This episode investigates the common perception that movies are getting longer. While the average film length has surprisingly remained stable for decades, wide-release theatrical films, particularly action and big-budget IP movies, have significantly increased in runtime over the last 20 years, driven by powerful filmmakers and the demands of fan culture.
Summarized by Podsumo
Despite popular belief, film researcher Stephen Follows' data on over 36,000 films from 1980-2025 shows the average movie runtime has consistently stayed around 102 minutes.
Movies grossing over $10 million (wide releases) have increased by about 15 minutes over the past two decades, now averaging over 120 minutes, with action films showing the most significant increase.
The extended runtimes of big-budget, IP-driven movies are attributed to powerful directors having more creative control and the need to satisfy hardcore fans with detailed narratives and 'Easter eggs'.
Longer movies reduce the number of possible showtimes per day, impacting potential box office revenue, a point of frustration for theater owners who feel powerless.
Streaming platforms prioritize constant viewer engagement to prevent easy drop-offs, tracking audience interest second-by-second, rather than simply favoring longer runtimes for more 'engagement'.
"The average movie has actually not gotten longer. It's remained about 102 minutes for decades now."
— Matthew Belloni
"No one complains about a long movie that's good."
— Todd Garner
"I have never in my 30 plus years of making movies as a studio executive as a producer ever at a preview audience heard them say make it longer."
— Todd Garner