Buzz
It's not just a feeling: Blockbuster films like Dune, The Batman, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Oppenheimer are indeed growing longer. Whether it's due to directors' expansive visions, the push for franchise-building backstories, or the desire to make theatrical releases feel like major events, the trend is clear. (While some films genuinely require extended runtimes, one might wonder if No Time to Die truly needed to stretch so far.)
While lengthy films can be impressive, runtime doesn't always equate to quality. In fact, some of the most iconic movies in cinematic history—spanning various eras and genres—manage to deliver powerful stories in 90 minutes or less. Below, sorted by duration, are 35 of the finest short films ever made, each deserving a spot on your watchlist.
Sherlock Jr. (1924)
Duration: 45 minutes
While The General often tops discussions of Buster Keaton's greatest works, Sherlock Jr. is equally ingenious and even more endearing. Keaton plays the Projectionist, a humble movie theater employee who fantasizes about winning the heart of a wealthy woman (Kathryn McGuire) far beyond his means. After dozing off at work, his fantasies blend into vivid dreams, transporting him into the cinematic world he projects. As Sherlock Jr., he embarks on a visually stunning and technically masterful escapade, outsmarting a romantic competitor and using his detective prowess to win the girl.
Available on: Tubi, digital rental
Detour (1945)
Duration: 68 minutes
While not a strict rule, noir films often excel at around 90 minutes—likely the maximum time we can endure watching a character spiral into inevitable despair. In far less time, Detour tracks Al Roberts, a struggling pianist who stumbles into some money and decides to hitchhike across the country to reunite with his girlfriend, who left for Hollywood to chase stardom. Predictably, his journey takes a dark turn when a driver who picks him up dies, and Al somewhat accidentally takes on the dead man's identity. Despite its rushed, low-budget production, the film has earned its place as a classic. Now in the public domain, it’s free on YouTube, but the restored version is best enjoyed on major streaming platforms.
Available on: Prime Video, The Criterion Channel, Tubi, MGM+, Crackle
Frankenstein (1931)
Duration: 71 minutes
Among the earliest and nearly the finest (second only to its sequel) of Universal's horror masterpieces, Frankenstein packs so much iconic imagery into its 71-minute runtime that it remains captivating nearly a century later.
Available on: digital rental
The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
Duration: 71 minutes
Two friends embarking on a fishing trip make the mistake of picking up a hitchhiker, who turns out to be a thrill-seeking killer linked to multiple robberies and murders. This gripping scenario unfolds masterfully under the direction of Ida Lupino, a trailblazing actress and one of the rare female filmmakers in 1950s America.
Streaming on: Prime Video, Tubi
The Set-Up (1949)
Duration: 72 minutes
Robert Wise, known for his diverse filmography (West Side Story, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Sound of Music, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and more), directed The Set-Up with the raw intensity and realism demanded by its genre—a gritty film noir sports drama. Stripping away the polish of his more prestigious works, Wise crafted one of the greatest boxing films ever made and a standout in the noir tradition.
Available on: digital rental
Petite Maman (2021)
Duration: 72 minutes
Céline Sciamma, the director of Portrait of a Lady on Fire, shifted gears dramatically for her next project, crafting a tender and heartfelt coming-of-age tale. The story follows a young girl grieving the loss of her grandmother as she assists her parents in clearing out the family home. While playing in the woods, she encounters another girl her own age. Without revealing too much, the gradual unveiling of the second girl's identity delivers an emotional impact that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced parenthood or had a parent.
Available on: Hulu, digital rental
Safety Last (1923)
Duration: 73 minutes
While Buster Keaton was known for his daring stunts and Charlie Chaplin for his emotional depth, Harold Lloyd focused purely on delivering laughter, proving himself just as brilliant as his more celebrated peers. Safety Last!, famous for its iconic clock scene, stands as one of his finest works, packed with a rich storyline and countless comedic moments beyond the clock sequence.
Available on: Max, The Criterion Channel, Tubi, digital rental
Cat People (1942)
Duration: 73 minutes
Producer Val Lewton sacrificed creative freedom for prestige early in his career, leading RKO’s B-movie division and producing low-budget, shorter films. With minimal restrictions, his only major constraint was using sensational titles to attract audiences—hence, Cat People. While the film appears to be about a bride transforming into a panther, it’s actually a visually stunning psychosexual drama exploring repressed desires.
Available on: digital rental
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Duration: 76 minutes
Henry Selick's The Nightmare Before Christmas took time to gain widespread popularity (with Hot Topic playing a significant role in turning it into a cultural icon), but those who watched it in theaters in 1993 recognized its timeless appeal. This charming yet eerie holiday tale follows the Pumpkin King as he grows tired of Halloween and attempts to reinvent Christmas, blending festive cheer with macabre twists. The film's concise 76-minute runtime, likely due to the intricate demands of stop-motion animation, perfectly complements Tim Burton's original illustrated poem.
Streaming on: Disney+, digital rental
Nothing Sacred (1937)
Duration: 77 minutes
Much like horror, comedy often excels when kept concise, ensuring it never overstays its welcome. Carole Lombard shines in this sharp screwball comedy, portraying a small-town Vermont woman whisked away to New York City by a jaded reporter (Fredric March) hungry for a sensational story. Believed to be dying from radium poisoning, her supposed final days promise to be a media sensation. However, the truth reveals a clever ruse, offering a biting satire of exploitative tabloid journalism and society's fascination with tragedy—a theme that remains strikingly relevant decades later.
Available on: Prime Video, MGM+
Primer (2004)
Duration: 77 minutes
Writer and director Shane Carruth crafted this intricately layered sci-fi story on a shoestring budget (reportedly $7,000). It follows two tech-savvy geniuses, reminiscent of Bill Gates, who construct a working time machine in their garage. As they experiment with it, their lives spiral into chaos, with devastating consequences. Revealing more would diminish the impact of this minimalist, thought-provoking masterpiece.
Available on: digital rental
Rec (2007)
Duration: 78 minutes
This gripping and gory addition to the found footage genre follows a reporter (Manuela Velasco) accompanying firefighters on an emergency call to a Barcelona apartment building. Instead of a fire, they encounter a deadly infectious outbreak that transforms people into zombies. A tightly paced, adrenaline-fueled thriller, it inspired several solid sequels and a surprisingly effective American remake (Quarantine), though none surpass the original's intensity.
Available on: digital rental
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
Duration: 78 minutes
Superhero films rarely run under two hours (though some feel much longer), but one of the best happens to be significantly shorter—and animated. A theatrical extension of the acclaimed 1990s Batman animated series, Mask of the Phantasm reintroduces an old flame into Bruce Wayne's life while a mysterious vigilante emerges in Gotham. It stands as one of the finest Batman stories, animated or otherwise.
Available on: digital rental
Paris Is Burning (1991)
Duration: 78 minutes
This groundbreaking queer documentary captures the vibrant era of NYC's ballroom culture with a mix of heartfelt admiration and unflinching truth. It highlights how queer and trans individuals, often marginalized in their daily lives, embraced glamour and defiance, using the ballroom scene as a sanctuary from societal prejudice and the devastation of the AIDS crisis. A tribute to chosen families, it also chronicles a cultural movement that would later gain mainstream recognition through shows like Pose and RuPaul's Drag Race.
Streaming on: Max, The Criterion Channel
Rope (1948)
Duration: 80 minutes
Hitchcock's bold cinematic experiment required a shorter runtime due to its unique constraint: the film was designed to appear as one uninterrupted shot (though it was actually shot in ten-minute segments, limited by the camera technology of the time). The story follows two arrogant lovers, played by John Dall and Farley Granger, who host an elaborate dinner party while hiding the body of a former classmate in plain sight—see if you can uncover the mystery.
Available on: digital rental
Before Sunset (2004)
Duration: 80 minutes
Sequels often stretch longer than their predecessors, but director Richard Linklater defies this trend by achieving more in less time with the follow-up to 1995's enchanting romance Before Sunrise. Despite being 20 minutes shorter, the film delivers a powerful, unforgettable conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.
Available on: digital rental
Run Lola Run (1998)
Duration: 80 minutes
Despite being over two decades old, this German film remains a tightly wound thriller that I’m reluctant to spoil. Franke Potente is in constant motion throughout its 80-minute runtime, delivering a high-octane experience akin to a sleepless night of video gaming. Any longer, and both the protagonist and the premise would have crumbled under the strain.
Available on: Prime Video
Lights Out (2016)
Duration: 81 minutes
Horror films thrive on brevity, as tension fades when stretched too thin. Director David F. Sandberg, in his feature debut, grasped this perfectly with this high-concept thriller, inspired by his own 3-minute short. Teresa Palmer plays Rebecca, who believed her childhood nightmares were behind her. After all, what child doesn’t fear monsters in the dark? But as an adult, she discovers—surprise!—those fears were far from imaginary.
Available on: digital rental
Perfect Blue (1997)
Duration: 81 minutes
Directed by Satoshi Kon, Perfect Blue masterfully blends dark fantasy with even darker reality, reminiscent of Darren Aronofsky's works—though it predates both Requiem for a Dream and Black Swan, which draw inspiration from it. (The film even influenced Madonna, for what it's worth.) The story centers on a young Japanese singer pressured to abandon her music career for television, leading to terrifying consequences in a gripping tale of fame's steep cost.
Streaming on: Shudder, AMC+, digital rental
Toy Story (1995)
Duration: 81 minutes
Pixar once excelled at keeping their animations concise and impactful. While their recent films often stretch toward or beyond two hours—a testament to their earned trust—it’s no coincidence that the shortest Toy Story installment remains arguably the finest. It flawlessly delivers on a brilliant concept, proving that limitations, such as being the first fully CGI film, can sometimes be strengths rather than weaknesses.
Available on: Disney+, digital rental
Rye Lane (2022)
Duration: 82 minutes
Picture a romantic comedy with the energy of Trainspotting-era Danny Boyle and the premise of Elizabethtown, but executed brilliantly, and you’ll get a sense of director Raine Allen-Miller’s delightful debut. The film follows two South Londoners in their mid-20s who cross paths after painful breakups. As they help each other move on from their exes, the predictable journey is filled with charm and warmth, guaranteed to keep you smiling throughout.
Available on: Hulu
Hell House LLC (2015)
Duration: 83 minutes
Found footage horror films often run short, partly because horror thrives in a condensed format and partly due to typically low budgets. Regardless, when done right, they excel. Hell House LLC launched a franchise thanks to its inventive concept and bold execution: a Halloween haunted house attraction’s disastrous opening night reveals the venue’s sinister past. Fortunately, a documentary crew captures the chaos, making for a gripping watch.
Available on: Prime Video, Shudder, Tubi, AMC+, digital rental
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Duration: 83 minutes
Set in the near future of 2029, this iconic anime envisions a world where humans can transfer their consciousness into cybernetic bodies called "shells." When a rogue entity known as the "Puppet Master" begins manipulating these shells, Major Motoko Kusanagi is assigned to track down the culprit. With breathtaking animation and profound themes, this cyberpunk masterpiece has influenced countless filmmakers, including the Wachowskis.
Available on: Prime Video, Tubi
The Heroic Trio (1993)
Duration: 83 minutes
Tung (Anita Mui) lives a double life as a crime-fighting swordswoman and a seemingly ordinary housewife. Chat (Maggie Cheung) is a no-nonsense bounty hunter armed with a shotgun, while Ching (Michelle Yeoh) wields an invisibility suit, initially serving the Evil Master by kidnapping babies—until she reunites with her sister Tung and childhood friend Chat. Together, they form the titular trio in this exhilarating mix of comic book heroics, Hong Kong action, and humor.
Streaming on: Max, The Criterion Channel, digital rental
She’s Gotta Have It (1986)
Duration: 84 minutes
Spike Lee’s debut feature film introduced his unique voice to cinema, telling the story of a woman (Tracy Camilla Johns) embracing the kind of sexual freedom usually reserved for men. The film is witty, humorous, and refreshingly open about sexuality, though it carries some dated elements by today’s standards.
Available on: Netflix
Persona (1966)
Duration: 84 minutes
Ingmar Bergman’s experimental masterpiece (or perhaps thriller?) stars two legendary actresses, Bibi Andersson and Liv Ullmann, as a nurse and her patient. Trapped in an intimate, confined setting, the talkative nurse and the nearly silent patient develop a bond so profound that their identities begin to blur. Delving into themes of identity, sexuality, and gender, the film solidified Bergman’s status as a global icon, particularly among cinephiles drawn to his work.
Available on: Max, The Criterion Channel, digital rental
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
Duration: 85 minutes
Filmmaker and naturalist Craig Foster spent a year forging an extraordinary bond with a wild common octopus—a creature that reveals both astonishing intelligence and otherworldly behaviors. Over time, Foster and the octopus develop a friendship, spending hours together as Foster gains rare insights into her underwater realm. The perils of this environment and the octopus’s short lifespan deliver poignant reflections on life’s fragility and the profound joy of connecting with nature.
Available on: Netflix
Cloverfield (2008)
Duration: 85 minutes
Directed by Matt Reeves (War for the Planet of the Apes, The Batman), this innovative monster movie elevates the found footage genre with a larger budget. The story follows a group of young New Yorkers whose farewell party takes a chaotic turn when a colossal kaiju attacks the city, creating a thrilling and immersive experience.
Available on: Paramount+, digital rental
High Noon (1952)
Duration: 85 minutes
While its political undertones may seem understated today, High Noon’s anti-blacklist and anti-witchhunt themes were unmistakable to audiences at the time, prompting John Wayne to label it “the most un-American thing I’ve ever seen.” Any film that provoked such a reaction from Wayne earns my approval. In response, Wayne made the much longer Rio Bravo, which, while also a classic, runs for 2 hours and 21 minutes. High Noon achieves far more in less time and remains a timeless masterpiece.
Streaming on: Prime Video, Paramount+, MGM+
Fruitvale Station (2013)
Duration: 85 minutes
While dramas based on true events often stretch their runtime, Ryan Coogler’s debut feature stands out for its concise and impactful storytelling. The film, inspired by the tragic police shooting of an unarmed Black man in Oakland, is both profoundly moving and deeply unsettling in its simplicity.
Available on: Max, digital rental
Evil Dead (1981)
Duration: 85 minutes
Some films are kept short for budgetary reasons, and while that might apply to Sam Raimi’s cult horror-comedy Evil Dead, its brevity doesn’t detract from its impact. In fact, every entry in the franchise hovers around the 90-minute mark, with this first installment setting the ideal length for its gruesome, practical effects-driven horror.
Available on: AMC+, digital rental
What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
Duration: 85 minutes
This New Zealand horror mockumentary, which unexpectedly spawned a franchise, crams a ton of humor into its 85-minute runtime.
Available on: digital rental
My Neighbor Totoro (1986)
Duration: 86 minutes
Animation, often complex and costly, typically results in shorter runtimes compared to live-action films. While Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli works usually approach two hours, the timeless My Neighbor Totoro is an exception. This enchanting tale of two sisters and their magical encounters with forest spirits in rural Japan is flawless from start to finish.
Available on: Max, digital rental
Polyester (1981)
Duration: 86 minutes
Even with a brisk 86-minute runtime, John Waters delivers a wealth of raunchy humor in this, arguably his finest (if not his most shocking) film. Whether or not you recognize the story of Francine Fishpaw (played brilliantly by the legendary Devine), a suburban housewife whose seemingly perfect family succumbs to scandal and vice, as a sharp parody of Douglas Sirk melodramas, it remains wildly subversive and uproariously funny—especially in Odorama.
Available on: digital rental
Child's Play (1988)
Duration: 87 minutes
This high-concept slasher, blending horror with occasional humor, launched a long-running franchise. Writer Don Mancini, who still oversees the series, co-wrote this tale of a serial killer (voiced by Brad Dourif) whose soul inhabits a foul-mouthed doll, terrorizing a single mother and her son. While the franchise’s comedic (and queer) potential wasn’t fully explored until later, its foundations are firmly established here.
Available on: Tubi, MGM+, digital rental
Paths of Glory (1957)
Duration: 88 minutes
Stanley Kubrick’s early and pivotal anti-war film achieves the near-impossible: crafting a gripping war narrative that avoids glorifying conflict, even unintentionally. Set in World War I, it features Kirk Douglas as Colonel Dax, leading a group of French soldiers. When they refuse a suicidal mission, they face court-martial for cowardice, a move designed to shield the pride of their superiors. In a concise and unflinching 88 minutes, Kubrick delivers a powerful and unmistakable message.
Available on: Prime Video, Tubi
The Lion King (1994)
Duration: 88 minutes
One of the most successful animated films ever, The Lion King solidified Disney’s resurgence in the early 1990s with its Shakespearean tale of Simba, a young prince eager to claim his throne—until he discovers the heavy cost of his ambition. Hakuna matata! Skip the overly lengthy remake.
Available on: Disney+, digital rental
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
Duration: 88 minutes
This buddy stoner comedy nearly perfected the genre with its hilarious, absurd, and surprisingly heartfelt tale of a wild night out. John Cho and Kal Penn shine, but Neil Patrick Harris, playing himself, arguably steals the spotlight.
Available on: digital rental
The Palm Beach Story (1942)
Duration: 88 minutes
Claudette Colbert seeks a wealthy husband, despite being married to an inventor (Joel McCrea). While they’re deeply in love, they could use the financial boost a second spouse might provide. What could have been a biting satire becomes, under Preston Sturges’ direction, a warm and whimsical comedy.
Available on: digital rental
Rashomon (1950)
Duration: 88 minutes
Akira Kurosawa’s groundbreaking exploration of justice and the unreliability of memory, often imitated but never duplicated, feels timeless despite its 88-minute runtime. It’s a testament to how a masterpiece doesn’t require a lengthy runtime to leave a lasting impact.
Available on: Max, The Criterion Channel, Tubi, digital rental
Videodrome (1983)
Duration: 88 minutes
Long live the new flesh! David Cronenberg’s iconic and bizarre horror film showcases his signature body horror visuals while offering a sharp critique of media’s subversive influence in the analog era. It follows a morally bankrupt TV producer (James Woods, in one of his best roles) uncovering the dark secrets behind Videodrome, a pirate broadcast of violent and sexual content that may be more than just fiction. Debbie Harry co-stars, radiating undeniable allure.
Available on: digital rental
Airplane! (1980)
Duration: 88 minutes
This film is packed with unforgettable scenes and witty lines delivered at a breakneck pace. While it may not claim the title of the best slapstick comedy ever, it certainly boasts an impressive success rate with its humor. Even the silliest jokes manage to elicit laughs, proving their timeless appeal over four decades later.
**Where to stream:** AMC+, digital rental
*Crank* (2006)
**Running time:** 88 minutes
The movie thrives on a brilliantly simple yet effective premise, making it easy to overlook its inherent absurdity and appreciate its clever execution. Jason Statham stars as Chev Chelios, a character who must maintain peak adrenaline levels to survive after being poisoned. The methods he employs to keep his adrenaline pumping are both inventive and wildly entertaining, ensuring the film remains a high-octane, thrilling ride from start to finish.
**Where to stream:** Max, digital rental
*Attack the Block* (2011)
**Running time:** 88 minutes
This film brings together John Boyega and Jodie Whitaker, who would later star in *Doctor Who*. It stands out for its focus on a British street gang from a council estate, who unexpectedly become humanity's last defense against a horde of strikingly designed extraterrestrial threats. The film's relentless energy makes it perfect for its concise runtime.
**Where to stream:** Max, digital rental
*Stand By Me* (1986)
**Running time:** 89 minutes
Despite its runtime, *Stand By Me* never feels rushed, and that’s a testament to its storytelling. This unexpected adaptation of Stephen King’s work is a masterclass in efficiency, with director Rob Reiner delivering one poignant, nostalgia-filled moment after another. The film follows a group of friends on a journey through the woods, driven by the rumor of a dead body waiting to be discovered.
**Where to stream:** AMC+, digital rental
*Eraserhead* (1977)
**Running time:** 89 minutes
Like much of David Lynch's work, summarizing the plot feels almost irrelevant—this film involves a one-night stand resulting in the birth of a peculiar lizard-like child. However, the true essence lies in its haunting atmosphere and pervasive sense of existential unease. Jack Nance, a frequent collaborator with Lynch, delivers a performance surrounded by some of the most unforgettable visuals in cinema.
**Where to stream:** Max, The Criterion Channel, digital rental
*Beau Travail* (1999)
**Running time:** 90 minutes
Claire Denis crafts a visually stunning and mesmerizing film in this poetic exploration of passion and rivalry. The story follows French Foreign Legion soldiers stationed in Djibouti, where a tense dynamic of obsession and animosity unfolds between Adjudant-Chef Galoup (Denis Lavant), newcomer Giles Sentain (Grégoire Colin), and their shared admiration for the Commandant. The film’s allure lies not only in its captivating cinematography but also in its undercurrent of unspoken desire.
**Where to stream:** Max, The Criterion Channel, digital rental
*Commando* (1985)
**Running time:** 90 minutes
When you crave a quintessential dose of 1980s action, this Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle delivers in spades. Packed with explosive set pieces, a fictional Latin American nation, a dictator portrayed by Dan Hedaya, iconic one-liners, and a barrage of over-the-top violence—including a particularly gruesome circular saw scene—it’s a non-stop adrenaline rush.
**Where to stream:** digital rental
*The Thin Man* (1934)
**Running time:** 90 minutes
This film introduced one of cinema’s most iconic couples, whose dynamic has influenced countless onscreen relationships without ever being surpassed. While the central mystery is forgettable, the real charm lies in the intoxicating chemistry between Myrna Loy and William Powell, whose playful, alcohol-fueled banter steals the show.
**Where to stream:** digital rental
*Eyes Without a Face* (1960)
**Running time:** 90 minutes
This French masterpiece has aged gracefully, once controversial for its shocking effects—now considered mild by modern standards. Beyond its horror facade, the film unfolds like a hauntingly poetic fairy tale, blending brutality with an unexpected sense of beauty. **Where to stream:** Max, The Criterion Channel, digital rental
*Marcel the Shell With Shoes On* (2022)
**Running time:** 90 minutes
While a 90-minute runtime might seem excessive for a film based on a series of brief YouTube clips, Marcel—a charming shell with shoes—proves to be worth every second. This mockumentary chronicles Marcel’s quest to reunite with his lost family, and Isabella Rossellini delivers a standout performance as his grandmother, who, like Marcel, is also a shell.
**Where to stream:** Paramount+, Netflix, digital rental
