Has anybody noticed that movies these days seem to be getting longer and longer? Films like Oppenheimer clock in at three hours, and The Brutalist passes the 180-minute mark. Now more than ever, audiences are having to control their bladders and feel their backsides go numb from sitting for so long. The truth is, these epic runtimes can be daunting for some, and not everyone can dedicate that much time to watching something.
The good news, however, is that there are plenty of films under ninety minutes long that are just as entertaining. There are numerous other short movies (that aren’t quite short films) audiences can choose from when they want to make the most of the limited time they have through a rewarding viewing experience lasting less than 90 minutes. The best 90-minute movies are perfect if you feel like watching something short that won’t take up too much of your day. Sometimes the shorter, the better!
25
‘Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit’ (2005) – 85 minutes
Directed by Nick Park and Steve Box
Wallace & Gromit are the iconic British duo who appear in a number of claymation shorts from Aardman. First debuting in 1989, the cheese-loving inventor and his intelligent dog made their feature film debut in 2005’s Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. When a large and ravaging beast threatens the town’s Giant Vegetable competition, Wallace (Peter Sallis) and Gromit must track it down.
Winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is an absolute hoot from start to finish. It manages to pack plenty of action, mystery, and humor into its swift runtime, and is a brilliant example of Aardman’s detailed and lovingly crafted stop-motion animation. With its sharp wit, it is a perfect pick for both kids and adults, who will be equally entertained.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
- Release Date
-
October 7, 2005
- Runtime
-
85 Minutes
- Director
-
Nick Park, Steve Box
24
‘Petite Maman’ (2021) – 72 minutes
Directed by Céline Sciamma
From Portrait of a Lady on Fire director Céline Sciamma, Petite Maman is a tender and touching portrait of childhood and wonder. Nelly (Joséphine Sanz) is an eight-year-old girl who is helping her mother clean out her childhood home in the wake of her grandmother’s death. One day, Nelly meets and befriends Marion (Gabrielle Sanz), another girl her age, out in the surrounding woods.
Petite Maman is the definition of short and sweet, using magical realism to tell its story, as it is revealed the girl who Nelly meets is actually her mother as a child. At only an hour and twelve minutes, it offers a slow-burn tale with poignant themes surrounding growing up, imagination, and loss. It is gentle in every sense, and makes for a relaxed watch while also being very moving.
23
‘Shiva Baby’ (2020) – 77 minutes
Directed by Emma Seligman
Shiva Baby may only be an hour and seventeen minutes in length, but it packs so much tension into such a short period and makes for quite the anxiety-inducing watch. While attending a Jewish funeral with her parents, college student Danielle (Rachel Sennott) runs into both her sugar daddy (Danny Deferrari) and ex-girlfriend (Molly Gordon). Forced to navigate her choices, identity and overbearing relatives, it quickly becomes an afternoon of chaos.
Set in an overcrowded house, Shiva Baby has a claustrophobic atmosphere that is nightmarish, and the fast-paced dialogue and overlapping conversations (think Uncut Gems) ground the film in realism. The viewer is directly placed in Danielle’s head, and her point of view is utterly stressful. Shiva Baby is also darkly funny, and features the breakout performance of the excellent Sennott, who is now one of Hollywood’s rising stars.
Shiva Baby
- Release Date
-
April 2, 2021
- Runtime
-
77 Minutes
- Director
-
Emma Seligman
22
‘Ice Age’ (2002) – 81 minutes
Directed by Chris Wedge
The Ice Age movies are among some of the most popular animated movies of all time, and while it has spawned many sequels, the first one still remains the best. The film follows serious mammoth Manny (Ray Romano), silly sloth Sid (John Leguizamo), and cunning sabertooth tiger Diego (Denis Leary), who set out to return a human baby to his father as the world is on the brink of an ice age.
It’s a prehistoric road trip movie perfect for the entire family, and packs lots of heart and laughs into its short runtime. The film works so well thanks to the humor and chemistry between Manny, Sid, and Diego, who couldn’t be more different. It also marks the beginning of Squirrel Scrat’s (Chris Wedge) quest to find his beloved acorn, which continues in the rest of the films to come. Despite some outdated animation, it still holds up.
Ice Age
- Release Date
-
March 27, 2002
- Runtime
-
81 minutes
21
‘This Is Spinal Tap’ (1984) – 82 minutes
Directed by Rob Reiner
Mockumentaries brilliantly satirize the very serious documentary genre, and one of the most famous mockumentary films of all time is Rob Reiner’s This Is Spinal Tap. Starring a number of huge ‘80s comedy names such as Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, and Fran Drescher, the film follows director Marty DiBirgi (Reiner), a diehard fan of the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap. He documents their comeback tour, with hilarious results.
Featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the band members, This Is Spinal Tap shamelessly pokes fun at the rock and roll industry, as well as the personalities and egos of its musicians. It is endlessly quotable, ridiculous, and over-the-top, revealing more truths about the music industry in less than ninety minutes than most music biopics. Not even for a second does it take itself seriously, which is why it is so great. Turn it up to volume eleven.
This is Spinal Tap
- Release Date
-
March 2, 1984
- Runtime
-
82 minutes
20
‘Hot Rod’ (2007) – 88 minutes
Directed by Akiva Schaffer
The Lonely Island’s first feature film, Hot Rod, is an hour and twenty-eight minutes of laughs, ridiculousness, absurdity, and, funnily enough, heart. An underrated comedy gem from the 2000s, Andy Samberg plays Rod Kimble, a self-proclaimed stuntman who craves his horrible stepfather’s respect.
Rod prepares for the biggest stunt of his life in order to raise money for his stepfather’s surgery – jumping over fifteen school buses. Yep, it’s as wild and over the top as it sounds. Samberg brings his signature comedy style to the role, and the film is an instant mood-lifter. Audiences who aren’t fans of typical stoner comedies oughta steer clear of this one, though, as it veers into so-bad-it’s-good territory.
Hot Rod
- Release Date
-
August 3, 2007
19
‘Attack the Block’ (2011) – 88 minutes
Directed by Joe Cornish
Before his big break as Finn in Star Wars, John Boyega starred in a much lower-budget sci-fi film – Attack the Block. The movie follows a gang of teens who fight to protect their block from an alien invasion, and is executive produced by Edgar Wright.
At an hour and twenty-eight minutes, Attack the Block is a refreshing genre-bending piece, with witty British comedy and lots of thrills. Its style and fast pace make for an incredibly exciting watch, and it has all the ingredients to become a potential cult classic in the future. Boyega’s potential is obvious in his portrayal of the bold Moses, whose arc is surprisingly transformative as he takes charge of the group trying to survive the invasion.
Attack the Block
- Release Date
-
May 12, 2011
- Runtime
-
88 minutes
- Director
-
Joe Cornish
18
‘Once’ (2007) – 86 minutes
Directed by John Carney
Once is an Irish modern-day musical that follows a busker and immigrant, who meet and connect through songwriting and music, and fall in love. It will also be the most beautiful and heartwarming hour and twenty-six minutes of viewers’ lives, just be warned that Once is a heart-wrenching romance movie that may make audiences cry.
Despite being a scripted work of fiction, the film is shot like a home video, low budget and grainy, which adds authenticity to the story. The movie also features an incredible soundtrack of original songs, written and composed by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, who are also the stars of the film.
Once
- Release Date
-
March 23, 2007
- Runtime
-
88 minutes
- Director
-
John Carney
17
‘The Guilty’ (2018) – 85 minutes
Directed by Gustav Möller
Audiences are most likely familiar with the 2021 US remake of The Guilty starring Jake Gyllenhaal, but the original Danish film from 2018 is ten times more intense and the version viewers should pay attention to. Set completely in one location across an hour and twenty-five minutes, the film follows a police officer who receives an emergency call on duty, from a woman he soon realizes has been kidnaped.
The hour-and-a-half movie’s tight and tense screenplay makes for an emotional roller coaster, and will have you on the edge of your seat. The Guilty portrays a high-stress situation in a notoriously stressful workplace and invites the viewers to imagine what decisions they would have made if they were in the same seat.
The Guilty
- Release Date
-
October 19, 2018
- Runtime
-
85 Minutes
- Director
-
Gustav Möller
16
‘Rye Lane’ (2023) – 82 minutes
Directed by Raine Allen Miller
Rye Lane is a critically acclaimed indie hit that proves rom-coms are far from dead. Set in South London, the film follows Dom (David Jonsson) and Yas (Vivian Oparah), two strangers going through bad breakups who spend an eventful day together and bond over their shared pain. While following familiar rom-com tropes, the film still manages to feel fresh in its execution.
Jonsson and Oparah have delightful chemistry as Dom and Yas, who are extremely likable characters. It also stands out thanks to its distinctive setting, sharp editing, vibrant visuals, and clever script. It benefits from its short runtime, managing to pack a punch and leave an impression. While Rye Lane is fairly simple, the filmmaking choices made elevate it to something more.
Rye Lane
- Release Date
-
March 31, 2023
- Runtime
-
88 minutes
- Director
-
Raine Allen Miller
15
‘Tangerine’ (2015) – 88 minutes
Directed by Sean Baker
The Florida Project and Red Rocket director Sean Baker properly burst onto the indie scene in full force with his critically acclaimed 2015 feature Tangerine. The story follows sex worker Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez), who finds out that her pimp boyfriend Chester (James Ransone) has been cheating on her while she was in jail. Along with her friend Alexander (Mya Taylor), she searches for Chester and is determined to teach him a lesson.
Tangerine was shot entirely on three separate iPhones, proving that all you need is creativity and a good script to make a great film, rather than big budgets and fancy effects. The film is a high-energy romp set in the streets of L.A., and features empathetic and positive transgender representation. It is also set at Christmastime, making it an unconventional holiday movie of sorts.
Tangerine
- Release Date
-
July 10, 2015
- Runtime
-
87 Minutes
- Director
-
Sean Baker
14
‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2014) – 85 minutes
Directed by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement
Before the 2019 TV series, What We Do in the Shadows, there was the eponymous movie that started it all. Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement’s vampire mockumentary follows the lives of three fanged flatmates as they deal with mundane aspects of everyday life. Clement and Waititi star alongside Jonathan Brugh, Ben Fransham, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Stu Rutherford, and Jackie van Beek, who create hilarious chaotic scenarios.
The directors utilize their unique mockumentary format to offer audiences an hour and twenty-six minutes of satire, razor-sharp humor, hilarious performances, and all-out chaos. What We Do in the Shadows‘ mix of horror and comedy and the clash of time periods makes for a refreshingly original piece of cinema.
13
‘Paranormal Activity’ (2007) – 86 minutes
Directed by Oren Peli
While it may not be as frightening today as it was upon release, the original Paranormal Activity is still a tight and refined scare-fest that makes effective use of its low budget and simple premise. In the found-footage shot film, young couple Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat) move into their new home, where they experience the presence of a demonic entity.
They install cameras to record all the unusual occurrences, which are strongest at night while they try to sleep. Paranormal Activity was a huge success, spawning an entire franchise with multiple entries. However, it is the first movie that remains the best in the series. In under ninety minutes, director Oren Peli manages to craft some genuinely scary moments that will have viewers wanting to sleep with the lights on.
Paranormal Activity
- Release Date
-
September 14, 2007
- Runtime
-
86 minutes
- Writers
-
Oren Peli
12
‘Borat’ (2006) – 84 minutes
Directed by Larry Charles
Undoubtedly among the best movies under 90 minutes, Borat or Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan is a gut-busting mockumentary with pitch-black comedy. Directed by Larry Charles and starring Sacha Baron Cohen as the titular bumbling journalist from Kazakhstan, the film depicts his experiences traveling to America to learn more about the country’s culture.
The brilliant film shows Borat interacting with real people, who have no idea they’re in a comedic movie. This results in some painfully awkward and outrageously hilarious situations that also serve as biting satire of the absurdities of American society. It’s a cringe-inducing masterpiece that fans of those types of comedy films will love (and have likely already seen).
11
‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ (2009) – 87 minutes
Directed by Wes Anderson
A gorgeous stop-motion animated movie by Wes Anderson, Fantastic Mr. Fox elevated the genre with its delightful story and stunning visuals. The film brings the beloved book by Roald Dahl to life, with its story centered on Mr. Fox (George Clooney), a clever character who plans on outwitting three mean and rich local farmers who threaten the safety of his community.
Providing life lessons and heartwarming moments to younger viewers while providing meticulously crafted sets for cinephiles, the renowned film has something to offer viewers of all ages. Anderson’s unique directorial style seamlessly meshes with Roald Dahl’s timeless story in this entertaining movie perfect for the whole family – it’s a match made in cinema heaven.
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
- Release Date
-
November 13, 2009
- Runtime
-
87minutes
10
‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ (1974) – 83 minutes
Directed by Tobe Hooper
Forget the 2022 sequel, 1974’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is where the real terror is at. In a lean and mean hour and twenty-three minutes, the iconic masked killer Leatherface and his cannibal family hunt down a group of unsuspecting friends for the first time. Set in an old farmhouse that quickly becomes a claustrophobic location, the entire movie is hair-raising and exhilarating.
While there has been a whole parade of sequels, prequels, and reboots, nothing tops the sheer dread, bloodiness, and disturbing nature of this film. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was banned in several countries when first released, and to this day is considered one of the scariest movies of all time. Not for the faint of heart.
9
‘Zombieland’ (2009) – 88 minutes
Directed by Ruben Fleischer
One of the funniest horror comedies of the 21st century so far, Zombieland manages to pack in both laughs and scares in under ninety minutes. The film is set during a zombie apocalypse and sees Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), and sisters Witchita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) team up.
Columbus is in search of his family and joins these strangers to head to L.A., where there is apparently a safe haven. Zombieland features great chemistry between its stars, who viewers can’t help but root for. Being a zombie movie, there is a fair amount of gore, but the film mostly sticks to its comedic tone and is elevated thanks to its witty script and fast pace. The zombie apocalypse has never been so much fun.
8
‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ (1993) – 76 minutes
Directed by Henry Selick
Tim Burton and Henry Selick’s iconic stop-motion classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas, clocks in at just an hour and sixteen minutes (the closest thing audiences can get to 1-hour movies). The plot follows Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon), who grows tired of Halloween and discovers Christmas, leading him to kidnap Santa Claus (Ed Ivory) and take the holiday into his own hands.
The Nightmare Before Christmas features some of the most stunning use of stop-motion seen in cinema, with kooky and wondrous production and character design. Despite its spooky exterior, it’s a heartwarming story filled with catchy tunes and doubles as both a Halloween and Christmas must-watch.
7
‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988) – 86 minutes
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Hayao Miyazaki is one of the greatest filmmakers and storytellers today, and there is no shortage of excellent films from Studio Ghibli directed by the filmmaker. One that has particularly struck a chord with viewers over the years is My Neighbor Totoro, at an hour and twenty-six minutes.
Ghibli films tend to resonate with audiences due to their use of fantasy grounded in reality, which is displayed here when sisters Mei and Satsuki meet Totoro, and escape to his spiritual world while their mother is sick. It’s a sweet and heartfelt story with gorgeous animation that perfectly captures how the innocent perspective of children can turn even the most frustrating situations into magical adventures.
6
‘Perfect Blue’ (1997) – 81 minutes
Directed by Satoshi Kon
Dive into the captivating yet dangerous world of Mima Kirigoe (Junko Iwao), an ambitious J-pop star who decides to abandon her career in music to pursue acting in Perfect Blue. Directed by Satoshi Kon, the dark psychological thriller depicts her bizarre experiences as the line between reality and fiction blur, which is further complicated by an enigmatic stalker.
The pitfalls of obsession with fame are explored in the movie, which manages to delve into Mima’s struggle with identity within its 81-minute runtime. The cinematic masterpiece has a cult following and is discussed across digital spaces by fans even today, and will likely continue to be celebrated as an influential work of art for years to come.
Perfect Blue
- Release Date
-
August 5, 1997
- Runtime
-
81 Minutes
- Director
-
Satoshi Kon
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