Topic summary
B picture
Extracted from the Wikipedia article B movie.
Modern B movies occasionally inspire multiple sequels, though film series are less common. As the running time of major studio films has increased, so too has that of B pictures. Today, the term "B movie" carries somewhat contradictory meanings. It can refer to (a) a genre film with minimal artistic ambition or (b) a lively, energetic production free from the creative constraints of higher-budget films and the conventions of serious independent cinema. Additionally, the term is now often applied loosely to certain mainstream films with larger budgets that incorporate exploitation-style elements, particularly in genres traditionally linked to B movies.