Summary

When a motion picture has a long runtime , it ’s a divisive selection that causes significant reactionsfrom critic and interview alike . A film that ’s over three hours long is a marathon viewing session for even the most dedicated cinephile , but such a long runtime mean that the filmmakers and player have the chance to experiment and distinguish a sweeping history . Often considered thebest epics of all sentence , they are revered for their contributions to cinema and are remember for their impact and influence on the direction stories are told onscreen .

The longer the film , the more expensive and labor - intensive its product is , especially when it comes to the modern epics that have been cropping up at the theater .

While there are manygreat movies under 90 minute of arc long , these are typically comedies or sovereign motion picture that do n’t have the patronage or budget to carry a farsighted runtime . The longer the film , the more expensive and labor - intensive its production is , especially when it follow to the modern epic poem that have been work up at the theater . Though some of themost high - visibility three - hour pic that have cross during awards time of year and at the box agency are about huge historical events , others are smaller and more internal tale that anyone can interrelate to .

Collage of 1917, Goodfellas, and Gravity.

Movie

IMDb Rating

Titanic ( 1997 )

Collage of Willow and Clash of the Titans

7.9 / 10

The Lord of the Rings : The Return of the King ( 2003 )

9 / 10

Ben Affleck as Christian drumming his hand on the table while talking to Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth in The Accountant 2

Oppenheimer ( 2023 )

8.3 / 10

Malcolm X ( 1992 )

Oppenheimer-Cillian-Murphy-Malcom-X-Denzel-Washington-The-Godfather-II-Robert-De-Niro

Image by Debanjana Chowdhury

7.7 / 10

Jeanne Dielman , 23 , Quai Du Commerce , 1080 Bruxelles ( 1975 )

7.5 / 10

Titanic poster

Titanic is the 1997 blockbuster romantic/disaster epic based on the events surrounding the sinking of the legendary “unsinkable” vessel. Flashing back to the past and forward to the present, the film primarily follows the stories of the well-to-do and somewhat timid Rose and the poor but lively Jack, star-crossed lovers who meet aboard the doomed ship. In addition, the film tells true and fictionalized accounts of the passengers of the RMS Titanic, with an older Rose recounting her tale to the crew of a research ship.

Schindler ’s List ( 1993 )

The Godfather Part II ( 1974 )

A bright Summer Day ( 1991 )

Cast Placeholder Image

8.2 / 10

Lawrence of Arabia ( 1962 )

Seven Samurai ( 1954 )

Headshot Of Kathy Bates In The CBS Fall Schedule Celebration At Paramount Studios

8.6 / 10

10Titanic (1997)

Runtime: 3 hours and 14 minutes

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Titanic is the 1997 blockbuster romantic / disaster heroic poem based on the events surround the sinking feeling of the legendary " unsinkable " vessel . Flashing back to the past and forward to the present , the flick primarily stick to the stories of the well - to - do and somewhat timid Rose and the misfortunate but lively Jack , whizz - crossed lovers who meet aboard the doom ship . In add-on , the film tells true and fictionalized accounts of the passengers of the RMS Titanic , with an honest-to-god Rose recount her narration to the crew of a inquiry ship .

Thanks to its runtime , Titanictransforms several clock time throughout the news report , as the ship does n’t start to pass until the last discussion section of the movie .

Simultaneously a love tarradiddle , a cataclysm , and a fictionalized retelling of a historic outcome , Titanichas something for viewers of all kinds . The film cement Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as two of the biggest budding stars of the late 1990sand has come to define the music director , James Cameron ’s , style and commitment to his work . Thanks to its runtime , Titanictransforms several multiplication throughout the story , as the ship does n’t start to sink until the last surgical incision of the movie .

lord of the riings

The final installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Return of the King concludes the epic saga of the Fellowship’s quest to destroy the One Ring and put an end to Sauron’s reign of terror. As Frodo and Sam continue on their way to Mordor and Mount Doom, accompanied by Gollom, the rest of the Fellowship work to defend Minas Tirith from Sauron’s forces. The film’s ensemble cast includes Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Vigo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan.

In the case ofTitanic , the runtime was purposeful , as Cameron time the pic so that all of the scenes on the ship during Rose and Jack ’s initial timeline were a total of two hr and forty minute of arc . This isthe amount of time the Titanic took to settle in literal life , with the present - Clarence Day scenes making up the remainder of the over three - hour length . Titanicis visually and technically an extremely compelling film because of this attention to detail , but the star of the film is the kinship between Rose and Jack .

9The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003)

Runtime: 3 hours and 21 minutes

The final installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy , The Return of the King concludes the epic saga of the Fellowship ’s pursuance to destroy the One Ring and put an end to Sauron ’s reign of little terror . As Frodo and Sam continue on their way to Mordor and Mount Doom , company by Gollom , the rest period of the Fellowship work to defend Minas Tirith from Sauron ’s forces . The film ’s ensemble mould includes Elijah Wood , Sean Astin , Ian McKellen , Vigo Mortensen , Orlando Bloom , John Rhys - Davies , Billy Boyd , and Dominic Monaghan .

The final instalment of Peter Jackson’sThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy had a lot of ground to continue and many storylines to wrap up to do jurist to J.R.R. Tolkien ’s fantasy masterpiece . The Return of the Kingwas hugely successful at the box office , form over $ 1 billion internationally . Critically and in terms of audience reception , the film had nothing to fear about spectator hesitate to sit through the runtime . Anticipation had been building forThe Return of the Kingsince the liberation ofThe Fellowship of the RingandThe Two Towers , which both had comparable length .

Watching all theLord of the RingsandHobbitmovies takes a recollective metre , asThe Return of the Kingisn’t the only film with an telling runtime . to boot , there are alternative cut of meat ofThe Return of the Kingthat see the runtime step-up to over four hours . There is already a great deal that the picture show omits from the source stuff and alters the pacingto appeal to modern audience . IfThe Return of the Kinghad been any shorter , it would have miss the element that make it such an long-suffering movie .

Headshot Of Elijah Wood

8Oppenheimer (2023)

Runtime: 3 hours

Oppenheimer is a film by Christopher Nolan , which follows the theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer , the human behind the nuclear bomb . Cillian Murphy will play the titular purpose , with the story based on the Holy Scripture American Prometheus : The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin .

The picture show serves primarily as a biopic about J. Robert Oppenheimer during his meter spearhead the excogitation of the nuclear turkey .

Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimerruntimeis his longest by far when compare to his other works , but the hearing is never bore throughout the three hour . The film do primarily as a biopic about J. Robert Oppenheimer during his sentence spearheading the design of the atomic bomb calorimeter . Cillian Murphy gives a calling - best performance of Oppenheimer , entrance the emotional and intellectual noise that Oppenheimer experienced throughout his calling and in the wake of the dud ’s devastation .

Headshot Of Ian McKellen In The USA Rights Only

2023 was a enceinte year for film , andOppenheimerwas only one of several movies with an exceptionally foresighted runtime for the modern earned run average . However , the fact that it was so well - invite and earned so much at the box authority indicates that consultation still have an appetite for these significant films . Nolan turned up the book on everything in the picture show , from the exceptional effects and specialized film blood line to the runtime , induce the project as impactful as its subject .

7Malcolm X (1992)

Runtime: 3 hours and 22 minutes

Malcolm X is a biographic film directed by Spike Lee , limn the life of the influential African American leader and polite rights activist . Starring Denzel Washington in the nominal role , the film chronicle Malcolm X ’s journey from his disruptive young person to his procession as a outstanding figure in the Nation of Islam and his subsequent translation after a pilgrim’s journey to Mecca . The film captures the complexities and evolution of Malcolm X ’s beliefs and activism .

Denzel Washington virtuoso as Malcolm X in Spike Lee ’s dramatized biopic about the life and activism of the political drawing card and revolutionary . The film chronicles X ’s intact life from his early childhood to his assassination in 1965 , so it makes sense that the runtime would have to be almost three and a half time of day long to reconcile the many change and evolution that X blend through . In the days sinceMalcolm Xpremiered , the picture show has only grow in hearing and decisive acclaimand is regard one of Washington and Lee ’s best projects .

A litany of other awe-inspiring actors bring together Washington in the picture , like Angela Bassett and Albert Hall . Though the characters are limn a time gone by , the audience rarely feel that the study is a period piece . This is becauseits subject and plot point find more prompt than ever . The film drew inspiration fromThe Autobiography of Malcolm Xfor the structure and event in the history while incorporating cinematic elements to make the already incredible narration tumid than life .

Oppenheimer Poster

Oppenheimer is a film by Christopher Nolan, which follows the theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man behind the atomic bomb. Cillian Murphy will play the titular role, with the story based on the book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

6Jeanne Dielman, 23, Quai Du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975)

While other long moving-picture show pack their runtime with explosive action sequences and as much plot as potential , Jeanne Dielmanis painfully slow and methodical in its tempo .

Chantal Akerman’sJeanne Dielman , 23 , quai du Commerce , 1080 Bruxelleshas recently been reappraised as one of the greatest films ever madeand is dissimilar from anything most modern audience have ever experienced . While other long movies pack their runtime with explosive action chronological sequence and as much patch as possible , Jeanne Dielmanis painfully deadening and methodical in its pacing . However , this mental testing of solitaire unfolds to unbelievable results and is a radical piece of movie theatre for its depiction of the lead role through a feminist lens .

Jeanne Dielmanwas appoint the magazine Sight and Sound ’s best film of all time in 2022,bringing renewed attention to the too - often overlooked masterpiece . It ’s no enigma that there is a rampant take of sexism in the motion picture industry and that few female movie maker are fittingly pick out for their piece of work or given chance to create things . Jeanne Dielmanis a testament not only to the grandness of exposure for female filmmakers but also to how more experimental and slower - pace films can be just as thrilling and entertaining .

Headshot Of Cillian Murphy In The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

5Schindler’s List (1993)

Runtime: 3 hours and 15 minutes

Schindler ’s tilt is a historical dramatic event aim by Steven Spielberg , chronicling the feat of Oskar Schindler , a German businessman who keep open over a thousand Polish Jews during the Holocaust . asterisk Liam Neeson , Ben Kingsley , and Ralph Fiennes , the film vividly portrays the atrocities committed during World War II while highlighting Schindler ’s transmutation from a profit - drive industrialist to a human-centred savior .

base on the true story of Oskar Schindler , Schindler ’s Listwon many awarding after its release , but it ’s not only because of these laurels that the motion picture should be remembered . The celluloid was a departure for the director , Steven Spielberg , as many of his films had been classical blockbuster that appealed to younger hearing and shied away from serious historical events . However , he proved withSchindler ’s Listthat he was subject of handling much more than shark attacks and friendly alien .

Schindler ’s Listhas inspired a great number of flick that discuss the Holocaust and World War II , as the optical choices Spielberg made were just as affecting as the story beats . Primarily shoot in black-market and blanched , Schindler ’s Listis an early illustration of movies that blend black and white and color for thematic upshot . Part of the reasonSchindler ’s Listhas such a important runtime is because so much of the story is dedicated to Schindler ’s fictional character developmentand the intense ideological change he move through , bright portray by Liam Neeson .

Headshot Of Emily Blunt

4The Godfather Part II (1974)

Francis Ford Coppola ’s The Godfather II keep Michael Corleone ’s chronicle as he enlarge the Corleones ' presence as a crime syndicate . The moving-picture show is also half devoted to the backstory of Vito Corleone , following his boost to power in 1920s New York City . While The Godfather is considered one of the greatest movies ever made , The Godfather Part II was able to live up to the original and safe six Oscar at the 1975 Academy Awards .

cater both a prequel and sequel tale to the original film , The Godfather , The Godfather Part IItakes the wager and tension from the first installing and increases them across the board .

The Godfather Part IIis see the best of Francis Ford Coppola ’s iconic film series , and it juggles several timeline and plots throughout its epic runtime . Providing both a prequel and sequel story to the original film , The Godfather , The Godfather Part IItakes the stakes and tension from the first instalment and increases them across the board . Though the runtime and tempo of the movie are now considered justified in the context of the story , much of the movie ’s meter is give to flashbacks that bolster up the present - day narration .

Malcolm X (1992) - Poster

Malcolm X is a biographical film directed by Spike Lee, depicting the life of the influential African American leader and civil rights activist. Starring Denzel Washington in the titular role, the film chronicles Malcolm X’s journey from his troubled youth to his rise as a prominent figure in the Nation of Islam and his subsequent transformation after a pilgrimage to Mecca. The film captures the complexities and evolution of Malcolm X’s beliefs and activism.

The performance of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro are largely affect as some of the best acting ever see on film , and their partnership with the director has affirm Coppola ’s repute as one of the most important cinema theater director of the 20th century . clock time has only seen an gain in praise and latria for the celluloid , even though the film had already won Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards . Today , few film have maintained their report the wayThe Godfather Part IIhas .

3A Brighter Summer Day (1991)

Runtime: 3 hours and 57 minutes

At almost four hour long , A Brighter Summer Dayfully encompass the odyssey its principal character , Xiao Si’r , embarks on as he attempts to voyage adolescence during a time of agitation in Taiwan in the 1960s . The film is loosely based on a true law-breaking story from this geological era but is much more focused on the elements that come together to change Si’r rather than the crime itself . Unlike many other epics of similar musical genre , A Brighter Summer Dayis irrevocably set in the throes of the early teen years and take the trial of younker with the farthest seriousness .

A Brighter Summer Dayis not the only film by the theater director , Edward Yang , to be praise for its tale and optic introduction , as his 2000 filmYi Yiis similarly incredible but just under 3 hour . Though the motion picture did n’t receive international acclaim until the 21st C , it ’s retroactively considered one of the best cinema of 1991 andhas been highlighted for its aroused Platonism in its portrayal of youth . Though the eccentric have not yet reached adulthood , the distance of the story lends itself to proving how tangible and relevant their problems are .

2Lawrence Of Arabia (1962)

Runtime: 3 hours and 38 minutes

The 1962 larger-than-life Lawrence of Arabia is a historical movie based on the spirit of a real - animation British officer who played a fundamental persona in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Starring Peter O’Toole , Alec Guinness , and Anthony Quinn , the Oscar - winning photographic film displays the serviceman ’s disillusionment with war and its politics .

It won several accolade at the Academy Awards , being highlighted for its focussing and incredible cinematography that lent themselves to the sweeping nature of the movie .

establish on the life of the real figure T. E. Lawrence , Lawrence of Arabiasees Peter O’Toole take on the iconic role and contribute to the moving-picture show ’s reputation as one of thebest biopic moviesof all clip . It won several accolades at the Academy Awards , being highlighted for its direction and incredible cinematography that lent themselves to the wholesale nature of the movie . ThoughLawrence of Arabia ’s runtime was quite meaning for 1962,every frame of the story feel immediately necessary when taking in the story of such a complex gentleman .

Headshot Of Denzel Washington In The Premiere Of Apple Original Films' and A24’s

It ’s fair to say that epics likeLawrence of Arabiadon’t get made any longer and that only during the Golden Age of Hollywood could such imagination and budget be afford to a historical epos . Lawrence of Arabiahas come to define what an " epic " film isand is remembered as a significant contribution to film history . O’Toole would be tie to playing Lawrence for the sleep of his career and defined what many considered to be the blueprint for the mod movie hero .

Plenty of movies boast long takes where the camera never cuts from a scene – record on for ten of the longest exclusive - take shots in film story .

1Seven Samurai (1954)

Runtime: 3 hours and 27 minutes

maneuver by fabled Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa , Seven Samurai is an epic Drama and Samurai film that revolves around a chemical group of farmers in 1586 Japan that band together to hire Ronin to help protect themselves and their families from bandits that design to steal from them .

Few moving picture have been remade and readapted as many time as Akira Kurosawa’sSeven Samurai , with the two American iterations ofThe Magnificent Sevenin 1960 and 2016 being only a few on the list . However , no reimagining of the tale comes near to the originalSeven Samurai , which revolutionized samurai and activity films in the latter half of the twentieth century . Kurosawa ’s legacy is associate toSeven Samurai , and he ’s credited with the creation of many tropesthat have transformed the action and ensemble drama into what they ’re known as today .

There is n’t a emaciated moment in all ofSeven Samurai , andthere ’s no doubt that its near 3 - and - a - half - hr runtime is justified . Though it move quickly and contain plenty of thrilling military action sequences , the pacing is well - balanced , with fracture in the tension give the consultation a breather but never losing momentum . The characters and emotional dynamics are just as impactful as the lightning - tight and beautifully choreograph scrap vista , leave little to no elbow room for criticism when it comes toSeven Samurai .

Headshot Of Angela Bassett In The 2024 Disney Upfront

Schindlers List Film Poster

Schindler’s List is a historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg, chronicling the efforts of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Polish Jews during the Holocaust. Starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, and Ralph Fiennes, the film vividly portrays the atrocities committed during World War II while highlighting Schindler’s transformation from a profit-driven industrialist to a humanitarian savior.

Headshot Of Liam Neeson In The UK premiere of Marlowe

Headshot Of Ben Kingsley In The 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

The Godfather Part II Movie Poster

Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather II continues Michael Corleone’s story as he expands the Corleones' presence as a crime syndicate. The film is also half devoted to the backstory of Vito Corleone, following his rise to power in 1920s New York City. While The Godfather is considered one of the greatest movies ever made, The Godfather Part II was able to live up to the original and secure six Oscars at the 1975 Academy Awards.

Headshot of Al Pacino

Headshot Of Robert De Niro In The 35th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Night

lawrence of arabia poster

The 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia is a historical movie based on the life of a real-life British officer who played a key role in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Starring Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, and Anthony Quinn, the Oscar-winning film displays the man’s disillusionment with war and its politics.

seven samurai

Directed by legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, Seven Samurai is an epic Drama and Samurai film that revolves around a group of farmers in 1586 Japan that band together to hire Ronin to help protect themselves and their families from bandits that plan to steal from them.