How Long Is a Script for a 2-Hour Movie?

A script for a two-hour movie is about 120 pages. In standard screenplay format, one page equals roughly one minute of screen time. Most spec feature scripts today run 90 to 115 pages, because readers and buyers prefer tighter drafts.

• One formatted page is about one minute on screen.
• A 2-hour film is roughly 120 pages.
• Spec scripts usually aim for 90 to 115 pages.

Why does one page equal one minute?

Screenplay format uses 12-point Courier and fixed margins, so every page holds a similar amount of action and dialogue. Averaged across a script, that works out close to a minute per page. Action-heavy pages can play longer and dialogue-heavy pages shorter.

How long should a spec script be?

For a first or spec feature, 90 to 115 pages is a safe range. Comedies and horror often come in shorter, around 90 to 100 pages. Dramas and epics may run longer, but a first script over 120 pages can put readers off before they start.

What about TV scripts?

A half-hour episode is usually 25 to 35 pages. An hour-long drama is typically 50 to 65 pages.

Questions

Is 120 pages too long for a screenplay?

Not for a produced two-hour film. For a spec script by a new writer, 120 pages is at the top end, and trimming to under 115 usually helps.

How many words is a 2-hour screenplay?

Roughly 20,000 to 25,000 words, though writers and readers measure scripts in pages, not words.

Related course: Screenwriting 101