Movies have been getting steadily longer over the past few decades. What once clocked in at a breezy 90 minutes now routinely stretches past two hours, with some films feeling like a full evening commitment rather than a casual watch.
Thankfully, shorter movies haven’t disappeared entirely. There are still plenty of compact gems that deliver a full cinematic experience without demanding your entire night — perfect for weeknights, late starts or when your attention span has already been through a long day.
'Bad Trip' (84 minutes)
"Bad Trip" is a chaotic comedy that blends a loose narrative with real-life pranks on unsuspecting members of the public. Think "Borat" meets "Bad Grandpa," with the filmmakers attempting to tell a story while gleefully dragging innocent bystanders into the madness.
Directed by Kitao Sakurai and starring Eric André, Lil Rel Howery and Tiffany Haddish, "Bad Trip" is 84 minutes of devilishly silly fun. This isn’t a film to analyze or overthink . It’s loud, ridiculous and designed to make you laugh for an hour and a half. On that front, it largely delivers.
Watch on Netflix
'Paddleton' (89 minutes)
![Paddleton | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/rs9YpUktrWw/maxresdefault.jpg)
Where "Bad Trip" aims for laughs, Paddleton goes straight for the heart. Prepare yourself before hitting play, because this one packs an emotional punch, especially for anyone who has experienced loss. The film stars Ray Romano and Mark Duplass as longtime friends forced to confront devastating news when one of them is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Both actors deliver understated, deeply human performances that feel raw without ever tipping into melodrama.
There are moments of humor scattered throughout, but the emotional core lies firmly in the bond between the two leads. That relationship drives the film forward and keeps it quietly gripping from start to finish.
Watch on Netflix
'Stand By Me' (89 minutes)
"Stand By Me" is the perfect choice when you want a full story but only have about an hour and a half to spare. Adapted from Stephen King’s novella "The Body," it follows four boys who set out to find the body of a missing teenager — a simple premise that quickly becomes something much deeper.
As the journey unfolds, the film shifts into a poignant exploration of friendship, fear, and the loss of innocence. Directed by Rob Reiner during his late-’80s hot streak, it features standout performances from Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and Jerry O’Connell. The supporting cast is just as impressive, with appearances from Kiefer Sutherland, Richard Dreyfuss, John Cusack and more. Nearly four decades later, it remains a beautifully efficient coming-of-age classic.
Watch on Netflix
'The Perfection' (90 minutes)
![The Perfection | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/q57D6kF5B1k/maxresdefault.jpg)
Released in 2018, "The Perfection" is a psychological horror-thriller that wastes absolutely no time. At just 90 minutes, it crams in an impressive number of dark twists and deeply unsettling turns. Directed by Richard Shepard, the film follows two gifted cellists whose reunion uncovers disturbing secrets tied to the elite music academy they once attended. Expect shocking revelations, moments of body horror and plenty of uncomfortable tension.
The pacing is relentless, rarely giving you a chance to settle or predict what’s coming next. By the time the credits roll, it feels far longer than its runtime — not because it drags, but because it hits you like a freight train.
Watch on Netflix
'Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit' (85 minutes)
If you’ve never spent time with Wallace and Gromit, consider this your official recommendation. The stop-motion duo is unmistakably British, and their movies are packed with wordplay, visual gags and a surprising amount of heart.
"The Curse of the Were-Rabbit," released in 2005, was the pair’s first feature-length outing after years of beloved short films. Two decades later, it hasn’t lost an ounce of its charm. In just 85 minutes, it juggles mystery, romance and nonstop comedy with impressive ease. If you enjoy this one, check out "Vengeance Most Fowl," also on Netflix and a short 82 minutes. It was easily one of the most entertaining films I watched in 2024.
Watch on Netflix
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