The Best 90-Minute Movies to Watch Right Now
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Film fans all know the feeling: you come home after a long day at work, and all you want to do is relax with a good movie. The thought alone of settling in for a three hour flick might put you to sleep. Thankfully, there's a wide range of shorter movies (not necessarily short films, although those are great too) clocking in at 90 minutes. It's enough time to tell a complete story, while maintaining a steady, if not speedy pace.
It's particularly important to celebrate shorter movies in a time where three hour movies feel like the norm (and we even argue these longer movies require intermissions to be enjoyable). Whether you're into comedy, drama, or action, there's a short but punchy film waiting for you to unwind with.
But it's difficult to find a handy list of 90 minutes(or less) movies. Streaming services are only just getting around to catering to an audience who doesn't have to scroll through hundreds of movies and televisions, reading descriptions and runtimes and trying to decide whether or not they're too tired to pay attention. Sometimes you just want a handy guide that won't mean logging into a service and searching aimlessly. We're in an age of convenience, and trying to find the right movie to watch shouldn't feel like pulling teeth.
So below we have a list of 25 movies from various decades and genres to appeal to every type of movie watcher, whether you're into classic rom-coms or French New Wave (that's right, we have that too).
Welcome to the Dollhouse
Heather Matarazzo stars in Welcome to the Dollhouse, about a 12-year-old determined to improve her popularity. The coming-of-age black comedy was a critically acclaimed indie darling upon release.
See the original post on Youtube
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Wes Anderson's delightful Fantastic Mr. Fox has a star-studded voice cast (George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman) playing a family of foxes who must defeat three farmers after the patriarch's thieving threatens to destroy their woodland community.
See the original post on Youtube
Before Sunset
The second film in a romantic trilogy, Before Sunset stars Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy as two travelers who, after spending an impromptu romantic evening together nine years before, reconvene and reflect on the past, and how the two of them have changed.
See the original post on Youtube
Attack the Block
This sci-fi comedy film served as breakout role for John Boyega, and also starred Jodie Whittaker and Nick Frost. The leader of a gang must help his group survive when aliens begin to fall from the sky from a meteorite fall.
See the original post on Youtube
Frances Ha
Barbie director Greta Gerwig co-writes and stars in Frances Ha, which follows a 27-year-old who struggles in both her personal and professional life, and must grapple with her best friend pulling away from her.
See the original post on Youtube
This Is Spinal Tap
This famous mockumentary follows a heavy metal band as they travel along their American tour. The film is often considered a classic, and essentially launched the mockumentary genre (so you can thank this film for The Office).
See the original post on Youtube
The Evil Dead
Sam Raimi made his feature film directorial debut with this classic horror film. Bruce Campbell stars as Ash Williams, who joins his friends on a vacation to an isolated cabin in Tennessee. As they become familiar with their vacation home, the group discovers a book called the Necronomicon, which then possesses four of the five members of the crew, leaving Ash to fend for himself. If you have fun with The Evil Dead, there's a whole franchise—including movies, a TV show, and games—to follow up with.
See the original post on Youtube
Persona
This 1966 psychological drama is often hailed as one of the greatest movies ever made. Famed director Ingmar Bergman helms this film about a young nurse and her patient, who move into a cottage together. As they settle in, the nurse struggles to distinguish herself from her patient, creating a surreal experience you'll never forget.
See the original post on Youtube
The Nightmare Before Christmas
It makes sense one of the most well-known holiday movies (Halloween or Christmas, your choice) isn't too long so you can go back to enjoying festivities. When the head of Halloween Town yearns for something new, he discovers the joy of Christmas and wishes to bring it to his townspeople.
See the original post on Youtube
Shiva Baby
Rachel Sennott stars in this film about a college student who is also a sugar baby. When she attends a shiva with her family, she realizes her benefactor is there... along with her ex-girlfriend. Chaos ensues.
See the original post on Youtube
Run Lola Run
This experimental thriller is a great ride from start to finish. Starring Franka Potente, the film follows a woman named Lola, who discovers she's trapped in a time loop and must help her boyfriend deliver a sum of money before he's killed.
See the original post on Youtube
Blackfish
This now-famous documentary focuses on an orca held by Seaworld, and delves into the ongoing controversy of captive orcas. The film was nominated at the BAFTAS for Best Documentary.
See the original post on Youtube
Toy Story
Toy Story will no doubt go down in history as one of the best animated films of all time. The film (if you haven't heard of it by now), follows a group of toys in a young boy's bedroom, who fall into disarray when the boy gets a new favorite toy.
See the original post on Youtube
Rye Lane
This British rom-com is definitely underrated. Released in 2022, the film follows a man whose girlfriend recently cheated on him. When he meets a woman in an art museum, she decides to pose as his new lover to help him make his ex jealous.
See the original post on Youtube
Palm Springs
Andy Samberg and Cristin Millioti star as two unhappy wedding guests in this rom-com. The two are sucked into a vortex and enter a time loop, where they are forced to face their personal problems repeatedly.
See the original post on Youtube
Best in Show
Christopher Guest (of This Is Spinal Tap) co-writes and directs this mockumentary comedy starring some of the funniest actors around. Jennifer Coolidge, Parker Posey, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara and more star in this film about dog owners who compete in a Philadelphia dog show.
See the original post on Youtube
Lady Macbeth
Although most would consider her breakout role to be in Midsommar, Florence Pugh shines in 2016's Lady Macbeth. The film is based on an 1865 novella, and follows a woman who is increasingly unhappy with her marriage to a man twice her age.
See the original post on Youtube
Chronicle
Chronicle is a found footage superhero film that follows three Seattle teens who discover a strange object and gain telekinetic abilities. While two of them use it for fun, a third goes down a darker path.
See the original post on Youtube
John Tucker Must Die
This teen comedy is a fun watch for anyone with 89 minutes to spare. A group of teen girls get together when they realize one of the boys at school is dating all of them at once. They devise a plan to trick him by helping a new girl at school seduce him, only to dump him.
See the original post on Youtube
Zola
Based on a viral Twitter thread, this A24 film follows a woman who decides to tag along with an acquaintance on a trip to work at a strip club. The night turns sinister, however, when the woman realizes the trip is taking a different direction than anticipated.
See the original post on Youtube
Cloverfield
Six New York residents struggle to survive when a massive monster descends upon the city. The film's success has since spawned a franchise.
See the original post on Youtube
My Neighbor Totoro
This heartwarming animated film follows two young girls who befriend a benevolent spirit amidst a difficult time in their lives. The film delights both children and adults alike.
See the original post on Youtube
My Octopus Teacher
This Oscar-winning documentary follows a free-diver who grows close with a local octopus on the Cape Peninsula. He grows a bond with the creature and continues to film her life over the course of a year.
See the original post on Youtube
Breathless
One of the most well-known films of the famed French New Wave film era, Breathless follows a career criminal and his American girlfriend as he tries to evade capture after shooting a police officer.
See the original post on Youtube
Zombieland
Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Woody Harrelson star in this action comedy about a group of apocalypse survivors who embark on a journey to find asylum from a zombie-ridden wasteland.
See the original post on Youtube
You Might Also Like
