Critics say it's not a trend but a fad. Whatever the case, one thing's for sure: if you go to the movies this summer, chances are you're going to be there for a while.

Are films getting longer? And how long is too long?

The topic's been dominating cinema circles after Martin Scorsese's epic Killings of the Flower Moon left people glued to their seat for more than one reason. It runs three hours and 26 minutes.

But cinemas who added an intermission off their own bat copped a whack from Scorsese's people.

"And for good reason," said CJ Johnson, president of the Film Critic Circle of Australia. "You have to show it as the artist intends."