A feature film is a full-length film, typically over 70 minutes long. The term comes from the era of vaudeville, when a feature was the main attraction, as opposed to a short subject. The standard length has varied over time. In the 1930s, a feature was often 70 to 90 minutes. Today, most features run 90 to 150 minutes. Some are longer. Some are much longer. The feature is the dominant form of commercial cinema.

Feature films are distributed in theaters, on streaming platforms, and on physical media. They are made by studios, independent production companies, and individual filmmakers. They span every genre: drama, comedy, action, horror, romance, documentary, animation. They can be made for $10,000 or $300 million. The form is flexible, but the length distinguishes it from short films, which are usually under 40 minutes.

The feature film is a commercial product and an art form. It must attract an audience, but it can also challenge, move, and transform. Some features are designed for mass appeal. Others are personal and experimental. The best features do both. They entertain and they endure. They are the reason people go to the movies.