Abstract: Theoretical studies of Western film genre started in the late 1940s, and have become significant for Western film studies. The theoretical construction has mainly been based on the Hollywood film industry and genre. After more than half a century, a lot of achievements have been made in genre studies. As a multi-dimensional phenomenon, genre includes various systems and conventions that formulate these systems, which further complicated genre studies. This article attempts to classify and summarize the findings of Western film genre theory with three theoretical approaches: cultural genre theory, artistic genre theory, as well as political and economic genre theory. These studies demonstrate the vast potential of genre theory, which used to be ignored and suppressed by literary theory. In current times when literature and art are closely related to commerce, politics, science and technology, genre studies can integrate various research issues. It would also be beneficial for domestic studies of genre theory to sort out and review the theoretical approaches of western film genre theory.

Key words: film Genre, cultural genre theory, artistic genre theory, political and economic genre theory