11 epically long films that won’t waste your time, ranked

It's both haunting and enduring. Brady Corbet's account of an artist's fight is so drawn out it comes with a 15-minute interval, yet it truly merits every moment of its screen time.

– but these are the ones that have earned our consideration as a worthwhile use of your valuable time.

You're a little short on time (two hours and 59 minutes doesn't quite do the trick).

11. "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (2003) – 201 minutes

As the adventure reaches its climax, Frodo, played by Elijah Wood, and Sam, brought to life by Sean Astin, embark on a perilous journey to Mordor, accompanied by Gollum, powerfully portrayed by Andy Serkis. Could any parts have been edited out? Certainly – there appeared to be around four different conclusions before the end credits were finally shown – but it cannot be disputed that the film's entertainment value is undeniable. Monumental in its scope and visually impressive, this film marks a satisfying conclusion to a groundbreaking, century-defining franchise.

10. Happy Hour (2015) – 317 minutes

This is a delightfully laid-back slice of slow-moving cinema, centred on the lives of four women in their thirties living in a quiet Japanese town. Your focus may drift away at times – possibly that's the intention – but Hamaguchi's character-driven portrayal of close friendships will keep drawing you back.

9. Trenque Lauquen (2022) – 260 minutes

– the normal expectation is even more implausible when you learn it's a four-hour film – but you'd be missing out on a complex and engaging viewing experience that borders on being mesmerising, short of swinging a pendulum. This distinctive drama is presented as a straightforward mystery about the vanishing of a botanist, but gradually transcends its simple premise to become a vast, epic narrative, divided into 12 segments – echoing elements reminiscent of Hitchcock and Lynch – all while establishing its own unrivalled identity.

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The director, Hu Bo, sadly took his own life at the age of 29 shortly after finishing the film. The movie is a haunting tribute to hopelessness, its bleakness intensified by its considerable running time of four hours. You might struggle to sit still through such an extended period without any moments of cheer, but if you persevere, you'll witness a unique filmmaking skill that is unlikely to be surpassed. Hu Bo's directorial style lingers with you, even if you may not feel inclined to watch the film again under any circumstances.

7. The Irishman (2019) – 209 minutes

Skillfully moves between time periods, using flashbacks within flashbacks and technology that makes it look convincingly natural. Old-timers Martin Scorsese, indeed stars De Niro, Harvey Keitel, and Joe Pesci, deliver performances that are up to their usual high standards, with Pesci being particularly impressive as a man of subtle acting.

The film has its critics, like those that run for over three hours normally do. However, it more than earns its length. Scorsese is often viewed as a director who moves swiftly and energetically, but by slowing things down, he enables each scene to fully develop, much like seaweed unravels in water, showcasing intricate, meticulous details.

6. The Right Stuff (1983) – 192 minutes

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Chuck Yeager, the test pilot who made history by breaking the sound barrier for the first time, steps out of his damaged jet, his face severely charred and his helmet seriously distorted in his hand. It's a thrilling sequence, Philip Kaufman's 1983 film does an excellent job of recounting the incredible true story of America's pioneering astronauts, known as the Mercury Seven.

This faithfulness to truth is an added bonus, making the film a thoroughly entertaining historical lesson for the big screen.

5. Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Brussels (1975) – 202 minutes

A portrayal of the ordinary, mundane life of a widow (played by Delphine Seyrig) living in a house only the week appears on the surface to simply follow a routine - her actions of making her bed, washing up and peeling potatoes become a mesmerizing pattern while testing the limits of your endurance with its unbroken rhythm. Some will label it experimental and cutting-edge, while others might find it dull. However, without acquiescing to anyone's definition, Akerman's film remains an unforgettable experience.

4. Fanny and Alexander Two substitutions of "the great gatsby" have differing lengths; one of 188 minutes and the other of 312 minutes.

In keeping with Bergman's style, this film is a quintessential example of his cinematic themes of anguish, sorrow and adversity. Set in early 20th-century Uppsala, it tells the story of Fanny and Alexander, sibling characters in a secure middle-class environment whose comfortable world is upended by the death of their father and the arrival of a strict new stepfather, who is a bishop played by Jan Malmsjö. The film boasts a talented ensemble cast that could be just as fitting a title as Fanny and Alexander.

Despite its raunchy humour and comedic moments (in Sweden, it is regarded as a Christmas film), the movie is in fact a deeply unsettling psychological drama that probes the very darkest aspects of abuse and challenges conventional notions of religion. It offers a rich and satisfying cinematic experience – and for an extra course, consider the uncensored five-hour version. Miraculously, it's an even more impressive film than the already lengthy three-hour adaptation.

3. Barry Lyndon (1975) – 185 minutes

This film stars Ryan O'Neal as a socially ambitious individual who marries a wealthy widow in the 18th century. His motivation is to elevate his social status. The film is notable for its subtle direction from Kubrick, accompanied by a long three-hour runtime, incisive wit, and extravagant scenes.

2. Seven Samurai (1954) – 207 minutes

A film, set in 16th-century rural villages, tells the story of villagers reluctantly turning to a group of external fighters to protect them from marauding thieves. Can you guess the number of these invaders? This movie delivers its action sequences in an impressive manner, despite its dated use of rain-drenched battle scenes in comparison to more modern computer generated imagery. Although the action scenes are exciting and well-executed, the story goes deeper, and there is more to it. It explores the themes of duty, social responsibilities, and societal class with sensitivity, laying out the plot at a pace that belies its relatively long 3 hour and 27 minute runtime.

Remaining uniquely at the forefront of innovative endeavour.

1. The Children of Paradise (1945) – 190 minutes