you can take it a bit further and have a fun quiz with your film-loving students.
This article lists some terms that are common in the film world. After introducing each term, see if your students can name any examples that match the description.
And as a bonus, many of these terms can also be used to talk about things like TV series, novels, comics and video games. For certain types of students, this can lead to a very lively discussion.
Types of movies
Sequel
Meaning: a movie that takes place after a previous film (part 2, part 3, etc.)
My favorite movie is getting a sequel next year.
The studio hopes that the sequel will make even more money than the original film.
Cheat sheet:
Dune: Part Two (2024) is a sequel to Dune (2021)
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) is a sequel to Avatar (2009)
Blade Runner: 2049 (2017) is a sequel to Blade Runner (1982)
Top Gun: Maverick (2002) is a sequel to Top Gun (1986)
Prequel
Meaning: a film that takes place before another story (even if it is released later)
The prequel takes place 10 years before the first film.
We have to hire a younger actor to play the hero in the prequel.
Cheat sheet:
Prometheus is a prequel to the Alien films
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is a prequel to A Fistful of Dollars
Wicked (a Broadway show and upcoming movie) is a prequel to the film The Wizard of Oz
House of the Dragon (a TV series) is a prequel to Game of Thrones
Spin-off
Meaning: a film that focuses on a particular character or a small piece of a story from another film
It's often less risky for companies to produce spin-offs than to invest in new stories.
This can also be used as a verb.
The character was popular enough to be spun-off into her own series.
Cheat sheet:
The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan are spin-offs of the Star Wars series
Knuckles is a spin-off of the Sonic the Hedgehog movies
Better Call Saul is a spin-off of Breaking Bad
Young Sheldon is a spin-off of The Big Bang Theory
The Fantastic Beasts series is a spin-off of the Harry Potter series
Reboot
Meaning: a new film that "rewrites" an older one with the same characters and world
This can be both a noun and a verb.
The reboot was much more successful than the original version.
Although the studio rebooted the series several times, audiences don't seem to connect with these characters.
Cheat sheet:
Wednesday is both a spin-off and a reboot of the Addams Family series (double points for answers like these!)
The modern Star Trek films are a reboot of the television series from the 1960s
Remake
Meaning: a new film that tells the same story as an older film in a modern way
Again, this can also be both a noun and a verb.
I don't think this movie needs a remake; the original is perfect.
I don't think this movie needs to be remade; the original is perfect.
Cheat sheet:
Beauty & the Beast (1991 and 2017)
Ocean's Eleven (1960 and 2001)
Oldboy (2003 and 2013)
Beyond movies
Canon
Meaning: events that are an official part of the story
The reboot made major changes to the original story's canon.
According to the canon of the Back to the Future series, the hero's car must reach 88 miles per hour before his time machine activates.
Lore
Meaning: background information that supports a film's main story and characters
George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones book and TV series is famous for having a large amount of lore.
You don't need to know a film's lore to enjoy it, but it helps.
Cinematic universe
Meaning: a series of films that connect different characters and different stories into one larger story
Many studios have tried to copy Marvel's success by creating a cinematic universe for their characters.
Cheat sheet:
• The Marvel Cinematic Universe (The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Panther, etc.)
• The "Monsterverse" (Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla vs. Kong, etc.)
• The DC Extended Universe (The Flash, Wonder Woman films, Aquaman films, etc.)
Franchise
Meaning: a series of movies, books, etc. based on the same title, concept or characters
The surprise hit launched a successful franchise that includes films, TV shows and video games.
Cheat sheet:
The Hunger Games
Mission: Impossible
Planet of the Apes
James Bond / 007
The Matrix
Discussion questions
- What's your favorite film or franchise?
- Do you feel film studios should make sequels or focus on new ideas?
- What's a movie you would like to see remade or rebooted?
- Do you care about a film's lore?
- What's your favorite film genre?
- Who's your favorite actor?
- What do you think about digital actors bringing back celebrities from the past?
- Do you have a favorite director?
- Do you prefer to watch films at home or in a theater?
- What film from your country do you recommend people from other countries watch?
Wrap-up
Films can be an excellent topic for discussion in lessons. The examples we've provided here are very Western- and Hollywood-centric, so be prepared for students to reply with films or other media you've never heard of. If they do, good! Ask them to tell you more about the world, characters and story. Either way, we hope you have great talks with chatty, enthusiastic students!
