The Time Traveler Movie

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

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, and Robert Patrick. The film follows Sarah Connor (Hamilton) and her son John (Furlong) as they are pursued by a new, more advanced Terminator (Patrick) sent from the future to kill John before he can fulfill his destiny of leading the human race to victory over the machines. Sarah teams up with the original Terminator (Schwarzenegger) to protect John and stop the new killer cyborg. Through an intricate series of chases and battles, the trio eventually defeats the Terminator and saves the future of humanity.

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

It's a Wonderful Life is a classic 1946 drama/fantasy film directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart. The film tells the story of George Bailey, a good-natured man who has dedicated his life to helping others. When a greedy businessman threatens to take away all that George has worked for, an angel intervenes and shows George what his life would have been like if he had never been born. Through this journey, George is able to see how much his life has meant to those around him and realizes how wonderful his life truly is. The film is a classic holiday story of redemption, hope, and love.

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

Back to the Future is a classic 1985 sci-fi adventure comedy directed by Robert Zemeckis. It follows Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), an average teenager, who is sent back in time to 1955, via a time-traveling DeLorean invented by Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd). While stuck in the past, Marty must ensure that his parents fall in love, or he will never be born. With the help of Doc Brown, Marty must find a way to get back to the future. Along the way, he must also deal with Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson), a bully from his hometown, who follows him back in time and complicates the situation even further. Ultimately, Marty must use his newfound knowledge of the future to save the day.

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

The Terminator is an iconic 1984 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron. The film is set in a future where an artificial intelligence system called Skynet has become self-aware and launched a nuclear attack on the human race. In response, a human resistance has formed to fight against the machines. In order to ensure its victory, Skynet sends a cyborg assassin known as the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) back in time to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the mother of the resistance leader, John Connor. In order to protect Sarah, a soldier from the future, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), is also sent back in time. The two of them are in a desperate race against the unstoppable Terminator and must do whatever they can to ensure Sarah's safety. In the end, the Terminator is destroyed, but Sarah is left with the knowledge that one day her son will lead the human race in a war against Skynet.

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, Andie MacDowell, and Chris Elliott. The film follows TV weatherman Phil Connors (Murray) who, after covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, finds himself in a time loop, repeating the same day over and over again. As Phil relives the same day, he begins to learn life lessons about himself and his relationships with the people around him, eventually coming to terms with his life and finding redemption. Ultimately, Phil learns to improve himself and break free from the endless loop.

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

Donnie Darko is a teenager living in a small suburban town in 1988 who is troubled by strange visions and premonitions. After narrowly escaping death when a jet engine mysteriously falls from the sky, he discovers that a giant, dark figure called Frank is forcing him to commit strange and dangerous acts. As Donnie confronts his destiny, he must also deal with the various complexities of teenage life in a surreal and sometimes dangerous world. With the help of his psychiatrist and his mysterious new girlfriend, Donnie begins to unravel the secrets behind Frank and the world he inhabits, which may just be a portal to the apocalypse.

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, and Brad Pitt. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, the film follows the story of James Cole (Willis), a prisoner who is sent back in time to collect information about the source of a deadly virus that will eventually decimate the human race. Along the way, he discovers that the virus was engineered by a mysterious and powerful organization known as the Army of the Twelve Monkeys. With the help of a psychiatrist (Stowe) and an animal rights activist (Pitt), Cole must find a way to stop the virus from being released and save humanity from extinction.

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

Planet of the Apes is a 1968 science-fiction film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter. The film follows an astronaut crew traveling through time and space who crash-land on a strange planet ruled by intelligent, talking apes. The astronauts discover that the apes dominate the planet and treat humans as slaves. As they struggle to escape captivity and return to their own time, they must confront the true nature of the planet they find themselves on and the implications their discoveries may have for the future of mankind.

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

Star Trek is a 2009 science fiction adventure film directed by J.J. Abrams. It is the 11th film in the Star Trek film franchise and the first in a series of rebooted movies. The film follows the adventures of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) as they join forces with the crew of the USS Enterprise to stop a vengeful, time-traveling Romulan, Nero (Eric Bana), from destroying the future of the United Federation of Planets. Along the way, they encounter numerous thrilling obstacles, including a mysterious black hole and a terrifying creature known as the 'Red Matter.' The crew of the Enterprise must use all of their skills and resources to outwit their enemies and save the universe.

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

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) returns to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his third year of studies. He soon discovers that a notorious murderer and wizard, Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), has escaped Azkaban prison and is believed to be searching for him. With the help of his friends Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), Harry must confront his fears and face the dementors, the guardians of Azkaban, and the deadly Black. Along the way, he discovers a great secret: Sirius is actually his godfather and is there to protect him against the evil Lord Voldemort. With the help of Professor Lupin (David Thewlis) and his faithful pet, the hippogriff Buckbeak, Harry must face the Dementors and Black in order to save everyone from certain doom. With the help of his friends, courage, and magical skills, he succeeds and gains a new understanding of the power of friendship and loyalty.

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

Back to the Future Part II is a 1989 American science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Bob Gale. It is the sequel to the 1985 film Back to the Future and the second installment in the Back to the Future trilogy. The film stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Thomas F. Wilson and Elisabeth Shue. The plot follows Marty McFly and Doc Brown as they travel to the year 2015 in order to save Marty's future son. Along the way, they encounter a heightened version of the 1985 Hill Valley, Marty's future children, and a new enemy, Biff Tannen. Despite numerous time travel complications, they are able to save the future and return home.

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

About Time is a romantic comedy-drama written and directed by Richard Curtis and starring Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams. The film follows the story of a young man, Tim (Gleeson), who discovers that he has the ability to travel back in time. After the revelation that he can re-live moments in his life, Tim decides to use his newfound power to find love and to improve his relationships with his family. Along the way, he learns that with great power comes great responsibility. With the help of his father (Bill Nighy), Tim learns to accept the consequences of his time-traveling and to make the most of the present.

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

Mr. Nobody is a science-fiction drama film directed by Jaco Van Dormael. It follows Nemo Nobody, a 118-year-old man who is the last mortal on Earth after the human race has achieved quasi-immortality due to scientific advances. Nemo is recounting his life story from his hospital bed and flashes back to various points in his life, from his birth to his time as a 118-year-old. Through these flashbacks, the film explores how the choices we make in life affect our destiny. At each stage in his life, Nemo is presented with multiple choices, and the film explores the implications of each. In the end, Nemo is left with the realization that no matter what he chooses, there will be consequences and he must accept the results of his choices.

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

The Muppet Christmas Carol is a classic retelling of the Charles Dickens holiday classic starring Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge. Along with Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as Mrs. Cratchit, and Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig, the Muppets bring their unique comedic style to the timeless story of redemption, love, and the true meaning of Christmas. With original music and song numbers, Scrooge's journey to discover the joy and spirit of Christmas is a delightful and heartwarming experience for the whole family.

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

Midnight in Paris is a romantic comedy film written and directed by Woody Allen. The film follows Gil Pender, a successful Hollywood screenwriter, on a trip to Paris with his fiancée, Inez, and her wealthy parents. Gil is a frustrated romantic who is disappointed by the modern world and longs for the Paris of the 1920s, a time that he idealizes as being more beautiful and romantic. After a night of drinking, Gil finds himself suddenly transported back in time to the Paris of the 1920s. There he meets a cast of unforgettable characters, including Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso, and Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald, among others. As he experiences the city and its inhabitants in a new light, Gil must decide what is real, what is imagined, and whether or not his current life is the one for him.

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

Run Lola Run is a 1998 German film directed by Tom Tykwer that follows Lola (Franka Potente), a young woman in Berlin, as she attempts to save her boyfriend Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu) from a criminal underworld. After Manni is threatened by a gangster and asked to obtain 100,000 Deutschmarks in twenty minutes or face dire consequences, Lola races across the city in a desperate attempt to get the money in time. However, her attempts are repeatedly thwarted, forcing her to try again and again in three separate scenarios. With each attempt, Lola learns more and more about the consequences of her choices and how they impact the world around her. Through this, the film explores the power of destiny, chance, and time in life, and shows how even the smallest decisions can have major 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. Set in the 24th century, it is the eighth installment in the Star Trek film series. It follows the crew of the USS Enterprise-E as they travel back in time to the mid-21st century to stop the cybernetic Borg from preventing Earth's first contact with an alien species. The Borg, led by their queen, have taken over the planet Earth and are determined to prevent Zefram Cochrane from launching his revolutionary warp-drive engine, which will be the first step in humanity's exploration of the stars. The Enterprise crew must battle the Borg and restore the timeline, while protecting Cochrane and preventing the Borg from assimilating Earth's population. The film stars Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, and Alfre Woodard, with a cameo by James Cromwell as Cochrane. The film was a box office success, becoming the highest-grossing film in the Star Trek franchise up to that point and garnering generally positive reviews.

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 starring Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart, and Elden Henson. It follows a man named Evan Treborn, who has the ability to travel back in time to when he was a child. Every time he changes something in the past, it has a domino effect on his present life. He soon discovers that his time-traveling efforts have severe and unforeseen consequences, and he must make the ultimate decision between saving the people he loves or not changing anything at all. The film follows Evan as he desperately tries to fix the past and find some sort of balance in his life.

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

Source Code is a 2011 science fiction thriller directed by Duncan Jones. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Captain Colter Stevens, a U.S. Army helicopter pilot who wakes up in the body of an unknown man and discovers he’s part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. With help from a team of scientists, Stevens is sent on a series of increasingly dangerous missions through a top-secret military program known as the Source Code, which allows him to experience the last 8 minutes of another person’s life. As Stevens pieces together the mystery of what happened on the train, he discovers a far greater threat to the entire country and must act quickly to save millions of lives.

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, Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen, William H. Macy, and Reese Witherspoon. The film follows two modern-day teenage siblings, David and Jennifer, who are magically transported into the 1950s black-and-white world of a classic television show called Pleasantville. As they struggle to fit in, the siblings begin to introduce color and modern values to the town, causing it to become vibrant and chaotic. Through the townspeople's interactions, David and Jennifer discover that Pleasantville is not as perfect as it appears. As the town evolves, the siblings must decide between staying in Pleasantville and returning to their own lives. The film was acclaimed by critics and was a moderate box office success, grossing over $106 million on a budget of $40 million. It won several awards, including two Saturn Awards and two Young Artist Awards. It was also nominated for two Academy Awards.

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