Our entertainment reports picked their favourite movies under 90 minutes (Image: Warner Bros/Hulu/Neon)
Cosy movie season is officially underway, with film fans swapping a big night out for a quiet night in as the days get shorter. Thanks to endless streaming and box office options these days, it can be hard to narrow down which films to watch on a Saturday night.
However, for viewers looking for a shorter time commitment or for those just planning to start their movie later in the evening, runtimes are often an important factor. Therefore, here are 8 fantastic films to watch with a runtime of under 90 minutes picked out by our team of entertainment writers at Reach Screen Time.
We’ve also included information on where to stream these films across Prime Video, Disney Plus, Apple TV+ and Sky Store.
Two mockumentaries have made the list (Image: Roberto Schaefer/Warner Bros)
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8. Click and Collect – Abbie
This criminally underrated Christmas movie clocks in at just 53 minutes and has an audience score of 74% on Rotten Tomatoes.
While it wasn’t widely reviewed, The Times and the Daily Telegraph wrote favourably about this hidden festive gem starring Stephen Merchant and Asim Chaudhry.
The synopsis reads: “Two mismatched neighbours drive across the country to pick up the one toy that will make a little girl’s Christmas dreams come true.”
Click & Collect can be streamed using a VPN on Prime Video Canada.
7. Before Sunset – Olivia
Coming in next at just 80 minutes is the Ethan Hawke romance Before Sunset, which has an impressive score of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Times called it “one of the most rewarding films of the year”, while the Hollywood Reporter hailed it as a “hugely successful experiment”.
The synopsis reads: “Nine years after Jesse and Celine first met, they encounter each other again on the French leg of Jesse’s book tour.”
Before Sunset is available to rent or buy on Apple TV+, Prime Video and Sky Store.
Many of these movies are adored by critics (Image: Lee Daniel/Warner Bros)
6. This Is Spinal Tap – Katie
With a runtime of 82 minutes, hilarious mockumentary and 80s classic This Is Spinal Tap is another great Saturday night watch.
The film has a staggering 98% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes and its sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, also came out just last month.
The synopsis reads: “Spinal Tap, one of England’s loudest bands, is chronicled by film director Marty DiBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.”
This Is Spinal Tap is available to rent or buy on Apple TV+, Prime Video and Sky Store.
5. Fantastic Mr Fox – Aaliyah
Next up with a runtime of 88 minutes is childhood classic Fantastic Mr Fox, which has a rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Considered to be one of Wes Anderson’s best films, the animated comedy was described by the New York Post as “a retro marvel that should delight today’s audience”.
The synopsis reads: “An urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers’ retaliation.”
Fantastic Mr Fox is available to stream on Disney Plus.
Some of these films are cinematic classics (Image: Thomas Del Ruth Columbia Pictures)
4. Stand By Me – Hayley
Rob Reiner’s 1986 movie Stand By Me is easily one of the most nostalgic choices on this list, clocking in at 89 minutes.
With 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, the tearjerking comedy-drama was described by Empire Magazine as “an absorbing, touching examination of the loss of innocence that, despite occasionally drifting towards the sappy, undeniably deserves its place in the heart of a generation”.
The synopsis reads: “A writer recounts a childhood journey with his friends to find the body of a missing boy.”
Stand By Me is available to rent or buy on Apple TV+, Prime Video and Sky Store.
3. Lake Mungo – Lucas
If you’re looking for something a little different to watch this evening, horror-mystery film Lake Mungo might be the answer.
With a high score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film clocks in at 89 minutes and has been described by critic Chris Stuckmann as “an underappreciated, underseen gem”.
The synopsis reads: “Strange things start happening after a girl is found drowned in a lake.”
Lake Mungo is available to stream on Prime Video.
2. Best in Show – Hannah
Comedy cult classic Best in Show is the second mockumentary to make this list, coming in at exactly 90 minutes long.
The film, which has a score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, was described by legendary critic Roger Ebert as “wickedly funny”.
The synopsis reads: “A behind-the-scenes look into the highly competitive and cut-throat world of dog shows through the eyes of a group of ruthless dog owners.”
Best in Show is available to rent or buy on Apple TV+, Prime Video and Sky Store.
This films show not everyone needs 3 hours to tell a great story (Image: Quyen Tran/Hulu Neon)
1. Palm Springs – Peter
This cult classic romcom from 2020 is considered to be one of the best films in the genre, with the chemistry between Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti proving irresistible to many.
With a runtime of 90 minutes and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%, the Groundhog Day-inspired film was described as “one of the year’s best romances’ by the Chicago Sun-Times, while Empire said: “A wonderful, witty and weird spin on an old favourite, which seems destined to become a classic itself.”
The Synopsis reads: “Stuck in a time loop, two wedding guests develop a budding romance while living the same day over and over again.”
Palm Springs is available to stream on Prime Video.