25+ Film Photoshop Actions & Effects (+ How to Use Them)
If you’ve been looking for a way to add a cinematic look to your ordinary photos to make them look like a scene out of your favorite movie, this handpicked collection of film Photoshop actions will come in handy.
In this post, we’re featuring some of the best Photoshop actions that will help you create an effect that will completely transform the look and feel of your photos.
Whether you’re a fan of the visual art designs of modern films like Black Panther, retro movies like Blade Runner, or vintage Hitchcock films, there are Photoshop actions for everyone in this list.
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What is a Film Photoshop Action?
The film or cinematic effect is a popular toning and color grading effect mostly used by visual artists and, of course, movies and films. As you may know, almost all of the movies that you see today go through an intense color grading process before they are released. Just Google “before and after movie color grading” and you’ll see some great examples.
Photographers use this same technique to improve photographs. However, it usually takes a lot of work and practice to create the perfect film effect with proper color grading. This is why you need film Photoshop actions.
With a film Photoshop action, you’ll be able to recreate that same film and cinematic look with your own smartphone and digital camera photos with just a single click.
Have a look in our collection for inspiration.
Vintage Film Photoshop Actions
When it comes to classic modern-vintage films, Wes Anderson is a name that comes up at the top. His movies have a unique color palette that makes them stand out from the rest.
This Photoshop actions collection comes with 10 effects that create a similar faded color film look. Like the colors you’d see in photos taken with old Fujifilm and Kodak cameras.
Why This Is A Top Pick
With 10 high-quality PS actions to choose from, this bundle will give you plenty of choices to create iconic film looks from classic film cameras. And even to create film looks from Wes Anderson movies.
Asian Cinema – Film Photoshop Actions
This is a collection of Photoshop actions that feature unique film effects inspired by Asian cinema. There are 5 different PS actions with beautiful film effects in this pack. And they are available in Lightroom presets and Camera Raw presets as well.
Indie Camera – Film Actions for Photoshop
The Photoshop actions in this pack are designed to create the same look as the photos taken from classic retro cameras. There are 17 different actions with more than 110 gradient maps for you to choose from. As a bonus, you’ll also get 21 light leak overlays as well.
Vintage Film Photoshop Actions
Just as the name suggests, this collection of Photoshop actions comes with stylish vintage-themed film effects. They are most suitable for enhancing portrait photos. There are 10 different vintage film actions in this pack that are compatible with Photoshop CS3 and higher.
50 Film Photoshop Actions Bundle
You will never run out of options to create cool film effects with this massive Photoshop action bundle. It has 50 different film effects for you to choose from. And they all work with just one click.
Film Look – Free Photoshop Action
You can download this Photoshop action for free to create a subtle film look for your portrait photos. It instantly enhances your photos to create a classic film vibe.
Film Moody Photoshop Action
This Photoshop action will help you create a warm and moody look for your photos. It includes 10 different styles of film effects for easily improving your photos with a retro nostalgic look and feel.
Artistic Film Photoshop Action
There are 10 creative Photoshop actions included in this pack and they all have unique film looks that are fully optimized for portrait photos. These PS actions work with Photoshop CS3 and all the way up to the latest versions.
Retro Analog Film Photoshop Action
If you want to create a classic film camera look for your photos or graphic design projects, this Photoshop action is for you. It features a retro analog camera look that features a detailed effect. It’s great for posters and photo manipulations too.
VSCO Film Style Photoshop Action
This Photoshop action features a VSCO-style film effect that works best for portrait photos. There are 10 different variations of the effect and you can easily apply them to your photos with just a few clicks.
Film Wash – Free Photoshop Action
This Photoshop action is also free to download and use. It features a classic film effect with a warm matte overlay. It’s perfect for creating a retro look for your portraits.
CineStock Film Photoshop Actions
The faded color grading effect is a visual style commonly seen in modern movies and TV shows. This collection of Photoshop actions are designed to mimic those visual styles to apply them to your own photos. It comes with 18 different Photoshop actions that can also be easily customized to your preference.
Scarlet Fantasy Photoshop Action
The Photoshop actions in this bundle are perfect for amplifying the colors of your photos and give them a unique fantasy-like look and feel. It includes the action in two versions with one action specifically optimized to improve overexposed photos. This action is ideal for outdoor photography.
Orange and Teal Pro Photoshop Action
If you want to make your portrait and landscape photos look like a still from Blade Runner, this Photoshop action is for you. Both Blade Runner and its sequel use a unique color palette that heavily uses orange and teal colors throughout most of its scenes. This bundle includes 16 actions that recreate that same color grading effect. You can use these effects with Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Final Cut Pro as well.
Faded Films – 75 Film & Retro Effects
This is a big bundle of Photoshop actions that feature 75 different film and retro film effects. It includes a mix of modern faded film effects and retro film effects you can use to improve all kinds of photos. You can also use these actions to experiment with different styles to enhance your fashion, wedding, lifestyle photos and more.
Free Soft Bright Photoshop Actions
Add a moody soft color effect to your outdoor portrait photos using this free Photoshop action that features a film-like toning effect. This action works with both portrait and outdoor nature photography as well.
Free Matte Film Photoshop Actions
This free Photoshop action is perfect for adding a faded color matte film effect to your portrait photos. It comes with 3 different effects featuring ultra faded and grey film effects you can use with various types of photos.
Redwood Fairytale Photoshop Actions
The fairytale film effect is quite popular among fashion and cosplay photographers. This effect enhances the color tone and contrasts to make the photos look more vibrant and attractive. This Photoshop action comes in 3 variations that are designed to improve various outdoor and natural light portrait and landscape photos.
Film Noir B&W Photoshop Actions
Just as the name suggests, this bundle of Photoshop actions allows you to instantly add a vintage black and white film look to your photos, similar to the ones you’d see in a classic Hitchcock movie. The pack includes 6 different sepia, dark matte, Victorian, and more effects optimized for portrait photos.
Silver – 28 Real B&W Film Emulations
Another collection of black and white effects that are designed for outdoor and landscape photos. This collection includes 28 Photoshop actions that can be easily customized with 15 contrast effects, 5 color filters, and 8 film grains to create unique effects of your own.
Infrared IR Film Photoshop Actions
This is a collection of fantasy-like film Photoshop actions that comes with 12 different actions that allow you to improve the color toning and enhance the contrast of your photos with just a few clicks. Each action can be fully customized to your preference thanks to its adjustment layers and smart filters.
100 Free Split Tone Photoshop Actions
Split toning is an effect that targets two elements of photos such as the colors of the shadows and highlights and enhances those elements to create a unique toning effect. This bundle includes 100 Photoshop actions that generate similar split tone effects.
Free Color Pop Photoshop Action
This free Photoshop action is perfect for enhancing the colors of your photos by adding an effect that amplifies the colors to create a vibrant look and feel. The action is part of a bundle of 20 free Photoshop actions that are free to download and use.
50 Film Noire PS Actions Bundle
A massive bundle of Photoshop actions filled with 50 different film effects. It includes a mix of 30 cinematic film Photoshop actions and 20 black and white film effects. All of the actions create non-destructive effects you can edit to match different types of photos as well.
Random Film Effect Generator Pro
This is a bundle of Photoshop actions that comes with multiple color toning and adjustment controls that will allow you to randomly generate your own film effects. This is perfect for photographers and designs who likes to experiment with effects and visual styles.
Free Nightmare Photoshop Action
If you want to add a gritty or horror-film like effect to your photos, this free Photoshop action will definitely help. It creates a faded color effect that will make your photos look like a scene from a classic horror film.
40 Free Pastel Effect Photoshop Actions
With this collection of free Photoshop actions, you’ll have plenty of choices to add stylish pastel color effects to your photos. These actions will work perfectly with outdoor and travel photos as well as portrait photos.
Check out our best portrait Photoshop actions collection to find effects to improve your portrait photos.
How To Create A Film Look Effect In Photoshop
Here’s a simple guide for creating your own film look effects in Photoshop.
Step 1: Adjust the Color Tone
Begin by adjusting the color tone to achieve a film-like appearance. Reduce the overall saturation and experiment with warmer or cooler colors to replicate the desired vintage or cinematic look.
Step 2: Add Film Grain
Apply a film grain effect to simulate the texture and character of traditional film. Use Photoshop’s noise filters or specialized film grain overlays to add subtle graininess that adds depth and authenticity to your images.
Step 3: Enhance Contrast
Increase the contrast slightly to replicate the dynamic range seen in film photography. Adjust the highlights and shadows to achieve a balanced yet dramatic effect that emphasizes the details and brings depth to your images.
Step 4: Soften Sharpness
Film images often exhibit a softer, less clinical appearance compared to digital photography. Reduce the sharpness slightly to emulate this characteristic film look. Use the “Unsharp Mask” filter or try reducing the “Clarity” in the Camera Raw filter for a subtle softening effect.
Step 5: Apply Vintage Filters
Experiment with vintage filters or presets to give your images a nostalgic feel. Explore Photoshop’s built-in filters or use external plugins to apply film-like effects such as sepia tones, faded colors, or aged textures that mimic classic film aesthetics.
Step 6: Vignette and Light Leaks
Add a subtle vignette effect to draw attention to the subject and create a cinematic atmosphere. Additionally, consider incorporating light leaks to replicate the organic and unpredictable light patterns often seen in film photography. Experiment with different blending modes and opacity levels for a realistic effect.
For a more detailed tutorial, check out this YouTube guide.