Ah, the Academy Awards – the glitz, the glamour, the over-the-top acceptance speeches, and of course, the never-ending show.

As much as we love seeing our favorite actors and films being honored, we can’t help but wonder when the darn show is going to end.

Over the years, the Academy Awards have become notorious for their length.

There have been times when the show seemed to go on forever, leaving us all wondering if we would ever see the light of day again.

But which Oscar ceremonies were the longest of them all?

Let’s take a look at some of the Academy Awards’ most prolonged events.

Longest Academy Award Shows

Here are the longest Academy Award shows so far.

1. The 74th Academy Awards – 2002

The 74th Academy Awards held in 2002 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles holds the record for the longest Oscar ceremony ever, lasting for four hours and twenty-three minutes.

The show was hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, and it featured a tribute to the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks, which added to the show’s length.

The show also included performances by U2 and Paul McCartney, which contributed to the lengthy runtime.

It’s no surprise that this particular ceremony was one of the longest in Oscar history. Four hours and twenty-three minutes are a long time to sit through anything, let alone an awards show. I mean, that’s longer than the average Lord of the Rings movie.

2. The 72nd Academy Awards – 2000

The 72nd Academy Awards ceremony in 2000, which also took place at the Kodak Theatre, was the second-longest Oscars ceremony ever, clocking in at four hours and nine minutes.

The show was hosted by Billy Crystal, and it featured a performance by Phil Collins, who sang the Oscar-winning song “You’ll Be in My Heart” from the film Tarzan.

Now, I’m not saying that Phil Collins’ performance was the reason for the lengthy runtime, but I’m also not not saying that. I mean, have you ever heard “In the Air Tonight”?

That song is longer than some entire TV shows.

3. The 78th Academy Awards – 2006

In 2006, the 78th Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre was another one for the record books.

The show ran for three hours and fifty-one minutes, making it the third-longest Oscars ceremony ever. Jon Stewart hosted the show, and it featured performances by Dolly Parton, Three 6 Mafia, and Queen Latifah.

I don’t know about you, but I would sit through a four-hour Oscars ceremony if it meant seeing Dolly Parton perform live. That woman is a national treasure, and if her performance meant the show ran a little longer, then so be it.

4. The 88th Academy Awards – 2016

The 88th Academy Awards ceremony in 2016 was a particularly memorable one, not just because of its length but also because of the infamous Best Picture mix-up.

The show ran for three hours and forty-five minutes and was hosted by Chris Rock.

The ceremony featured performances by Lady Gaga and Sam Smith, who both sang their Oscar-nominated songs.

However, the real highlight of the night was undoubtedly the Best Picture mix-up.

As you probably remember, La La Land was initially announced as the winner, but after several minutes of confusion and chaos, it was revealed that Moonlight had actually won the award.

It was a moment that will go down in Oscars history and one that added to the already lengthy runtime.

5. The 76th Academy Awards – 2004

The 76th Academy Awards in 2004 was yet another lengthy Oscars ceremony, running for three hours and forty-three minutes. The show was hosted by Billy Crystal, who was no stranger to the Oscars stage

The ceremony featured performances by Beyoncé, Sting, and Josh Groban, among others.

There were also several tributes throughout the show, including one to the late Katharine Hepburn, who had passed away the previous year.

Now, I don’t want to say that Beyoncé’s performance was the reason for the extended runtime, but let’s be real, it probably was. I mean, have you seen that woman perform?

She could probably keep an audience entertained for days.

6. The 90th Academy Awards – 2018

The 90th Academy Awards in 2018 was another ceremony that went on for what felt like an eternity.

The show was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and ran for three hours and fifty-three minutes. The ceremony featured performances by Mary J. Blige, Miguel, and Common, as well as several tributes, including one to the #MeToo movement.

One of the most memorable moments of the night was Frances McDormand’s acceptance speech for Best Actress, where she urged all the women nominees to stand up and be recognized.

It was a powerful moment that added to the show’s already lengthy runtime.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I would sit through a four-hour Oscars ceremony if it meant seeing Mary J. Blige and Common perform live. Those two could probably sing the phone book, and I would still be entertained.

So, there you have it – some of the longest Oscars ceremonies in history. While we love seeing our favorite films and actors being honored, we could do without the never-ending show. But hey, if it means seeing some of our favorite performers and experiencing some unforgettable moments, then maybe we can endure the length.

Are the Oscars Really Longer Every Year?

It’s not necessarily true that the Oscars get longer every year, but they do have a reputation for being one of the longest awards shows on television.

The length of the ceremony can vary depending on several factors, including the number of awards being presented, the length of performances and tributes, and even the host’s style.

While some years may seem longer than others, the average runtime of the Oscars has remained relatively consistent over the years, with the ceremony typically lasting around three to four hours.

However, there have been several instances where the ceremony has exceeded this average runtime and stretched into the wee hours of the morning.

So, while it may not be accurate to say that the Oscars get longer every year, there have certainly been some memorable ceremonies that have left viewers feeling like they’ve been watching the show for an eternity.

Whether it’s due to unexpected moments, emotional speeches, or just the sheer number of awards being presented, the Academy Awards have a way of keeping us glued to our seats for hours on end.

How Long Are The Oscars?

The length of the Oscars ceremony can vary from year to year, but they typically run for around three to four hours.

This includes the red carpet pre-show, the actual ceremony, and any post-show events or interviews.

However, there have been several instances where the Oscars have gone on for much longer than the average runtime.

For example, the 74th Academy Awards in 2002 went on for four hours and twenty-three minutes, making it one of the longest Oscars ceremonies in history.

There are several factors that can contribute to the length of the Oscars, including the number of awards being presented, the length of performances and tributes, and even the host’s style.

Despite the lengthy runtime, the Oscars continue to be one of the most highly anticipated and watched events on television, with millions of viewers tuning in to see their favorite films and actors being honored

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Academy Awards have a reputation for being one of the longest awards shows on television, and for good reason.

Over the years, there have been several ceremonies that seemed to go on forever, leaving viewers wondering when the show would ever end.

Whether it’s due to performances, tributes, or just the sheer number of awards being presented, the Oscars have a way of stretching out into the wee hours of the morning.

But despite the length, the Academy Awards continue to be a beloved tradition, and we can’t help but tune in year after year, ready for whatever unexpected moments and extended run times come our way.