January 6, 2025

The Increase in Movie Runtimes and the Conflict with Time Performance

In 2023, the average runtime of the top 30 global box office hits was 132 minutes, 13 minutes longer than a decade ago. Notably, films longer than two and a half hours now comprise about a quarter of the total. Traditionally, a runtime of around two hours was considered ideal for maximizing theater screenings, but the rise of online streaming has removed this constraint.

This increase in movie length may seem to contradict the growing emphasis on "time performance," which values efficiency. However, this trend shows that time is not only about minimizing length but is also understood more nuancedly.

Many of the longer films in 2023 were based on American comic books or were new installments in popular franchises, such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Mission: Impossible. These films are often targeted at dedicated fanbases, meaning long runtimes are more easily accepted by audiences.

The shift towards an average runtime of around two hours began in the late 1960s, partly because this length fit well with television broadcast schedules. The rise of VHS tapes, which were designed to record movies and sports games in around two hours, further reinforced this standard.

In essence, movie runtimes have been shaped by external factors such as theater schedules, television slots, and the limitations of recording media. With the rise of online streaming, however, longer films are now more accepted and can cater to changing audience preferences.