Today, Explained
Are movies too long now?
Dec 8, 2023
Sam Adams, culture writer at Slate, shares his insights on movie lengths and cultural shifts in audience expectations. He challenges the perception that films are getting longer, tracing their historical evolution since the 1950s. The discussion reveals how box office trends show an increase in runtimes even as viewers express discomfort. Adams also explores the idea of intermissions in lengthy films and the emotional impact of extended narratives, ultimately framing long movies as immersive experiences that differ significantly from watching at home.
25:51
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Quick takeaways
- Movies have not been getting longer overall since 1960, but the most popular movies like superhero films and big sci-fi adventures have gotten significantly longer.
- Theaters and directors are unlikely to introduce intermissions in movies due to financial reasons and the desire for an uninterrupted and immersive experience for the audience.
Deep dives
Movies Have Been Getting Longer
Contrary to popular belief, movies have not been getting longer overall since 1960. While average running times did increase from 1930 to 1960, they have plateaued since then. This is primarily due to filmmakers and studios finding a comfortable standard length for movies. The elimination of double features in the 1960s also contributed to the plateau. However, it is important to note that the most popular movies, particularly superhero films and big sci-fi adventures, have gotten significantly longer, and these longer movies tend to dominate the box office and receive more attention.
