Netflix Movies About Time Travel

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

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) is a sci-fi action thriller directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, and Robert Patrick. It is the sequel to the 1984 film The Terminator. The story follows Sarah Connor (Hamilton) and her son John (Edward Furlong) as they are pursued by a new, advanced Terminator (Patrick) sent from the future to kill John. To protect them, Sarah enlists the help of the reprogrammed Terminator (Schwarzenegger) from the first film. Together, they must battle the new Terminator and prevent the rise of the machines that will eventually lead to a future where humans are ruled by machines. The film was a box office success, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1991 and the second highest-grossing film up to that time. It was widely praised for its special effects and action sequences, and it received four Academy Award nominations, winning four technical awards. It also won numerous other awards and honors, including six Saturn Awards and American Film Institute recognition.

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

"It's a Wonderful Life" tells the story of George Bailey, a small-town banker and family man who is on the brink of suicide. On Christmas Eve, an angel named Clarence comes to earth to try to show George what life would have been like if he had never been born. With Clarence's help, George is able to see how his community would have been very different without him and his selfless acts of kindness. George realizes that his life is meaningful and that he has indeed made a difference. In the end, his friends and family come to his aid and his life is saved. The film offers an uplifting message about the importance of family, friends, and community spirit.

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 film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale. It stars Michael J. Fox as teenager Marty McFly, who is sent back in time to 1955, where he meets his future parents and becomes his own father's father. With the help of his eccentric scientist friend Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown (Christopher Lloyd), Marty must find a way to return to 1985 and prevent disastrous consequences from unfolding. Along the way, he encounters a variety of memorable characters and scenarios, from a group of bumbling terrorists to a high school dance. With the clock ticking, Marty must use his wits and courage to save the day and get back to the future.

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 as the titular Terminator, a cyborg assassin sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), whose son will one day become a savior against machines in a post-apocalyptic future. Along the way, Sarah is aided by a human soldier from the future, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), who has also been sent back to protect her. Together, they must battle the Terminator, as well as the dangerous new technologies that emerge as a result of its presence. The film is a classic in the science fiction genre, and its influence can still be felt today in the many action films that use its themes and ideas.

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

Groundhog Day is a 1993 comedy-fantasy film directed by Harold Ramis and starring Bill Murray as Phil Connors, an arrogant and cynical TV weatherman. After being sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to cover the Groundhog Day festivities, Phil wakes up the next morning to discover that he is living the same day over and over again. Eventually, Phil realizes that the only way to break this cycle is to re-examine his life and his values, leading him to become a better person and ultimately find happiness.

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

Donnie Darko is an independent psychological thriller film that follows the story of a troubled teenager, Donnie Darko, who is plagued by visions of a large bunny rabbit that manipulates him to commit a series of crimes. Set in October 1988 in the small suburban town of Middlesex, USA, the film follows Donnie, who is on medication to control his behavior, as he navigates his way through school and home life with his parents and his sister. Donnie's visions lead him to believe that the world will end in 28 days, six hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds. As he struggles to make sense of his visions, his actions become increasingly dangerous, as he tangles with Frank, the bunny-suited figure who manipulates him, as well as the school bullies. Along the way, Donnie learns how to take control of his destiny, and ultimately saves the world.

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 and Brad Pitt. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, the film follows the story of James Cole (Willis), a convict sent back in time from 2035 to investigate the source of a deadly plague that wiped out 99.9% of the human population on Earth. With the help of a psychiatrist, Kathryn Railly (Madeleine Stowe), and an animal rights activist, Jeffrey Goines (Pitt), Cole must find the answer before time runs out for the human race. Along his journey, Cole discovers the truth about the plague and the horrifying truth of what the future holds. With intense action and a thrilling plot, 12 Monkeys is a classic science fiction movie that explores the possibilities of time travel and the consequences of our actions.

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

"Planet of the Apes" is a sci-fi classic directed by Franklin J. Schaffner in 1968. The film follows the story of Taylor, an astronaut who finds himself stranded on a strange planet where intelligent apes rule and humans are enslaved. Through a series of events, Taylor discovers the truth about the planet as it is revealed that humans once destroyed the planet and the apes have taken over. With the help of sympathetic apes, Taylor leads a revolution to try and restore power to the humans. The film offers a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the consequences of human hubris.

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

Star Trek is a 2009 science-fiction action film directed by J.J. Abrams. The movie follows James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) as he is recruited by the legendary Starfleet personnel to join the crew of the USS Enterprise. Along with Commander Spock (Zachary Quinto) and other officers, they embark on a mission to save the galaxy from a vengeful Romulan from the future, Nero (Eric Bana). Along the way, they deal with personal disagreements, form strong relationships, and face off against their greatest enemy. The movie features spectacular special effects and intense action sequences, as well as a touching story of friendship and loyalty.

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

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third installment of the Harry Potter film series. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón and released in 2004, it follows Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they begin their third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As the year begins, a dangerous criminal named Sirius Black has escaped from the high-security prison of Azkaban and is believed to be searching for Harry. The trio must face a range of magical creatures, including the frightful Dementors, as they attempt to capture Black before he can find them. Along the way, they learn about the truth of Sirius' past and the motivations of their enemies. Ultimately, the three must rely on each other to overcome their adversaries and save the day.

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 adventure comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis. It is the sequel to the 1985 film Back to the Future, and stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, and Thomas F. Wilson. The film follows Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown as they travel to the future to save Marty's children from a disastrous future. The film also introduces an alternate 1985 timeline which is created by inadvertently disrupting the future. In order to fix the timeline, Marty and Doc must travel back to 1955 and undo the effects of the changes caused by their time travel. Along the way, they face numerous obstacles and eventually succeed in restoring the timeline back to its original form.

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, Bill Nighy, and Margot Robbie. The film follows Tim Lake, a young man from Cornwall, who discovers he has the ability to travel back in time. Tim uses his newfound ability to change his past and present, and to try to create a better future for himself and those he loves. He learns how to use his time-traveling powers to attempt to find love and happiness, while trying to make the most of his limited time. He must also come to terms with the fact that time travel comes with its own set of complications, as the choices he makes have far-reaching consequences. At its core, About Time is a story of love, family, and learning to appreciate life and the moments we have with those we care about.

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

Mr. Nobody is a 2009 science fiction film directed and written by Jaco Van Dormael. The film stars Jared Leto as the lead character Nemo Nobody, a 118-year-old man who is the last mortal on Earth after the human race has achieved quasi-immortality. Nemo recollects moments of his life while struggling to choose between three women who all love him. He also imagines a future in which he chooses one of three paths. The film follows Nemo's life story as he struggles to choose between his three potential futures. As he travels through his life, the audience is presented with a thought-provoking exploration of the age-old question of what it means to be alive, and the ultimate consequences of the choices we make in life. The film is ultimately an exploration of the idea of free will versus determinism and the power of choice.

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

The Muppet Christmas Carol is a 1992 comedy-drama film directed by Brian Henson and featuring the Muppets in the classic Charles Dickens story A Christmas Carol. The film stars Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge and Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit. The story follows the classic plot of Scrooge's transformation from a greedy and miserly man to a kind and generous one after being visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Along the way, Scrooge meets a colorful cast of Muppet characters, including Fozziwig, Tiny Tim and the Ghosts of Christmas. The movie features classic Christmas songs, including "It Feels Like Christmas" and "One More Sleep 'til Christmas". The film is an enjoyable and heartwarming adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens story.

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

Midnight in Paris is a romantic fantasy comedy written and directed by Woody Allen. The film follows Gil Pender, a successful Hollywood screenwriter and aspiring novelist, as he travels to Paris on vacation with his fiancée and her family. When Gil is walking through the streets of Paris at night, he suddenly finds himself transported back to the 1920s. During his time-travel adventures, he meets many celebrated artists and writers, including Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and Pablo Picasso. Through his interactions with these legendary figures, Gil discovers his true passion in life and begins to question his commitment to his fiancée and to the materialistic values of modern life. Along the way, he also finds himself falling in love with a beautiful Parisian woman named Adriana.

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

Run Lola Run is a German cult classic directed by Tom Tykwer and starring Franka Potente. Lola (Potente) must come up with 100,000 Deutschmarks in twenty minutes to save her boyfriend Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu) from a life of crime. In the film, three versions of the same day unfold with different outcomes. Lola's choices cause a chain reaction of events that will eventually determine whether or not Manni succeeds in his mission. The film is a thrilling and kinetic exploration of how the slightest decision can have drastic consequences.

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 based on the popular Star Trek franchise. Set shortly after the events of Star Trek: Generations, the film follows the crew of the USS Enterprise-E as they travel back to the 21st century to prevent the cybernetic Borg from changing history by preventing Earth's first contact with an alien species. Along the way, the crew must also face off with their old enemy, the Borg Queen (Alice Krige). The film features many of the original series' beloved characters, including Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner), Lt. Commander Geordi LaForge (LeVar Burton), Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), and Lt. Worf (Michael Dorn). The action-packed story leads to an epic battle between the crew of the Enterprise-E and the Borg with the fate of humanity at stake.

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 psychological thriller film directed by Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber. It stars Ashton Kutcher as a young man named Evan who discovers he has the ability to travel back in time and alter his past. Evan, who suffers from blackouts and memory loss, uses his newfound ability to alter certain events in his life, hoping to make them better. However, his attempts to manipulate his past have unexpected, and often dire, consequences for his present and future. As the consequences of his time travel begin to unravel, Evan must find a way to stop the time loop he has created before it destroys him and those he loves.

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

Source Code is a science fiction film starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a soldier who is sent into a train in an alternate reality in order to prevent a terrorist attack from happening. With the help of a computer program called Source Code, he is able to jump into the body of another person in the past in an attempt to find the bomber. As he works to uncover the mystery, he discovers the truth about the experiment and must make a difficult decision about the future. Ultimately, he must decide between saving the lives of the passengers on the train, or stopping the terrorist attack before it happens.

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

Pleasantville is a 1998 American fantasy comedy-drama film written, co-produced and directed by Gary Ross. It stars Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon, with William H. Macy, Joan Allen, Jeff Daniels, and Don Knotts in supporting roles. The plot centers around two modern-day teenagers, David and Jennifer, who are transported to a 1950s-era sitcom called Pleasantville. In Pleasantville, David and Jennifer find that the residents lead a highly idyllic life, and that everything follows a strict moral code. As they become more integrated into Pleasantville, they soon discover that the town is in fact a façade and that its inhabitants are struggling with a range of emotions and desires they never knew existed. The film explores themes of change, prejudice, and conformity versus divergence, and shows the consequences of challenging the status quo in an effort to introduce a previously unseen level of complexity to the world of Pleasantville.

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