# As a general rule, Comedy movies should be under 2 hours long **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [July 3, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623 "2021-07-03T19:19:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/1 "2021-07-03T19:19:25Z")
90 minutes preferably. Anyone else feel this way? I hate seeing the runtime of a comedy be 2 hours 20 minutes because I just know it’s going to take some shitty sentimental or maudlin turn towards the end. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2021, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/2 "2021-07-03T19:33:57Z")
**The Blues Brothers** had a running time of two hours 13 minutes and every minute was awesome. But I agree that as a general rule, 90-100 minutes is probably the sweet spot. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2021, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/3 "2021-07-03T19:35:10Z")
I like this rule, but of course _It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World_ is an excellent exception to it. _Blues Brothers_ as just mentioned is another good exception. One more excellent exception, I forgot, _Dogma_ is actually 130 minutes. Then there are ones that are part comedy and part drama or whatever. Gump, A League of Their Own, ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2021, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/4 "2021-07-03T20:18:08Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > **The Blues Brothers** had a running time of two hours 13 minutes and every minute was awesome. A lot of that was some pretty kick-ass music however. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/5 "2021-07-04T07:39:48Z")
I saw a special screening of the super extendo directors cut with Q n A with the kevin Smith and other actors. Before it started, he said that it’s not better, it’s just longer. And he was absolutely right. I forget how long it actually was, but I felt every minute drag by. To the point that I never need to see the real version again (not that I was a huge fan of it to begin with, but it was something the girlfriend wanted to do) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/6 "2021-07-04T07:43:03Z")
I could not disagree more. Roger Ebert said it best: “No good movie is too long, and no bad movie is short enough.” ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/7 "2021-07-04T08:07:17Z")
This. I often see these silly complaints about the lengths of movies. If you can’t be bothered to watch something for more than 90 minutes I suggest you find another way to spend your time than movies. If the movie is good, I’d like to get as much entertainment for my dollar as possible. If watching the movie feels like a chore that should be over quickly, then I’m left to ask…isn’t 5 minutes too long? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/8 "2021-07-04T08:09:14Z")
I’m reminded of a guy I once knew who insisted books should not be allowed to have more than 300 pages. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/9 "2021-07-04T10:20:40Z")
I loved the movie “Bridesmaids”. I’m skeptical that it would have been improved by cutting 45 minutes out of it. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/10 "2021-07-04T10:48:29Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > This. I often see these silly complaints about the lengths of movies. If you can’t be bothered to watch something for more than 90 minutes I suggest you find another way to spend your time than movies. If the movie is good, I’d like to get as much entertainment for my dollar as possible. If watching the movie feels like a chore that should be over quickly, then I’m left to ask…isn’t 5 minutes too long? I’ve also heard Ebert comment that some folks talk about a 3 hour movie as if they’re talking about a visit to the dentist. It’s entertainment fer crissakes. (or it’s not) mmm ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/11 "2021-07-04T13:55:09Z")
As a general rule aren’t they already under 2 hours, along with most movies in most categories? Is the OP’s statement akin to, as a general rule, vanilla ice cream should be served cold? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/12 "2021-07-04T16:29:34Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I could not disagree more. Roger Ebert said it best: “No good movie is too long But, no comedy movie over two hours long is a good movie. (Not strictly true: there are exceptions. But Roger Ebert’s claim does not necessarily contradict the OP’s.) > [@Omniscient](#): > > I often see these silly complaints about the lengths of movies. If you can’t be bothered to watch something for more than 90 minutes I suggest you find another way to spend your time than movies. If the movie is good, I’d like to get as much entertainment for my dollar as possible. Note that we’re not talking about movies in general, but about comedy movies in particular. And I think we’re mainly talking about “pure” comedies, whose purpose is to get you to laugh. You can’t laugh at the same intensity indefinitely; there comes a point of diminishing returns. Some things work best at a specific length, and more is not necessarily better. Bugs Bunny cartoons, Three Stooges shorts, fireworks displays, trips down a water slide, orgasms… I can think of lots of things that I enjoy but that would wear out their welcome if they lasted more than 2 hours. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/13 "2021-07-04T16:33:06Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I can think of lots of things that I enjoy but that would wear out their welcome if they lasted more than 2 hours. **Hot Fuzz** , though. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/14 "2021-07-04T18:54:04Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > You can’t laugh at the same intensity indefinitely; there comes a point of diminishing returns. You can’t be scared or sad or moved or confused at the same intensity indefinitely either. Few good movies have one gear and one note played the whole time. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/15 "2021-07-04T20:12:53Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > But, no comedy movie over two hours long is a good movie. > > (Not strictly true: there are exceptions … You are contradicting yourself. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/16 "2021-07-04T21:47:11Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > 90 minutes preferably. > > Anyone else feel this way? I hate seeing the runtime of a comedy be 2 hours 20 minutes because I just know it’s going to take some shitty sentimental or maudlin turn towards the end. I take it you’re familiar with [Mel] Brooks’ Law: The ideal length for a comedy is 100 minutes because that’s when the audience runs of Raisinets. ---
**Author:** ![superwombat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superwombat/32/16616_2.png) [@superwombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superwombat)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/17 "2021-07-04T21:51:57Z")
I’m not sure if this rule translates well to those who binge-watch sitcoms for 8 hours straight. Could be the different plotlines per episode? ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/18 "2021-07-04T22:56:32Z")
Well pretty much everything uses a 3 act structure. In a 20 to 40 minute TV show you generally get a much shorter 3rd act where everything is resolved generally in an unfunny way before moving on to the next episode. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2021, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/19 "2021-07-04T23:10:01Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > You are contradicting yourself. Very well then, I contradict myself. I am large, I contain multitudes. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2021, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623/20 "2021-07-05T11:33:43Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Very well then, I contradict myself. I am large, I contain multitudes. Oh, Bravo! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-general-rule-comedy-movies-should-be-under-2-hours-long/945623.md?page=2)