Movies getting longer is not a feeling. A researcher named Steven Follows checked the runtimes of 36,000 theatrically released films from 1980 to 2025. Average wide release length went from 106 minutes in the 1990s to 114 minutes today. Films with budgets over a hundred million dollars run even longer. Then add 20 to 30 minutes of pre-show ads and trailers that didn't used to exist.

In the 1980s, 14 percent of wide releases ran more than two hours. In the 2020s that number is 32 percent. Studios want these films to feel like events. Denis Villeneuve says younger viewers are craving it, that Gen Z grew up binging three and four hour stretches of television and that's what epic storytelling feels like to them now. Box office returns back him up. The Brutalist ran over three hours and won awards. Project A-Team ran 156 minutes and people loved it. Oppenheimer was 180 minutes.

The new Keanu Reeves film is 83 minutes long. Richard Crouse was excited about that. Shorter almost feels ambitious now.

Topics: movies getting longer, movie runtime, Steven Follows study, Gen Z cinema, streaming storytelling

GUEST: Richard Crouse | http://richardcrouse.ca

Originally aired on 2026-04-09

Movies getting longer is not a feeling. A researcher named Steven Follows checked the runtimes of 36,000 theatrically released films from 1980 to 2025. Average wide release length went from 106 minutes in the 1990s to 114 minutes today. Films with budgets over a hundred million dollars run even longer. Then add 20 to 30 minutes of pre-show ads and trailers that didn't used to exist.
In the 1980s, 14 percent of wide releases ran more than two hours. In the 2020s that number is 32 percent. Studios want these films to feel like events. Denis Villeneuve says younger viewers are craving it, that Gen Z grew up binging three and four hour stretches of television and that's what epic storytelling feels like to them now. Box office returns back him up. The Brutalist ran over three hours and won awards. Project A-Team ran 156 minutes and people loved it. Oppenheimer was 180 minutes.
The new Keanu Reeves film is 83 minutes long. Richard Crouse was excited about that. Shorter almost feels ambitious now.
Topics: movies getting longer, movie runtime, Steven Follows study, Gen Z cinema, streaming storytelling
GUEST: Richard Crouse |<a href="http://richardcrouse.ca"> http://richardcrouse.ca</a>
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-04-09

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.