Film History by DecadeGreatest Films - by Year. If you're interested in the history of film by genre type, visit the section on Film Genres, or by non-genre film category, visit the section on Non-Genre Film Categories. See also the year-by-year Timeline of Influential Film History Milestones and Turning Points, Film Milestones in Visual and Special Effects (illustrated), and The Most Controversial Films of All-Time (illustrated).