Everyone loves a good short movie to breeze through on a busy weekday, but if there’s one thing that all cinephiles know, it’s that there’sno cinematic experience quite as epic, dense, and memorable as a great 3+ hour film. From classic historical epics to massive blockbuster events, plenty of great films have long runtimes, but whether they hold any rewatch value is an entirely different question.
There are several super-long films that are absolutely masterful, but not really rewatchable, fromSchindler’s ListtoSátántangó. This is perfectly okay and not at all a negative, but it’s undeniable that a 3+ hour movie so fun and full of details that it invites plenty of revisits is a rare delight. There is comfort in the familiar, and when the familiar provides over 180 minutes of non-stop entertainment, even better.
10’Gone With the Wind' (1939)
Runtime: 3h 58m
Afteradjusting for inflation,Gone With the Windis still far and away the highest-grossing film of all time, a record that it’s unlikely to ever lose. One ofthe greatest Civil War movies of all time, it’s a cinematic achievement of gargantuan proportions, the likes of which Hollywood hasn’t produced since. Its depiction of slavery and the Confederacy has aged like milk, and thus made it feel like a pretty dated film in a lot of ways, but it’s still one of the most admirable movies in American history.
It’s romantic, quite melodramatic, and very, very long, but those who are into that kind of thing will never get tired of it.Gone with the Wind’s production qualities are gorgeous,its scope and scale are titanic, and its Golden Era-style performances are absolutely timeless. It’s a film thathas never ceased to stir conversations, and it’s quite likely that people will continue rewatching it and passionately talking about it for many decades more.
9’Oppenheimer' (2023)
Runtime: 3h
Christopher Nolanhas been one of the biggest and most profitable names in Hollywood for years, delivering great film after great film. Most recently, this journey culminated withOppenheimer, which might just be the director’s best work—and is definitely his most ambitious.One of the greatest and most unconventional biopicsof the 21st century, it’s a profoundly insightful look at the complicated legacy ofJ. Robert Oppenheimer.
It’s a dark, profoundly depressing film, made with the same kind of structural inventiveness and unrestrained creativity that characterizes Nolan. Thus, not only isOppenheimerone ofthe greatest movie masterpieces of the 2020s, but it’s also one of the decade’s most rewatchable films. The filmmaking prowess on display here is tremendous, and his balance oftraditional biopic themes with the tense approach of a typical thrillermakes it worth revisiting as many times as possible.
8’Lawrence of Arabia' (1962)
Runtime: 3h 47m
Another war epic recognized as one of the best of its era,Lawrence of Arabiais the kind of once-in-a-generation cinematic achievement that goes down in history as one of the greatest films ever made. The way it deals with the complicated figure ofT.E. Lawrenceis utterly masterful and far ahead of its time. Unsurprisingly, the movie has aged like fine wine.
One of thebiggest masterpieces of the war genre,Lawrence of Arabiaisgrand in its ambitions yet surprisingly intimate in its character study. Throughout all of its massive set pieces and quieter character moments, it keeps this perfect balance between epic scale and deeply personal stakes. This singular approach to tone and pacing makes the runtime feel a lot shorter, and thus, makesrewatches incredibly rich in detail and food for thought.
7’The Godfather Part II' (1974)
Runtime: 3h 22m
The Godfatherneeds no introduction. Some hail it as the single greatest Hollywood film in history, while others instead favor its sequel,The Godfather Part II, considering it the greatest movie ever made. It’s not a crazy argument in the slightest. Where the first chapter of the story deals with Vito Corleone’s fall from grace and his son, Michael’s, reluctant ascension to power, the second chaptercontrasts Vito’s rise to prominence with the death of Michael’s soul.
It’s an incredibly powerful concept on paper, andFrancis Ford Coppola’s execution is even better. One ofthe best films of the ’70s,The Godfather Part IIfeatures some of the greatest visuals, writing, and performances ever committed to celluloid. It’s a slow-burn in certain parts for sure, but it’s so unbelievably well-made thatit never gets old, no matter how many times one watches it.
6’The Green Mile' (1999)
Runtime: 3h 9m
After he madeThe Shawshank Redemptionin 1994 (the highest-rated film on IMDb since 2008),Frank Darabontfollowed it up with anotherStephen Kingadaptation of a different tone, but equal level of quality:The Green Mile. Anchored by a pair of unforgettable performances byTom Hanksand an Oscar-nominatedMichael Clarke Duncan, it’s one ofthe best fantasy films of all time.
Thanks to the beautifully natural progression of its story arcs, thought-provoking themes on justice and compassion, and the impressive range of emotions that it elicits,The Green Mileis a movie thatevery fantasy fan is happy to rewatchfrom time to time. One would think that its deeply poignant ending would make revisits unappealing, but the journey is so beautiful and the destination lovingly concocted that it does quite the opposite.
5’Love Exposure' (2008)
Runtime: 3h 57m
Sion Sono, Japanese filmmaker and poet, is one of the most interesting voices working in Japanese cinema right now. There’s no question about what hismostinteresting film is, though: That would have to beLove Exposure, every minute of those nearly four hours of runtimeis absolutely perfect. It’s a truly bizarre film, that’s for sure, but that only adds to its entertainment value.
Love Exposureis an all-in-one kind of film that absolutely everyone should be able to find some enjoyment in.
Funny, romantic, subversive, and melodramatic, it’s an all-in-one kind of film that absolutely everyone should be able to find some enjoyment in. Because of all its distinct qualities,Love Exposureisone of the most rewatchable movies of the 2000s. It’s extraordinarily engaging and exquisitely weird, an absolutelyexhilarating magnum opus that never runs out of steam.
4’The Wolf of Wall Street' (2013)
Martin Scorsesehas made plenty of incredible crime films throughout his career, and from his modern outings in the genre,The Wolf of Wall Streetstands out as one of the most popular. Bolstered by a tour-de-force performance byLeonardo DiCaprio, it’s as much ofa titillating depiction of the empty thrills of crime and corruptionas it is a devastating indictment ofJordan Belfort’s terrible legacy.
One ofScorsese’s highest-grossing films,The Wolf of Wall Streetflows with such a brisk and natural pace that its three-hour runtime feels more like two. The performances and writing are great, and Scorsese’s direction is legendary, which amounts to a richly complex dramedy full ofjokes to catch and serious moments to re-analyze upon further rewatches.
3’Seven Samurai' (1954)
Runtime: 3h 27m
Akira Kurosawais undoubtedly the greatest, most important, and most influential Japanese filmmaker in history, and some might go so far as to call him the greatest of all time in the entire world. He made several masterpieces, but the one that’s usually agreed to behis magnum opus is the action epicSeven Samurai.
Through its star-studded cast, hugely influential structure, and Kurosawa’s utterly flawless direction, it manages to be one ofthe best slow-burn movies ever made. Good samurai films tend to be highly rewatchable, but there’s perhaps none more rewatchable thanSeven Samurai. In spite of its daunting runtime, it’s so full ofnuanced character moments and adrenaline-pumping action sequencesthat one can’t help but want to watch it again right after the credits roll.
2’Avengers: Endgame' (2019)
Runtime: 3h 1m
It may not be the MCU’s greatest entry, nor even a particularly great film in the strictest sense, but to deny thatAvengers: Endgameisthe biggest and most ambitious pop-cultural event in modern cinemawould be silly. Bringing over ten years' worth of movies to a close was never going to be an easy task, but considering what they set out to do,JoeandAnthony Russodid a surprisingly good job with the material. At the very least,Endgameis massively entertaining.
This entertainment value, as well as the masterful use of fan service, is precisely what makesEndgamean endlessly rewatchable superhero movie. Its three-hour runtime is sodensely packed with action, emotional payoffs, and immensely powerful moments that every minute flies right by, culminating in what might just be the biggest third act in film history from sheer scale alone. Those few minutes alone makeEndgameworth revisiting over and over again.
1’The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' (2003)
Runtime: 3h 21m
There are very few films more rewatchable thanPeter Jackson’sLord of the Ringstrilogy, and as such, there’s no 3+ hour film more rewatchable than the series' conclusion:The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.J.R.R. Tolkienwould have been proud, as this 11-Oscar-winning masterpiece is one ofthe grandest and most exciting fantasy epics evermade, and might just be the best threequel of all time.
Bringing the exquisite world-building ofFellowship of the Ringand the high stakes ofThe Two Towersto a momentous close,Return of the Kingis the textbook definition of a perfect movie trilogy conclusion. It’s one ofthe most thoroughly entertaining fantasy filmsout there, thanks to some timeless production qualities, outstanding direction, and deeply endearing performances. The action is engrossing, the character moments are beautiful, the writing and direction are flawless, and the ending is massively satisfying. That’s more than enough to make itworthy ofat leastan annual rewatch.
