How Long Should a Feature Film Script Be in 2026?

Page count anxiety is real. You've heard the numbers. 90 to 120 pages. The short answer: a typical feature screenplay runs between 90 and 120 pages, with 100 to 110 as the sweet spot for most genres. That hasn't changed dramatically. What has changed is how rigidly those numbers are enforced,and what exceptions now exist.

Where the Numbers Come From

One page of properly formatted screenplay is conventionally equal to roughly one minute of screen time. 90 pages ≈ 90 minutes. 120 pages ≈ two hours. Executives use page count as a proxy for runtime and pacing.

Genre Expectations in 2026

Different genres carry different expectations. Horror and comedy often land at 90-100 pages. Thrillers and drama typically sit at 100-115. Action and sci-fi can stretch to 120-130 if the scale justifies it.

The Real Question: Is Every Page Earning Its Place?

Page count matters less than density. A 95-page script that drags feels longer than a 115-page script that moves. The question isn't "how many pages?" It's "does every scene advance plot, character, or theme?"

Aim for 100-110 pages for a first draft of a standard feature. For writers planning their structure, our guide on the Save the Cat beat sheet pairs page count with where key beats land. Write the story. Then make it fit. The number is a tool, not the goal.