When it comes to runtimes, movies can be all over the place. Sometimes they’re over in the blink of an eye, other times it takes an entire afternoon at the movie theater just to get through the latest epic. Children’s movies, for instance, are often short, only lasting the bare minimum amount of time to create and solve a simple story. Other films use sweeping cinematography, long establishing shots, and slow-burning dramatic scenes to engross the audience in fictional worlds.
Crime is a genre where there is a lot of leeway to go either way in terms of runtime. Crime thrillers are usually short and punchy, with lots of gunfire and action sequences. Somecrimedramasare much more expansive though, and they take their time to tell an interesting story filled with rich characters. These are some of the crime dramas in the latter category, films that are, for better or worse, over 3 hours long.
10The Godfather: Part II (1974) - 200 Minutes
The Godfather: Part II
In 1974, Francis Ford Coppola directedThe Godfather: Part II,an epic sequel to his first film based on Mario Puzo’s mafia novels.Part IIfollows two parallel stories: one of a young Vito Corleone (Robert DeNiro) growing up in the seedy parts of New York in the 1910s, and the other following his son Michael’s (Al Pacino) rise to power in the late 1950s.
While the first film was long,Part IIcrushes it in terms of runtime. It’s 3 hours and 22 minutes long, making it a feat of endurance to get through in just one sitting. Those who make it through agree that it’s one of thebest movies about capitalism.
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9Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) - 206 Minutes
Killers of the Flower Moon
Read Our Review2023’sKillers of the Flower Moonis Martin Scorsese’s latest sweeping crime drama. The film tells the story of the Osage murders of the 1920s in Oklahoma. Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) returns from World War I and shows an interest in Mollie (Lilly Gladstone), an Osage woman whose family owns oil rights in the area. Ernest’s intentions are less than honest, though, as he’s after the money the Tribe lays claim to.
Killers of the Flower Moonis considered to be one of the best movies of 2023, but it’s not for the faint of heart. The movie is long and contains some slow-burning scenes with intense dialogue. If you have 3 1/2 hours to spare, it’s well worth your time.
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8Once Upon a Time in America (1984) - 269 Minutes
1984’sOnce Upon a Time in Americais a crime drama co-written and directed by legendary Western film director Sergio Leone. The movie stars a “who’s who” of Hollywood, including Robert DeNiro, James Woods, Joe Pesci, Elizabeth McGovern and Jennifer Connolly.
The film is told in flashbacks from the point of view of a gangster named Noodles (DeNiro), who is returning to his old stomping ground decades after he led a crime ring in the 1920s and 1930s. With an original run time of 269 minutes,Once Upon a Time in Americasmashed the 3-hour barrier and set the standard for how long an epic crime drama could be.
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7Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) - 321 Minutes
Gangs of Wasseypuris an epic 2012 Hindi-language crime movie directed by acclaimed Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. It’s a two-part movie that follows the story of three crime families as they battle for money, power, and fame from the early 1940s to the late 2000s. It’s considered to be one ofKashyap’s best movies.
The movie was praised by critics for its outstanding score, bleak dark humor, and ambitious storytelling. Casual viewers don’t seem to be scared off by the film’s whopping 321-minute runtime, either.Gangs of Wassypurcurrently holds a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
6Carlos (2010) - 326 Minutes
2010’sCarlosis both a feature film and a three-part miniseries. The movie premiered on television the same week it was screened as a monster 5-and-a-half hour movie at the Cannes Film Festival. Edgar Ramirez plays real-life mobster Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, who was known as Carolos the Jackal for his role in a number of terrorism acts in the 1970s and 1980s.
Carlostracks Sánchez’s life as he plots numerous assassination attempts, bombings, and crime sprees all in the name of freeing Palestine. First, he attacks London, then targets Vienna, then moves on to Budapest. Carlos the Jackal finally runs out of steam with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. You’ll need a full tank to get through this engrossing, epic crime drama
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5Nixon (1995) - 192 Minutes
Anthony Hopkins plays former President Richard Nixon in 1995’s biographical dramaNixon. Although it’s not a pure crime film,Nixonof course includes criminal elements when it comes to addressing Nixon’s eventual downfall.
Despite its 192-minute runtime,Nixonwas praised upon its release. Siskel and Ebert gave the movie “two thumbs up,” and Hopkins was nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his efforts. It’s also considered one of thebest Oliver Stone films.
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4The Hateful Eight (2015) - 182 Minutes
The Hateful Eight
Quentin Tarantino’s 2015 filmThe Hateful Eightfollows a bounty hunter named John Ruth (Kurt Russell) who is transporting a fugitive named Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh) through the treacherous winter landscape to collect a bounty. Little does Ruth know that he’s about to be cut off by members of Domergue’s gang, posing as patrons at a family store along the way.
The Hateful Eightmay not be Tarantino’s most successful movie, but it delivers on his signature style of blood, guts, and violence. At just over 3 hours, it’s packed with his trademark clever dialogue as well. Great acting by Russell, Leigh, Samuel L. Jackson, Walter Goggins, and Tim Roth helps the 3-hour runtime fly by.
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3The Irishman (2019) - 209 Minutes
The Irishman
It wouldn’t be a very good list of 3-hour crime dramas without mentioning Martin Scorsese’s 2019 Netflix filmThe Irishman. Robert DeNiro is Frank Sheeran, a down-and-out truck driver who gets a job as a hitman for the mob. His boss is Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci), a loyal but ruthless man who keeps his friends close and his enemies even closer.
DeNiro, Pesci, and Al Pacino (as infamous mob boss Jimmy Hoffa) all put in unbelievable performances that make the film well worth your time. The great thing about Netflix is that you can pause the movie if you need a break. Even at 3 1/2 hours long,The Irishmanis still one of thebest original Netflix moviesever made.
It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
You’d be forgiven if you’ve never watchedIt’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.At 192 minutes, it’s a grind to get through. The movie centers around a thief who goes after some stolen money he hid before his prison term. But he gets into an accident on his way to find it. The witnesses then race to the location where the money is hidden, competing with each other to find it first.
The film is funny and was well-received at the time of its release, but there are a lot more modern comedies that are easier to digest. Still, audiences must have had the patience to endure the over 3-hour film, as the movie made a staggering $60 million at the box office, which is equal to $587 million when adjusted for inflation.
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1A Brighter Summer Day (1991) - 237 Minutes
A Brighter Summer Dayis a Taiwanese teenage crime movie that centers around a troubled boy who is caught between two rival gangs. The film is somewhat of an autobiographical endeavor for filmmaker Edward Yang, who based the movie on an incident from his childhood in Taipei in the 1960s.
A Brighter Summer Daywas screened at several film festivals upon its release, including the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Asia Pacific Film Festival. It was praised for its staging, cinematography, and emotional performances. The film is 237 minutes and holds an outstanding 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
