25 Best Movies Under 90 Minutes
Short movies prove you don’t need hours to tell a great story. The best ones deliver tight plots, strong characters, and big emotions, making every minute count.
From gripping thrillers to heartfelt gems, these 25 films under 90 minutes are my picks for the best quick watches.
The Kid (1921)
Charlie Chaplin’s ‘The Kid’ blends comedy and heart as a tramp raises an orphan. Its 53-minute runtime brims with slapstick and warmth.
Chaplin’s charm and the kid’s antics shine. It’s a silent classic that feels timeless.
Duck Soup (1933)
The Marx Brothers’ ‘Duck Soup’ is a 68-minute comedy about a zany dictator. Groucho’s wit and chaotic gags keep it hilarious.
The film’s sharp satire and fast pace never slow. It’s a comedy gem that lands every joke.
The General (1926)
Buster Keaton’s ‘The General’ is a 79-minute silent action-comedy. Keaton’s train-chasing stunts as a Civil War engineer dazzle.
The film’s daring visuals and humor hold up. It’s a masterclass in physical storytelling.
Modern Times (1936)
Charlie Chaplin’s ‘Modern Times’ runs 87 minutes, poking fun at industrialization. His Little Tramp navigates factories with iconic gags.
The mix of laughs and social bite grabs you. It’s a short film with lasting charm.
The Gold Rush (1942 re-release)
Chaplin’s ‘The Gold Rush’ clocks in at 89 minutes, following a prospector in the Klondike. Its mix of comedy and hardship sparkles.
The dance of the rolls and snowy antics are pure joy. This re-cut version tightens the classic.
Frankenstein (1931)
James Whale’s ‘Frankenstein’ is a 70-minute horror staple. Boris Karloff’s monster brings pathos to this gothic tale.
Its creepy vibe and tight pacing grip you. The film shaped monster movies for decades.
Dumbo (1941)
Disney’s ‘Dumbo’ tells an elephant’s tale in 64 minutes. The baby elephant’s flight and heart tug hard.
Its vibrant animation and compact story shine. It’s a quick, emotional ride.
Detour (1945)
Edgar G. Ulmer’s ‘Detour’ is a 68-minute noir thriller. A hitchhiker’s bad luck spirals into crime and betrayal.
The film’s gritty vibe and sharp twists hook you. It’s a lean gem on a tiny budget.
Cat People (1942)
Jacques Tourneur’s ‘Cat People’ runs 73 minutes, blending horror and mystery. A woman fears turning into a panther.
Its shadowy tension and subtle scares land hard. The film’s eerie mood influenced horror.
The Set-Up (1949)
Robert Wise’s ‘The Set-Up’ is a 73-minute boxing noir. Robert Ryan’s aging fighter faces a rigged match.
The real-time story and gritty punches hit strong. It’s a tight drama with raw power.
The Red Balloon (1956)
Albert Lamorisse’s ‘The Red Balloon’ is a 34-minute French fantasy. A boy and his balloon roam Paris with magic.
Its simple charm and vibrant visuals captivate. The short runtime feels like a dream.
Paths of Glory (1957)
Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Paths of Glory’ runs 88 minutes, starring Kirk Douglas in a World War I court-martial. Its anti-war bite stings.
The film’s tense drama and bold message grip you. It’s a compact punch with weight.
12 Angry Men (1957)
Sidney Lumet’s ‘12 Angry Men’ is an 89-minute courtroom drama. Henry Fonda’s juror fights for justice in a tense room.
The sharp dialogue and tight focus hook you. It’s a masterclass in storytelling economy.
The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)
Jack Arnold’s ‘The Incredible Shrinking Man’ is an 81-minute sci-fi thriller. A man shrinks after radiation, facing tiny terrors.
Its wild premise and existential depth land hard. The film’s compact thrills inspired sci-fi.
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
George A. Romero’s ‘Night of the Living Dead’ runs 86 minutes, launching zombie horror. Trapped survivors face the undead.
Its gritty scares and social bite grip tight. The film’s lean terror reshaped the genre.
Eraserhead (1977)
David Lynch’s ‘Eraserhead’ is an 89-minute surreal nightmare. A man’s bizarre life unravels with eerie visuals.
The film’s haunting mood and weird imagery stick with you. It’s a short, unsettling masterpiece.
Halloween (1978)
John Carpenter’s ‘Halloween’ is an 89-minute slasher classic. Jamie Lee Curtis faces killer Michael Myers.
Its tense pacing and iconic score terrify. The film’s lean horror set the slasher standard.
The Evil Dead (1981)
Sam Raimi’s ‘The Evil Dead’ runs 85 minutes, with Bruce Campbell battling demons in a cabin. Its gore and energy pop.
The low-budget horror’s wild vibe hooks you. It’s a cult classic with relentless thrills.
Run Lola Run (1998)
Tom Tykwer’s ‘Run Lola Run’ is an 81-minute German thriller. Franka Potente’s Lola races to save her boyfriend in three runs.
Its kinetic pace and bold style grab you. The film’s short burst feels like a sprint.
Following (1998)
Christopher Nolan’s ‘Following’ is a 69-minute noir thriller. A writer tails strangers, spiraling into crime.
Its nonlinear plot and gritty vibe hook tight. The debut’s lean mystery shows Nolan’s skill.
Phone Booth (2002)
Joel Schumacher’s ‘Phone Booth’ runs 81 minutes, trapping Colin Farrell in a booth with a sniper. Its real-time tension grips.
The compact thriller’s sharp stakes keep you glued. It’s a quick, sweaty ride.
Primer (2004)
Shane Carruth’s ‘Primer’ is a 77-minute sci-fi puzzle about time travel. Its low-budget braininess twists your mind.
The dense plot and tight runtime demand focus. It’s a short film with big ideas.
Fruitvale Station (2013)
Ryan Coogler’s ‘Fruitvale Station’ runs 85 minutes, telling Oscar Grant’s final day. Michael B. Jordan’s raw role hits hard.
The film’s emotional weight and tight focus gut-punch you. It’s a compact, powerful drama.
Whiplash (2014)
Damien Chazelle’s ‘Whiplash’ is an 89-minute music drama. J.K. Simmons pushes drummer Miles Teller to the edge.
Its intense rhythm and fiery clashes hook you. The film’s short length feels like a drum solo.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Isao Takahata’s ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ is an 89-minute anime masterpiece. Two siblings struggle in wartime Japan, breaking hearts.
Its raw emotion and tight storytelling crush you. It’s my top pick for devastating impact.
Which short movie blew you away, or did I miss a quick classic? Share your favorite in the comments!