Genres of Speculative Fiction

Supernatural

Exploits or requires as plot devices or themes some contradictions of the commonplace natural world and materialist assumptions about it. Includes subgenres such as vampire literature and the ghost story. In the twentieth century, supernatural fiction became associated with psychological fiction. The result is that the supernatural is only one possible explanation for what has been described.

Utopian and Dystopian

Explores social and political structures. Utopian fiction is the creation of an ideal world, or utopia, as the setting for a novel. Dystopian fiction is the opposite: the creation of a nightmare world, or dystopia. Many novels combine both, often as a metaphor for the different directions that humanity can take in its choices, ending up with one of two possible futures. Both utopias and dystopias are commonly found in science fiction.

Horror

Intends to, or has the capacity to, frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural. The genre has ancient origins which were reformulated in the eighteenth century as Gothic horror, which combines elements of both horror and romance.

Apocalyptic and postapocalyptic

Apocalyptic fiction is concerned with the end of civilisation due to a potentially existential catastrophe such as nuclear warfare, pandemic, extraterrestrial attack, impact event or some other general disaster. Post-apocalyptic fiction is set in a world or civilisation after such a disaster. The timeframe may be immediately after the catastrophe, focusing on the travails or psychology of survivors, or considerably later, often including the theme that the existence of the pre-catastrophe civilisation has been forgotten.

Alternative History

Consists of stories that are set in worlds in which history has diverged from the actual history of the world.

Science Fiction

Deals with imaginary but more-or-less plausible content, such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens and paranormal abilities; the consequences of scientific innovations; and alternative possible worlds or futures.

Superhero Fiction

Examines the adventures of costumed crime fighters known as superheroes, who often possess superhuman powers and battle similarly powered criminals known as supervillains.

Fantasy

Uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common. Fantasy is generally distinguished from science fiction and horror by the expectation that it steers clear of (pseudo-)scientific and macabre themes, respectively, though there is a great deal of overlap between the three. In popular culture, the genre of fantasy is dominated by its medievalist form, especially since the worldwide success of The Lord of the Rings books by JRR Tolkien.