Interestingly I remember the 7 story lines point of view -- which essentially agrees with your observation.
A quick Google:
Quote
Many academics, most notably author Christopher Booker, believe that there are only seven basic plot structures in all of storytelling – frameworks that are recycled again and again in fiction but populated by different settings, characters, and conflicts.
Those seven plots are:
Overcoming the Monster Rags to Riches The Quest Voyage and Return Rebirth Comedy Tragedy
This is pretty spot on.
Good characters are a must, and intertwining styles with plot twists, and flipping tropes on their head helps, too.
Cramming political agenda down an audience's throat, however...
