5 Most Captivating 3-Hour+ Films to Start Your Movie Club with
These long films will give you plenty to talk about with your family and friends.
There's no better way to bond with family and friends than through a shared activity. If reading books isn't for you, consider starting a movie club. These five movies are perfect for the task.
Barry Lyndon (1975, 8.1 on IMDb)
Available on: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
Adapted from William Thackeray's The Tale of Barry Lyndon, this epic historical drama follows the title character, an eighteenth-century Anglo-Irish con artist who marries the widow of a wealthy aristocrat in the hope of inheriting his fortune and position. But first, Redmond Barry must survive the hardships of life in Ireland and, later, the Seven Years' War.
The Deer Hunter (1978, 8.1 on IMDb)
Available on: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video
This epic war drama from Michael Cimino tells the story of three Slavic-American steelworkers, Mike Vronsky, Nick Chevotarevich and Steven Pushkov, whose seemingly boring lives are changed forever when they are drafted to fight in the Vietnam War. As they endure the hardships of war, the film explores their past, present, and offers a glimpse into their future.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962, 8.3 on IMDb)
Available on: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
Based on the life and memoirs of T.E. Lawrence, this adventure biopic follows the legendary British officer and archaeologist who dedicated his life to the study of the Middle East and led its many peoples in the uprising against the Turks during World War I. The film focuses on his raids on Aqaba and Damascus in Greater Syria and explores his role in the formation of the Arab National Council.
Once Upon a Time in America (1984, 8.3 on IMDb)
Available on: Apple TV+, Paramount+
Set primarily in the 1920s, this crime drama revolves around five childhood friends, David, Max, Patsy, Philip and Dominic, who form a gang together in New York during Prohibition. As they grow up, their illegal activities become more complex and dangerous, and their rap sheets grow longer. But despite their struggle for a better life at any cost, their friendship is of paramount importance to them and proves to be the key to their eventual downfall.
Seven Samurai (1954, 8.6 on IMDb)
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Available on: Apple TV+
In the 16th century, Japan was in the Middle Ages, with a military aristocracy ruling the country while ordinary people died of starvation and disease in small villages constantly plundered by bandits. The movie follows the inhabitants of one such village, who one day get fed up with the situation and put their last money into hiring a group of samurai to protect them from the bandits. Along the way, the legendary warriors teach the locals to stand up for themselves and bring them closer together.