Let’s be realistic—films are not shrinking, and none of us are necessarily marathon-trained when it comes to sitting for three-plus hours. Long gone are the times when cinemas had that lovely pause button for epic movies: the intermission. It was never merely a pee break. It was time to stretch, talk about what just occurred on screen, and perhaps even refill that popcorn. Whereas today’s blockbusters ask viewers to muscle through, a few movies—particularly those of yesteryear—savored the intermission as a part of the story. Below are 10 unforgettable moments wherein pausing improved the flick.
10. Seven Samurai (1954)
Let’s begin with one of the greatest of all time. Akira Kurosawa’s legendary Seven Samurai isn’t just a film—it’s a full journey, running just under three and a half hours. Somewhere near the midpoint, you’re met with a brief but powerful intermission, backed by haunting music and a simple screen that reads “Intermission.” That five-minute break isn’t just for stretching—it’s for reflecting. The villagers, the samurai, the impending battle—it all hits differently when you’ve had a moment to breathe. It’s considerate, poetic, and profoundly human.
9. Ben-Hur (1956)
You don’t see Ben-Hur, you experience it. With more than three and a half hours of drama, revenge, and floor-sweeping chariot races, the intermission feels like a welcome pause at the end of a robust first act. Just after the movie’s first big arc, the pause serves as a narrative respite, allowing audiences to absorb the high points and low points of the emotional ride. Whether you’re considering Judah Ben-Hur’s destiny or simply catching your breath from the sheer magnitude of the film, that intermission serves to keep you in touch—and prepared for more.
8. Spartacus (1960)
Before Russell Crowe’s Gladiator, we had Spartacus—an epic story of revolt led by Kirk Douglas. The intermission in this case isn’t an act of charity; it’s necessary. With all the political undercurrents, massive battle scenes, and emotional subplots, that ten-minute break is a blessing. It allows you to digest the enormity of what you’ve watched so far and prepare for what’s about to come. And in classic Hollywood tradition, it also allows the majesty of the story to sink in.
7. Cleopatra (1963)
Elizabeth Taylor’s Cleopatra was not only a movie—it was an event. Its tawdry grandeur, operatic drama, and notoriously busted budget are the stuff of Hollywood legend. This almost-four-hour epic offers not one, but two sweeping historical narratives. The intermission falls exactly between the ascent of Cleopatra with Julius Caesar and the complicated romance of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. It’s strategically located—both to prevent people from squirming in their seats and to allow the gravity of empire-making and deception to properly sink in.
6. The Sound of Music (1965)
No one ever forgets Maria whirling through the hills, but The Sound of Music is more than happy songs and picturesque mountains. Billed at nearly three hours, it has a serious turn once the Nazis are on the scene. The intermission cleanly divides the movie between Maria’s sunny arrival and the von Trapps’ dramatic flight. It’s an opportunity to sing along with “My Favorite Things” before toughening up for the emotional tempest that ensues.
5. Funny Girl (1968)
Barbra Streisand’s debut as Fanny Brice is full of charm, ambition, and heartache. Funny Girl isn’t afraid to show the highs and lows of fame and love, and by the time the intermission rolls around—right as Fanny’s romance with Nicky Arnstein starts to unravel—you’re ready for a moment to collect yourself. It’s timed just right, giving space to absorb the story’s emotional shifts before stepping back into the spotlight.
4. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Few films play with your brain like 2001. Stanley Kubrick’s science fiction masterpiece is hypnotic and heavy. At 143 minutes, it’s not the longest here, but perhaps the most brain-heavy. The intermission here serves as a brain pit stop—a brief respite to absorb the enormity of time, space, and that enigmatic monolith. It’s not about giving your eyes a break; it’s about allowing the big questions to stew.
3. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Only Monty Python would make the intermission the punchline. Just when King Arthur’s crew hits a critical point, the movie cuts to a mock intermission—complete with tacky music and absurd imagery. It’s comedy gold at its finest, and a hilarious reminder not to take things too seriously. Even the holy institution of the intermission can’t be spared from their satirical blade.
2. Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Sergio Leone had no problem taking his time with a story, and this epic crime epic is proof. Coming in at 229 minutes, Once Upon a Time in America requires patience. The intermission isn’t just convenient—it’s a blessing. With a narrative that veers in different directions through decades of betrayal, loss of innocence, and friendship, the break provides time for audiences to catch up emotionally, pick up a snack, and steel themselves for further heartbreak.
1. Asteroid City (2023)
And last, a contemporary twist. Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City weighs in at a comparatively brief 105 minutes, but it unapologetically features an “optional” intermission. Why? Because it works. It’s always about rhythm and artistry for Anderson, never about duration. The intermission provides an opportunity to reflect, to chuckle, to absorb the quirky allure before re-immersing in the pastel-colored, gloriously bizarre world he’s created. It’s evidence that the intermission is not dead—it’s merely awaiting that special director to revive it.
From sweeping epic dramas to space-faring brain-twisters, the intermission has long served a greater purpose than providing an opportunity to dash to the bathroom. It’s been an integral part of the cinematic experience—a pause, a breath, a mental clearing. And although today’s cinemas seldom provide that indulgence, perhaps it’s time to rethink. Because when films request three hours of your attention, it’s only right they restore a couple of minutes.