Epic Films and the Endurance Test: Cinema’s Longest Releases

In recent years, the British cinema scene has seen a notable downturn—attendance has dropped by nearly a third since 2019. The surge in streaming platforms, coupled with the ever-increasing cost of living, has left many opting for the comfort of their sofas over the allure of the silver screen. Yet, for those films that stretch well beyond the standard feature length, there’s a certain magic to settling into a plush seat, popcorn in hand, and surrendering to the spectacle. It’s an experience that streaming giants, for all their convenience, can’t quite replicate.

Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos once attempted to argue that the double bill of Barbie and Oppenheimer in 2023 would have been just as impactful had it premiered on their platform. In a rather eyebrow-raising moment, he told the New York Times,

“There’s no reason to believe that the movie itself is better in any size of screen for all people,”

before adding,

“My son’s an editor, he watched Lawrence of Arabia on his phone.”

The notion that a sweeping epic like Lawrence of Arabia could be reduced to a mobile viewing is, frankly, a bit much. The film’s grandeur, not to mention its three-and-a-half-hour runtime, was designed for the immersive environment of a cinema, not a quick scroll between emails.

Why Lengthy Films Belong in Cinemas

There’s something about the cinema that demands your attention. No phones buzzing, no distractions—just you and the unfolding story. For films that run well past the two-hour mark, this focus is essential. Watching a brisk 90-minute comedy at home is one thing, but when a film edges towards four hours, the living room simply doesn’t cut it. The cinema’s enforced concentration allows audiences to fully engage, following every twist and turn without the temptation to pause or wander off, unless there’s a scheduled intermission.

It’s not just about tradition; it’s about the experience. The longer the film, the more it asks of its audience, and the more rewarding the journey can be. The big screen transforms what could feel like an endurance test into a proper event, one that’s hard to replicate in any other setting.

Record-Breaking Runtimes: From Art Projects to Blockbusters

Of course, the history of cinema is littered with films that push the boundaries of patience. Andy Warhol’s Empire, for instance, is little more than a static shot of the Empire State Building, clocking in at over eight hours. Then there’s Logistics, a conceptual piece chronicling the production of a pedometer, which runs for a staggering 35 days. These are more art installations than traditional films, and no one is expected to sit through them in a single go.

More recently, The Brutalist made waves in 2025, not just for its content but for its audacious length and the inclusion of a mid-film intermission. Critics speculated whether director Brady Corbett had sparked a revival of the ultra-long feature, giving audiences the sense that their ticket truly bought them an experience. Yet, the trend for marathon films is hardly new; it’s been around for decades.

Legends of Length: The Longest Theatrical Release

Looking back, some of the most iconic films in history have also been among the longest. Gone with the Wind, for example, nearly hit the four-hour mark, while Cleopatra in 1963 edged past it with a runtime of four hours and eight minutes. But the crown for the lengthiest cinema release goes to Gettysburg, which premiered in 1993. Audiences were treated—or subjected, depending on one’s stamina—to four hours and 14 minutes of Civil War drama, complete with an intermission thoughtfully inserted by the filmmakers. This break allowed viewers to stretch their legs, replenish their snacks, or, if the going got tough, make a discreet exit.

Such films are not for the faint-hearted, but for those willing to commit, the rewards can be immense. The cinema, with its ability to command attention and foster immersion, remains the only place where these epic tales can truly be appreciated in all their sprawling glory.