This collection of essays explores the progression of film studies and how it has been approached theoretically, culturally and historically. The contributors provide insight into many of the theories at the heart of film studies. Th focuses on classical theories, culture-based approaches, early and modern theory, statistical approaches and the (potential) future of critical film theory. Essays discuss notions of time, space and sound in cinema; the idea of spectatorship; portrayals of sex, sexuality and family; and cinema, the influence of special effects and audience studies.