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Movie Lengths Too Long? Fans Spill the Screen Time Gripes
23 Jun
Summary
- Redditors on r/Letterboxd shared films they believe are too long.
- The Hobbit trilogy and Meet Joe Black were frequently cited examples.
- Even silent films like Dr. Mabuse the Gambler faced pacing criticisms.
Audience patience for lengthy films is being tested, with many moviegoers feeling that some movies are unnecessarily extended. Discussions on Reddit's r/Letterboxd platform reveal widespread sentiment that films often overstay their welcome.
Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy and the 1998 romantic fantasy Meet Joe Black are frequently mentioned as examples of excessive runtime. Similarly, the 2005 remake of King Kong and Michael Cimino's 1978 war drama The Deer Hunter are noted for their length, with specific scenes being singled out.
Even contemporary films like the 2022 indie hit Hundreds of Beavers and the recent acclaimed drama The Brutalist (2024) have faced debate over their running times. This phenomenon is not limited to modern cinema; silent film classics, such as Dr. Mabuse the Gambler from 1922, which clocks in at nearly five hours, also faced criticism for pacing issues, underscoring the enduring importance of respecting audience time.
