Film theory seeks to develop concise, systematic concepts that apply to the study of film/cinema as art. Classical film theory provides a structural framework to address classical issues of techniques, narrativity, diegesis, cinematic codes, "the image", genre, subjectivity, and authorship. More recent analysis has given rise to psychoanalytic film theory, structuralist film theory, feminist film theory, and theories of documentary, new media, third cinema, and new queer cinema , to name just a few. See also film criticism.

For specific theories and styles of film, see:

• Auteur theory
• Feminist film theory
• Formalist film theory
• Genre film theory
• Film noir
• German Expressionism
• Horror film
• Italian Neorealism
• Marxist film theory
• Psychoanalytical film theory
• Structuralist film theory