Narrative Theories (Propp, Todorov, Levi-Strauss)
Levi Strauss theory is that the conflict is based around the binary opposites and that the binary opposites are the central climax of a narrative structure. For example the harry potter movies and the twilight saga.
Tzvetan Todorov's narrative theory suggests that all narratives follow a three part structure where they begin with equilibrium, where everything is balanced, progress as something comes along to disrupt that equilibrium, and finally reach a resolution, when equilibrium is restored.
Vladimir Propp developed a character theory for studying media texts and productions, which indicates that there were 7 broad character types in the 100 tales he analysed, which could be applied to other media: The villain (struggles against the hero) The donor (prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object). Here is the a more in-depth look in response to the film Shrek.