和 后设小说 使用的手法相似, 元电影是一种在电影制作过程中呈现电影制作故事的电影类型。

这种类型的电影包括：

Metacinema, also meta-cinema, analogous to metafiction in literature, is a mode of filmmaking in which the film informs the audience that they are watching a work of fiction. Metacinema often references its own production, working against narrative conventions that aim to maintain the audience's suspension of disbelief. Elements of metacinema includes scenes where characters discuss the making of the film or where production equipment and facilities are shown.