One of the most common story structures is the "Hero's Journey" as identified and described by Joseph Campbell, in his research.
(To go on your own hero's journey, check this out: http://mindpersuasion.com/subliminal-messages/)
The basic story is of a normal person, usually a guy, that has a pretty boring life. Safe, but boring. Then he gets called to an adventure, and often times doesn't really want to go, but is pulled against his will.
Then on this adventure, he meets new friends, develops new skills, and usually kills or beats some bad guy.
Many popular movies and Hollywood blockbusters follow this same theme.
The question is, why?
First, let's understand how this story became so common. Humans have certainly been telling each other stories since the dawn of time, and many story structures have no doubt been tried. (Many have even been made into really horrible movies that you can watch on Netflix.)
But the ones that struck a chord with the most people are the ones that survived so long.
The question is why the Hero's Journey?
Why does this strike a chord with so many people? Why do Hollywood blockbusters seem to follow this story line again, and again, and still make millions or billions of dollars?
Why do we love this story so much?
Because it reminds us, on a deep level, of who we are. Take Harry Potter for example. He lived closet. Then he was pulled on a journey pretty much out of the blue. How did he go on that journey? How did he get from his safe, closet, to Hogwarts, his Wizard School?
Through a magic doorway, in the train station, then through a train. A long tube. A magic doorway, and a long tube.
Do you see the connection?
This is what all of us go through when we are born. We are in a safe place. A closet. Then we get pulled on a journey, through a long tube. Then we get to this new place, and learn new skills. Like breathing on our own. And we meet new friends, like our family, and then our friends.
And every time we go through a new experience, we learn new things, and grow more, we repeat this process again and again.
That's why we love those movies so much. That's why those types of movies or stories will still be popular thousands of years from now.
They remind us of our truth. Our purpose. Who is the bad guy? Who must you kill? That's up for you to decide.
This will help: http://mindpersuasion.com