Movies About Time Travel On Netflix

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

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 American science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, and Edward Furlong. The film acts as a sequel to the 1984 film The Terminator, with Schwarzenegger reprising his role as the Terminator. In the film, Skynet, a self-aware artificial intelligence system, sends a new, more advanced Terminator (Robert Patrick) back in time to assassinate the young John Connor (Edward Furlong) before he can grow up to lead a future resistance against the machines. The Terminator's mission is opposed by Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), John's mother, who has been prepared for years to face the threat of Skynet. With the help of a reprogrammed Terminator (Schwarzenegger), Sarah and John must defeat the T-1000 and prevent the onset of Judgment Day. Terminator 2: Judgment Day was a critical and commercial success, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest science fiction films ever made. The movie was nominated for six Academy Awards and won four, including Best Visual Effects.

From Frank Capra, starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell
Rated PG

It's a Wonderful Life is a classic Christmas fantasy drama film from 1946, directed by Frank Capra. The film stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man who has spent his entire life sacrificing his dreams for the good of his community. After a series of unfortunate events, George finds himself considering suicide on Christmas Eve. His guardian angel, Clarence, intervenes and shows him what life in his community would be like if he had never been born. Through this experience, George is reminded of the importance of his life and the impact he has had on those around him. He finds it in himself to continue and is rewarded with a happy life. It's a Wonderful Life is a timeless tale of the value of life, friendship, and sacrifice.

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 film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale. It stars Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, a teenager who accidentally travels back in time from 1985 to 1955. While there, he meets his future parents and must make sure they fall in love or he will cease to exist. In order to get back to his own time, Marty enlists the help of scientist Dr. Emmett Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd. Together, they must find a way to get the DeLorean time machine running again so that Marty can travel back to the future. Along the way, they encounter a variety of obstacles, while also learning life lessons about friendship and family. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning over $389 million at the box office and being nominated for three Academy Awards.

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

The Terminator is a 1984 science fiction film directed by James Cameron. The film follows the story of a cyborg assassin (the Terminator) sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 by the artificial intelligence system known as Skynet, to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), a waitress and mother-to-be who will eventually give birth to the human resistance leader against Skynet. To protect Sarah and prevent Skynet's takeover of the world, a soldier from the future, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), is sent back in time to protect her. The Terminator and Reese face off in an epic battle to determine the fate of mankind.

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

Groundhog Day is a 1993 American comedy-drama directed by Harold Ramis and starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, and Chris Elliott. The film follows the story of Phil Connors (Murray) an egotistical TV weatherman who is sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities. Phil finds himself doomed to repeat the same day over and over, awakening each morning to the same day and the same events, seemingly doomed to live out the same day for eternity. As he relives the same day, Phil begins to change his outlook on life and discovers how to make a positive difference in the lives of others, ultimately freeing himself from the cycle of repetition.

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

Donnie Darko is a psychological thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal as the titular character. He is a troubled teen living in a suburban town in 1988. After awakening from a bizarre dream, Donnie is visited by a giant, demonic-looking rabbit named Frank, who tells him the world will end in 28 days. Donnie then starts to have visions and begins to behave erratically, which causes the people in his town to question his mental health. As his visions become more intense, Donnie becomes convinced that Frank is real and is trying to prevent a catastrophic event. As the days pass, Donnie learns the truth about his visions and discovers the power he possesses to change the future. The film follows Donnie as he struggles to understand his visions and find a way to save the world from a mysterious force.

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, starring Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt. Set in a dystopian future, the story follows James Cole (Willis) - a prisoner of the state sent back in time to find a virus that will eventually wipe out most of the human race. Along the way he discovers the true nature of the virus and its origin, as well as the sinister plot behind its creation. Alongside him is Dr. Kathryn Railly (Madeleine Stowe), a psychiatrist who helps him in his quest, and Jeffrey Goines (Pitt), a mental patient who helps him uncover the truth. With the future of humanity hanging in the balance, Cole must find the virus and prevent its spread. In the end, Cole is able to “reset” the timeline and prevent the virus from taking over the world.

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

Planet of the Apes (1968) is a science fiction film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and based on the novel of the same name by Pierre Boulle. The story follows an astronaut crew as they crash-land on an unknown planet where apes are the dominant species. The astronauts soon discover that the apes are able to speak, use technology and have created a hierarchical society. The humans are treated as second-class citizens and are routinely abused and oppressed by the apes. In the end, the astronauts fight for their freedom and eventually escape the planet. The film was a huge success, both commercially and critically, and spawned four sequels and a rebooted film series.

From J.J. Abrams, starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Leonard Nimoy
Rated PG-13

Star Trek (2009) is a science fiction adventure directed by J.J. Abrams. The story follows the young James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and Mr. Spock (Zachary Quinto) as they battle Nero (Eric Bana), a Romulan from the future who threatens the United Federation of Planets. Along the way, the pair must reconcile their differences and work together to save the Federation. Along with Kirk and Spock, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, including Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Scotty (Simon Pegg), and Sulu (John Cho), join forces to protect the universe from Nero's destructive reign. With thrilling action, stunning visuals, and a powerful message of friendship, Star Trek is a must-see for fans of classic science fiction.

From Alfonso Cuarón, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Richard Griffiths
Rated PG

In "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004) directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Harry Potter faces his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he learns that an escaped convict, Sirius Black, is searching for him. With the help of his friends Ron and Hermione, Harry discovers that Sirius is his godfather and did not betray his parents as he was led to believe. With the assistance of a magical creature known as the Hippogriff Buckbeak, as well as a mysterious time-traveling device called a Time Turner, Harry and his friends must try to prevent Sirius from being captured and sent to the dreaded prison of Azkaban. Along the way, they must also contend with the powerful Dementors, supernatural creatures that spread fear and despair. Through these events, Harry learns important lessons about courage and loyalty which will serve him in his upcoming battles.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Tom Wilson
Rated PG

Back to the Future Part II is a 1989 science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown. It is the sequel to the 1985 film Back to the Future. The film follows Marty and Doc as they travel to the year 2015 to prevent Marty's future son from making a disastrous mistake. During their time in the future, they encounter a hostile Biff Tannen, who has acquired a sports almanac that allows him to make predictions and become extremely wealthy. The trio must go back in time and stop Biff from changing history, before he takes over Hill Valley. Back to the Future Part II was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $332 million worldwide and earning two Academy Award nominations. The film's success has spawned a cult following, with many fans citing it as one of the greatest sequels of all time.

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 and starring Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams and Bill Nighy. It follows the story of Tim (Gleeson) who discovers that he has the ability to travel back in time. With the help of his father (Nighy), Tim uses his special ability to change his circumstances and get closer to the woman of his dreams, Mary (McAdams). As Tim struggles with the consequences of his time-traveling, he comes to realize that his actions have ripple effects and learns to accept life for what it is. The film follows Tim's journey as he discovers that the greatest journey of all is the one that takes place within.

From Jaco Van Dormael, starring Jared Leto, Sarah Polley, Diane Kruger, Linh-Dan Pham
Rated R

Mr. Nobody is a 2009 film by director Jaco Van Dormael. It stars Jared Leto as Nemo Nobody, a 118-year-old man who is the last mortal on Earth after the human race has achieved quasi-immortality. At the story's core is the question of what would have happened if Nemo had been able to make the choice to stay with either his mother or father during his childhood. As he looks back on his life, Nemo's journey takes him through alternate realities, memories, and dreams. Along the way, Nemo's story explores themes of mortality, love, and the impact of choices. The film has earned critical acclaim, with critics noting its ambitious narrative structure and thought-provoking themes.

From Brian Henson, starring Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson
Rated G

The Muppet Christmas Carol is a 1992 musical comedy-drama film directed by Brian Henson. It is an adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol, featuring the Muppets in the roles of various characters. The film stars Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, alongside the Muppet performers Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson and Frank Oz, who respectively play Gonzo, Rizzo, Fozzie Bear, and Kermit the Frog. It is the fourth theatrical film featuring The Muppets and the first to be produced after the death of Muppets creator Jim Henson. The film follows Scrooge, a stingy and cynical money-lender, as he is visited by three ghosts (played by the Muppets) who seek to help him reform his ways. Throughout the film, the Muppets perform various musical numbers from classic Christmas carols to new songs written for the film. It was well-received by critics and was nominated for several awards, including an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. It was a modest box-office success, earning $27.3 million worldwide against an estimated budget of $8–10 million. It was the

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

Midnight in Paris is a 2011 romantic comedy film written and directed by Woody Allen. Set in Paris, the film follows Gil Pender, a screenwriter, who is forced to confront the shortcomings of his relationship with his materialistic fiancée and their opposing visions of their future. After midnight, Gil finds himself transported back in time to the 1920s, where he meets some of the era’s most celebrated literary and artistic figures. As he spends more time in the past, Gil begins to question his present-day life, and the people in it. Through his encounters with the people of the past, Gil discovers the value of living in the moment, and ultimately learns to appreciate the life he has.

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

Run Lola Run is a German film directed by Tom Tykwer that follows a young woman named Lola (played by Franka Potente) who has 20 minutes to find 100,000 Deutschmarks to save her boyfriend. The story follows Lola as she runs through the streets of Berlin in an attempt to find the money in time. The film uses non-linear narrative techniques, as the story is told in three separate versions that each contain different outcomes. Through these three versions, the film explores the theme of fate and how a single decision can alter the course of one's life.

From Jonathan Frakes, starring Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton
Rated PG-13

Star Trek: First Contact is a 1996 science fiction film directed by Jonathan Frakes and is the eighth feature film in the Star Trek franchise. It follows the crew of the USS Enterprise-E, led by Captain Jean-Luc Picard, as they battle the cybernetically enhanced ex-Borg Queen and the Borg Collective, whose goal is to assimilate all life in the universe. In their mission to save the Federation from this unstoppable enemy, the Enterprise crew must travel back in time to the 21st century, where the Borg are threatening to change the timeline and disrupt the formation of the Federation. Along the way, the crew must confront their own emotions and fears, as well as the moral and ethical implications of their actions. The film features a star-studded cast, including Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes, Levar Burton, Gates McFadden, and Alfre Woodard.

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

The Butterfly Effect is a 2004 American science fiction psychological thriller film starring Ashton Kutcher as Evan Treborn. The film follows Evan as he discovers that he has the ability to time-travel and alter his past, present, and future. He uses this ability to try to save the people he loves from the tragedies that befall them, but discovers that his actions have unforeseen consequences. As he time-travels, Evan learns that the butterfly effect, which states that small changes can have rippling effects on a large scale, is true. He realizes that any action he takes may have negative consequences in the future, and he struggles to make the right decisions. The Butterfly Effect is a thought-provoking and suspenseful film that poses questions about the power of the human mind and the consequences of our actions.

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, starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Colter Stevens, a helicopter pilot who is part of a top-secret military program called the Source Code. Colter wakes up in the body of another man on a Chicago commuter train and discovers that he has only 8 minutes to figure out who bombed the train and prevent another attack. As he pieces together clues and tries to solve the mystery, he also learns that the Source Code has the power to transport him back in time to relive other people’s lives and discover the identity of the bomber. With the help of a scientist and a fellow passenger, Colter must uncover the truth about the attack in order to save hundreds of lives and prevent a greater disaster.

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

Pleasantville is a 1998 comedy-drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Gary Ross. It stars Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, William H. Macy, Joan Allen, and Jeff Daniels. The story follows two modern teenagers, David (Maguire) and Jennifer (Witherspoon), who are magically transported into the world of a 1950s-era black-and-white television sitcom called Pleasantville. In this strange new world, they discover that everything is perfect, but also very limited; people are unable to express themselves freely and are required to adhere to strict rules. David and Jennifer try to introduce their new world to change and color. Through a series of events, they slowly begin to change Pleasantville from its monochromatic environment to a more colorful one. This brings about a revolution as the citizens of Pleasantville start to question their own ideas about freedom and the value of individuality. As the movie progresses, the people of Pleasantville must come to terms with the changes that David and Jennifer have brought about in their world. In the end, Pleasantville becomes a more vibrant and accepting place.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen, Tom Wilson
Rated PG

From Richard Donner, starring Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando
Rated PG

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

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

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