Prepare for a Marathon: Top 10 Lengthiest Hollywood Films

It's a fact, not just a feeling: films are stretching longer. The typical runtime for movies in North American theaters has climbed to approximately 131 minutes, surpassing the two-hour mark by 11 minutes. This represents a 15-minute increase from 2000 and a 20-minute jump from 1990. Despite this, Hollywood continues to offer a diverse range of film lengths, typically spanning from 90 to 150 minutes.

Some blockbuster hits have surpassed the four-hour mark. Many of these are inspired by true stories or significant historical events. Explore our compilation of Hollywood's most extended films and discover what makes them truly monumental. As you progress through the list, the durations grow longer. Note that running times do not include intermissions, a common feature in pre-1970s cinema.

10. "The Irishman" (2019) 3 hours, 29 Minutes

This cinematic piece, inspired by the lives of notorious figures Jimmy Hoffa and Frank Sheeran, marked a triumphant comeback for director Martin Scorsese and stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. Notably, "The Irishman" was Scorsese's first film to premiere directly on a streaming platform (Netflix) and stands as his lengthiest work, clocking in at 209 minutes.

Covering multiple decades, the film provided Scorsese with the opportunity to explore digital de-aging technology. De Niro and Pacino begin as youthful characters, aging progressively throughout the narrative.

9. "The Ten Commandments" (1956) 3 Hours, 30 Minutes

"The Ten Commandments" is a grand biblical tale featuring Charlton Heston as Moses, who liberates the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, miraculously divides the Red Sea, and guides his people through a 40-year desert journey before reaching the Promised Land. Directed by Cecil B. DeMille, the film was crafted in VistaVision, a widescreen format, and is renowned for its stunning visuals and groundbreaking effects. Since 1973, it has become a Passover/Easter television tradition, maintaining its popularity over the decades.

8. "Ben-Hur" (1959) 3 hours, 32 Minutes

Adapted from an 1880 novel, 1959's "Ben-Hur" stands out as the most acclaimed and comprehensive film version of the story. Charlton Heston, known for his roles in lengthy epics, plays the titular character, a Jewish aristocrat enslaved and forced into Roman gladiatorial combat. The movie is celebrated for its intense 40-minute chariot race between Ben-Hur and a Roman officer.

At its release, "Ben-Hur" was among the longest and costliest films ever made, but its success was undeniable. It became a box office hit and dominated the 1960 Oscars, earning 12 nominations and securing a record-breaking 11 wins.

7. "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962) 3 Hours, 36 Minutes

This expansive war drama draws inspiration from T.E. Lawrence's memoir, "Seven Pillars of Wisdom." Peter O'Toole delivers a captivating performance as the British officer who, during World War I, leads military efforts against the Ottoman Empire, traverses Syria, and builds alliances with Arab tribes. Praised for its stunning visuals, masterful direction, and standout performances by O'Toole, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, and the ensemble cast, the film remains a highly acclaimed cinematic achievement.

6. "Gods and Generals" (2003) 3 Hours, 39 Minutes

This sweeping historical drama delves into the early years of the American Civil War, focusing on Colonel Joshua Chamberlain and Generals Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee, portrayed by Jeff Daniels, Stephen Lang, and Robert Duvall, respectively. "Gods and Generals" vividly portrays the tumultuous battles of the Civil War, earning its epic status. However, some critics argued that the film leaned too heavily in favor of its Confederate characters. Audiences seemed to share this sentiment, as the movie turned out to be a commercial disappointment.

5. "Once Upon a Time in America" (1984) 3 Hours, 39 Minutes

Renowned for his spaghetti westerns like "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly," Italian director Sergio Leone shifted gears with "Once Upon a Time in America." This film explores the lives of New York mobsters across five decades of the 20th century. The original cut, featuring Robert De Niro and James Woods, premiered at Cannes, but the studio, wary of its length, trimmed it to 139 minutes and reordered the narrative chronologically for theatrical release. The full version only reached American audiences with the 2003 DVD release. In 2014, an "extended director's cut" spanning 251 minutes (over four hours) was unveiled.

4. "Gone with the Wind" (1939) 3 Hours, 41 Minutes

For decades, "Gone with the Wind" stood as the epitome of Hollywood storytelling. Vivien Leigh stars as Scarlett O'Hara, the self-centered daughter of a wealthy plantation owner in Georgia, who goes to great lengths to endure the hardships of the Civil War and Reconstruction. The film chronicles Scarlett's romantic entanglements, most notably with Rhett Butler, played by Clark Gable. Filmed in vibrant Technicolor during an era dominated by black-and-white cinema, this epic drama has captivated audiences for generations. It earned eight Academy Awards and remains the top-grossing film of all time when adjusted for inflation.

However, in recent years, critics have challenged the film's revered status, particularly its idealized portrayal of slavery and the antebellum South. While audiences once gasped at Rhett's famous line, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn," today they are more disturbed by scenes like Scarlett striking Prissy, an enslaved woman portrayed by Butterfly McQueen.

3. "Zack Snyder's Justice League" (2021) 4 Hours, 2 Minutes

The sole franchise entry on our list, the superhero saga "Justice League" is essentially a reimagined version of the 2017 theatrical release. Originally directed by Zack Snyder, who later handed the reins to Joss Whedon, Snyder returned to reshoot scenes with actors like Ben Affleck ("Batman") and Ray Fisher ("Cyborg"). The outcome was a nearly distinct film, exceeding four hours in length, making it the longest Hollywood production of the 21st century to date. Critics widely praised the extended cut (streamed on HBO Max) as a significant improvement over the original, which struggled financially.

2. "Hamlet" (1996) 4 Hours, 2 Minutes

Kenneth Branagh's adaptation marked the first time Shakespeare's "Hamlet" was filmed in its complete form, spanning four hours. Branagh took on dual roles, directing and starring as Hamlet, the Danish prince who returns home after his father's death to discover his mother marrying his uncle. Torn between avenging his father's suspected murder and his own inaction, Hamlet's internal conflict is laid bare. As Roger Ebert noted, "What must Hamlet do? He desires the death of Claudius but lacks the impulse to act out. He despises himself for his passivity ... At the end of this 'Hamlet,' I felt at last as if I was getting a handle on the play (I never expect to fully understand it)." Despite critical acclaim, the film failed to draw large audiences, possibly due to its lengthy runtime.

1. "Cleopatra" (1963) 4 Hours, 4 Minutes

"Cleopatra," starring Elizabeth Taylor as the iconic queen, has held the title of Hollywood's longest film for nearly six decades. It was also the most extravagant production of its era, nearly bankrupting 20th Century Fox. The historical epic traces Cleopatra's life, from her affair with Julius Caesar to her war against the Parthian Empire and her dramatic demise. The film is equally famous for Taylor's passionate offscreen relationship with co-star Richard Burton, despite both being married to others at the time.

In response to critics' complaints about the film's length, Fox trimmed it from four hours and four minutes to three hours and four minutes for its general release. (A restored version running four hours and eight minutes was released in 2013.) Contrary to popular belief, the movie was the year's highest-grossing film, earning $57.8 million domestically on a $44 million budget, equivalent to $480 million on a $365 million budget in 2019 dollars.