Great Movies That Are Less Than 90 Minutes Long

We have a soft spot for many short films, lasting less than 90 minutes. Contrary to popular belief, length doesn’t always equate to epicness in cinema. At times, a powerful movie can convey its entire message or intent in just an hour and a half. While it’s often the case that these movies fall under the comedy genre, all genres – be it comedies, war films, horror movies, or others – boast compact yet impactful films. This compilation highlights those impressive movies with a runtime under 90 minutes.

This Is Spinal Tap (82 Minutes)

The original masterpiece of humorous mockumentaries paved the way for others, with “This is Spinal Tap” generating countless memorable lines in only 82 minutes. This film’s influence has lasted for over five decades, and it seems likely that its popularity will continue for another 50 years as well.

Paths Of Glory (88 Minutes)

Renowned filmmaker Stanley Kubrick is recognized for his lengthy films, including “Barry Lyndon” and “Spartacus”, which span more than three hours each. However, he demonstrated his ability to narrate an exceptional tale with the 88-minute “Paths of Glory”, considered one of the greatest war movies ever made and one of the rare ones set during World War I (in comparison to the abundance of World War II films).

Phone Booth (81 Minutes)

Movies set within real-time scenarios often prove engaging. A prime example is “Phone Booth,” featuring Colin Farrell, which unfolds in a tense 81-minute span. The narrative primarily revolves around Farrell’s character confined within the titular phone booth, offering an exhilarating thriller despite the limited setting and the events transpiring over the course of a single day.

The Lion King (88 Minutes)

Disney understands its primary audience to be children, which enables them to craft captivating, humorous, and emotionally impactful stories at an engaging pace to keep their attention. From numerous Disney animated masterpieces, I’ve chosen The Lion King as my personal favorite to symbolize this collection of films. In just 88 minutes, it delivers everything you would hope for in a top-tier animated movie.

High Noon (85 Minutes)

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but marvel at the cinematic brilliance of “High Noon.” In just 85 exhilarating minutes, the filmmakers crafted an unforgettable tale that still stands among the greatest Westerns ever made. The performances by Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly are truly remarkable, with Cooper delivering a career-defining portrayal in this 1952 classic. This timeless masterpiece continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Cloverfield (85 Minutes)

One excellent example of a “found footage” film is Matt Reeves’ movie “Cloverfield.” This monster movie effectively uses techniques similar to those found in films like “Jaws,” by keeping the audience guessing about the monster’s appearance, making it all the more terrifying. Furthermore, it manages to tell its entire story within just 90 minutes.

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (88 Minutes)

Another humorous film deserving of mention on this list is “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.” Despite the protagonists spending the entire night to satiate their desire for burgers from this renowned fast food chain, we, as viewers, are treated to a swift and sidesplitting 88-minute version.

Fruitvale Station (85 Minutes)

In 2013, director Ryan Coogler made a striking entrance with his powerful and poignant first movie, “Fruitvale Station,” which narrated the genuine events surrounding an African-American man’s (played by Michael B. Jordan) demise at the hands of a police officer in Oakland’s subway station in 2009. This project was also their initial collaboration, and since then, their association – notably in one of the top movies of 2025, “Sinners” – has been quite intriguing to observe.

Idiocracy (84 Minutes)

You can rephrase the sentence like this: It’s Mike Judge, the director, who created a movie titled Idiocracy. Even after two decades, the film remains strikingly relevant. The comedy-drama, with its blend of humor and discomfort, spans approximately 90 minutes without a single dull moment.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (83 Minutes)

In simpler terms, the groundbreaking horror movie “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” released in 1974 and lasting only 83 minutes, is considered one of the most impactful horror films ever made. It’s nearly impossible to envision the emergence of movies like “Friday the 13th,” “Halloween,” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” without Tobe Hooper’s pioneering slasher film paving the way.

Stand By Me (89 Minutes)

In my opinion, I stand firmly behind the enduring classic, “Stand By Me.” Originating from Stephen King’s short story titled “The Body,” this film adaptation has truly outshone many others within his oeuvre. What I love most about it is how faithfully it remains true to its source material, fitting the entire compelling narrative into a compact 90-minute runtime. Despite its brevity, the story it tells is both timeless and unforgettable.

The Producers (88 Minutes)

Reflecting on Mel Brooks’ timeless comedy film, “The Producers,” which clocks in at 88 minutes, is simply awe-inspiring. Not only did it enjoy immense success upon release, but its lasting influence has kept audiences laughing since the late ’60s. The enduring appeal of both the Broadway adaptation and the 2005 musical film version have cemented “The Producers” as one of the most cherished stories in the last century.

Fast Times At Ridgemont High (90 Minutes)

To clarify upfront, the movie that sparked this list is none other than “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”. Although it slightly exceeds the 90-minute mark, running at precisely an hour and a half, its significance as the inspiration for this list makes it a fitting inclusion. It feels surprisingly brisk, in a delightful manner.

Airplane! (88 Minutes)

The timelessly funny film, “Airplane!”, crams more humor into its 88-minute runtime than many comedy series manage in three or four full-length films. There’s simply nothing more quintessential than this movie. It’s a film you can rewatch multiple times without getting bored, not only because there are countless jokes that you might have missed while laughing during your previous viewing, but also because it offers a swift and enjoyable viewing experience.

Toy Story (81 Minutes)

Just like Disney’s beloved classics such as “The Lion King” and “The Little Mermaid”, Pixar demonstrates an exceptional talent for weaving engaging, timeless, and humorous tales in under 90 minutes. Clocking in at just over 81 minutes, “Toy Story” stands out as the epitome of Pixar animation, and it continues to captivate both children and adults, long after its initial release set off a franchise phenomenon.

Child’s Play (87 Minutes)

80s horror flicks are fantastic for this collection, alongside comedies. Interestingly, these two genres seem to be the most prevalent under 90 minutes. The original ‘Child’s Play’, for instance, demonstrates mastery in creating a substantial franchise from a mere 87-minute movie. This is a testament to doing more with less time in the horror genre, and it serves as an excellent example!

Before Sunset (80 Minutes)

In the sequel to Richard Linklater’s trilogy titled “Before“, named “Before Sunset“, we find a pair who initially met on a train in “Before Sunrise“. Nine years have passed since their initial encounter, and now they reconnect in Paris. The story unfolds over an uninterrupted 80-minute span as the duo often described as “almost a couple” traverse the romantic streets of Paris, reminiscing about their shared night in Vienna nine years prior.

The Evil Dead (85 Minutes)

In a concise manner, the trilogy consisting of “The Evil Dead,” “The Evil Dead II,” and “Army of Darkness,” each directed by Sam Raimi, clocks in under 90 minutes. Often hailed as genre classics by enthusiasts, these films are favorites among many. Among them, I personally prefer “Army of Darkness,” but since all three fit the bill for this compilation, I’m using the original “The Evil Dead” to represent the entire series.

The Simpsons Movie (87 Minutes)

Following several decades on television, “The Simpsons” is a series renowned for its ability to convey compelling narratives swiftly. When the highly anticipated “The Simpsons Movie” hit theaters in 2007, it was only natural that the film would move at a quick pace and run for less than an hour and a half. Clocking in at 87 minutes, this feature-length film delves deeper into a storyline than the series typically does, but not by an extensive degree.

Office Space (89 Minutes)

At Inotech, the fictional firm depicted in Office Space, daily life would be excruciatingly tedious, with each day feeling like a week and every week stretching into a month. The silver lining lies in the film itself being just 89 minutes long, which is fortunate because it effectively conveys a wealth of material without becoming as monotonous as Peter’s monotone boss, Lumberg.

Once (86 Minutes)

The film titled “Once” stands out a bit due to its blend of romantic drama and musical genres. The actors in the movie even perform original music, with Glen Hansard being one of them. Not many musicals manage to deliver an engaging storyline within 90 minutes, but “Once” does so by breaking traditional conventions, which adds to its charm.

Duck Soup (69 Minutes)

Many classic films tend to run for about an hour and a half, compared to modern movies. However, considering we needed one for this example, I chose one that barely exceeds the one-hour mark as appropriate. One such film is Duck Soup, by The Marx Brothers, which was among the three VHS tapes owned by my parents when I was young. This means I have watched the movie more times than most people of my generation, and for that, I am thankful.

Best In Show (90 Minutes)

As a huge fan, I must say that Director Christopher Guest and his brilliant improvisational comedy troupe have created some truly remarkable films. Amongst their masterpieces, my personal favorites are the initial two: “Waiting for Guffman” and “Best in Show.” These movies effortlessly maintain a runtime of approximately 90 minutes, with “Best in Show” being spot on at that length.

Borat (84 Minutes)

The film named “Borat” on this list is one that I’m thankful for being only 84 minutes long. Although it’s an incredible 84 minutes, let me clarify, anything longer would have been excessive. It’s already testing my limits with the amount of second-hand embarrassment I can handle, so any more might have been too much.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (76 Minutes)

In 1993, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” marked a significant shift in Tim Burton’s filmmaking approach, deviating from his previous work not in terms of tone, but rather by employing the intricate stop-motion animation style. This technique, coupled with its captivating brilliance, continues to impress audiences. Interestingly, its runtime of 76 minutes mirrors that of some popular stop-motion Christmas TV movies, such as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Frosty the Snowman,” both produced by Rankin/Bass Productions, which likely served as influential models for this beloved film.

The Squid And The Whale (81 Minutes)

In the year 2005, the filmmaker successfully launched himself into prominence with his debut movie, “The Squid and The Whale.” This production, inspired by his personal experiences, has a knack for flying high due to its authentic nature, much like this particular tale. Within a compact runtime of 81 minutes, he managed to create a piece worthy of an Academy Award nomination for Best Screenplay.

Duel (90 Minutes)

As a passionate cinephile, I’m hardly astonished to find Steven Spielberg gracing such a distinguished lineup (or any esteemed list of cinematic masterpieces, for that matter). “Duel,” serving as his debut in the director’s chair, was undeniably a remarkable opening act. Though the production budget may have been modestly sized, the filmmaking prowess on display from Spielberg is anything but small-scale.

While “Duel” might not rank among Spielberg’s top ten films, its brisk 90-minute runtime makes it an ideal addition to this collection.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (87 Minutes)

In a distinct fashion reminiscent of Wes Anderson, he breathed life into the world of animation through his adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved book “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” This film stands out among Anderson’s works as one I hold in high regard.

Rope (80 Minutes)

Another renowned filmmaker making the list is none other than Alfred Hitchcock. His groundbreaking film, “Rope,” unfolds within a single day and runs for an impressive 80 minutes.

Battleship Potemkin (66 Minutes)

One striking demonstration of the power that a 66-minute movie possesses over the broader cinematic art form is provided by Battleship Potemkin. This Soviet-era Russian film, now over a century old, continues to exert an impressive impact on modern movies.

The Kentucky Fried Movie (83 Minutes)

As a cinephile with a soft spot for comedic masterpieces, I can’t help but sing praises for those brilliant parody films that pack a punch in less than 90 minutes. Movies like “Airplane!”, “The Naked Gun”, and “Top Secret!” instantly come to mind. One such gem that deserves recognition is “Kentucky Fried Movie”, an incredible anthology movie that runs a succinct 83 minutes – the perfect length for a laugh-a-minute experience without overstaying its welcome!

Pi (84 Minutes)

Darren Aronofsky burst onto the cinematic landscape with his first, modestly budgeted independent film “Pi,” which he skillfully conveys in an impressive 84-minute span. Like the other films on this list, it demonstrates that you don’t necessarily require three hours to create a fantastic movie.

2025-08-28 01:45