Consider Marcel the Shell with Shoes On for gentle invention, Obvious Child for frank adult comedy, or Slow West for a compact frontier story. A24 currently lists them at 90, 84 and 83 minutes respectively. Each is under 100 minutes; their emotional demands differ.
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On: 90 minutes
A tiny shell gains an audience and a chance to find his family. That premise and the 90-minute runtime come from A24’s listing. Our reason to choose it is the attention it gives to a small life and inventive everyday details. Save it for another night if you want a large-scale adventure or an entirely carefree story. Separation and loss matter beneath its playful presentation.
Obvious Child: 84 minutes
A24 lists 84 minutes. A comedian faces an unexpected pregnancy after a one-night stand, as the Apple TV synopsis explains. Choose it for direct conversation and awkward adult humor. Skip it tonight if sexual material or a pregnancy-centered story is outside the evening you want. A short romantic comedy can still ask you to engage with difficult decisions.
Slow West: 83 minutes in the linked listing
A teenager searching for someone he loves accepts a guide whose motives are hidden. A24 currently lists this edition at 83 minutes. Our pick for a viewer seeking a western with danger and uncertainty. Choose another option if a threatening journey is unwelcome or if the title makes you expect a restful landscape film.
Make the time limit useful
These numbers are film runtimes, not the full evening. Allow time to find the right edition, arrange playback and take breaks. If you have only 85 minutes in total, an 84-minute film may leave too little room. Check the length and offer at your provider; this page does not establish current subscription access.
Choose by the experience you want, then confirm availability. If you have closer to two hours, our three-film time-and-mood guide offers another small selection. These are editorial choices, with practical reasons to skip them rather than a promise that every short film will suit you.