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Movies are subjective creations, with their quality perceived differently by each viewer. However, recent trends in cinema, particularly highlighted by the release ofOppenheimershed light on certain factors influencing audience reception.
DuneDirector Denis Villeneuve has discussed the evolving preferences of moviegoers, pointing to factors beyond just storyline and visuals.
In the wake of the box office disappointment of films likeThe Marvels, Villeneuve drew attention to a shift in audience attitudes towards movie runtime. No longer solely focused on narrative and spectacle, audiences are increasingly mindful of the duration of a film.Villeneuve juxtaposed the underperformance ofThe Marvelswith the success of Christopher Nolan’s project, Oppenheimer, to illustrate this point.
The Impact of Runtime onThe Marvels‘ Box Office Success
Christopher Nolan‘sOppenheimerhas garnered widespread acclaim at the box office, earning both critical praise and audience adulation on a global scale. DirectorDenis Villeneuverecently shed light ona pivotal factor contributing to its success: its substantial three-hour runtime.This factor underscored the power of immersive storytelling and resonated strongly with audiences, cementing Oppenheimer’s status as a cinematic triumph.
Oppenheimer Will Finally Give Robert Downey Jr What Marvel Couldn’t Despite 11 Years of Selfless Service
Conversely, Villeneuve’s remarks on the success ofOppenheimershed light on the perceived shortcomings ofThe Marvels, which faced significant challenges at the box office.Brie Larson‘s movieThe Marvels grossed $206 million at the box office—a far cry from its potential (viaBox Office Mojo).
Fans and critics alike have attributed this underperformance to various factors, chief among them being the film’s notably short runtime of 105 minutes (1 hour and 45 minutes).
That is also part of why The Marvels failed. It was too short.https://t.co/5X1BraZuaE
— MyTimeToShineHello (@MyTimeToShineH)July 12, 2025
Making shorter films to increase the amount of times it can be shown daily is not a good strategy. The most successful movies have run times just shy of 3 hours.
— SpaceMonkey (@SpaceMonkey0009)July 15, 2025
It’s mainly cos of bad writing, but the short runtime didn’t give it enough time to flesh out the story!
— Batnarc (@batnarc573511)August 16, 2025
The Marvelsbroke records as the shortest film in MCU history, surpassingThe Incredible HulkandThor: The Dark World, both of which ran for 112 minutes. Fans have lamented the brevity of The Marvels, arguing that its narrative depth and character development suffered as a result.Many fans have expressed disappointment, asserting that an additional 15 to 20 minutes could have significantly enhanced the film’s impact and resonance with audiences.
I enjoy long films, since you’re able to explain and show more without it feeling rushed or crammed in
— Dtacox (@Dtacox2)August 19, 2025
Between 2:10 and 2:30 is the sweet spot
— Jason Van Hoven 🇺🇸 🇵🇷 🇨🇺 🇳🇱 (@jasonlvanhoven)August 01, 2025
I Completely agree! That movie could have used another 20 minutes.
— Ray (@zao_lithos)July 07, 2025
Moreover, fans have critiqued the strategic implications of prioritizing shorter runtimes to maximize daily screenings. While this approach may seem financially appealing on the surface, it risks compromising the artistic integrity and emotional depth of the storytelling.As such, it appears that a few extra minutes could have potentially salvagedThe Marvels’position within the MCU’s cinematic canon.
Japanese Director Takashi Yamazaki Wants to Make a Movie in Response to Cillian Murphy’s Oppenheimer
Denis Villeneuve’s Insight intoOppenheimer‘s Success
DunedirectorDenis Villeneuve has brought attentionto a significant demand among young audiences, highlighting their preference for lengthy films likeOppenheimer. Villeneuve recognizes that today’s viewers seek substantial and meaningful content when they invest their time and money into a cinematic experience.
“It is a 3-hour movie that is mostly talking”: Dune 2 Director Has Some Remarks For Chris Nolan’s Oppenheimer After Claiming Good Movies Don’t Need Dialogues
Oppenheimer, running for three hours, satisfies this demand by delivering a compelling storyline and other notable features that resonate with audiences. Denis Villeneuve toldThe Times of London,
“It is a three-hour, rated-R movie about nuclear physics that is mostly talking. But the public was young—that was the movie of the year by far for my kids. There is a trend. The youth love to watch long movies because if they pay, they want to see something substantial. They are craving meaningful content.”
In contrast,The Marvelsdirector Nia DaCosta has previously expressed skepticism towards this ideology, suggesting that long runtime does not always guarantee a satisfying cinematic experience.
DaCosta toldDigital Spy,
“I really wanted it to be under two hours. I always think about the runtime actually, when I go into a film. I just feel like there’s no need to have it long if you don’t need to, because 1 hour 45 minutes is pretty average for a movie, so we were all really excited … I just think you do what’s right for the movie. I didn’t even know about this runtime thing until I think it was reported on. You have to do what’s right for the movie.”
However, Oppenheimer’s lengthy runtime contributes toits success by offering a rich and immersive narrative. On the other hand,The Marvels‘ failure left a significant impact on MCU, suggesting that other factors beyond runtime also play a crucial role in audience reception and engagement.
Pritha Roy
Articles Published :75
Pritha Roy, a seasoned content writer with two years of expertise in captivating feature writing, is currently pursuing a master’s degree in mass communication and journalism at Sister Nivedita University. Prior to this, she honed her skills at Aajkaal, a distinguished Bengali newspaper organization. Pritha excels in crafting engaging and audience-centric content that resonates deeply with readers.
