A Glean movie guide
Short & Sweet: Great Movies Under 90 Minutes
All killer, no filler.
Proof that a masterpiece doesn't need a massive runtime to leave a lasting impression.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
Run Lola Run
A high-octane race against time that uses every second of its runtime to build relentless momentum.
Lola receives a phone call from her boyfriend Manni. He lost 100,000 DM in a subway train that belongs to a very bad guy. She has 20 minutes to raise this amount and meet Manni. Otherwise, he will rob a store to get the money. Three different alternatives may happen depending on some minor event along Lola's run.
- 02
Before Sunset
A breathtakingly intimate conversation that captures the weight of a lifetime in just eighty minutes.
Nine years later, Jesse travels across Europe giving readings from a book he wrote about the night he spent in Vienna with Celine. After his reading in Paris, Celine finds him, and they spend part of the day together before Jesse has to again leave for a flight. They are both in relationships now, and Jesse has a son, but as their strong feelings for each other start to return, both confess a longing for more.
- 03
Toy Story
The groundbreaking animation that proved digital storytelling could have a massive heart and a lean script.
Led by Woody, Andy's toys live happily in his room until Andy's birthday brings Buzz Lightyear onto the scene. Afraid of losing his place in Andy's heart, Woody plots against Buzz. But when circumstances separate Buzz and Woody from their owner, the duo eventually learns to put aside their differences.
- 04
Airplane!
A relentless barrage of visual gags and puns that remains the gold standard for efficient comedy.
An ex-fighter pilot forced to take over the controls of an airliner when the flight crew succumbs to food poisoning.
- 05
What We Do in the Shadows
A sharp, hilarious mockumentary that breathes fresh, comedic life into the vampire genre.
Vampire housemates try to cope with the complexities of modern life and show a newly turned hipster some of the perks of being undead.
- 06
The Nightmare Before Christmas
A visually stunning holiday mashup that packs incredible world-building into a concise 76 minutes.
Tired of scaring humans every October 31 with the same old bag of tricks, Jack Skellington, the spindly king of Halloween Town, kidnaps Santa Claus and plans to deliver shrunken heads and other ghoulish gifts to children on Christmas morning. But as Christmas approaches, Jack's rag-doll girlfriend, Sally, tries to foil his misguided plans.
- 07
Stand by Me
A poignant coming-of-age journey that finds deep emotional resonance in a simple afternoon hike.
After learning that a boy their age has been accidentally killed near their rural homes, four boys decide to go see the body. Gordie, Vern, Chris, and Teddy encounter a mean junk man and a marsh full of leeches, but they also learn more about one another and their very different home lives. Just a lark at first, the boys' adventure evolves into a defining event in their lives.
- 08
Primer
A dense, mind-bending time travel puzzle that respects the viewer's intelligence without wasting a moment.
A group of fledgling inventors discover a complex method to manipulate reality. At first, they successfully game the stock market with it, but the consequences of the invention start to catch up with them.
- 09
Following
Christopher Nolan’s lean debut is a twisty neo-noir that proves how much tension you can build in 70 minutes.
Bill, an idle, unemployed aspiring writer, walks the crowded streets of London following randomly chosen strangers, a seemingly innocent entertainment that becomes dangerous when he crosses paths with a mysterious character.
- 10
Don't Breathe
A masterclass in suspense that turns a simple heist into a claustrophobic, high-stakes game of survival.
A group of teens break into a blind man's home thinking they'll get away with the perfect crime. They're wrong.
- 11
Paths of Glory
Stanley Kubrick’s searing anti-war drama delivers a powerful, unforgettable message with surgical precision.
A commanding officer defends three scapegoats on trial for a failed offensive that occurred within the French Army in 1916.
- 12
Zombieland
A stylish and energetic take on the apocalypse that prioritizes fun, character, and fast-paced action.
Columbus has made a habit of running from what scares him. Tallahassee doesn't have fears. If he did, he'd kick their ever-living ass. In a world overrun by zombies, these two are perfectly evolved survivors. But now, they're about to stare down the most terrifying prospect of all: each other.