Movie Running Time Calculator, 500 000+ Titles & Cinema Insights (2024)

- Bad movies are always too long, but good movies are either too short, or just right.

Roger Ebert

First film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism

Popular Movie Lenght Example

Ten popular movies spanning various genres and years, their runtime in minutes, and the equivalent time in hours and minutes:

YearMovie TitleRuntime (minutes)Equivalent Time
1994The Shawshank Redemption142 minutes2 hours 22 minutes
1994Forrest Gump142 minutes2 hours 22 minutes
1994Pulp Fiction154 minutes2 hours 34 minutes
2008The Dark Knight152 minutes2 hours 32 minutes
1995Toy Story81 minutes1 hour 21 minutes
2013Frozen102 minutes1 hour 42 minutes
2019Avengers: Endgame181 minutes3 hours 1 minute
2010Inception148 minutes2 hours 28 minutes
2001Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring178 minutes2 hours 58 minutes
1997Titanic195 minutes3 hours 15 minutes

The Marathon of Movie Lengths: A Glimpse into the World's Longest Films

Ever thought your favorite 3-hour movie was long? Think again! The world of cinema has seen some truly epic lengths, with some films running for days! Let's dive into the fascinating realm of the longest films ever made.

Table: Some of the Longest Films Ever Made

TitleDurationYearCountry
"Ambiancé"720 hours (30 days)2020Sweden
"Modern Times Forever"240 hours (10 days)2011Denmark/Finland
"The Cure for Insomnia"87 hours1987USA
"Matrjoschka"95 hours2006Germany
"Crude Oil"14 hours2008China

If you're intrigued and want to explore more, the full list can be found on Wikipedia.

Are Movies Really Getting Longer?

Yes, movies are indeed getting longer. This observation is supported by the fact that "The Batman," one of the most anticipated movies of 2022, has a runtime just shy of three hours. While cinematic epics like "Cleopatra," "Ben-Hur," "Gone With The Wind," and "Lawrence of Arabia" have existed for decades, it seems that more contemporary movies are exceeding the two-hour mark.

Movie Running Time Calculator, 500 000+ Titles & Cinema Insights (1)

Evidence from the Past Few Decades:

Year Average Runtime (minutes) Longest Movie Runtime of Longest Movie (minutes)
2021 131 No Time To Die 163
2011 122 Transformers: Dark of the Moon 154
2001 126 Pearl Harbor 183
1991 117 Dances With Wolves 181
1981 110 Excalibur 140

Historically, movie lengths have been influenced by various factors, from the physical limitations of film reels to competition with television. In the early days of cinema, movies were typically not longer than two hours due to the need for manual reel changes. However, with the rise of television in the 1930s to 1960s, studios began producing longer films to offer a unique cinematic experience. By the 1970s, with the popularity of VHS tapes, movies began to shrink in length. Today, while there are exceptions with films like "The Irishman" and "Avengers: Endgame" running for over three hours, the average movie length remains under two hours. Factors such as audience preferences, exhibitor profits, and screening times play a role in determining a film's runtime.

FAQ on Movie Running Time Tool

  • add_circle_outline Where does the tool source the running times data from?

    Our tool obtains its running times data from the open database, accessible at OMDb API.

  • add_circle_outline How is the running time calculated for theatrical releases?

    For theatrical releases, the timing begins from the first distributor logo and ends at the last frame of the end credits. Mid or post-credits scenes should also be included in the running time.

  • add_circle_outline How is the running time determined for TV-series?

    For TV-series, the preferred time is without commercials. However, if such timings aren't available, total running times can be submitted with the attribute (including commercials).

  • add_circle_outline How is the running time calculated when there is a Part II?

    When a movie or series is released with a "Part II" or sequel, the running time for each part should are listed separately, representing the duration of each individual part. The running time for the "Part II" should not include the duration of the first part or vice versa.

  • add_circle_outline Is there any time limits for the running time of the movies?

    Unlike Bollywood and Kollywood, Hollywood movies typically run for only 1.30 to 2 hours. However, in the case of Bollywood and Kollywood, movies usually have a minimum runtime of 2.30 hours.

  • add_circle_outline Are different running times recorded for various countries or versions?

    Different countries or versions might have varying running times due to edits, censorship, or specific content adjustments. IMDb recommends submitting these running times if they deviate from the default by a minimum of 5% or if significant changes are evident in the title.

  • add_circle_outline Are runtimes exact or rounded?

    Runtimes are typically rounded to the nearest minute for consistency. However, for titles that are less than one minute in duration, the exact runtime in seconds can be specified as an attribute.

  • add_circle_outline What is the primary running time for series?

    The primary running time for series should be the duration of one episode, not the whole series.

  • add_circle_outline Are there any specific considerations for silent movies?

    Silent movies may be shown at different speeds as there was no exact standard of speed back then.

  • add_circle_outline What should be noted about European (PAL/SECAM) TV/video running times?

    European TV/video running times may be shorter by about 4% due to frame rate differences. Video running times for countries where this applies should not be submitted to avoid confusion.

  • Movie Running Time Calculator, 500 000+ Titles & Cinema Insights (2)
  • about the author

    Ted Taylor, better known as Mr. Mobo, is a telecom analyst and columnist. Mr. Mobo advises consumers on everything related to telecommunications.

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