American moviegoers prefer 88‑minute films, survey finds

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 U.S. adults online between June 11‑17 2026 about their ideal movie length. Respondents said the preferred runtime is 88 minutes, a drop from the 92‑minute average recorded in 2024. Only 10 % of those surveyed want films that run two hours or longer, and just 3 % favor movies exceeding two and a half hours.

Generational differences emerged: Baby Boomers cited an ideal of 93 minutes, Gen X 89 minutes, Millennials 86 minutes, and Gen Z 82 minutes. Current releases such as “Minions & Monsters” (90 min) and “Jackass: Best and Last” (92 min) are close to the preferred length, while blockbusters like “Spider‑Man: Brand New Day” (150 min) and Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” (172 min) far exceed it.

The findings suggest a modest shift toward shorter theatrical experiences, which could influence studios’ programming and marketing strategies.