Best Movies About Time Travel

From James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick
Rated R

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and released in 1991. It is the sequel to the 1984 film The Terminator. In the film, Sarah Connor and her son John are pursued by a new, more advanced Terminator, the liquid metal T-1000, sent back in time to kill John and prevent him from leading the future human resistance against the machines. To protect John from the T-1000, the future John Connor sends a reprogrammed T-800 Terminator, configured to protect rather than terminate. As the battle between the two Terminators ensues, Sarah and John take on the mission to prevent the rise of the artificial intelligence known as Skynet. With the help of an old friend from the first film, they must find a way to stop Skynet and save the future of humanity.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Mackenzie Foy
Rated PG-13

Interstellar is a science fiction epic directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, and Jessica Chastain. It follows the story of Cooper (McConaughey), a former engineer-turned-farmer in a future where humanity is struggling to survive, who is recruited to lead a mission through a wormhole in search of new planets that can sustain life. Along the way, they face a variety of incredible obstacles, as they battle time, space, and even the laws of physics. As they travel through the wormhole, Cooper and his team come closer to understanding the real meaning of love and sacrifice as they race to save mankind from extinction.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover
Rated PG

Back to the Future is a 1985 American science fiction adventure comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale. It stars Michael J. Fox as teenager Marty McFly, who accidentally travels back in time from 1985 to 1955, where he meets his future parents and becomes his own mother's romantic interest. With the help of eccentric scientist Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd), Marty must find a way to return to 1985 before he alters the future and endangers his own existence. Along the way, he encounters a number of challenges, including the Libyans, a band of hoodlums, and his own high school principal. Through a combination of luck, perseverance, and a little assistance from Doc Brown, Marty eventually finds his way back home and sets the future in order.

From James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, Paul Winfield
Rated R

"The Terminator" is a 1984 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The film follows a cyborg assassin (Schwarzenegger) sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), a young woman whose unborn son will one day lead the human race in a war against machines. Sarah is protected by Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), a soldier sent from the future to stop the Terminator. As Sarah and Kyle attempt to escape the Terminator's lethal intent, they are caught in a battle of man versus machine and fate as they try to stop the rise of the machines.

From Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky
Rated PG

Groundhog Day is a 1993 American fantasy comedy film starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Directed by Harold Ramis, the film follows Phil Connors, a cynical and selfish TV weatherman who is sent to the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities. After experiencing a time loop in which he is forced to relive the same day over and over again, Phil slowly begins to re-examine his life and to appreciate the people he meets and the world he lives in. Through a series of humorous and touching events, he ultimately learns to make the most of his extraordinary situation and to become a better person.

From Richard Kelly, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne
Rated R

Donnie Darko is a psychological thriller set in a small suburban town in 1988. The story follows Donnie, a troubled teenager who sleepwalks and is plagued by visions of a giant demonic rabbit named Frank. When Frank informs Donnie of the world's impending destruction, Donnie embarks on a mission to stop it. Along the way, he discovers the power of time travel, and through his actions, is able to save the world from destruction. He also learns the importance of understanding the universe and his place in it. Donnie Darko is a thought-provoking and visually stunning exploration of fate, destiny, and the power of choice.

From Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans
Rated G

Planet of the Apes (1968) is an iconic science fiction film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. The story follows an astronaut, George Taylor (Charlton Heston), who travels to a strange planet inhabited by intelligent, talking apes. Taylor finds himself arrested by the ape military, who imprison him and treat him as an animal. With the help of sympathetic chimpanzees, Taylor escapes and leads a rebellion against the oppressive ape society. In the end, Taylor discovers a shocking truth about the planet that threatens the very existence of mankind. The movie is renowned for its groundbreaking special effects, its social commentary, and its unforgettable ending.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, Joseph Melito
Rated R

12 Monkeys is a 1995 science fiction film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, and Christopher Plummer. The plot of the film follows the efforts of a time-traveler from the year 2035, James Cole (Willis), as he attempts to uncover the source of a deadly virus that wiped out most of humanity and to prevent it from happening. He is sent back in time to 1996 and is then sent on a mission to discover the identity of the mysterious "Army of the 12 Monkeys," an organization thought to be responsible for releasing the virus. Along the way, Cole discovers a mental patient, Dr. Kathryn Railly (Stowe), who may hold the key to stopping the virus and the Army of the 12 Monkeys. Through a series of twists and turns, Cole and Railly try to find the source of the virus and save humanity from its destruction. 12 Monkeys is a thought-provoking and visually stunning film that explores the nature of time, fate, and human existence.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg
Rated PG-13

Arrival is a 2016 science fiction drama directed by Denis Villeneuve. The film follows linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) as she is recruited by the United States military to decipher an alien language when mysterious spacecrafts land around the world. With the help of physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), Banks makes the risky journey to uncover the purpose of the extraterrestrial visit. As Banks and Donnelly struggle to learn the secrets of the alien language, they uncover a vast conspiracy that could have devastating implications for humanity. With time running out, Banks must find a way to bridge the communication gap and save the world.

From Bryan Singer, starring Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy
Rated PG-13

X-Men: Days of Future Past is a 2014 superhero film directed by Bryan Singer and based on the Marvel Comics X-Men characters. The film's storyline centers around the X-Men character Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) being sent back in time to 1973 to change a major historical event that could globally impact mankind and prevent an apocalyptic future. In the future, sentinels, robotic killing machines created by Bolivar Trask (Peter Dinklage) have decimated the mutant population. In order to prevent this future, Professor Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and the remaining X-Men, including Magneto (Michael Fassbender), Beast (Nicholas Hoult) and Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence), enlist Wolverine to go back in time and help them convince their younger selves and persuade former allies-turned-enemies, including Mystique, to join forces and prevent the sentinels from ever being created. In the end, Wolverine and the younger and older X-Men must unite to prevent a future that could wipe out both the mutant and the human race.

From Doug Liman, starring Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Brendan Gleeson
Rated PG-13

Edge of Tomorrow is a thrilling sci-fi action movie directed by Doug Liman. The film follows Major William Cage (Tom Cruise), a military officer with no combat experience, as he is thrown into a suicide mission against an alien race known as the Mimics. However, after being killed in battle, Cage is thrust into a time loop where he wakes up to relive the same day over and over. With the help of Special Forces warrior Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), Cage must use the time loop to his advantage and find a way to save the world from the alien threat. With each time loop, Cage's skills and knowledge increase, leading him to become a formidable warrior in the fight against the Mimics. In the end, Cage and Vrataski must triumph over the aliens and end the alien threat once and for all.

From Richard Curtis, starring Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Lydia Wilson
Rated R

About Time is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by Richard Curtis, written by Curtis and starring Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams and Bill Nighy. The film follows the story of Tim Lake (Gleeson), a young man from Cornwall who discovers he has the ability to time travel. With the help of his father (Nighy), Tim uses his newfound power to get a girlfriend, find success, and fix the little mistakes in his life. Along the way, he learns some valuable lessons about love, friendship and family. As the years go on, Tim begins to realize that his time-travelling powers come with a price, and he must make choices about the time he has left. The film ultimately explores the idea that time is one of life's most valuable commodities, and must be used wisely. It is both a funny and poignant exploration of the power of love and the importance of living in the present.

From Tom Tykwer, starring Franka Potente, Moritz Bleibtreu, Herbert Knaup, Nina Petri
Rated R

Run Lola Run is a 1998 German action-thriller film directed by Tom Tykwer. The film follows Lola, a young woman who is desperately trying to find money to save her boyfriend's life. After receiving a frantic phone call from her boyfriend, Manni, Lola has exactly twenty minutes to come up with 100,000 Deutsche Marks. She embarks on a frantic, desperate race against time as she runs around the city trying to find a way to save her boyfriend. The film is composed of three separate story lines, each with a different outcome. Through a series of daring and desperate choices, Lola attempts to save Manni before time runs out.

From Woody Allen, starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Kurt Fuller
Rated PG-13

Midnight in Paris is a romantic fantasy comedy-drama film written and directed by Woody Allen. The film follows a young, aspiring and struggling writer, Gil Pender, who is visiting Paris with his fiancé and her parents. While strolling along the streets of Paris at midnight, Gil is suddenly transported back in time to the 1920s, the “Golden Age” of Paris and the time of the Lost Generation. During his time travels, Gil meets some of the most famous writers and artists from the 1920s, and is inspired to write a novel about his experience. Through his adventures, Gil learns more about himself and discovers the true beauty of Paris.

From Directors: Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber, starring Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart, Melora Walters, Elden Henson
Rated R

The Butterfly Effect is a 2004 science fiction film directed by Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber. The film follows Evan Treborn (Ashton Kutcher), a young man plagued by childhood memories of horrendous events that he cannot remember. He discovers that he has the ability to time travel through his past, and tries to use it to change the present and his future. Evan soon realizes that his changes have unintended consequences, and he must go through numerous attempts to put things right. Along the way, he discovers dark secrets about his family and himself, and must confront his own demons in order to make things right.

From George Pal, starring Rod Taylor, Alan Young, Yvette Mimieux, Sebastian Cabot
Rated G

The Time Machine is a 1960 science fiction film based on the 1895 novel of the same name by H. G. Wells. The film follows the story of a scientist, Dr. Alexander Hartdegen, who has devoted his life to constructing a time machine after his fiancee is killed by a mugger. After successfully constructing the time machine, he travels 800,000 years into the future, discovering the world has been divided into two races; the subterranean Eloi and the subterranean Morlocks. Dr. Hartdegen then embarks on an adventure to save the Eloi from the Morlocks and to find a way to bring his love back to life. Along the way, he encounters a variety of creatures - including a beautiful woman from the future - and discovers the truth behind the division of the races. The Time Machine is an exciting and thrilling journey through time, featuring groundbreaking special effects and an iconic score composed by Russell Garcia.

From Scott Derrickson, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong
Rated PG-13

Doctor Strange is a 2016 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Directed by Scott Derrickson and written by Jon Spaihts, C. Robert Cargill, and Scott Derrickson, the film stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, a neurosurgeon who, after a career-ending car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions. Strange is trained by the Ancient One, a powerful sorcerer, to protect the world from dark forces. Alongside the Ancient One, Dr. Strange battles Kaecilius, a former student gone rogue, and Dormammu, an inter-dimensional being bent on consuming Earth. With the help of his allies and use of the magical artifacts of the secret society of sorcerers known as the Masters of the Mystic Arts, Strange is able to protect the planet from destruction and open the people's eyes to the wonders of the multiverse.

From Gary Ross, starring Tobey Maguire, Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen, William H. Macy
Rated PG-13

Pleasantville is a 1998 fantasy comedy-drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Gary Ross. The film stars Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon as two 1990s teenagers who are transported into a 1950s-era television show. In the Pleasantville world, life is seemingly perfect and the colors are all black and white. However, when the two teens begin to challenge the status quo, the colors of the town slowly start to change. Through their adventures, they learn to embrace change, defy convention, and discover the importance of acceptance and love.

From Duncan Jones, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright
Rated PG-13

Source Code is a science-fiction action thriller directed by Duncan Jones and starring Jake Gyllenhaal. The film follows U.S. Army helicopter pilot Colter Stevens (Gyllenhaal) who is sent on a mission to identify the bomber of a Chicago commuter train as part of a top-secret government program known as the "Source Code". Colter's mission is to find the bomber by reliving the same eight minutes over and over again in a simulated reality. Through this process, Colter uncovers a shocking truth that could prevent a terrorist attack on a much larger scale. With the clock ticking, Colter must race against time to identify the bomber and save countless innocent lives.

From Gregory Hoblit, starring Dennis Quaid, Jim Caviezel, Shawn Doyle, Elizabeth Mitchell
Rated PG-13

From Rian Johnson, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano
Rated R

From Directors: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig, starring Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook, Noah Taylor, Madeleine West
Rated R

From Sam Raimi, starring Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Marcus Gilbert, Ian Abercrombie
Rated R

From Jeannot Szwarc, starring Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, Christopher Plummer, Teresa Wright
Rated PG

From Brad Anderson, starring Marisa Tomei, Vincent D'Onofrio, Holland Taylor, Mick Weber
Rated R