Entertainment
17 Longest Theatrical Runs in Movie History
The term theatrical runs refers to the duration of a particular production’s showing in movie theaters. Naturally, popular movies usually have longer runs compared to lesser-known and talked-about ones. And even though the average duration of a theatrical run is four weeks, but blockbuster movies tend to have longer runs.
Throughout the years, audiences have been graced with tons of number-one hits that had a long stay in theaters to give everyone the chance to view them, with some so iconic that they come back to the big screen every now and again despite being released decades ago, which is the case of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. From Avatar to The Sound of Music, these are some of the longest theatrical runs of all time, ranked by how many weeks they showed in cinemas.
17
‘Unforgiven’ (1992)
Weeks showing in theaters: 49
Starring Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman in the lead roles, Unforgiven is a period drama tragedy following a retired Old West gunslighter who reluctantly takes on one last job to avenge an injustice with the help of his old partner and a newer outlaw known simply as The Schofield Kid.
Considering its huge widespread critical acclaim and intriguing portrayal of its Western narrative (which provided viewers with a fresh take on the genre that had been declining in popularity), Unforgiven was highly successful at the box office, grossing over $160 million worldwide on a modest budget. Anchored by the incredible central performances — including Eastwood’s efforts, which certainly drew a large audience — the movie counted on a lengthy theatrical run of 49 weeks.
16
‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ (2002)
Weeks showing in theaters: 50
A feel-good romance that is still a fan-favorite to this day, Joel Zwick‘s My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a groundbreaking watch that throws humor, romance, and cultural representation into the mix. The film focuses on a young Greek woman (Nia Vardalos) who falls in love with a non-Greek and struggles to get her family to accept him while she comes to terms with her heritage and cultural identity.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding was mostly positively received by general audiences, which played a role in its lengthy theater stay. Despite starting as a small indie film, it went on to become a surprising box office hit that resonated with a broad range of people, which ultimately encouraged theaters to keep it running for a while. Moreover, the Academy Award-nominated picture is a great pick for anyone who appreciates romantic comedies with heart and family-centric stories with immaculate feel-good vibes.
15
‘Avatar’ (2009)
Weeks showing in theaters: 54
There is no doubt that James Cameron‘s first Avatar film was a huge deal when it was released, grossing over $2.700 billion at the box office. The first installment of the epic science fiction franchise introduced audiences to the astonishing moon of Pandora by depicting a paraplegic Marine (Sam Worthington) dispatched on a mission and consequently becoming torn between following orders and protecting the unique world.
Featuring cutting-edge technology and an incredibly immersive world-building, Avatar quickly became one of the most groundbreaking films to hit the big screen, so it is no wonder why so many people went to see the blockbuster. Avatar was showing in cinemas for 54 weeks, meaning 379 days. Furthermore, it is also worth mentioning that the 2022 sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, did not fall behind its predecessor by a lot, staying in theaters for 271 days.
14
‘Titanic’ (1997)
Weeks showing in theaters: 54
26 years later, Titanic endures as one of James Cameron’s most popular works. The popular Best Picture winner, which was inspired by the real-life accounts of the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912, tells the heartbreaking story of the ill-fated romantic relationship between two teenagers: a lower-class artist (Leonardo DiCaprio) and an aristocrat (Kate Winslet).
Equal parts captivating and heartbreaking, Titanic makes for a truly immersive viewing experience that will stick with anyone who decides to watch it. Winslet and DiCaprio, the highlights of the film, shine in two of their most memorable roles. With a theatrical run that lasted 378 days from its release on Dec. 19, 1997, Cameron’s widely known achievement, Titanic, was his second highest-grossing and was showing in theaters for an impressive amount of 54 weeks.
13
‘Jaws’ (1975)
Weeks showing in theaters: 55
A cornerstone in filmmaking, Steven Spielberg‘s Jaws is often credited with establishing the concept of the summer blockbuster. The iconic monster horror film sees a massive killer shark unleash chaos on a beach community off Long Island. It’s up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an older seafarer to hunt the beast down.
Starring Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Lorraine Gary, among other talented performers, Jaws had an exceptionally long theatrical run, not only for being a massive box office success, but also for simultaneously becoming a cultural phenomenon. Grossing over $480 million worldwide against a budget of just $12 million, Spielberg’s movie was certainly a highly triumphant and groundbreaking achievement that has captured the attention of global audiences with its suspenseful narrative and unforgettable characters.
12
‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ (2000)
Weeks showing in theaters: 55
Directed by Ang Lee, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a wuxia movie that bridges Eastern and Western audiences through its engaging premise and incredible martial arts choreography. Starring Chow Yun-fat and Michelle Yeoh in the lead roles, the film focuses on a young Chinese warrior who steals a sword from a famed swordsman and then escapes into a world of romantic adventure with a mysterious man.
A four-time Academy Award winner, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was a landmark in 2000s cinema, becoming one of the most recognized films of the decade, whether for its stunning visuals or the emotionally entertaining story that delves into universal themes of love and honor. It’s not the least surprising that it gained momentum through word-of-mouth following its release, with people often recommending it to others, and its success continuing to draw viewers in. Naturally, this resulted in an even greater international triumph, with the movie playing in theaters for an impressive 55 weeks.
11
‘Beverly Hills Cop’ (1984)
Weeks showing in theaters: 56
Beverly Hillis Cop is an incredible detective story starring Eddie Murphy in one of his earliest and most iconic roles. Directed by Mark Molloy, Tony Scott, Martin Brest, and John Landis, the action comedy centers on a street-smart Detroit cop who embarks on a mission in Beverly Hills to solve the murder of his best friend.
With top-notch comedic timing, sharp dialogue often improvised on the spot by Murphy, and a strong (and iconic) central performance, this highly referenced 1980s buddy cop film had an extended stay in theaters for about 56 weeks. Thanks to the film’s engaging premise and characters, which are two of its strongest aspects, Beverly Hills Cop has grossed over $200 million at the time and endures as an entertaining watch today.
10
‘Back to the Future’ (1985)
Weeks showing in theaters: 78
Back to the Future is yet another super-successful blockbuster that remains one of the most well-known and talked-about movies in pop culture even today, especially in the sci-fi genre. Robert Zemeckis’ classic movie sees 17-year-old student Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) as he embarks on a wild adventure through time after being accidentally sent 30 years into the past.
On top of its entertaining and innovative narrative for the time it was released, Back to the Future‘s unforgettable central characters and their impeccable dynamic are certainly part of what makes Zemeckis’ movie so incredibly treasured. As such, it is not difficult to grasp that the popular sci-fi comedy movie was showing for 78 weeks in cinemas, grossing around $388 million.
9
‘Jurassic Park’ (1993)
Weeks showing in theaters: 81
With groundbreaking special effects that pioneered computer-generated imagery, set new standards, impressive sound design, and masterful direction by one of the most famous directors of all time, Jurassic Park marked the beginning of an iconic franchise. The 1993 Steven Spielberg movie is a beloved flick in the genre, and it depicts the aftermath of a disastrous power failure in a dinosaur theme park.
Jurassic Park‘s ensemble cast (Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neil, etc.) and top-notch action sequences are prominent aspects of the film, as well as its meditation on humanity’s attempt to play God. Given its undeniably massive success, the movie has understandably played in theaters for 569 days or 81 weeks.
Weeks showing in theaters: 81
Filmed from a child’s point of view and centering around a troubled child who aided a friendly alien escape from Earth and finds his way to his home planet, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is yet another iconic movie by filmmaker Steven Spielberg. It is beautifully, tenderly written by Melissa Mathison.
A remarkable and esteemed 1982, E.T. holds the box office record for most weeks at #1. Released on June 10, 1982, and ending its run on June 9, 1983, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was exhibited in theaters for 81 weeks. Part of what makes Spielberg’s film a timeless classic that makes it worth a watch even these days is the universal themes it deals with, which include friendship, loyalty, and trust.