In a world saturated with bite-sized content, there are some films that demand your full attention. If endless scrolling on TikTok and Instagram Reels makes you feel like your attention span shrinks by the second, you can tune into Netflix instead for six seriously long movies that are worth their girthy runtimes.
The art of indulging in a long movie is becoming increasingly rare. However, filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan have become staunch advocates for the cinematic experience that demands more time and attention. Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and Nolan’s Oppenheimer are prime examples, boasting runtimes that go well beyond three hours.
There was a time when Bollywood films regularly embraced epic runtimes—with iconic period drams like K. Asif’s Mughal-E-Azam and Vijay Anand’s Guide. However, the demands of modern audiences have shifted towards tighter storytelling. Despite this, there are still gems lurking on streaming platforms like Netflix that offer the opportunity to test one’s attention span.
Here are six seriously long movies currently streaming on Netflix that are worth delving into.
Burning (2018)
Directed by Lee Chang-dong, this South Korean mystery drama clocks in at two hours and 28 minutes and is the shortest film on our list.
Based on a short story by Haruki Murakami, Barn Burning from The Elephant Vanishes, the film follows Jong-su (Yoo Ah-in), a young man who becomes entangled with two enigmatic figures, Hae-mi (Jeon Jong-seo) and Ben (Steven Yeun). As Jong-su investigates the mysterious disappearance of Hae-mi, tensions escalate, leading to a gripping climax that challenges perceptions of reality and identity.
Super Deluxe (2019)
Directed by Thiagarajan Kumararaja, this Indian anthology film pushes the boundaries with its runtime of two hours and 55 minutes.
With a stellar ensemble cast including Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil, and Ramya Krishnan, Super Deluxe weaves together multiple narratives revolving around themes of morality, redemption, and existentialism. From a transgender woman’s journey to alien encounters, the film is a brilliant genre-defying examination of the human condition.
Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)
Directed by Zoya Akhtar, this Indian comedy-drama boasts a runtime of two hours and 53 minutes.
The film follows a moneyed but dysfunctional Punjabi family aboard a cruise ship. With wit and charm, Akhtar does what she does best: exposes the seemingly flawless facade of the uber-wealthy without turning them into one-note caricatures of the rich and influential. With a star-studded cast including Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, and Anushka Sharma, Dil Dhadakne Do (transl. Let the heart beat) is a delightful modern-day classic.
The Hateful Eight (2015)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino, this American western clocks in at a hefty three hours and seven minutes.
Known for his trademark whip-smart dialogues and stylised violence, Tarantino delivers a gripping tale of deception and betrayal set in post-Civil War Wyoming. With standout performances from Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight is by no means Tarantino’s best work, but is a cinematic experience that will keep you on the edge nonetheless.
The Irishman (2019)
Directed by Martin Scorsese, this epic crime film boasts an impressive runtime of three hours and 29 minutes, and yet it isn’t the longest film on our list of recommendations today.
With a narrative spanning decades, the film follows the life of Frank Sheeran, a mob hitman who reflects on his involvement with the Bufalino crime family and the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. Featuring powerhouse performances from Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci, The Irishman is a masterclass mobster saga from an established master of the genre.
Lagaan (2001)
Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, this Indian epic sports drama is the longest entry on this list, clocking in at a whopping three hours and 44 minutes.
Set in an India still under British imperialist rule, the film follows a group of villagers who challenge their oppressive colonial rulers to a game of cricket as a means of protesting unjust taxes (Lagaan literally translates to tax). With its sweeping narrative, stunning cinematography, and joyously upbeat music composed by A.R. Rahman, Lagaan is a timeless classic.
