10 of the Longest Theatrical Runs in Movie History (2024)

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.

10 '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 (SamWorthington) 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 not to 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.

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9 'Titanic' (1997)

Weeks showing in theaters: 54

26 years later, Titanic endures 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.

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8 '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 an entertaining watch today.

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7 '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.

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6 'Jurassic Park' (1993)

Weeks showing in theaters: 81

With groundbreaking special effects that pioneered computer-generated imagery that 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 endures 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 (LauraDern, JeffGoldblum, SamNeil, 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.

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5 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982)

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 are the universal themes it deals with, which include friendship, loyalty, and trust.

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4 'Gone with the Wind' (1939)

Weeks showing in theaters: 107

In addition to being one of the first technicolor films to ever grace the big screen, Gone with the Wind was also a talked-about film by the time it came out, thanks to its controversial approach to the themes it tackled, including slavery. Based on the 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell, the Victor Fleming, George Cukor, and Sam Wood movie illustrates the turbulent romance between a Southern belle (Vivien Leigh) and a profiteer (Clark Gable).

As it turns out, Gone with the Wind is the highest-grossing movie adjusted for inflation in all cinema history, making an astounding total of $3.44 billion (according to Guinness World Records). Released in 1939, the movie's initial run was available to watch in theaters for 749 days, or 107 weeks.

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3 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' (1975)

Weeks showing in theaters: 118

The cult classic film The Rocky Horror Picture Show has been re-released multiple times over the past 48 years, and its first theatrical run lasted over 828 days or 118 weeks. An independent movie, Rocky Horror is a unique blend of musical, comedy, and horror genres and tells the story of a newly engaged couple (Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick) who experience a breakdown in a remote area and seek refuge at the strange residence of Dr. Frank-n-Furter (Tim Curry).

Jim Sharman's feature gained a massive following due to its innovative storytelling and creative execution. Reflecting on the themes of self-liberation and originality while celebrating everyone's differences, the 1975 flick was a love letter to everyone who felt like an outcast, enduring such today. Given the amount of times it has been re-released, The Rocky Horror Picture Show can be considered the longest-running theatrical release in history.

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2 'Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope' (1977)

Weeks showing in theaters: 135

With new technology and techniques of filmmaking, the action-adventure fantasy Star Wars: A New Hope, which tells the story of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) as he joins forces with Harrison Ford's co*cky pilot to save the galaxy from the Empire world's battle station, was a phenomenon like no other when it came out.

The George Lucas movie remains one of the most influential films of all time, breaking major ground when it was released and helping launch other science fiction features in the late 1970s and 1980s, consequently turning sci-fi into a blockbuster genre. When it was released, the unforgettable Star Wars installment graced the big screen an impressive amount of 135 weeks and grossed over $775 million.

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1 'The Sound of Music' (1965)

Weeks showing in theaters: 147

The Sound of Music is regarded as one of the best musicals of all time, and understandably so. The central themes of the film revolve around Maria's (Julie Andrews) decision to become a governess for Captain von Trapp's (Christopher Plummer) children instead of becoming a nun and her subsequent love for the family.

Featuring many memorable songs and breathtaking visuals, the 1960s must-see classic is still on many movie enthusiasts' watchlists today, mostly thanks to how well discussed and recommended it still is. Based on a real-life story, The Sound of Music is considered to be the longest-running movie in theaters, as it played in American theaters for 147 weeks until the studio withdrew it with plans for a re-issue.

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NEXT:The Longest Film Series of All Time, Ranked