Systems and methods described herein relate to creating or modifying multimedia content using theme-based effects. In accordance with some implementations, a method can comprise the operations of: accessing foundational content having an associated content timeline; receiving a request to apply a theme to the foundational content, wherein the theme includes one or more theme-based effects that relate to the theme; receiving a theme-based effect associated with the theme, wherein the theme-based effect has an associated effect timeline; and applying the theme-based effect to the foundational content according to a set of cues associated with the associated content timeline, wherein applying the theme-based effect comprises adapting the associated effect timeline according to the set of cues while preserving the associated content timeline.