Buckle Up, It's Showtime!
Calling all movie enthusiasts! Hollywood is embracing the three hour movie once again! With longer runtimes allowing filmmakers to deliver immersive storytelling experiences that redefine the moviegoing journey, you may find yourself reclined in your theater seat for more than just a couple of hours.
Ever wondered why three hour movies were trendy in the 90s & 00s, only to disappear in the 2010s and re-emerge a decade later? In this article, Hollywood Branded discusses the history of three hour movies while tracing its heritage to changes in the film industry and audience demands across decades.
The emergence & Re-emergence of the 3-hour movie
During the 1990s and 2000s, 3-hour movies became popular due to technological advancements and changing cultural tastes. Significant technological development provided filmmakers with tools for creating visually stunning cinematic experiences and unique storylines, captivating audiences' attention. The cultural shift towards valuing immersive experiences at the cinema that occurred during this time also led audiences to seek out epic narratives, prompting filmmakers to produce longer movies to satisfy this demand.
While the popularity of lengthy movies declined in the 2010s, movies in the 2020s have seen a significant increase in length for many reasons. Firstly, there's been a notable shift in the industry's dynamics where there's no longer a strong incentive to keep movies short. Audiences' interest in films now often outweigh concerns about duration, leading studios to prioritize captivating narratives over time constraints. There's also a trend towards allocating more resources and budget to what are termed as "event movies," which frequently result in high-profit films that span several hours. Consequently, mid-budget and shorter films are gradually being edged out in favor of these grandiose productions. Going further, constraints that historically limited movie duration, such as maximizing screenings in single-screen theaters, have become obsolete with the rise of multiplexes. Theaters can now accommodate multiple movie screenings simultaneously, some which operate around the clock, removing the pressure to shorten films as a means of maximizing number of screenings each day to meet revenue goals or ticket sales.
On the creative front, there has always been an emphasis on granting filmmakers the freedom to execute their visions, which often entails longer runtimes. Cinematic storytelling has become increasingly ambitious with modern technology, with directors pushing boundaries and exploring complex narratives that require extended screen time to fully develop. Audiences are embracing these longer films, either due to their appreciation for the creative efforts invested in the project or because of critical acclaim and media buzz. In both scenarios, viewers are willing to endure lengthy runtimes, signaling a shift in audience preferences towards quality over brevity. Many studios now have also learned to associate length with prestige. As a result, the movie landscape in the 2020s is characterized by a proliferation of epic narratives and immersive cinematic experiences, reflecting both the industry's evolving dynamics and audience tastes.
3+ Hour fan favorites of THE 1990s-2000s
With the advent of technological and cinematic advancements in the 1990s and 2000s, numerous notable movies were created that captivated audiences, compelling movie-goers to remain seated for more than just an hour and a half...
"Titanic" became a fan favorite due to James Cameron's historic achievement in filmmaking, with its astronomical budget and high production quality. The attention to detail, drama, and captivating story of Jack and Rose propels the narrative, making for a gripping viewing experience where the 195 minutes fly by.
Photo Credit: IMDb
"Malcolm X" delves into the transformative journey of its titular character, tracing his evolution from troubled childhood to adulthood, in which he becomes a prominent advocate for equality and justice. The movie's length allows for a nuanced exploration of Malcolm X's life, enabling the storyline to gather force as it progresses.
Photo Credit: IMDb
"Lord of the Rings" served as a platform to bring Tolkien's epic fantasy novels to life, necessitating significant screen time to faithfully adapt their extensive and intricate narratives. The film's lengthy runtime allows for the comprehensive portrayal of Middle-earth, ensuring a faithful and immersive cinematic experience for audiences.
Photo Credit: Film Art Gallery
The Return of the 3-hour epics in the 2020s
The re-emergence of the 3-hour movie in recent years is no mistake. Meticulously planned by producers and directors, the duration of these movies is deemed necessary to fully explore complex narratives, delve into intricate character developments, and create immersive cinematic experiences. Take these four recent releases that surpass the 3-hour mark:
"Oppenheimer," Christopher Nolan's longest movie yet, delves deep into the consequences of handling weapons of mass destruction, using its length to chronicle Oppenheimer's life in detail across various settings.
Photo Credit: Apollo
"Babylon" meticulously captures the rise and fall of characters amidst early Hollywood's extravagance and moral corruption, showcasing immersive storytelling and great attention to detail.
Photo Credit: Silent-ology
"Killers of the Flower Moon," a Western crime drama by Martin Scorsese, refuses shortcuts as Scorsese created the movie to teach, reflect, and honor the Osage people's resilience against historical injustices.
Photo Credit: The Oklahoman
"Avatar" stands out for its groundbreaking use of 3D technology and visual effects, with a prolonged runtime emphasizing relationships and emotions within its expanded narrative and character roster. Producer James Cameron clarified that the extended duration of "Avatar" is attributed to a heightened emphasis on “relationship and emotion.”
Photo Credit: Mezha Media
Two halves, one epic: movie splitting in the 2010s
You may have noticed that 3-hour movies died down after the 90's and 00's and before the '20s. What happened in the 2010's? While we witnessed an emergence of movie finales split into multiple parts due to several factors. Studios recognized the financial potential of dividing single stories, primarily driven by the desire for profit over creative expression. However, the rise of serialized storytelling in television and streaming platforms influenced audience expectations, making multi-part movie finales more acceptable. This approach allowed filmmakers to delve deeper into narratives and character development, catering to dedicated fans' demands. Splitting finales into multiple parts also enabled exploration of intricate plot lines and ensured a comprehensive conclusion to long-running sagas, aligning with Hollywood's adaptation of books in their cinematic efforts and their new focus on franchises. Take these three films, for example, which all brought readers to theaters…
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 and 2" were split to follow Harry's quest to find and destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes amidst a darkening wizarding world. Warner Bros opted for a split to avoid excessively long runtimes, despite controversy over its effectiveness, ultimately chosen due to the story's extensive scope.
Photo Credit: TMDB
"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 and 2" continue Katniss Everdeen's journey as she leads the revolution against the Capitol and fights to save Peeta, split into two to allow for deeper exploration of plot and character development.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Home
"Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 and 2" delve into the complexities of Bella and Edward's relationship amidst supernatural conflicts, each half of the finale fully exploring the intricacies of their love story and the challenges they face, satisfying audiences' desire for a comprehensive storyline.
Photo Credit: Rotten Tomatoes
The phenomenon of three-hour movies... a recap
From the 1990s to the 2020s, three-hour movies have had cycles of popularity driven by technology and audience tastes. Technological advancements and a demand for epic narratives made longer films like "Titanic" and "Lord of the Rings" popular in the '90s and 2000s. But we can’t forget about the 2010s, which saw the rise of multi-part finales like "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," reflecting Hollywood's adaptation to audience expectations shaped by serialized storytelling and fan fiction literature. In the 2020s, longer runtimes are in vogue once again, with films like "Oppenheimer" and "Avatar" reaching extended durations in order to fully captivate audiences with immersive and detailed storytelling. So, if you're craving an unforgettable cinematic journey… buckle up! Epic three-hour movies are back!
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