Best Movies Under 90 Minutes That Slap

Short on time but still want something that hits hard and wraps up before your snack runs out. These quick watches deliver tight stories, memorable characters, and creative filmmaking without overstaying their welcome. Here are strong picks under 90 minutes that you can queue up whenever you need a fast and satisfying movie night.

‘Toy Story’ (1995)

Pixar’s first feature blends CG animation with a buddy adventure about Woody and Buzz finding their way home. The film runs a breezy length that keeps every beat sharp and focused. Randy Newman’s songs and Tom Hanks and Tim Allen’s voice work helped cement it as a family favorite. It reached theaters through Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

‘The Lion King’ (1994)

Simba’s journey from exile to pride leader plays out with standout songs and spectacular animation. The story draws on classic influences and Shakespearean themes while staying accessible to all ages. Its lean runtime keeps the narrative moving from the wildebeest stampede to the final showdown. The movie’s theatrical release came via Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

‘Run Lola Run’ (1998)

This German thriller replays the same window of time as Lola races to save her boyfriend. Each run changes based on small choices which gives the film a clever structure. Fast editing and a pulsing soundtrack keep the momentum high. The film reached American audiences through Sony Pictures Classics.

‘Borat’ (2006)

Sacha Baron Cohen’s mockumentary follows a Kazakh reporter on a cross country trip. The production blended staged scenes with real interactions that generated headlines. Its compact length keeps the set pieces coming quickly. The film was released in theaters by 20th Century Fox.

‘Zombieland’ (2009)

Four survivors navigate a witty set of rules while crossing a zombie ravaged America. The cast chemistry and inventive set pieces help the story click at a brisk pace. A cameo sequence became an instant crowd pleaser. Distribution to theaters was handled by Columbia Pictures through Sony Pictures Releasing.

‘The Blair Witch Project’ (1999)

Presented as found footage from a student film crew lost in the woods, this horror hit relied on suggestion over spectacle. A viral style marketing push amplified the mystery around its release. The minimal approach and short runtime heighten tension without filler. The film was distributed by Artisan Entertainment.

‘Paranormal Activity’ (2007)

Set inside a suburban home rigged with cameras, this sleeper hit turned tiny budget scares into massive returns. The story escalates night by night as evidence builds on tape. Its tight length keeps the frights concentrated. The movie’s wide release came through Paramount Pictures.

‘Chronicle’ (2012)

Three teens gain telekinetic powers and capture their experiences on consumer cameras. The narrative tracks how the abilities strain friendships and ethics. Visual effects support the story without slowing the pace. The film’s theatrical run was released by 20th Century Fox.

‘Rope’ (1948)

Alfred Hitchcock stages a murder and cover up across what appears to be a single continuous evening. The film cleverly hides cuts while unfolding in real time. Its chamber play setting keeps the tension contained. The release came through Warner Bros. Pictures.

‘Duck Soup’ (1933)

The Marx Brothers lampoon politics with rapid fire wordplay and physical gags. The story follows the chaotic rule of Freedonia and a mounting international spat. Musical numbers and set pieces arrive quickly and never linger. The film was distributed by Paramount Pictures.

‘Locke’ (2013)

The entire drama takes place inside a moving car as a construction manager juggles urgent calls. Tom Hardy carries the film through voice interactions that reveal a life in crisis. The minimalist concept suits the short runtime perfectly. A24 handled the domestic release.

‘The Red Turtle’ (2016)

A shipwrecked man encounters a mysterious turtle on a deserted island in a dialogue free tale. Hand drawn animation and Studio Ghibli’s involvement give it a distinct look. The film explores survival and family with gentle pacing that remains compact. Sony Pictures Classics released it in the United States.

‘Once’ (2007)

A Dublin busker and a pianist collaborate on songs that mirror their growing connection. Recorded performances and naturalistic scenes give it an intimate feel. The soundtrack found a wide audience and later inspired a stage musical. The film was distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

‘Fruitvale Station’ (2013)

The drama retraces Oscar Grant’s final day with a focus on daily moments and relationships. The filmmaking uses handheld realism to ground the events. Michael B. Jordan’s performance anchors the narrative with quiet detail. The film reached theaters through The Weinstein Company.

‘Primer’ (2004)

Two engineers stumble into time travel and document the technical and ethical consequences. Dialogue leans into scientific jargon which rewards close attention. The compact structure compresses multiple timelines without detours. THINKFilm handled the theatrical distribution.

‘Blue Jay’ (2016)

Former high school sweethearts reconnect by chance in their hometown and spend a day talking. Shot in black and white, the film uses small gestures and memory to shape the story. The short runtime fits the single day encounter. The Orchard released it domestically.

‘Coherence’ (2013)

A dinner party unravels when a comet causes reality to split into overlapping possibilities. The actors worked from outlines which adds spontaneity to the mystery. The puzzle builds quickly and resolves without bloat. Oscilloscope Laboratories handled the U.S. distribution.

‘The Guilty’ (2018)

Set entirely in an emergency call center, a dispatcher tries to save a caller using only the phone. Sound design and real time pacing create urgency without leaving the room. The narrative twists land efficiently within the short length. Magnolia Pictures released the film in the United States.

‘Open Water’ (2003)

A couple on a scuba trip is accidentally left behind at sea and must survive with no help in sight. Natural ocean settings and minimal effects emphasize vulnerability. The film maintains tension by sticking close to real world constraints. Lions Gate Films handled distribution.

‘Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit’ (2005)

The stop motion duo investigate a vegetable snatching creature during a town contest. Aardman’s meticulous animation delivers sight gags at a lively pace. The feature expands the shorts’ charm without stretching the story thin. DreamWorks Pictures released it in theaters.

‘Hush’ (2016)

A deaf writer alone in a rural home fights off a masked intruder using wit and planning. The film relies on visual cues and silence to stage its set pieces. Its contained setting keeps the story lean and tense. The movie premiered for streaming through Netflix.

‘Creep’ (2014)

A videographer accepts a one day job filming a stranger in a remote cabin and slowly realizes something is wrong. Found footage style amplifies the awkward and unsettling moments. The brisk length avoids overexplaining motives. The film reached audiences widely through Netflix.

‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ (1974)

A group of friends encounter a family of killers in rural Texas during a road trip. Grainy photography and practical effects create an infamous sense of dread. The pacing moves from discovery to escape with little downtime. Bryanston Distributing Company handled its original release.

‘Project X’ (2012)

Three teens throw a house party that spirals far beyond their plans and becomes a local legend. The found footage approach captures escalating chaos and neighborhood fallout. The story plays out over a single night which suits the quick runtime. The film was released by Warner Bros. Pictures.

‘Hot Rod’ (2007)

An amateur stuntman plans a huge jump to raise money and prove himself to his family. The movie strings together stunts, training montages, and small town antics at a rapid clip. The energetic soundtrack and comic set pieces keep the pace lively. Paramount Pictures handled the distribution.

‘Before Sunset’ (2004)

Jesse and Céline reunite in Paris and catch up while walking through the city in near real time. The script builds on their earlier meeting and explores how their lives diverged. The tight structure keeps the focus on conversation and choice. The film’s U.S. release came through Warner Independent Pictures.

‘Tangerine’ (2015)

Shot on smartphones, this L.A. story follows a sex worker on a frantic search across the city on Christmas Eve. Natural street energy and overlapping threads give it a lively rhythm. The compact length suits the single day setup. Magnolia Pictures handled distribution in the United States.

‘The Iron Giant’ (1999)

A boy in a small town discovers a massive robot and tries to keep it safe from authorities. The animation blends hand drawn and computer techniques for expressive action scenes. The story draws on Cold War anxieties while staying kid friendly. Warner Bros. Pictures brought it to theaters.

‘The Killing’ (1956)

A career criminal assembles a crew to rob a racetrack using a precise timetable. The plot unfolds through shifting perspectives that circle back to key moments. Crisp editing and a lean runtime keep the heist mechanics clear. United Artists distributed the film.

‘High Noon’ (1952)

A marshal faces a returning outlaw and looks for help as a train approaches town. The clock drives the tension and the events play out almost in real time. The theme song and stark imagery became genre touchstones. United Artists released it to theaters.

‘The General’ (1926)

Buster Keaton plays a railroad engineer who chases a stolen locomotive during the Civil War. Real trains and large scale stunts give the set pieces their impact. The story moves swiftly from pursuit to rescue without detours. United Artists handled distribution.

‘The Triplets of Belleville’ (2003)

A grandmother and her dog track a kidnapped cyclist to a surreal version of Paris. The film relies on visual storytelling with minimal dialogue and memorable music. Its brisk pace lets each gag and set piece land cleanly. Sony Pictures Classics released it in North America.

‘The Squid and the Whale’ (2005)

Two brothers navigate their parents’ divorce in 1980s Brooklyn and cope in different ways. The script uses specific details like school clubs and neighborhood haunts to ground the period. The short length keeps each scene focused on fallout and growth. Samuel Goldwyn Films handled the U.S. release.

‘Crank’ (2006)

A hitman must keep his adrenaline up to stay alive as he crosses Los Angeles looking for a cure. The action uses handheld camerawork and quick cuts to match the premise. The story races from one set piece to another with little downtime. Lionsgate released it in theaters.

‘The Evil Dead’ (1981)

Friends at a remote cabin find a demonic book and unleash forces that possess them one by one. Practical effects and inventive camerawork drive the scares. The contained location supports a relentless pace. New Line Cinema handled the U.S. theatrical distribution.

‘Napoleon Dynamite’ (2004)

A socially awkward teen in Idaho helps his friend run for class president and tries to find his own lane. Deadpan humor and small town details make the scenes memorable. The short runtime lets the jokes and character beats stack up quickly. Fox Searchlight Pictures brought it to theaters.

‘Stand by Me’ (1986)

Four boys set out to find a missing kid and end up confronting family troubles and growing up. The journey moves along railroad tracks, tree houses, and quiet small town spaces. The narration ties the episodes together without slowing things down. Columbia Pictures handled the release.

‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ (2009)

A clever fox takes on local farmers which forces his community to improvise underground. Stop motion sets and rapid dialogue give the capers a nimble feel. Songs and whistling cues keep the momentum bright and steady. 20th Century Fox released the film.

‘Perfect Blue’ (1997)

A former pop idol takes a demanding acting role and begins to question what is real. Stark imagery and media fragments track her shifting sense of self. The tight structure keeps the mystery moving from incident to incident. GKIDS handled a North American re release that brought it to new audiences.

‘Shiva Baby’ (2020)

A college student runs into her sugar daddy at a family funeral gathering and tries to manage the fallout. The action mostly stays inside one house which heightens the social pressure. A restless score and quick scene changes keep it taut. Utopia distributed the film in the United States.

Got a favorite short and punchy watch that we missed? Drop your picks in the comments and tell everyone what should be on the list.