The 20 Longest Oscar-Nominated Performances in Leading Roles
For this list, we focused on 10 actors and 10 actresses who were nominated for a leading role that was absurdly long. To keep things interesting, we’ve added their exact screen time next to each title (no, it’s not the film’s total runtime – seriously!).
Do you think any of these performances didn’t deserve a nomination? Which one do you think overstayed its welcome on screen? Let us know in the comments!
20. Bette Midler in The Rose (1979) – 1:51:31
Bette Midler didn’t just star in The Rose – she became the rose, thorns and all. Clocking in at nearly two hours of pure, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll energy, Midler’s performance as a self-destructive, Janis Joplin-inspired singer is like watching a firework that refuses to burn out. She sings, she screams, she staggers, and she breaks your heart – all while commanding the screen with the kind of presence that says, “Yeah, I’m the star.” Honestly, they could’ve renamed the movie The Bette Midler Show and no one would’ve complained. It’s raw, chaotic, and brilliant – much like Midler herself. | © 20th Century Fox
19. Audrey Hepburn in The Nun’s Story (1959) – 1:52:50
Audrey Hepburn in The Nun’s Story is proof that you don’t need dazzling gowns or romantic montages to steal the show. Here, she trades her iconic little black dress for a nun’s habit and still manages to be effortlessly captivating. With 1 hour and 52 minutes of screen time, Hepburn’s portrayal of Sister Luke is a masterclass in quiet strength, internal conflict, and the subtle art of making silence speak louder than words. It’s not glamorous, but that’s the point – Audrey shows us that even the most restrained performances can leave a lasting impact. Also, who knew a nun’s daily routine could be this gripping? | © Warner Bros.
18. Meryl Streep in Out of Africa (1985) – 1:52:57
Ah, Meryl Streep in Out of Africa, or as I like to call it, “Meryl Streep with an accent, again.” Playing Danish writer Karen Blixen, Meryl spends almost two hours reminding us why she’s the GOAT, effortlessly juggling heartbreak, colonial politics, and sweeping romance – all against the backdrop of breathtaking African landscapes. Her on-screen chemistry with Robert Redford is as smooth as his perfect hair, but it’s Meryl’s quietly powerful performance that anchors the film. Seriously, if you can deliver lines like, “I had a farm in Africa,” and make it sound profound every time, you deserve all the Oscars. | © Universal Pictures
17. Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer (2023) – 1:53:10
Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer isn’t just acting – he’s practically radiating intensity. (Yes, that’s a nuclear pun. You’re welcome.) For nearly two hours, he carries the weight of the atomic bomb – and the entire film – on his slender, sharp-suited shoulders. His portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer is equal parts genius, guilt, and existential dread, with a dash of cheekbone definition that could cut through enriched uranium. Murphy’s haunting presence lingers long after the credits roll, proving that when you give him 1 hour and 53 minutes of screen time, he’ll blow you away. Figuratively, of course. | © Universal Pictures
16. Ana de Armas in Blonde (2022) – 1:53:44
Ana de Armas’s performance in Blonde is like watching a beautiful, tragic fever dream unfold in slow motion. As Marilyn Monroe, she’s on screen for almost two hours, giving us a raw, unfiltered look at the icon’s tortured inner world. Forget the glitz and glamour – this isn’t your typical Marilyn biopic. Ana doesn’t just impersonate Monroe; she inhabits her, peeling back the layers of fame, vulnerability, and heartbreak with a fearless intensity. It’s bold, it’s unsettling, and it’s impossible to look away. By the time it’s over, you’ll feel like you’ve lived through Marilyn’s entire life – and maybe needed a nap afterward. | © Netflix
15. Judy Garland in A Star Is Born (1954) – 1:56:12
Judy Garland in A Star Is Born is like watching a masterclass in emotional vulnerability – set to music, of course. For nearly two hours, she pours her heart, soul, and powerhouse vocals into the role of Esther Blodgett, a rising star navigating the messy reality of fame and love. Garland’s performance isn’t just acting; it’s a full-on emotional rollercoaster with no safety bar. Whether she’s belting out “The Man That Got Away” or breaking your heart with just a glance, Judy holds the screen like she was born to do it. Spoiler alert: she was. Honestly, if talent had a runtime, it’d be 1:56:12. | © Warner Bros.
14. Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood (2007) – 1:57:00
Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood is less of a performance and more of an epic declaration: “I drink your milkshake!” – which, let’s be honest, is now forever etched in cinema history. For almost two hours, Day-Lewis embodies Daniel Plainview, a man so intense he could probably intimidate an actual oil rig. His portrayal is equal parts mesmerizing and terrifying, like watching capitalism grow legs and start shouting at people. The sheer force of his presence fills every frame, and by the time the credits roll, you’ll feel like you’ve aged alongside him – minus the oil stains. | © Paramount Vantage
13. Will Smith in Ali (2001) – 1:57:22
Will Smith’s transformation in Ali isn’t just impressive – it’s a knockout (pun fully intended). For nearly two hours, he steps into the legendary boxing gloves of Muhammad Ali, not just nailing the physicality but capturing the charisma, wit, and defiant spirit that made Ali a cultural icon. Smith doesn’t just play Ali; he becomes him, floating like a butterfly through emotional moments and stinging like a bee in the ring. It’s the kind of performance that makes you forget you’re watching an actor and not the real Ali himself. Honestly, if Oscars were awarded for sheer commitment, Smith would’ve left with a heavyweight title. | © Columbia Pictures
12. Leonardo DiCaprio in The Aviator (2004) – 1:57:46
Leonardo DiCaprio in The Aviator is basically a two-hour crash course in how to act your heart out while slowly descending into madness – aviation goggles optional. As Howard Hughes, Leo delivers a performance that’s as larger-than-life as Hughes’ ego, navigating everything from epic plane crashes to obsessive-compulsive meltdowns with equal intensity. Watching him unravel is both fascinating and exhausting (in the best way), like a beautifully controlled nosedive. And yes, by the time he’s muttering “the way of the future” on repeat, you’ll be right there with him, completely transfixed. | © Warner Bros.
11. Liv Ullmann in Face to Face (1976) – 1:58:06
Liv Ullmann in Face to Face doesn’t just break the fourth wall – she stares through it, right into your soul. For almost two hours, Ullmann’s portrayal of a psychiatrist unraveling at the seams is an emotional marathon that feels both intimate and unsettling. Her face (pun intended) is the film’s focal point, capturing every flicker of doubt, fear, and vulnerability with such rawness you almost feel like you’re intruding. It’s not a performance you watch; it’s one you experience – and maybe even need a moment to recover from afterward. Consider it therapy, but with more existential dread. | © Paramount Pictures
10. Tom Hanks in Cast Away (2000) – 1:58:15
Tom Hanks in Cast Away is basically the ultimate one-man show – with a volleyball as his co-star. For nearly two hours, Hanks carries the entire film (and we mean carries it) as Chuck Noland, a FedEx executive stranded on a deserted island. Watching him evolve from a corporate guy to a sunburned survivalist is both fascinating and oddly inspiring. No dialogue? No problem. Hanks’s ability to convey despair, hope, and a full-blown friendship with Wilson proves he doesn’t need a supporting cast to deliver an Oscar-worthy performance. It’s like Survivor, but with more emotional trauma and fewer tiki torches. | © 20th Century Fox
9. Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl (1968) – 2:01:02
Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl isn’t just funny – she’s fabulous, iconic, and utterly unforgettable. For a solid two hours, Streisand is Fanny Brice, dazzling audiences with her sharp wit, killer vocals, and magnetic charm. Every scene feels like a personal invitation to witness her star power in real time. Whether she’s belting out “Don’t Rain on My Parade” or delivering a one-liner with perfect comedic timing, Barbra owns the screen like it’s her natural habitat. Honestly, the only thing funnier than Funny Girl is thinking anyone else could’ve played this role as brilliantly as she did. | © Columbia Pictures
8. Charlton Heston in Ben-Hur (1959) – 2:01:23
Charlton Heston in Ben-Hur is the cinematic equivalent of an epic flex. For just over two hours, he embodies Judah Ben-Hur with the kind of stoic intensity that could outstare a Roman legion. From dramatic betrayals to that legendary chariot race (yes, the one that still slaps decades later), Heston’s performance is pure old-school Hollywood grandeur. He’s the kind of leading man who doesn’t just enter a scene – he conquers it. Honestly, if there were an Oscar category for “Most Dramatic Glares While Covered in Dust,” Heston would’ve won that too. | © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
7. Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues (1972) – 2:01:38
Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues is one of those performances where you think, “Wait, this was her first movie?” – and then you spend the next two hours wondering how that’s even possible. As Billie Holiday, Ross delivers a raw, emotionally charged portrayal that’s equal parts heartbreaking and mesmerizing. She doesn’t just sing the blues; she lives them on screen, capturing Holiday’s struggles with addiction, love, and fame with unflinching honesty. It’s a performance that proves Ross isn’t just a music legend – she’s got serious acting chops too. And yes, her voice will haunt you in the best way. | © Paramount Pictures
6. Anthony Hopkins in Nixon (1995) – 2:04:10
Anthony Hopkins in Nixon is like watching a masterclass in how to make paranoia and political scandal utterly captivating. For just over two hours, Hopkins transforms into Richard Nixon – not exactly an easy guy to sympathize with – and somehow makes him both fascinating and, dare I say, a little tragic. It’s less about nailing an impression and more about capturing the essence of a man unraveling under the weight of his own ambition. Hopkins’s performance is intense, layered, and filled with enough dramatic pauses to fuel an entire season of political thrillers. Honestly, if Watergate had a face, it’d be Hopkins’s brooding glare. | © Hollywood Pictures
5. Peter O’Toole in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) – 2:13:13
Peter O’Toole in Lawrence of Arabia is the very definition of cinematic grandeur. For over two hours, O’Toole is T.E. Lawrence – a man with more contradictions than a philosophy textbook. His piercing blue eyes practically deserve their own screen credit, capturing the charisma, arrogance, and vulnerability of a figure larger than life. Whether he’s crossing endless deserts or wrestling with the complexities of identity and empire, O’Toole’s performance is magnetic. Honestly, if acting were an endurance sport, he’d be an Olympic gold medalist. Bonus points for making khakis and a headscarf look effortlessly iconic. | © Columbia Pictures
4. Cate Blanchett in TÁR (2022) – 2:15:15
Cate Blanchett in TÁR is like watching a master conductor lead an orchestra – except the orchestra is your emotions, and she’s hitting every note. For over two hours, Blanchett embodies Lydia Tár, a brilliant, manipulative maestro whose life unravels in slow, deliciously tense detail. It’s a performance so commanding that you forget you’re watching an actress and start questioning if Lydia Tár is a real person. Blanchett’s precision, intensity, and razor-sharp wit make it impossible to look away. Honestly, she doesn’t just act in this film – she orchestrates it. | © Focus Features
3. Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) – 2:21:07
Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street is like watching a human rollercoaster that never slows down – not even for bathroom breaks. For over two hours, he’s in full “chaotic good” mode as Jordan Belfort, snorting, shouting, and slithering his way through Wall Street’s most outrageous excesses. Whether he’s delivering rapid-fire sales pitches or crawling to his car in a Quaalude-induced haze, DiCaprio’s energy is off the charts. It’s bold, it’s unhinged, and it’s absolutely hilarious. Honestly, if charisma could be bottled, DiCaprio’s performance would be sold as a high-end stock option. | © Paramount Pictures
2. Denzel Washington in Malcolm X (1992) – 2:21:58
Denzel Washington in Malcolm X doesn’t just play the role – he embodies it with a force that feels both historical and deeply personal. For over two powerful hours, Washington takes us through Malcolm X’s evolution from street hustler to revolutionary icon, with every chapter delivered with breathtaking authenticity. His speeches crackle with intensity, his quiet moments simmer with purpose, and his presence? Unstoppable. It’s not just a performance; it’s a tribute, a transformation, and a masterclass in acting all rolled into one. Honestly, if passion had a face, it’d be Denzel’s in this film. | © Warner Bros.
1. Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind (1939) – 2:23:32
Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind is the ultimate cinematic marathon – and she runs it in heels, corsets, and with more sass than anyone in 19th-century Georgia had a right to. For over two hours, Leigh’s Scarlett O’Hara is a whirlwind of charm, ambition, and the kind of stubbornness that could probably survive an actual apocalypse. She laughs, cries, schemes, and stares dramatically into the distance more times than you can count – and somehow, it never gets old. Honestly, if they’d given her another hour, she probably would’ve rebuilt Atlanta herself. | © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
