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It is good to search out your self with time to spare. Some might need extra free time than others, some might discover themselves with durations of their lives much less busy than others, whereas some might solely discover time to spare every so often. It is determined by your stage in life and career, after all, however everybody deserves a day spent on the sofa from time to time.
For these with time to look at extra motion pictures than traditional, the next greatest lengthy motion pictures to look at – ranked from lengthy to longest – could be worthy candidates in your watchlist. Every is nicely over three hours in size, which means they’re all pretty critical time commitments. They’re rewarding movies, although, and ideally suited for affected person viewers who do not thoughts an extended sit, and are already conversant in a number of the extra well-known epic movies on the market.
Up to date on August 1, 2023, by Jeremy Urquhart:
Lengthy motion pictures are clearly right here to remain, with many 2022 releases hovering at – and even exceeding – the three-hour mark, and now certainly one of 2023’s largest releases, Oppenheimer, additionally has a three-hour runtime. 3-hour motion pictures may not be for everybody, and sure 3-hour movies are positively better-paced than others, however you must admire an extended movie that additionally manages to be compelling for a very long time, which the films under handle to do.
20 ‘Oppenheimer’ (2023) – 181 minutes
Christopher Nolan‘s no stranger to lengthy, dense motion pictures, however Oppenheimer proves to be certainly one of his most dense, and likewise his longest. Memorably launched the identical day because the a lot brighter Barbie, Oppenheimer is about J. Robert Oppenheimer, significantly concerning his improvement of the primary atomic bomb.
It is acquired a completely large forged, that includes what looks like half of Hollywood, and a story that spans a few years whereas being unafraid to leap between them, all out of order. It is a compelling character research and a psychologically intense film, holding issues transferring and suspenseful for all 181 minutes of its epic runtime.
19 ‘Magnolia’ (1999) – 189 minutes
Paul Thomas Anderson is a filmmaker who’s no stranger to creating motion pictures that simply exceed two hours, however even by his requirements, Magnolia is lengthy. Simply among the many greatest 3-hour-long motion pictures, it additionally must be, given it follows a big group of characters whose lives generally intersect in surprising methods all through the movie, culminating with an uncommon climax that (kind of) brings all of them collectively.
It makes for a strong viewing expertise although, with quite a few nice actors all giving improbable performances. It is simple to get wrapped up within the lives of the flawed and deeply human characters in Magnolia, making it an intimate drama on a scene-to-scene foundation, contrasted with an epic runtime and a really massive forged.
18 ‘Babylon’ (2022) – 189 minutes
Babylon might have divided critics, however the infamous field workplace flop from 2022 has its followers, and its status might nicely develop as time marches on. It is a movie in regards to the finish of the silent period in cinema and the daybreak of talkies, and appears at this traditionally important occasion by way of the eyes of a number of characters who’re all concerned with the movie trade on some degree.
It was a time of huge productions and even greater after-parties, which signifies that Babylon‘s a movie that makes use of an enormous runtime to depict and mirror such excesses. It strikes quick and balances quite a few tones and characters, holding issues fascinating. And although it is exhausting to look at, that looks like an meant emotional response, moderately than an unlucky results of subpar filmmaking.
17 ‘Avatar: The Means of Water’ (2022) – 192 minutes
The wait was value it, as a result of whereas Avatar: The Means of Water might have taken 13 years to lastly come out, the outcomes had been actually astounding and big. It is a greater film than the primary Avatar, working about half an hour longer and exploring extra of Pandora than ever earlier than.
James Cameron can ship with regards to epics, as demonstrated all the best way again in 1997, with Titanic. The Means of Water is one other success for the filmmaker, and people who get significantly wrapped up within the movie’s story and characters might nicely discover themselves feeling as if 192 minutes wasn’t sufficient.
16 ‘The Emigrants’ (1971) – 192 minutes
One of many biggest Swedish motion pictures of all time and one of many underrated lengthy movies of the ’70s, The Emigrants is a component 1 of an epic story a few Swedish household immigrating to America. They do that within the mid-Nineteenth century, which implies the movie in the end captures the horrors and struggles of touring between continents at a time nicely earlier than expertise made worldwide journey comparatively protected and easy.
It is actually not a simple watch, and would not pull any punches in exhibiting the brutal actuality of a migrant’s life again within the mid-1800s. It is a highly effective movie, although, and so well-made that although it isn’t essentially fast-paced, it is fairly immersive and in the end makes its 192-minute runtime go by comparatively quick.
15 ‘The Proper Stuff’ (1983) – 193 minutes
The Proper Stuff is way out of your traditional historic drama/biographical movie. It tells the real-life story of the Mercury Seven, who had been the USA’s unique astronauts who participated in varied harmful missions (together with early house journey) within the late Nineteen Fifties and early Nineteen Sixties.
It is a movie that tackles this story in a approach that is something however dry or boring. It strikes nicely for a film that exceeds three hours, and has loads of thrills, humor, and memorable characters to maintain viewers engaged. It was, sadly, a field workplace bomb on the time of launch, however was critically acclaimed, and is well-deserving of the reward it is garnered within the years since 1983.
14 ‘Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles’ (1975) – 202 minutes
Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles is a movie that goals to make the viewers really feel each certainly one of its 202 minutes. It is not enjoyable to look at, however that is by design, because it sheds mild on the lifetime of the titular Jeanne Dielman, following her over three days as she cleans, cooks, runs errands, and usually goes unappreciated and even unnoticed by the folks round her.
Her routine adjustments just a little over the three days that she’s adopted throughout the film, and it is these refined variations that construct to a stunning conclusion. It is a psychological drama that may be one of many slowest sluggish burns of all time, however it’s additionally extremely acclaimed, and even earned the highest spot within the 2022 Sight & Sound critics ballot.
13 ‘The New Land’ (1972) – 204 minutes
Half 2 of the story that started with The Emigrants, The New Land follows the identical household after having arrived in America from Sweden. They think about that now they’ve reached their vacation spot, issues shall be simpler, however dwelling outdoors a foremost settlement in the midst of America proves to have its personal unexpected challenges.
It feels distinct from the primary half whereas additionally seamlessly persevering with the story, which makes the entire saga a outstanding and devastating 6.5-hour-long epic. Such a movie could be daunting for many individuals to attempt to watch, however those that give their time and vitality to The Emigrants after which The New Land shall be rewarded with a pair of nice movies.
12 ‘The Human Situation I: No Better Love’ (1959) – 206 minutes
The Human Situation I: No Better Love is only one a part of an enormous trilogy that runs for over 9 hours. Launched in three elements between 1959 and 1961, The Human Situation is amongst the best World Conflict II motion pictures of all time, following a conscientious objector who finds himself pressured to struggle throughout the Japanese Military.
Nonetheless, given the three movies had been launched individually whereas telling one story, it isn’t honest to lump all of them collectively for the needs of assessing the longest motion pictures of all time. That being stated, even only one third of the trilogy finally ends up being an enormous and appropriately exhausting film to look at, with this primary installment being nearly 3.5 hours lengthy.
Watch on The Criterion Channel
11 ‘Heaven’s Gate’ (1980) – 219 minutes
Whereas Heaven’s Gate may not be for everybody, it’s undeniably a daring and underrated movie, and one not deserving of all of the criticism it acquired on the time of its launch. It is a actually epic western at over three-and-a-half hours, and follows violent clashes between rich cattle farmers and immigrants who reside in poverty – primarily based on actual occasions that occurred through the Johnson County Conflict close to the top of the Nineteenth century.
It is an overstuffed film for certain, working in large-scale battle scenes, nearly too many characters, and even a romance subplot, for good measure. However the dimension of the movie and its ambition is awe-inspiring, and even when not all the weather work flawlessly, there are nonetheless sufficient moments of greatness to make Heaven’s Gate worthy of crucial reevaluation.
10 ‘A Brighter Summer season Day’ (1991) – 237 minutes
Earlier than making what was probably his masterpiece in 2000 – Yi Yi – Edward Yang directed one other movie that is thought of one of many biggest of the previous few a long time by movie aficionados. It is a coming-of-age/crime movie known as A Brighter Summer season Day, and is about in Taiwan through the Nineteen Sixties, specializing in a younger boy and the obstacles that come his approach with regards to rising up, sustaining friendships, and falling in love.
It is a sluggish however lovely movie, and finally ends up an immensely rewarding expertise for these prepared to keep it up for nearly 4 hours. It is a movie that is straightforward to fall into, as a result of approach it appears to be like and feels, and due to how immersive it’s. There is a model that is nearer to 3 hours, however the four-hour lower is seen because the director’s definitive model.
Watch on The Criterion Channel
9 ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ (2021) – 242 minutes
In 2017, a theatrical model of Justice League was launched, and it clocked in at solely two hours lengthy. It felt messy and poorly paced, as a result of scope of the story and variety of characters, with an entire heap of stuff not being given sufficient room to breathe. It carried Zack Snyder‘s identify, as he was credited with directing it, however it did not actually really feel like his film.
A number of years later, one thing resembling Snyder’s imaginative and prescient was launched, title Zack Snyder’s Justice League. It is actually the superior model of the movie, although it takes about twice as lengthy to look at. Largely, it earns that runtime, moreover just a few scenes after the climax that really feel like odd, considerably awkward set-ups for future motion pictures that can in all probability by no means occur.
8 ‘Hamlet’ (1996) – 242 minutes
Most movie variations of Hamlet – certainly one of William Shakespeare‘s most well-known works, and possibly his definitive tragedy – aren’t wherever close to 4 hours lengthy. It’s because most variations of Hamlet edit the prolonged play right down to make the runtime extra digestible. Nonetheless, director/actor/world’s #1 Shakespeare fan, Kenneth Branagh, needed to do no such factor together with his 1996 adaptation.
As such, this movie model of the Prince of Denmark’s quest for revenge is an extended however spectacular Shakespeare adaptation. Those that aren’t keen on Shakespeare may need to hunt down a shorter model that cuts out sure subplots and characters, however for individuals who need to see all of Hamlet on-screen, this 1996 film is the place it is at.
7 ‘The Sorrow and the Pity’ (1969) – 259 minutes
The Sorrow and the Pity is a documentary that is centered on the Nazi occupation of France throughout World Conflict II. It covers a number of years and highlights a turbulent and dramatic time within the nation’s historical past, and makes use of a runtime of nicely over 4 hours to offer a really complete take a look at its central topic.
It is a troublesome film to look at, owing to that runtime and the difficult material, with the movie total being dense and even overwhelming. Nonetheless, it proves to be rewarding for individuals who have the persistence to get by way of it and have interaction with the matters it brings up, making it some of the important warfare documentaries about WWII.
6 ‘Les Misérables’ (1934) – 281 minutes
There are a surprisingly massive variety of Les Misérables variations, however this nearly five-hour French adaptation made within the Thirties is arguably the most effective. Like Branagh’s Hamlet, it makes use of its large runtime to its benefit, and is ready to embody extra from Victor Hugo‘s famed novel than another movie adaptation (the miniseries variations, after all, find yourself with the ability to cowl an analogous quantity of fabric).
Given the novel is cut up up into elements, so too is that this movie, with three in whole. It may be greatest to look at every 90-ish minute chunk by itself, with breaks in between, as a result of in any other case it would change into overwhelming. However, for viewers who prefer to get sucked into an bold epic and discover it extra immersive to look at an enormous story like this play out multi functional go, it’s nonetheless potential to look at the 1934 adaptation of Les Misérables in a day.
Watch on The Criterion Channel
5 ‘1900’ (1976) – 317 minutes
That includes a formidable forged led by a younger Robert De Niro and Gérard Depardieu, 1900 is a huge movie. Given it reveals the lives of its two foremost characters throughout a number of a long time – starting chronologically within the 12 months 1900 – it does arguably want on a regular basis it could get, to inform its bold story.
Past the 5+ hour runtime, it is also difficult for its content material and themes. It has some brutal violence and different uncomfortable scenes, and likewise particulars the horrors of fascism in unflinching element. Getting by way of it actually does provide the feeling of getting watched somebody’s total life play out, and as difficult because the film is, it is undeniably the size that contributes to this sense of seeing a lifetime condensed into one movie.
4 ‘Close to Loss of life’ (1989) – 358 minutes
Close to Loss of life is a confronting and troublesome documentary by design. Merely put, it tackles demise in unflinching element, and follows docs at an intensive care unit, the sufferers they take care of who’re close to demise, and the struggles the members of the family of the sufferers really feel as the top approaches.
It is in all probability solely going to enchantment to hardened documentary followers, and even then, the six-hour runtime and material may nonetheless deter a few of them. Nonetheless, these courageous sufficient to face Close to Loss of life might discover themselves popping out the opposite aspect of this staggeringly lengthy documentary about demise with a brand new outlook on life.
3 ‘The Better of Youth’ (2003) – 366 minutes
Some may classify The Better of Youth as a miniseries moderately than a movie, given it was conceived as a miniseries, however was launched theatrically in sure markets, and premiered on the Cannes Movie Competition. As such, it rides the road between miniseries and film, however nonetheless you classify it and watch it, one factor’s for sure: it is very lengthy.
The Better of Youth makes use of its six-hour runtime to cowl the lives of a household over a few years, beginning in 1966 and ending in 2003. It is an emotional and really well-made drama about love and life, and is surprisingly straightforward to get immersed in. It feels lengthy, however not in a nasty or boring approach, and is up there with the most effective 3+ hour motion pictures of the twenty first century up to now.
2 ‘Satantango’ (1994) – 432 minutes
Satantango has a status for being one of many longest (and most troublesome) movies of all time. It is a grueling watch by design, having a really slow-paced story centering on a small, rundown village in Hungary, with its inhabitants going through nice hardships after the autumn of Communism.
Even by the requirements of flicks exceeding three hours, it is a difficult watch. Nonetheless, many who’ve completed the movie hail it as a masterpiece, and on Letterboxd, it is ranked among the many high 50 greatest motion pictures of all time. Curious viewers do have to know what they’re stepping into beforehand, however it’s undeniably a movie that – as soon as watched – cannot be forgotten.
1 ‘Shoah’ (1985) – 569 minutes
Not solely is Shoah certainly one of the best documentaries of all time, however it’s additionally up there as one of many longest. It goes for 9.5 hours and is comprised nearly completely of interviews with varied folks whose lives had been altered by the Holocaust throughout World Conflict II, together with focus camp victims, troopers, and townspeople who lived close to the horrific demise camps.
It is a film that must be lengthy, because the method greatest captures the gargantuan nature of the horrible historic occasion the documentary covers. Shoah is an extremely onerous movie to take a seat by way of, however it’s a strong expertise and stands as maybe the definitive movie in regards to the Holocaust.
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