Top 11 Best and Longest Hollywood Movies of All Time
Top 10+ Longest Hollywood Movies Of All Time
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It's not just you who thinks this: films are becoming lengthier. In North America, the average running length of a theatrical film is currently 131 minutes, which is 11 minutes longer than two hours. That's almost 20 minutes more than in 1990 and 15 minutes more than the typical movie length in 2000. Hollywood still offers a wide range of run times, typically ranging from 90 to 150 minutes.

Some popular releases have over four hours. Most of them are based on actual people or historical eras from human history. View our list of the lengthiest movie releases in Hollywood history, along with the reasons why each one is so remarkable. The movies get longer as the countdown progresses. Running times do not include intermission, which was a common feature of films released before to the 1970s.

Top 11 Best and Longest Hollywood Movies Of All Time

1. Gods and Generals (2003) — 3h 39m

Ronald F. Maxwell adapted Jeffrey Shaara's novel Gods and Generals into an epic prequel, set ten years after Gettysburg (see below). The 2011 director's edit restored Maxwell's vision and the original intended runtime, saving an hour for the theater presentation.

It did not do well even for a shorter runtime, which eliminated the possibility of a third film project including the writer and director.

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2. The Ten Commandments (1956) – 3 hours and 40 minutes

A reliable option for a religious epic that won't let you down is "The Ten Commandments." The three hours and forty minutes of this Cecil B. DeMille production, which adapts the biblical account of Moses for the screen, are filled with varied performances and great entertainment value. The Oscar-winning picture, which was also among the highest-grossing movies of the 1950s and Cecil B. DeMille's final creation before his death, was opulent, extravagant, and audacious.

3. Gone with the Wind (1939): 3 hours and 58 minutes

One of the most beloved movies ever made, Gone with the Wind is based on the 1936 novel of the same name. Scarlett O'Hara, played by Vivien Leigh, is the selfish and cunning daughter of a wealthy plantation owner who harbors romantic feelings for her cousin's husband. Her preparations are upset, though, when the roguish Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) shows up, and the two start a stormy romance.

One of the most watched movies of all time, Gone with the Wind, defies the adjective "epic." The picture is a sweeping romance that is both timeless and captivating, and it is one of the rare movies that can truly be called a true cinematic experience. Even though many people now view Gone with the Wind as culturally incorrect, it is nevertheless widely respected.

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4. Hamlet (1996) - 4 minutes and 2 hours

Shakespeare adaptions are clearly something Kenneth Branagh adores. Although his 1989 interpretation of Henry V may have been his best, his Hamlet adaption is almost as good. Prince Hamlet, portrayed by the British actor and director, finds out soon after his father's passing that his violent uncle is getting married to his widowed mother. An all-star group of British actors, including Derek Jacobi as Claudius, Julie Christie as Gertrude, and Kate Winslet as Ophelia, make up the supporting cast.

Hamlet is a love letter to Shakespeare's immortal work, loyal to the point of being fault-bearer to the original. Branagh creates a masterful adaptation of a famous play, bringing out the best in his excellent cast, especially a sad Winslet as Olivia. He tells a comprehensive story of loyalty and retaliation that is worth every minute of its four hours.

5. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) – 4 hours, 2 minutes

The Justice League defeated Hamlet to a draw, even if they were unable to face Darkseid in their last conflict. HBO Max made an unexpected statement about Zack Snyder's director's cut.

The spectacular outcome raised the bar for comic book adaptations and rectified Joss Whedon's version, which had disappointed in 2017. It also gave the DC Extended Universe a moment to rest.

6. Cleopatra (1963) — 4 hours, 8 minutes

Even though "Cleopatra" has garnered mixed reviews, it's difficult to overlook a film with such a large budget and four Academy Awards. The performances of Rex Harrison, Richard Burton, and Elizabeth Taylor have received recognition, but it also has a four hours and eight minute runtime! We suppose the duration was required since, despite certain mistakes, it is regarded as a fairly close portrayal of Ancient Egypt during the reign of the last living king and was the highest grossing movie of 1963.

7. Gettysburg (1993) – 4 hours and 8 minutes

A big cast of actors, including Sam Elliott, Jeff Daniels, Martin Sheen, and Tom Berenger, star in Ronald F. Maxwell's epic battle drama Gettysburg. Based on the late Michael Shaara's 1974 historical novel The Killer of Angels, the movie dramatizes the crucial Battle of Gettysburg.

The directors of Gettysburg packed a powerful 271 minutes of Civil War majesty into their film, which will please some and overwhelm others. The film presents a difficult viewing experience for people who are not aware with the events due to its distinctly biased presentation of the battle, despite being gritty and surprisingly realistic in its raw depiction of the three-day conflict. Even yet, Gettysburg is a wonderful and satisfying film that stands as one of the greatest war films ever made, thanks primarily to Jeff Daniels' outstanding portrayal of Joshua Chamberlain.

8. Once Upon a Time in America (1984) – 4 hours, 11 minutes

Although Sergio Leone became well-known for his spaghetti westerns, this New York City-based criminal drama was his longest film. For the final installment of his Once Upon a Time trilogy, Leone made his first filmmaking comeback in thirteen years.

Before a chronological version was put together without Leone's input, the original 4-hour 29-minute cut was trimmed to 3 hours, 49 minutes. That turned out to be a box office flop, but the director's first picture is now recognized as one of the greatest gangster movies ever filmed.

9. Gettysburg, 1993: 4 hours, 31 minutes

Top 10+ Best Longest Hollywood Movies of All Time
Gettysburg, 1993

A big cast of actors, including Sam Elliott, Jeff Daniels, Martin Sheen, and Tom Berenger, star in Ronald F. Maxwell's epic battle drama Gettysburg. Based on the late Michael Shaara's 1974 historical novel The Killer of Angels, the movie dramatizes the crucial Battle of Gettysburg.

The directors of Gettysburg packed a powerful 271 minutes of Civil War majesty into their film, which will please some and overwhelm others. The film presents a difficult viewing experience for people who are not aware with the events due to its distinctly biased presentation of the battle, despite being gritty and surprisingly realistic in its raw depiction of the three-day conflict. Even yet, Gettysburg is a wonderful and satisfying film that stands as one of the greatest war films ever made, thanks primarily to Jeff Daniels' outstanding portrayal of Joshua Chamberlain.

10. Gods and Generals (2003) – 4hours, 40 minutes

The American Civil War's early years are described in this historical epic. It centers on Jeff Daniels, Stephen Lang, and Robert Duvall as Colonel Joshua Chamberlain and Generals Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee, respectively. "Gods and Generals" deserves its legendary title because it effectively conveys the complete chaos of Civil War combat. Critics disagreed, arguing that the movie showed an excessive amount of sympathy for its Confederate characters. Attendees seemed to agree, as the box office performance was a flop.

11.The Lord of the Rings Trilogy ⏤ Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) - 9h 17m

This epic fantasy film centers on the youthful Hobbit Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship as they set out to destroy the One Ring in order to bring Sauron to an end. With a $280 million budget, Peter Jackson's three films were shot in his home country of New Zealand concurrently and completely over the course of eight years, making it one of the largest cinematic productions ever.

Because the three films were shot concurrently and then edited into separate releases for the three successive years that they were released in theaters, many fans and critics have come to view the trilogy as a single work. The book was initially meant to be a single novel, but due to marketing and financial constraints, it was first published in three parts, earning it the unofficial but ubiquitous term "trilogy."

In Summary

Over the years, a lot of films have caused viewers to pause and reflect; you know, the kind of movies that make you second-guess your decision to get that large drink in the foyer.

Furthermore, not all of them are epics from history or the Bible. The genres include comedies, military movies, crime dramas, and comic book adaptations.

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