Exploitation films are a genre of cinema that seeks to attract audiences by emphasizing sensational content, often including graphic violence, sexual themes, or controversial subjects. These films typically aim to exploit societal taboos or trends, appealing to niche markets and often produced on low budgets. Common examples of exploitation films include grindhouse features, which were shown in small theaters, and blaxploitation films, which focused on African American culture. While often criticized for their lack of artistic merit, exploitation films have influenced mainstream cinema and contributed to the development of various subgenres.