Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
MCU’sIron Man(2008) starring Robert Downey Jr. pushed the domino of live-action comic book adaptations and the concept of an interconnected universe, the effect of which, can be seen on a global scale.
These films are undeniably majestic with their storyline and visuals, but they can be complex at times. These complexities can be due to a number of reasons, such as establishing multiple characters and sub-plots for sequels. For example; Nick Fury appears at the end ofIron Manto pushThe Avengersinitiative.
To encapsulate it all, filmmakers are now pushing the runtimes of such films. Superheroes used to wrap up their origin tale in nearly 120 minutes, but gone are those days. A runtime of 150 minutes and sometimes even more has become standard.
We’ve curated a list of 10 such films spanning over 2 decades that have gripped the audience for nearly 180 minutes; to the fans of Robert Downey Jr., theIron Manfranchise does not top that list.
10.Superman Returns(2006) – 154 Minutes
Superman ReturnsstarredBrandon Routhas the caped Kryptonian andKate Bosworthas Lois Lane. TheBryan Singerdirectorial released 19 years afterSuperman IV: The Quest for Peaceclosed the chapter onChristopher Reeve’s iteration in about 133 minutes.
Read More:1 Major War Machine Scene Marvel Fans Deserve to See After Robert Downey Jr’s Death in Avengers: Endgame
9.Watchmen(2009) – 163 Minutes
Next up isZack Snyder’sWatchmen,which is about a group of heroes who uncover mysteries while trying to find the culprit who killed one of their own. The film, set in an alternate 1985 time period, showed elaborate set pieces and themes.
8.Eternals(2021) – 156 Minutes
The seemingly cosmic spectacle from Marvel Studios –Eternals,took the audience on a journey into the lives of ancient superheroes sent to Earth by the Celestial entity named Arishem. Stars likeAngelina Jolie,Gemma Chan,Richard Madden,Salma Hayek, andKit Haringtonhad diverse storylines; hence, the runtime.
7.BlackPanther: Wakanda Forever(2022) – 162 Minutes
HonoringChadwick Boseman’s legacy,Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverexpanded the Marvel universe with the introduction of the King of the Seas – Namor.Letitia Wright’s character, Shuri, went on a journey under the ocean, and her buildup to becoming the next Black Panther could have only been done in the said time frame.
6.Batmanv Superman: Dawn of Justice(2016) – 152 Minutes
The epic showdown from DC Studios between the Last Son of Krypton and the Bat of Gotham happened for the first time in a live-action adaptation and it took a great deal of time for Bruce Wayne, played byBen Affleck, to accumulate enough resources to put downHenry Cavill’sMan of Steel.
5.TheDark Knight(2008) – 152 Minutes
Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knightdelved deeper into the madness and chaos that the lateHeath Ledger’s iteration of Joker brought to the film. Carefully tailored story of Harvey Dent, played byAaron Eckhartalong with the clown prince building his own grand scheme,Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne needed time to sort things out.
4.TheDark Knight Rises(2012) – 165 Minutes
The Dark Knight Risestook matters even further withTom Hardy’s Bane being a larger-than-life threat to the world. Christian Bale was brought out of retirement byAnne Hathaway’s Catwoman as she pitted him against Bane who broke his spirit. His journey back into the world from Bane’s personal prison and eventually defeating him pushed the runtime.
3.WonderWoman 1984(2020) – 151 Minutes
Gal Gadot’sWonder Woman 1984had directorPatty Jenkinsshowcase the time period in great detail. The introduction and development ofKristen Wiigas Cheetah along with another powerhouse actorPedro Pascalplaying the antihero Max Lord ran simultaneously with the main storyline of Gadot’s Diana reliving her past as her love interest – Steve Trevor, played byChris Pine, returned.
Read More:MCU Forgot to Give a Closure to Tom Holland and Robert Downey Jr’s On-screen Relationship
2.IronMan(2008) – 126 Minutes
While this may seem surprising,Robert Downey Jr.’s origin tale inIron Mandidn’t take as long to encapsulate his journey of escaping the terrorists and discovering his true purpose.Iron Man, focusing mainly on Tony Stark’s brewing rivalry withJeff Bridges’ Obadiah Stane leading to their ultimate showdown, wrapped up in the shortest possible time frame in the list. Even the sequels,Iron Man 2andIron Man 3,were 124 and 131 minutes respectively.
1. The Batman(2022) – 177 Minutes
Topping all the aforementioned entries –The Batman,starringRobert Pattinsonas the caped crusader, brought a version of Gotham City on the silver screens that was quite elaborate in terms of the landscape, the characters, and the in-depth storyline of Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne, the runtime was well adjusted to keep the audience hooked.
A Look IntoThe BatmanFranchise
Set in an Elseworlds DC timeline,The Batmanhas been rebooted by the studios for the fifth time and bagged $770 million at the box office. ActorMichael Keatonbrought a thorough characterization of the caped crusader in the first-ever big-budget experience with 1989’sBatman.
Leaving afterBatman Returnsin 1982 due to creative differences, actorVal Kilmertook on the cape and cowl withBatman Foreverin 1995. Kilmer left for other projects and actorGeorge Clooneystepped in withBatman & Robinin 1997.Receiving rave reviews, DC Studios rebooted the character in 2005.
Christopher Nolan, with his own grounded version ofThe Dark Knighttrilogy, gained both critical and commercial success. Soon followed Ben Affleck’s iteration in 2016 with Zack Snyder’sBatman v Superman.
Also Read:Highest Rated Marvel Movies- Despite a $356 Million Production Budget, Avengers: Endgame is Not the Best MCU Movie on Rotten Tomatoes
Spanning across 3 decades, the live-actionBatmanfranchise is worth over $5 billion. Pattinson’sThe Batmansequel, set for a 2025 release, will boost the worth further.
Take a look at ourLinkTree!for more lists like these from FandomWire.
Ojaswi Chaudhary
Articles Published :265
Extremely passionate about a great story since the little guy was 8. He has lived through nothing short of almost 300 of Hollywood’s finest pieces of work, and is now creating some of his own here at FandomWire. He loves to make time for a good book and a good meal.
More from Ojaswi Chaudhary
“I’ve had my own challenges”: Angelina Jolie’s Deteriorating Mental Health Condition Brought Her to the Brink of an Insane Decision as a Teenager
“Emma is not sure she wants to come back”: Emma Watson Scared Warner Bros. After Claiming She Felt Like A Prisoner In The $9.5B Franchise
“He’s not protecting himself in any way”: Brad Pitt Said One Oscar Winner Goes Unhinged While Shooting His Scenes – It’s Not Morgan Freeman
Recommended
Delta Force Console Release: Crossplay and Cross-Progression, Explained
Austin Butler’s Diet and Workout Routine For His Ripped Physique
When Is Palm Royale Season 2 Releasing on Apple TV+?
Top 5 Details In Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Reveal Trailer That You Might Have Missed
Are Blood Ravens Returning in Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 4?
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Cast Revealed - From Returning Icons to New Faces
Angelina JolieAnne HathawayBen AffleckBrandon RouthByran SingerChadwick BosemanChristian BaleChristopher NolanChristopher ReeveHeath LedgerHenry CavillKit HaringtonKristen WiigLetitia WrightPedro PascalRichard MaddenRobert Downey Jr.Robert PattinsonSalma HayekTom HardyZack Snyder
