General term for a film or movie, covering both the medium and individual works.
I went to see a movie with a friend on the weekend.
この映画は実話に基づいている。
This film is based on a true story.
I watched a movie with a friend over the weekend.
Do you want to go see a movie tonight?
He made a movie in Japan.
That theater is screening the new movie.
映画 refers to the film itself, whereas 映画館 refers to the building where films are shown, so learners must be careful not to mix up the two.
film person; movie industry worker; cineast
film society; movie club