Whether it\u2019s Oppenheimer, Killers of the Flower Moon, or Avatar: The Way of Water<\/a>, the “epic” runtime is becoming the industry standard.<\/p>\n So even as I lament this, there’s actual proof that movies are, in fact, getting longer. But for filmmakers, the question isn’t just about how long a movie is<\/a>, it\u2019s about why this shift is happening and what it means for the future of the theatrical experience.<\/p>\n Let’s dive in.<\/p>\n – YouTubewww.youtube.com<\/a><\/p>\n The Data <\/p>\n According to the findings from THR, the average runtime of the top-grossing films has seen a steady climb.<\/p>\n In the 1980s and 90s, the “sweet spot” for a blockbuster was often between 100 and 120 minutes.<\/p>\n Today, that median has shifted significantly on the longer side.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve seen a nearly 15% increase in average length compared to the 80s, with films over 150 minutes becoming a regular occurrence rather than a rare event.<\/p>\n Why Is This Happening?<\/p>\n The findings don’t name a single culprit behind the expanding runtime. But these are the things I think are probably the biggest reasons we’re finding long movies.<\/p>\n The “Event” Factor<\/p>\n In the age of streaming, theaters have to offer something you can\u2019t get at home. Large-scale, three-hour epics feel like “events” that justify the rising cost of a ticket and the effort of leaving the couch. People see events, and they want epics, and studios are delivering them.<\/p>\n The Death of the “Mid-Budget” Edit<\/p>\n Historically, studios were more aggressive about cutting films to maximize the number of daily screenings. More screenings meant more ticket sales. However, with the decline of the mid-budget drama and the rise of the “Auteur Blockbuster,” directors like Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve have the leverage to demand, and get longer runtimes.<\/p>\n It helps that these usually show in IMAX<\/a>, and therefore, you can charge more for the tickets to make up for fewer showings.<\/p>\n Streaming Habits<\/p>\n Audiences have become conditioned<\/a> for long-form storytelling through binge-watching. If we can sit through four hours of a Netflix series in one night, studios gamble that we won\u2019t mind a three-hour theatrical experience.<\/p>\n The Rise of the Intermission (Sort of)<\/p>\n![\"Our](\"https:\/\/nofilmschool.com\/media-library\/our-oscar-2025-best-picture-winner-prediction.jpg?id=55692398&width=980\")