Some movies are projected at 24 frames per second because this frequency has been chosen as the standard for cinema, offering a compromise between visual quality and production cost.
In the silent film era, each director or exhibitor chose their own projection speed, often between 16 and 26 frames per second. It was a bit of anarchy, really. But with the arrival of sound cinema in the 1920s, there needed to be an agreement on a stable and standardized cadence: films had to run neither too fast nor too slow, to properly synchronize the dialogues and music with the images. After quite a bit of trial and error, the industry settled on 24 frames per second, primarily because it was a good compromise: fast enough to be smooth to the eye (and avoid unpleasant flickering), while still being economical in terms of film budget. This choice, which became a technical standard, has remained the reference for classical cinema for a century.
Our brain perceives motion when a succession of still images is displayed rapidly. This phenomenon stems from the famous retinal persistence: each image viewed is briefly "imprinted" on our retina for about 1/25th of a second. When you project images at a rate of around 24 frames per second, the eye no longer perceives distracting jerks, but sees a smooth and natural animation. Below this threshold, sequences appear choppy or unpleasant. Above it, the perceived difference in visual comfort is minimal, making the additional costs unnecessary in many cases.
Filming a movie is expensive, and every frame shot involves costs for film, lighting, storage, and digital processing. The 24 frames per second format was adopted because it offers the best compromise: it is fast enough to provide a sense of smooth motion, while not blowing the budget. Shooting at a higher frame rate, such as 48 or 60 frames per second, would require much more equipment, extend shooting times, and significantly increase post-production costs. In short, staying at 24 frames provides a clever balance between visual quality and economic realities.
Since the advent of sound cinema in the late 1920s, projectors have been built around a standardized frame rate of 24 frames per second. This has become the reference everywhere, so all movie theaters have equipped themselves based on this standard. Today, it simplifies life for cinemas; they don’t need to change all their equipment for each film. Essentially, 24 FPS is a common language among all films and all theaters: the reels, the films, and later the digital files are all compatible. Switching to other frame rates often means that cinemas have to invest in new equipment or costly upgrades. Naturally, this is not easy on the budget. Thus, maintaining this standard ultimately benefits everyone — distributors, exhibitors, and manufacturers.
Some directors prefer to stay at 24 frames per second because it gives a distinctive look to the film, unlike higher frame rates like 48 or 60 frames, which immediately evoke a documentary or amateur video feel. By staying at 24 frames, the image retains a certain amount of blur during fast movements known as motion blur. This enhances the dreamlike and fictional feeling, that immersive and somewhat surreal quality that we spontaneously associate with cinema. The choice of 24 frames has become cultural and artistic; some even say it adds emotion or atmosphere to a scene. Quite a few filmmakers are very attached to this frame rate because it has become an integral part of modern cinematic language.
Some contemporary filmmakers experiment with different frame rates to create specific stylistic effects: for example, Peter Jackson's 'The Hobbit' was filmed at 48 frames per second to enhance visual realism.
The phenomenon of retinal persistence, often cited to explain the fluidity of films in cinema, refers to the eye's ability to briefly retain an image after it has disappeared, creating the illusion of continuous motion.
In the era of silent film, movies were sometimes projected at different speeds depending on the projectionist, which can sometimes give the impression of a strange or comedic rhythm in the actors' movements when these films are viewed today.
The choice of 24 frames per second became a standard because it was the perfect compromise between smooth motion and film economy for movie studios in the 1920s.
No, unlike traditional cinema, video games prioritize much higher frame rates, often 30, 60, or even 120 frames per second, to enhance responsiveness, immersion, and the overall user experience. A high frame rate provides increased smoothness, which is particularly beneficial in interactive scenarios where every fraction of a second matters.
Yes, some productions adopt different frame rates such as 48, 60, or even 120 frames per second to achieve increased smoothness and more detail. For example, Peter Jackson's film "The Hobbit" was made at 48 frames per second, a rate known as "HFR" (High Frame Rate). However, these frame rates remain less common due to the higher costs and the rendering, which some viewers find too realistic or "video-like."
The standard of 24 frames per second can accentuate certain unwanted effects in 3D, such as flickering or more noticeable motion blur. This is why some 3D films opt for higher frame rates, such as 48 frames per second, to enhance the sharpness of movements and reduce visual fatigue.
The human eye perceives a film projected at 24 frames per second as fluid due to retinal persistence, a phenomenon where our eye retains an image in memory for a fraction of a second after it disappears. At around 16 frames per second, successive images appear as continuous motion rather than a series of still images. The standard of 24 frames per second optimizes this phenomenon while remaining economical and technically efficient.
The rhythm of 24 frames per second creates a cinematic aesthetic that serves as the classic visual signature of film, and many directors appreciate this particular aesthetic. Furthermore, this standard ensures perfect compatibility with movie theaters around the world and simplifies distribution costs and technical equipment, keeping it popular despite the available technological advancements.
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