Best Movies Longer Than 4 Hours Revealed

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Summary

  • While most feature films stick to the standard two-hour runtime, some extend beyond three or even four hours.
  • Directors like Zack Snyder, Peter Jackson, and Quentin Tarantino often release extended cuts that stay true to their original vision.
  • Iconic films like The Lord of the Rings, Hamlet, and Cleopatra showcase grand storytelling with their lengthy runtimes.

In contrast to the usual length of a Hollywood movie being approximately two hours, it is quite infrequent to find movies lasting three hours, and anything longer than that is extremely rare. These longer films are often marketed as uncut, extended, or director’s cut versions. However, some directors push boundaries even further by releasing full-length films that run for more than four hours.

Lengthy movies often don’t get a conventional theater release, yet they have their loyal fanbase. These extended versions can be savored at home, either watched in one go for an immersive experience or divided according to the viewer’s preference, resembling a four- to six-episode mini-series. Below, we delve into some of the top feature films that exceed the four-hour runtime, listing them by duration, with acknowledgement for rare extended versions and movies that nearly reach the four-hour threshold, but fall just short.

Honorable mentions:

  • The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2003 Extended Edition) – 3h 55m
  • Lawrence Of Arabia (1989 Restored Version Cut) – 3h 58m
  • Gone With The Wind (1939) – 3h 58m
  • Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair (2006 Tarantino’s Original Сut, never released to the public) – 4h 7m
  • Ludwig (1980 Original Extended Version) – 4h 10m
  • Gettysburg (2011 Director’s Cut) – 4h 31m
  • Until The End Of The World (2019 Director’s Cut) – 4h 47m

7. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

Runtime: 4h 2m

The remarkable movie, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, stands out with an extraordinary backstory – it defied all challenges to meet the demands of DCEU enthusiasts. After the complicated production process of Justice League, where Zack Snyder left and Joss Whedon took over for significant reshoots, the cinematic version received a wide range of reactions due to its obvious deviation from Snyder’s original creative direction.

I proudly stand with the passionate #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement that eventually convinced Warner Bros. to allow Zack Snyder to complete and unveil his superhero masterpiece on HBO Max. This extended version is twice as long as the original cinematic release, with an estimated extra $70 million invested in fresh filming, editing, music, and visual effects. The end product surpassed all expectations, making Zack Snyder’s Justice League a standout chapter in the DCEU—almost its swan song—as it showcases an unfiltered director’s vision. This film is noteworthy not just for its challenging journey to reach audiences, but also as a unique superhero saga, encapsulating what makes Snyder’s style so distinctive and impactful.

6. Hamlet (1996)

Runtime: 4h 2m

In this adaptation of Hamlet, penned, directed, and acted by Kenneth Branagh, we find a unique blend of history and tragedy. This film isn’t just the first full-length cinematic interpretation of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Prince of Denmark; it’s also one of the longest movies ever produced, initially running for four hours. The British historical epic draws from two significant sources – the Second Quarto text of 1604 and additions from the First Folio of 1623. This combination aims to present a comprehensive, as close to original as possible, Hamlet, transposed into a captivating 19th-century setting.

1996’s adaptation of Hamlet, featuring Kenneth Branagh himself, alongside Kate Winslet as Ophelia, Derek Jacobi as King Claudius, Judi Dench as Hecuba, and Julie Christie as Gertrude, is frequently hailed as one of the finest Shakespeare film adaptations ever produced. While a shorter version of the movie, roughly 2.5 hours long, is available, many viewers consider it a less immersive way to appreciate this expansive, critically-acclaimed masterpiece.

5. Cleopatra (1963) (1995 Restored Cut)

Runtime: 4h 8m

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but reminisce about one of the grandest historical epics ever brought to life on the silver screen – none other than “Cleopatra,” directed by the visionary duo Joseph L. Mankiewicz and Rouben Mamoulian. This epic spectacle is more than just a film; it’s a colossal, lavish costume drama that still stands as one of the most costly productions ever undertaken, nearly crippling Twentieth Century Fox.

The original budget for this masterpiece was an astonishing $44 million – equivalent to over $450 million in today’s currency. This substantial sum was primarily spent on grandiose sets, breathtaking decorations, and the opulent costumes adorning Elizabeth Taylor as she stepped into the regal role of Queen Cleopatra VII.

Although Mankiewicz himself wasn’t fond of his work on the film and sought to disassociate himself from it, the movie adaptation of Cleopatra, based on Carlo Maria Franzero’s 1957 book The Life and Times of Cleopatra, managed to etch its name in cinema history, receiving four Academy Awards out of nine nominations. The director originally intended to release it as two separate films—Caesar and Cleopatra and Antony and Cleopatra, each spanning approximately three hours—but the studio demanded a single film instead. Various edits of Cleopatra exist, ranging from 194 minutes to an alleged six-hour version. The official version currently available, released as the 1995 Restored Cut, runs slightly over four hours.

4. The Hateful Eight (2019 Netflix Extended Version)

Runtime: 4h 12m

Quentin Tarantino often creates extended films, like his own combined version of the Kill Bill movies. He sometimes shares these long films with close friends. In truth, most of Tarantino’s significant movies exceed 2.5 hours. However, The Hateful Eight surpassed the border between a film and a mini-series. It was initially launched in 2015 as a three-hour Western, filled with dialogue. A revised version followed on Netflix in 2019, divided into four episodes of a miniseries titled “Extended Version,” extending its total runtime to 4 hours and 12 minutes.

In line with the high standards I’ve come to expect from Quentin Tarantino’s masterful filmmaking, this movie is nothing short of a visual and auditory delight. It boasts engaging dialogue, top-notch performances by heavyweights like Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Walton Goggins, and Tim Roth, along with intricate set designs brimming with subtle details, unexpected appearances, and the odd, yet thrilling splashes of brutal violence. Though it may not always make the top tier of Tarantino’s oeuvre, The Hateful Eight undeniably holds its ground within its genre.

3. The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2004 Extended Edition)

Runtime: 4h 23m

Without needing any introduction, “The Return of the King” is one of Peter Jackson’s extended editions from his “Lord of the Rings” series that exceeds four hours. It’s worth mentioning that when fans watch the entire original trilogy consecutively, they commit more than 12 hours to this epic adventure. Yet, this length has never deterred enthusiasts. Journeying into Middle-earth visually is a time-transcending experience, and these timeless classics are not only highly acclaimed in the fantasy genre but are also considered among the greatest movies ever produced.

The immensity of scope displayed in “The Return of the King” is nothing short of astonishing. This final installment is brimming with colossal battles, city assaults, thrilling duels, massive beasts, climactic resolutions, and a prolonged denouement that neatly wraps up all the loose ends of this epic tale. Although it may not offer as many varied settings, occurrences, or character exchanges as “The Fellowship of the Ring,” the grand finale more than compensates with its stunning display of spectacle and indelible action.

2. Once Upon A Time In America (1984 Director’s Cut)

Runtime: 4h 29m

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but sing praises for Sergio Leone’s magnum opus, the crime saga “Once Upon a Time in America.” Originating from Harry Grey’s novel “The Hoods,” this cinematic masterpiece is a beacon in the gangster genre, wielding an influence nearly equal to the legendary “Godfather” trilogy. It frequently graces lists of all-time great films.

Following the path so often trodden by the genre, we journey with a band of youngsters from the ghetto who ascend the ranks of New York City’s criminal underworld. The stellar acting trio of Robert De Niro, James Woods, and Joe Pesci breathe life into their characters. The film’s enduring themes – friendship, love, greed, and loss – ensure a captivating viewing experience that resonates deeply.

The Extended Director’s Cut, initially planned as two films each lasting three hours, is now a four-and-a-half-hour film that is generally seen as the most authentic way to watch it. Shorter versions do exist, such as a 229-minute cut and a controversially rearranged 139-minute version. The latter was made without Leone’s participation and is often disregarded by fans of the director.

1. Red Cliff (2009 International Full Version)

Runtime: 4h 48m

John Woo’s cinematic war masterpiece, drawing inspiration from the Battle of Red Cliffs (208-209 AD) and the classic novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” by Luo Guanzhong, is renowned as one of the most extravagant Chinese period action films. Stunningly epic battlefield sequences, meticulously crafted fight choreography, and a powerful leading duo made up of internationally recognized actors Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Takeshi Kaneshiro make this film a must-watch for enthusiasts of historical or martial arts movies such as “Hero,” “House of Flying Daggers,” “Fearless,” or “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” However, it surpasses these in terms of grandeur.

Originally, the movie known as Red Cliff (Chi Bi) was split into two parts in Asia. However, there are various versions of this film available. The worldwide version, titled Battle of Red Cliff, which is shorter and rearranged, lasts only 148 minutes. Conversely, the complete Red Cliff movie was later assembled into a single epic war film. Due to the smooth transition between the two parts in its International Full Version, this combination might offer the most immersive way to enjoy the historical saga, although it demands a focused and patient viewer who is prepared to fully appreciate its grandeur and captivating storyline.

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2025-03-03 16:49