WHAT GENRES ARE HOT – AND WHAT ARE NOT?

The spec market is finally showing signs of life, after a long period where many pro writers had to resort to bagging groceries to keep the rent paid. If your script is a tight consider, you will hopefully get reads and doors will open.

But wait — there’s one other important part of this, and that’s your choice of subject matter. You can have the greatest script in the world, but if it’s perceived as expensive or out of favor, sorry, pal.

So let’s look at the good, the meh, and the ugly.

THE GOOD

Here are the genres where a well-executed script by a writer with a  compelling voice is most likely to get some play from producers and managers.

Horror. Sure, they’re a bit oversaturated, but horror is an evergreen – and they’re often cheap to produce. Moreover, horror has gone mainstream and sometimes can even be award bait (think THE SUBSTANCE.) If you go theme-forward with your horror, sky’s the limit.

Action. Usually not cheap, but the genre has been bouncing back in recent years. In particular because streamers like Netflix have discovered the genre and are spending big bucks. A fresh concept can get attention.

Thriller. A great one will always get read. Make it tense and affordable and it could be your ticket to representation.

Romcom. Moribund for a long time, now back courtesy of Hallmark and Netflix et al. The same but different is the order of the day.

THE MEH

Still viable, but a bit more challenging.

Sci-fi. Contained sci-fi in particular, like MOON or EX MACHINA, for example, are your best shot.

Comedy. Unfortunately, in a real bad place right now. But all it takes is a hit to stoke interest. All eyes are on the NAKED GUN reboot.

Political Thriller. Everyone’s looking for the next Three Days of the Condor, but reception to these films of late has been mostly cool. Mainly because the few that get made often underperform at the box office. Nowadays, the audience (and producers) are tired of anything even hinting at politics.

Holiday movie. A LOT of these have been made of late, launching many writers’ careers. (Watch our Webinar It’s a Wonderful Script!) But the space is oversaturated to the max, and many holiday scripts feel stale.

THE UGLY

While of course one can still break through with a brilliant script, these genres are not in demand.

War movies. Especially WWII. Unless you’re an auteur director with heat, chances are nobody will even want to read.

Period anything. Expensive to produce and often struggles at the box office.

Dramas. Unless championed by a big name, the best shot for these is the indie route. Or, if you have access, the EU route. They’re a lot more willing to heap incentives onto dramas (if it’s local content and talent). Another option, if it’s contained drama, is the DIY and then festival route.

Fantasy. If your last name is Rowling or Martin, sure. If not, think twice. Fantasy is very expensive to produce. And it’s almost always adapted from a successful intellectual property.

Superhero. The same problem as fantasy. It’s expensive. And almost always adapted from a comic book or graphic novel. If you absolutely want to write in this genre, consider creating your own IP first.

Biopic. The hardest genre to write well. Often a nonstarter unless the subject is famous and currently in the public consciousness. Indie’s your best bet. And please focus on the key period in the subject’s life — don’t write a cradle-to-grave story. Those are death.

Animation. These generally are developed in-house at the animation companies. So it’s nearly impossible to break in with one.

Western. There are producers who love a good western, but the genre is considered somewhat creaky and unprofitable at the moment.

+++

Please understand that we are definitely not telling you what to write. We’re just sharing our experience from talking to agents and managers. If you’ve got a great piece of writing, then to heck with conventional wisdom. Go get ’em. We’ve got your back.