Movie, also called film, is a storytelling medium that can convey ideas, entertain audiences, and influence cultures. It consists of a series of still images displayed rapidly to create the illusion of motion. This is complemented by synchronized sound, including dialogue and music, to enhance storytelling.
Movies can be fictional or nonfictional, and span a wide range of genres, from drama and romance to horror and action. They can also be documentaries, which present facts about people or events in a way that is both educational and entertaining.
A movie starts with a script, or a list of words that tells the actors what to say and do. Then the actors rehearse, or act out, their parts in front of a director and cameraman who takes footage of them with a movie camera. Later, the movie is edited so that only the best parts are included.
The first movies were recorded in the 1800s, but they were not considered films until inventors such as Thomas Edison and the Lumiere brothers developed early motion picture cameras and projectors. In the 1920s, Georges Melies used special effects and a new kind of storytelling to create imaginative films like A Trip to the Moon. Later, movies became more realistic and accompanied by synchronized sound, which replaced the original live musical accompaniments that had been common in theaters.
The movie business is a huge industry that can make or break careers for many actors and directors. Movies can be funny, scary, or just make you think. Some leave you with an impression that stays with you long after the film is over.