From the best indie horror movies to low-budget horror films that exceeded expectations, movies from the horror genre typically make use of a shorter runtime than their peers. Unlike other brands of cinema, the success of such films is not contingent upon elements that other genres traditionally rely on. The goal of these movies is to elicit fear, revulsion, and suspense among their audience. As such, they don’t necessarily have to rely on an intricate plot or nuanced character development to produce a successful and memorable viewing experience.
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With that being said, several preeminent films from the genre have effortlessly bucked this trend, proving that a lengthy running time doesn’t necessarily constitute a death knell for successfully maintaining terror and tension across a longer period of time. From modern stand-outs to classic offerings from the genre, a number of the best horror films of all time have garnered beloved status despite boasting a lengthy running time, providing a glorious pay-off for any viewers willing to stick around until the end.
10 Midsommar (2019)
Running Time – 148 Minutes
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14 6.3/10 Midsommar RMysteryDramaHorror
Ari Aster’s Midsommar follows a group of American college students who travel to a friend’s isolated rural hometown in Sweden to experience their renowned midsummer festival. What starts out as idyllic quickly becomes a disconcertingly violent pagan ritual, with the friends engaged in a ruthless competition that will test more than just their friendship. Florence Pugh stars alongside Jack Reynor, Will Poulter, and William Jackson Harper.
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*Availability in US Director Ari Aster Release Date July 3, 2019 Cast Julia Ragnarsson , Rebecka Johnston , Henrik Norlén , William Jackson Harper , Gunnel Fred , Anna Åström , Will Poulter , Archie Madekwe , Louise Peterhoff , Björn Andrésen , Isabelle Grill , Jack Reynor , Florence Pugh , Liv Mjönes Runtime 147 minutes Writers Ari Aster Main Genre Horror Expand
The second movie from horror virtuoso Ari Aster following his acclaimed debut offering, Hereditary, 2019’s Midsommar follows a group of friends who find themselves caught up with a murderous cult after being invited to a Scandinavian commune’s midsummer festival. Featuring an ensemble cast including Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, and Will Poulter, Aster’s picture is one of the longer horror movies in recent memory with a runtime of 148 minutes.
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Related Why Ari Aster’s Midsommar Still Trips Will Poulter Out
Midsommar didn’t only leave a chilling impression on the audience but on the cast too, as Will Poulter was tripped out by it at a festival.
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At just under two and a half hours long, Midsommar makes for a considerably longer viewing experience than most horror fans are typically used to but seems to fly by in an instant, courtesy of a blood-chilling narrative and a superb lead performance from Pugh. Effortlessly sidestepping any of the major pitfalls associated with longer horror films, Midsommar is folk horror at its finest.
9 Smile 2 (2024)
Running Time – 132 Minutes
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39 8.7/10 Smile 2 HorrorThriller
Smile 2 is the sequel to the 2022 psychological horror film by director Parker Finn that centers on a therapist who witnesses a patient’s suicide, leading to a series of terrifying supernatural events. The sequel will see the return of Finn as director, with Paramount continuing distribution.
Director Parker Finn Release Date October 18, 2024 Cast Kyle Gallner , Naomi Scott , Lukas Gage , Rosemarie DeWitt , Dylan Gelula , Peter Jacobson , Raul Castillo , Miles Gutierrez-Riley Runtime 132 minutes Main Genre Horror
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Depicting the nightmarish antics of a grinning, supernatural entity, the critical and commercial success of 2022’s Smile led to the commission of a sequel starring Naomi Scott. While the original film was already towards the lengthier end of the horror film duration spectrum at 115 minutes, the 2024 sequel went a step further with a longer running time of 132 minutes. However, this did nothing to take away from the movie’s superb quality.
The sequel was acclaimed by critics, with particular praise directed towards Scott’s lead performance as tormented pop star, Skye Riley, and Smile 2’s desolating ending. Building on everything that made the original outing such a success while adding an array of inspired new bells and whistles to one of recent horror’s scariest new franchises, Smile 2 is the rare example of a sequel that contentiously surpasses the original.
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8 The Shining (1980)
Running Time – 146 Minutes
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16 9.4/10 The Shining RHorrorDrama
Stanley Kubrick’s horror classic starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall tells the story of the Torrance family, who move to the isolated Overlook Hotel so that father Jack Torrance can act as its winter caretaker. Stuck at the hotel due to the winter storms, the malevolent supernatural forces inhabiting the building slowly begin to drive Jack insane, causing his wife and psychically gifted son to be caught up in a fight for their lives when Jack is pushed over the edge.
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*Availability in US Director Stanley Kubrick Release Date June 13, 1980 Cast Danny Lloyd , Shelley Duvall , Jack Nicholson , Scatman Crothers Runtime 146 minutes Writers Diane Johnson , Stanley Kubrick
A seminal piece of work from director Stanley Kubrick based on horror icon Stephen King’s novel of the same, 1980’s The Shining is widely regarded as one of the best horror films of all time. Kubrick’s movie originally clocked in with a runtime of 146 minutes, but this was shortened to 144 minutes after the Full Metal Jacket director decided to cut a scene from The Shining’s ending a week into the movie’s general run.
Kubrick was nominated for “Worst Director” at the 1st Golden Raspberry Awards ceremony in 1981 for his work on
The Shining
.
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Starring Jack Nicholson as down-on-his-luck writer Jack Torrance, Kubrick’s iconic horror outing chronicles the alcoholic author’s descent into madness after he takes on a caretaker job at a haunted hotel in masterful fashion. A terrifying cinematic experience carried by a Nicholson performance for the ages, The Shining maintains a carefully cultivated air of ominous dread from start to finish without skipping a beat.
7 Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Running Time – 137 Minutes
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10/10 Rosemary’s Baby RHorrorDrama
Directed by Roman Polanski and starring Mia Farrow, Rosemary’s Baby chronicles the chilling tale of Rosemary Woodhouse, the wife of an actor who, after finding out she is pregnant, begins to suspect that her unborn child is something far more sinister than a normal baby. John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, and Maurice Evans also star.
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*Availability in US Director Roman Polanski Release Date June 12, 1968 Cast Ralph Bellamy , Mia Farrow , Sidney Blackmer , Ruth Gordon , John Cassavetes Runtime 137 minutes Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Roman Polanski Expand
Based on Ira Levin’s novel of the same name, 1968’s Rosemary’s Baby follows Mia Farrow’s Rosemary Woodhouse, a pregnant newlywed who begins to suspect that her mysterious new neighbors plan to use her unborn child for Satanic ritualistic purposes. A case study in slow burn film making, director Roman Polanski keeps his audience guessing until the last possible second, producing one of the most jaw-dropping and unforgettable climactic sequences in horror history to cap off proceedings.
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A masterful piece of film making that holds up more than half a century later, the 1968 picture retains status as horror royalty to this day.
Boasting a running time of 137 minutes, Rosemary’s Baby is one of the longer movies that the genre has to offer, but doesn’t suffer any fall-off in quality as a result of its lengthy running time. A masterful piece of film making that holds up seamlessly more than half a century after it was first released, Rosemary’s Baby inspired countless horror movies and retains status as horror royalty to this day.
6 Hereditary (2018)
Running Time – 127 Minutes
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7.9/10 Hereditary RHorrorDocumentaryMysteryThriller
The feature film debut of writer-director Ari Aster, Hereditary tells the story of the unwittingly cursed Graham family. Annie Graham (Toni Collette) lives with her husband Steve (Gabriel Byrne) and their children Peter (Alex Wolff) and Charlie (Milly Shapiro). After the death of Annie’s mother, the family is beset by disaster and stalked by a supernatural entity that dredges up a past that Annie had spent her life trying to overlook.
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*Availability in US Director Ari Aster Release Date June 8, 2018 Cast Toni Collette , Milly Shapiro , Zachary Arthur , Gabriel Byrne , Mallory Bechtel , Alex Wolff , Ann Dowd Runtime 2h 7m Studio(s) A24 Distributor(s) A24 Writers Ari Aster Expand
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A harrowing cinematic triumph that introduced visionary filmmaker Ari Aster to mainstream popular culture, Hereditary is contentiously the best A24 horror movie that cinema has to offer. Carried by a superb performance from Academy Award nominee Toni Collette in the leading role, the 2018 psychological horror chronicles the trials and tribulations of a grieving family who find themselves plagued by malicious supernatural forces following the death of their mysterious grandmother.
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Ari Aster filmography and IMDb ratings |
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|---|---|
|
Movie |
IMDb rating |
|
Hereditary (2018) |
7.3 |
|
Midsommar (2019) |
7.1 |
|
Beau Is Afraid (2023) |
6.7 |
Hereditary isn’t the lengthiest horror film that the genre has to offer, but still boasts a longer-than-normal runtime of just over two hours. Featuring one of the most disturbing climactic sequences in cinematic history for any fright fans willing to sit through 127 minutes, Aster’s film earned rave reviews and is widely regarded as one of modern cinema’s finest and most unforgettable horror offerings.
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5 Prometheus (2012)
Running Time – 124 Minutes
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58 8.2/10 Prometheus R Sci-FiHorrorActionAdventureDramaMystery
2012’s Prometheus is the fifth installment in the Alien franchise and was directed by Ridley Scott. Starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, and Guy Pearce, the film acts as a direct prequel to 1979’s Alien.
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*Availability in US Director Ridley Scott Release Date June 8, 2012 Cast Charlize Theron , Noomi Rapace , Idris Elba , Guy Pearce , Michael Fassbender Runtime 124 Minutes Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers Jon Spaihts , Damon Lindelof Expand
The fifth installment in the Alien film series that serves as a prequel to 1979’s iconic sci-fi horror outing, Alien, 2012’s Prometheus sought to explore the origins of the Xenomorphs; the franchise’s extraterrestrial predators. Placing an emphasis on weighty philosophical themes in the vein of creation and humanity’s place in the universe, Ridley Scott’s picture crams a mind-boggling amount of content into 124 minutes of cinema.
However, this is a viewing experience that is more than worth sticking around for, considering that
Prometheus
is contentiously the
Alien
franchise’s most underrated movie.
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However, this is a viewing experience that is more than worth sticking around for, considering that Prometheus is contentiously the Alien franchise’s most underrated movie. Featuring an intricately crafted narrative, some legitimately terrifying action sequences, and an array of compelling new characters brought to life by the sterling efforts of an enviable ensemble cast boasting the likes of Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, and Charlize Theron, Scott’s Alien prequel is an unabashed triumph.
4 Nope (2022)
Running Time – 130 Minutes
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7.8/10 Nope rHorror Sci-Fi
Written and directed by Jordan Peele, Nope follows the owners of a family-run Hollywood horse ranch whose lives are changed by extraterrestrial phenomena. Siblings Otis (Daniel Kaluuya) and Emerald (Keke Palmer) scramble to understand events that seem to defy all explanation, even as their neighbor (Steven Yeun) tries to turn the strange occurrences into a alien tourist attraction.
Director Jordan Peele Release Date July 22, 2022 Cast Steven Yeun , Michael Wincott , Daniel Kaluuya , Brandon Perea , Keke Palmer , Barbie Ferreira Runtime 131 minutes Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Jordan Peele Expand
The third feature film outing from the lauded virtuoso behind 2017’s Get Out and 2019’s Us, Jordan Peele’s Nope features an above average running time for a horror movie of 130 minutes. Depicting a mysterious series of unexplained natural occurrences that are duly revealed to be the work of a predatory extraterrestrial creature, the 2022 picture is widely regarded as one of the finest sci-fi horror movies ever made.
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|
Jordan Peele filmography and IMDb ratings |
|
|---|---|
|
Movie |
IMDb rating |
|
Get Out (2017) |
7.8 |
|
Us (2019) |
6.8 |
|
Nope (2022) |
7.8 |
Leveraging some spectacular cinematography, a first-rate score, and some wickedly dark humor to boot, Nope flexes all the muscles that got Peele to the dance in near-flawless fashion. The Academy Award winner’s trademark exemplary direction and an array of excellent performances from the film’s talented cast make this a viewing experience that is more than worth sticking around for.
3 The Invisible Man (2020)
Running Time – 124 Minutes
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6/10 The Invisible Man RHorror Sci-FiThriller
Inspired by H.G. Well’s novel of the same name, The Invisible Man is a modern retelling of the sci-fi horror classic. After narrowly escaping her abusive and powerful tech mogul boyfriend (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) is relieved to hear of his death. However, she soon becomes convinced that he’s watching her, and little by little, she comes to believe that he’s found a way to not only cheat death but the laws of reality, too.
Director Leigh Whannell Release Date February 28, 2020 Cast Zara Michaels , Storm Reid , Sam Smith , Oliver Jackson-Cohen , Anthony Brandon Wong , Aldis Hodge , Amali Golden , Harriet Dyer , Bianca Pomponio , Elisabeth Moss , Benedict Hardie Runtime 124 minutes Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Leigh Whannell Expand
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Loosely based on H.G. Wells’ 1897 novel and serving as a remake of the 1933 film of the same name, The Invisible Man stars Mad Men standout Elisabeth Moss as Cecilia Kass. Directed by frequent James Wan collaborator Leigh Whannell, the 2020 movie sees Kass ruthlessly tormented by her abusive former boyfriend through the use of a high-tech suit that renders the wearer entirely invisible.
The surname of Cecilia’s abusive ex-boyfriend, Adrian Griffin, is a tip of the cap to H.G. Wells. In Wells’ original novel, the Invisible Man is referred to only as “Griffin.”
At 124 minutes, The Invisible Man isn’t the longest horror film in cinematic history by any means, but it’s still one of the rarer genre offerings that clocks in at over two hours long. In any case, this acclaimed outing is decidedly one that is worth sticking around for. Whannell’s white-knuckle horror movie is such an electrifying piece of cinema that The Invisible Man’s running time feels more like 124 seconds.
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2 The Substance (2024)
Running Time – 141 Minutes
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18 7.6/10 The Substance RHorrorDrama
Elisabeth Sparkle, a fading celebrity, turns to a mysterious drug that promises to restore her youth by creating a younger, more beautiful version of herself. But splitting time between her original and new body leads to horrifying consequences as her alternate self, Sue, begins to unravel her life in a disturbing body-horror descent.
Director Coralie Fargeat Release Date September 20, 2024 Cast Demi Moore , Margaret Qualley , Dennis Quaid , Gore Abrams , Hugo Diego Garcia , Olivier Raynal , Tiffany Hofstetter , Tom Morton , Jiselle Burkhalter , Axel Baille , Oscar Lesage , Matthew Géczy , Philip Schurer Runtime 140 Minutes Studio(s) Working Title Films , A Good Story Writers Coralie Fargeat Main Genre Horror Expand
Arguably one of the best body horror movies of all time, Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance stars Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle. An aging former A-lister, the 2024 film chronicles Sparkle’s attempts to recapture her youth through the use of an experimental substance that creates a younger version of herself, as well as the nightmarish results that arise from abusing it.
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Given the fact that seminal subgenre offerings in the vein of The Fly and Tusk only last 96 and 101 minutes respectively for context, The Substance is remarkably long for a body horror film, boasting a runtime of just under two and half hours at 141 minutes. Fortunately, every single second of Fargeat’s nightmarish picture is worth the wait. An audacious horror film with a healthy portion of wicked black comedy, The Substance lingers in the viewer’s mind long after the credits roll.
1 It (2017)
Running Time – 135 Minutes
IT
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IT is a horror franchise based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel of the same name. The story centers on the town of Derry, Maine, where a group of children, known as the Losers’ Club, encounters a shape-shifting entity that primarily takes the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown. IT exploits the fears of its victims and returns every 27 years to feed on the town’s children. The franchise has become iconic in horror, blending psychological terror with supernatural elements. It includes a highly regarded miniseries, two feature films, and various adaptations in other media.
Created by Stephen King First Film It Cast Tim Curry , Bill Skarsgard , Jaeden Martell , Sophia Lillis , Finn Wolfhard , Jeremy Ray Taylor , Jack Dylan Grazer , Chosen Jacobs , Wyatt Oleff , James McAvoy , Jessica Chastain , Bill Hader Latest Film It Chapter Two Upcoming TV Shows Welcome to Derry TV Show(s) It , Welcome to Derry Expand
An adaptation of Stephen King’s 1986 novel of the same name that features one of his best villains, 2017’s It is a consistently riveting watch despite a lengthy horror movie running time of 135 minutes. With particular praise directed towards Bill Skarsgård’s haunting bow as Pennywise and the superb performances from the adolescent versions of The Losers Club, the first half of Andy Muschietti’s two-part take on King’s novel is a worthy adaptation of one of horror’s most iconic and memorable characters.
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Related Welcome To Derry: Cast, Story, Teaser Trailer & Everything We Know About The It Prequel Series
HBO’s It prequel series Welcome to Derry will finally flesh out the origins of Pennywise and show how his reign of terror impacted Derry in the 1960s.
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Ironically, it’s also worth noting that the film’s sequel, 2019’s It Chapter Two, actually boasts an even heftier duration at a whopping 169 minutes. However, in sharp contrast to the well-received original, the sequel was largely lambasted by critics, with specific criticism actually directed towards the movie’s lengthy running time of nearly three hours.