The short time formats like Rapid 15 minutes with 10 seconds increment per move is my favorite, but the most popular format is Blitz, which is say 5 minutes with 5 seconds increment.
You can play even bullet of 2 minutes with 1 second increment, or even no increment formats. You can play chess anywhere, at the bus stop, in the dentist office, take video lessons, do practical drills, puzzles.
Via the rating system, you are always matched to an opponent of near-equivalent strength. The rating system is build so that a 200 point difference means that the higher-rated player will on average win 3 out of 4.
Most opponents are less than 100 points apart, so it's typically a 50/50 chance that you will win a given game.
Chess only looks dull for those who don't play it, it can be super exciting. But the classical format, with a physical board, and 5 hour games? I think that will become less and less of a thing.