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:

Year	Movie Title	Runtime (minutes)	Equivalent Time
1994	The Shawshank Redemption	142 minutes	2 hours 22 minutes
1994	Forrest Gump	142 minutes	2 hours 22 minutes
1994	Pulp Fiction	154 minutes	2 hours 34 minutes
2008	The Dark Knight	152 minutes	2 hours 32 minutes
1995	Toy Story	81 minutes	1 hour 21 minutes
2013	Frozen	102 minutes	1 hour 42 minutes
2019	Avengers: Endgame	181 minutes	3 hours 1 minute
2010	Inception	148 minutes	2 hours 28 minutes
2001	Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring	178 minutes	2 hours 58 minutes
1997	Titanic	195 minutes	3 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

Title	Duration	Year	Country
"Ambiancé"	720 hours (30 days)	2020	Sweden
"Modern Times Forever"	240 hours (10 days)	2011	Denmark/Finland
"The Cure for Insomnia"	87 hours	1987	USA
"Matrjoschka"	95 hours	2006	Germany
"Crude Oil"	14 hours	2008	China

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.

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.
See Also
How Long Is a Short Film: What You Need To Know How Long Is A Short Film? A Filmmaker's Guide How Long Does it Take to Make a Movie?Watch the Striking Seven Hour Trailer for the Longest Movie Ever Made
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.

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.