monster movie

Meaning

A 'monster movie' is a film genre that centers on characters fighting or trying to survive against one or more giant, destructive creatures. These creatures can be prehistoric beasts, mutated animals, aliens, or mythological monsters. The tone of these movies is often action-packed, thrilling, and sometimes a bit campy or cheesy.

Examples

• We grabbed some popcorn and stayed up late watching an old-school monster movie.

  We grabbed some popcorn and stayed up late watching an old-school monster movie.

• Godzilla is probably the most famous character in any monster movie.

  Godzilla is probably the most famous character in any monster movie.

• I don't care about the plot; I just want to see a fun monster movie with great CGI.

  I don't care about the plot; I just want to see a fun monster movie with great CGI.

• That new monster movie has some of the coolest creature designs I've ever seen.

  That new monster movie has some of the coolest creature designs I've ever seen.

• My brother loves cheesy 1950s monster movies with terrible special effects.

  My brother loves cheesy 1950s monster movies with terrible special effects.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We went to the cinema to see a monstrous movie.

  ✓ We went to the cinema to see a monster movie.

  'Monstrous' means horrible or giant in size, but 'monster' is the correct noun-adjunct used to define the film genre.

• ✗ I don't like horror films, but I enjoy beast movies.

  ✓ I don't like horror films, but I enjoy monster movies.

  Native speakers do not use 'beast movie' to describe this genre; 'monster movie' is the natural term.

Related Expressions

Practice

• King Kong is a classic example of a giant ___.

  💡 A film starring a massive, destructive creature

  Show answer

  monster movie

• Let's watch a dumb, fun ___ where a giant shark attacks a beach.

  💡 A movie genre about terrifying creatures

  Show answer

  monster movie