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Short Movies on Netflix: 9 Great Picks for Movie Night That Are 90 Minutes or Less

From hilarious comedy classics to charming indie favorites to fascinating documentaries!

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There’s nothing better than unwinding with a fun movie after a long day, but let’s face it — sometimes it can be hard to fit a movie into your schedule when it feels like everything runs two hours or more. While an epic movie can be great when you’re in the right mood, on an average weekday, many of us prefer something on the shorter side. Anything under 90 minutes is ideal — that runtime is long enough to offer an escape but short enough to allow us to do stuff after, and not have to hit the sack as soon as the credits roll.

If you have a Netflix account, you likely already know there are many different genres of movies to choose from, but did you realize there’s a whole section just for short movies on Netflix? That’s right, the streaming service has a designated category for movies under 90 minutes. Here are nine of our favorite short movies on Netflix — perfect for when you want a movie night that doesn’t take up too much of your precious time.

Click through for more Netflix favorites!

Short movies on Netflix

1. Top Secret! (1984)

Runtime: 90 minutes

Watch if you want: An ’80s throwback

This ’80s classic, from the comic minds behind Airplane!, packs more silly jokes than you can count into its slim runtime. In his debut role, Val Kilmer plays an American rockstar who goes to perform in East Germany and gets caught up in an increasingly ridiculous political plot that parodies Elvis movies, spy movies and much more.

Click through to watch Top Secret!

Val Kilmer in 'Top Secret' 1984 short movies on Netflix
Val Kilmer in Top Secret (1984)Paramount Pictures/MovieStillsDB

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2. Frances Ha (2012)

Runtime: 85 minutes

Watch if you want: An indie favorite

Before she became one of the most successful female filmmakers around with Lady Bird, Little Women and Barbie, the multitalented Greta Gerwig cowrote and starred in this delightful black-and-white portrait of twentysomething life. Gerwig plays Frances, a young New Yorker trying to figure herself out out as she navigates all the challenges of friendships, romance and work. Anyone who’s ever had a quarter-life crisis will be able to relate.

Click through to watch Frances Ha.

Greta Gerwig in 'Frances Ha' 2012
Greta Gerwig in Frances Ha (2012)IFC Films/MovieStillsDB

3. Ouija (2014)

Runtime: 89 minutes

Watch if you want: A spooky mood

Every wondered what would happen if a Ouija board actually allowed you to communicate with spirits from beyond? Ouija shows all the supernatural scares that can arise, and it will have you on the edge of your seat as you see that a Ouija board is way more than just a slumber party game. Bonus: the film’s prequel, Ouija: Origin of Evil is also on Netflix, and runs just 98 minutes.

Click through to watch Ouija.

Olivia Cooke in 'Ouija' 2014
Olivia Cooke in Ouija (2014)Universal Pictures/MovieStillsDB

4. Fun Mom Dinner (2017)

Runtime: 82 minutes

Watch if you want: A bawdy comedy

Sometimes it’s fun to kick back with a glass (or two!) of wine and watch some ladies behaving badly. Fun Mom Dinner centers on a group of four moms (Katie Aselton, Toni Collette, Bridget Everett and Molly Shannon) who get together for a dinner that soon turns unexpectedly chaotic and hilarious. The movie also features two of our favorite funny (and handsome!) men, Paul Rudd and Adam Scott.

Click through to watch Fun Mom Dinner.

Toni Collette, Molly Shannon and Bridget Everett in 'Fun Mom Dinner' 2017 short movies on Netflix
Left to right: Toni Collette, Molly Shannon and Bridget Everett in Fun Mom Dinner (2017)@funmomdinnermovie/Instagram

MUST-READ: 10 Best Comedy Series on Netflix, Ranked — All Sure to Leave You in Stitches

5. Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (2017)

Runtime: 88 minutes

Watch if you want: A Hollywood history lesson

Hedy Lamarr is one of the most fascinating actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Not only did the stunning star appear in classic ’40s films like Tortilla Flat, Her Highness and the Bellboy and Samson and Delilah, she also was an inventor who pioneered the technology behind the WiFi we really on today — yes, really! This documentary details all of her pioneering achievements, and shows how she exemplified beauty and brains.

Click through to watch Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story.

Hedy Lamarr in 'Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story' 2017
Hedy Lamarr in Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (2017)@teenagegoldenage/Instagram

MUST-READ: The 12 Best Netflix Documentaries, Ranked: Real-Life Stories Guaranteed to Intrigue

6. Poms (2019)

Runtime: 90 minutes

Watch if you want: A celebration of friendship

Any movie that shines a light on mature women is a winner in our book. The heartfelt comedy Poms stars Diane Keaton as a woman who relocates to a retirement community and forms a cheer squad with her new friends (Jacki Weaver, Rhea Perlman and Pam Grier). The movie doesn’t just offer a fun showcase for veteran actress, it also serves as a potent reminder that you’re never too old to follow your dreams and have fun.

Click through to watch Poms.

Diane Keaton in 'Poms' 2019
Diane Keaton in Poms (2019)STX Entertainment/MovieStillsDB

MUST-READ: Young Diane Keaton: 18 Must-See Photos From the Eccentric Leading Lady’s Early Career

7. Miss Americana (2020)

Runtime: 85 minutes

Watch if you want: A look at pop’s brightest star

Whether you’re a hardcore Swiftie or are curious to see what the Taylor Swift phenomenon is all about, you’ll find much to love in Miss Americana. This documentary offers an inside look at the biggest music star in the world, and shines a light on how Swift has navigated all the challenges that come with fame with strength and grace. You also get to see Swift’s adorable cats!

Click through to watch Miss Americana.

Taylor Swift in 'Miss Americana' 2020
Taylor Swift in Miss Americana (2020)Netflix

8. Vicky and Her Mystery (2021)

Runtime: 84 minutes

Watch if you want: An adorable animal tale

In this poignant French movie, a young girl (Shanna Keil) who’s just experienced a heartbreaking loss forges an unlikely bond with ax sweet wolf puppy that she names Mystery. The movie will captivate you with its powerful look at how animals can help us heal, even if they may be misunderstood.

Click through to watch Vicky and Her Mystery.

Shanna Keil in 'Vicky and Her Mystery' 2021 short movies on Netflix
Shanna Keil in Vicky and Her Mystery (2021)@proviewfilm/Instagram

9. Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (2022)

Runtime: 90 minutes

Watch if you want: A quirky charmer

This charming mockumentary centers on a filmmaker (the film’s actual director, Dean Fleischer Camp) who meets a tiny talking shell named Marcel (voiced by the always funny Jenny Slate). Marcel becomes a celebrity, and the film offers a unique mix of creative visual humor, eccentricity and unexpected emotional weight. You’ll never look at snails the same way after spending 90 minutes with Marcel!

Click through to watch Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.

'Marcel the Shell With Shoes On' 2021 short movies on Netflix
Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (2022)@marcelthemovie/Instagram

Find even more short movies on Netflix

These are just a few of the great short movies on Netflix. To see even more, you can explore their categories for 90-minute comedies, 90-minute family movies, 90-minute horror, 90-minute rom-coms and 90-minute thrillers. If you’re looking for something short and sweet, you have plenty of exciting options.

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