Pornography is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purpose of sexual arousal. It is commonly grouped into a number of distinct subgenres. Pornography is typically categorized as either softcore or hardcore pornography.
The majority of the genres in this list relate to hardcore pornography.
Pornographic films are characterised as either softcore and hardcore, which can contain depictions of sexual penetration or extreme fetishism. Subgenres can also be classified into the characteristics of the performers or the type of sexual activity on which it concentrates, and not necessarily on the market to which each subgenre appeals. Pornographic films are classified into a number of subgenres, each of which usually conforms to certain conventions, and each of which caters to particular markets.
Traditionally, pornographic films were made for a male market. A typical pornographic film featured a female performer on whom the film focused. Her male partner had no distinctive features other than a large penis. However, there has been an increase in female viewers over time, and there have recently been efforts to increase the sexualization of male performers also. New features such as men with smaller penises, charming facial features and well-built bodies are becoming predominant, as well as the emergence of feminist pornography.
Hair fetishism is sexual arousal connected with hair, mainly:
Race-oriented pornography does not always feature performers who are actually of the race listed in the title. Performers are sometimes billed as being of a certain race, if their facial features, body shape, or skin color fit a publicly accepted idea of what people of that race look like. Some performers are billed as being of one race, and then of another, depending on the film.
Pornography features an increasing variety of combinations of actors by their sexual orientation such as lesbian, gay and bisexuals in addition to traditional heterosexual roles.
Reality pornography refers to real or faked 'amateur' encounters. This category also includes pornographic home movies. Related genres include: