By some estimates, over 500,000 movies have been made globally since the inception of cinema in the late 19th century. And this number includes only theatrical releases. If we consider all movies, the total reaches millions.
And we all know that movies come in various shapes and sizes. But when it comes to the longest movie ever made, we’re talking about a scale that’s beyond weirdest imagination.
Think about your longest movie marathon. Maybe you watched an entire trilogy or binge-watched a season of your favorite show.
Now, multiply that by weeks—no, months—and you might come close to understanding what the longest movie is all about.
The Winner: “Logistics” (2012)
The longest movie ever made is “Logistics.” Created by Erika Magnusson and Daniel Andersson, this Swedish art piece runs for unbelievable 857 hours. That’s 35 days and 17 hours of continuous viewing.
Imagine starting it on New Year’s Day and still watching into February.
The movie follows the journey of a pedometer (step counter), beginning in a store in Sweden and tracing its production path back to its factory in China.
It’s a literal and visual journey, shot in real-time. The filmmakers documented each step, from shipping containers to factory floors.
Interesting fact: If you watched "Logistics" eight hours a day, it would take you more than 107 days to finish.
How Was “Logistics” Filmed?
Filming “Logistics” was a monumental task that required careful planning and coordination. Erika Magnusson and Daniel Andersson began with a simple question: “What happens to the products we buy?“
From there, they decided to trace the reverse lifecycle of a pedometer, a small and common gadget.
The duo worked closely with logistics companies, manufacturers, and port authorities to gain access to each part of the supply chain. They filmed the pedometer’s journey from Stockholm to its factory in Shenzhen, China.
They used a combination of stationary and moving cameras to capture every moment, from goods being loaded onto massive container ships to workers assembling the pedometer on factory floors.
Filming in real-time meant that each segment of the journey was captured as it happened.
For example, the time it took for the ship to cross the ocean was recorded continuously, without skipping a moment. The result was an unbroken documentation of the pedometer’s journey, presented exactly as it unfolded.
Interesting fact: The filming process involved coordinating with international shipping companies and adhering to strict port regulations, making it as much a logistical challenge as an artistic one.
So Where or How Can You Watch It?
If you’re curious about “Logistics” and want to give it a go, you’re in for a unique “trip”. Unfortunately, you won’t find it on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or your local cinema.
The film isn’t widely distributed due to its massive runtime and unconventional format. It’s more often displayed as an art installation in museums or galleries.
Certain festivals and art exhibitions occasionally feature segments of “Logistics.” These screenings are usually designed for viewers to come and go as they please, rather than sitting through the entire 857 hours. It’s about experiencing the concept, not necessarily watching every minute.
However….
As of 2024, the FULL movie is available on YouTube in 107 parts, with each part lasting 8 hours (except for the 107th part, which lasts 4 hours and 14 minutes).
Here’s the link to full playlist, in case you feel like spending several months of your life 😊:
How Many Tapes Would It Take to Store “Logistics”?
If you think 857 hours sounds long, wait until you see what it takes to store a movie like “Logistics.” Let’s break it down with some numbers and imagine how much physical and digital space this movie would require.
Storage in Standard Videotapes
A standard VHS tape can hold about 2 hours of footage. To store “Logistics,” you would need:
- 857 hours ÷ 2 hours per tape = 429 tapes.
Imagine stacking 429 VHS tapes in your living room. At an average height of 1 inch per tape, that’s a stack over 35 feet tall—almost as tall as a three-story building.
Storage in Digital Formats (MB and GB)
Digital storage simplifies things a bit, but the numbers are still large. Let’s assume the movie is encoded in high-definition (1080p) with a bitrate of 5 Mbps. For simplicity:
- 1 hour of video at 5 Mbps = 2.25 GB.
- 857 hours × 2.25 GB = 1,928.25 GB (or 1.93 TB).
That’s almost 2 terabytes of data. To put this in perspective, a single-layer Blu-ray disc holds about 25 GB. You’d need 78 Blu-ray discs to store the movie in this format.
Storage on Floppy Disks
Now, let’s get a bit absurd. Imagine someone carrying “Logistics” on floppy disks. A standard floppy disk holds 1.44 MB of data:
- 1.93 TB = 1,928,250 MB.
- 1,928,250 MB ÷ 1.44 MB per floppy = 1,339,062 floppy disks.
If you stacked those floppy disks, the pile would be over 2 miles high. You’d need a forklift just to move your movie collection.
Interesting act: The weight of 1.3 million floppy disks would exceed 60 tons.
Other Contenders for the Title
Modern Times Forever
This Danish film lasts a mere 240 hours (10 days). It shows the decay of a building in Helsinki over centuries. The filmmakers used CGI to depict the slow process of aging. While not as long as “Logistics,” it’s still a cinematic endurance test.
Interesting fact: A live screening of "Modern Times Forever" was held at the building it depicted, turning reality into part of the experience.
Ambiancé
Anders Weberg’s Ambiancé is (was) an experimental film meant to last 720 hours, exploring themes like life, death, love, and escape. It was planned as Weberg’s last film, representing his decade of work. The film took years of daily filming to create, resulting in a surreal and unconventional story.
It was originally intended for a one-time global screening, followed by its destruction, but this never happened.
Even though it didn’t reach its final form, Ambiancé is still considered 2nd longest film ever made.
Interesting fact: The trailer for "Ambiancé " is 72 minutes long, longer than some feature films.
Top 10 Longest Movies Ever Made
- Logistics (2012) – 857 hours
- Ambiânce– 720 hours
- Modern Times Forever (2011) – 240 hours
- Cinematon (1978) – 157 hours
- Beijing 2003 (2004) – 150 hours
- Matrjoschka (2006) – 95 hours
- The Cure for Insomnia (1987) – 85 hours
- Huo Zhe Chang Zhen (2015) – 45 hours
- Resan (1987) – 14 hours
- Shoah (1985) – 9 hours 26 minutes
Conclusion
“Logistics” holds the title of the longest movie ever made. But it’s more than just a film. It’s a challenge, an experience, and a bold statement about time and consumption. It really pushes the boundaries of what cinema can be.
And of course, not everyone (actually no one 😊) will sit through an 857-hour movie.
But that’s okay!
These films remind us that storytelling has no limits.
So next time you complain about a movie feeling long, remember – it’s all relative.
