Time travel movies are perfect for those long travel days when you need a good movie. This genre of movies allows us to journey to different eras, futuristic worlds, and alternate timelines. Time travel movies are also great when you want to explore historical periods in a way that can be educational and engaging. From Marty McFly in his plutonium-powered DeLorean to the amazing scenes of the X-Men movie, we’ve rounded up movies that make you feel like you’re defying time.
1. The Back to the Future trilogy (1985, 1989, 1990)
The Back to the Future trilogy (1985, 1989, 1990) is a time travel must-see. Teenage Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and eccentric Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) use a plutonium-powered DeLorean to zip through time. Their hilarious adventures in 1955, the future (1985 and 2015), and alternate timelines involve fixing the past, securing their family’s future, and battling the villainous Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson). It’s a perfect blend of humor, heart, sci-fi action, and iconic characters, making it a universally beloved classic that explores the consequences of time travel in a lighthearted but thought-provoking way.
- Actors: Michael J. Fox (Marty McFly), Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown), Lea Thompson (Lorraine Baines McFly/Maggie McFly), Crispin Glover (George McFly), Thomas F. Wilson (Biff Tannen)
- Genre: Sci-fi comedy adventure
2. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
This wacky comedy follows two dimwitted high school students, Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves), who use a time machine phone booth to collect historical figures for a history presentation. Their hilarious yet surprisingly heartfelt journey through time, encountering historical figures like Socrates and Billy the Kid, ensures a side-splitting adventure for viewers of all ages.
- Actors: Keanu Reeves (Ted “Theodore” Logan), Alex Winter (Bill S. Preston Esq.), George Carlin (Rufus), William Sadler (Death)
- Genre: Sci-fi comedy adventure
3. Meet the Robinsons (2007)
Meet the Robinsons (2-inventive but insecure Lewis (Jordan Fry) is on a time travel adventure with a future version of Wilbur Robinson (Wesley Singerman). Lewis joins the eccentric Robinson family on a wacky journey to stop a villainous bowler hat guy (Steve Anderson) and learns the power of optimism and believing in yourself. While the time travel aspect isn’t the main focus, it adds a layer of excitement and allows for creatively exploring themes of family and invention.
- Actors: Jordan Fry (Lewis), Wesley Singerman (Wilbur Robinson), Angela Bassett (Wilma), John H. H. Ford (Bowler Hat Guy), Tom Kenny (Lewis’ Dad), Ethan Sandler (Young Franny)
- Genre: Animated science fiction comedy adventure
4. Looper (2012)
Looper deserves a place among the best for its unique take on time travel. It’s a neo-noir sci-fi thriller (think Blade Runner meets mob movie) where the mob disposes of unwanted targets by sending them back in time to be eliminated by “Loopers” like Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). The film gets mind-bending when Joe’s future self (Bruce Willis) arrives for termination, forcing a present-day Joe to confront his destiny. It’s a dark and suspenseful exploration of free will and the consequences of altering the past.
- Actors: Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Joe), Bruce Willis (Older Joe), Emily Blunt (Sara), Jeff Daniels (Abe)
- Genre: Neo-noir sci-fi thriller
5. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) is thrown into a deadly battle against a powerful alien force. When he dies, he inexplicably finds himself reliving the same day over and over again. Forced to use this repeating loop to his advantage, Cage teams up with a skilled warrior named Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt) to find a way to defeat the aliens and break the time loop.
- Actors: Tom Cruise (Major William Cage), Emily Blunt (Rita Vrataski), Bill Paxton (Sergeant Farell), Brendan Gleeson (General Brigham)
- Genre: Sci-fi action thriller
6. Interstellar (2014)
Though not a traditional time travel film, Interstellar explores the mind-bending effects of time dilation near a black hole. Astronaut Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) travels through a wormhole on a mission to find a new home for humanity, experiencing time passing much slower for him than on Earth. This creates a powerful emotional core as he grapples with the potential of missing his daughter’s entire life. It’s a visually stunning and thought-provoking film that pushes the boundaries of the time travel genre.
- Actors: Matthew McConaughey (Cooper), Anne Hathaway (Brand), Jessica Chastain (Murph), Bill Irwin (TARS), Michael Caine (Professor Brand)
- Genre: Sci-fi drama
7. 13 Going on 30 (2004)
Jennifer Garner plays a nerdy 13-year-old who wishes to be 30 and wakes up the next day as a successful fashion editor. The film explores self-discovery, nostalgia, and the importance of cherishing one’s youth – all with a healthy dose of humor. While not a traditional time travel film, 13 Going on 30 deserves a mention for its unique twist on the genre.
- Actors: Jennifer Garner (Jenna Rink), Mark Ruffalo (Matt Flamhaff), Judy Greer (Lucy Wyman), Christa B. Allen (Young Jenna Rink)
- Genre: Comedy, fantasy, romance
8. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
While seeking to save Earth from a mysterious alien probe, the Enterprise crew travels back to 1986 San Francisco, not with spaceships and phasers but with a desperate mission to secure humpback whales—now extinct—to communicate with the probe. This sci-fi comedy, starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley, is a delightful blend of humor, environmental awareness, and classic Star Trek charm.
- Actors: William Shatner (Captain James T. Kirk), Leonard Nimoy (Spock), DeForest Kelley (Dr. Leonard McCoy), Walter Koenig (Pavel Chekov), Nichelle Nichols (Uhura), George Takei (Hikaru Sulu)
- Genre: Sci-fi comedy adventure
9. Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
In Star Trek: First Contact, The Borg, a relentless cybernetic race, travels back in time to assimilate humanity by stopping Earth’s first contact with the Vulcans, a pivotal moment in Star Trek history. Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and his beloved crew (Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton) face a desperate fight to preserve the future, making this sci-fi adventure a thrilling and emotional journey.
- Actors: Patrick Stewart (Captain Jean-Luc Picard), Brent Spiner (Data), LeVar Burton (Geordi La Forge), Alice Krige (Borg Queen)
- Genre: Sci-fi action adventure
10. Source Code (2011)
In the movie Source Code, Jake Gyllenhaal plays a soldier who wakes up in another man’s body on a train moments before a deadly explosion. He relives the 8 minutes leading up to the blast, tasked with identifying the bomber and preventing the tragedy. It’s a mind-bending exploration of time loops and the power of human connection, all within a high-stakes thriller format.
- Actors: Jake Gyllenhaal (Colter Stevens), Michelle Monaghan (Christina Warren), Vera Farmiga (Colleen Goodwin)
- Genre: Sci-fi thriller mystery
11. The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1984) (1991)
The Terminator (1984) and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) redefine time travel for the action genre. They ditch the lightheartedness for a thrilling fight for survival. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic cyborg, sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the mother of humanity’s future savior, creates a high-stakes chase film. The sequel, with a now-protective Terminator sent to defend John Connor (Edward Furlong), ups the action and explores the paradox of altering the future through time travel.
- The Terminator (1984) and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991):
- Actors: Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator), Linda Hamilton (Sarah Connor), Michael Biehn (Kyle Reese), Edward Furlong (John Connor), Robert Patrick (T-1000)
- Genre: Sci-fi action thriller
12. About Time (2013)
Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson) learns on his 21st birthday that the men in his family can travel through time by reliving specific moments. He uses this ability to navigate relationships and life decisions but soon discovers that altering the past can have unforeseen consequences.
- Actors: Domhnall Gleeson (Tim Lake), Rachel McAdams (Mary), Bill Nighy (Dad), Lydia Wilson (Kit Kat), Tom Hollander (Harry)
- Genre: Romantic comedy-drama with time travel elements
13. The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)
The Time Traveler’s Wife is a poignant love story about a librarian, Henry (Eric Bana), with a genetic disorder that causes him to jump through time uncontrollably. Clare (Rachel McAdams) meets him repeatedly throughout her life, both as a child and as an adult, creating a complex and emotional bond. The film explores the challenges of their unconventional relationship and the power of love in the face of the unknown.
- Actors: Eric Bana (Henry DeTamble), Rachel McAdams (Clare Abshire), Ron Livingston (Gomez McKean), Jane Seymour (Helen)
- Genre: Sci-fi romance drama
14. Midnight in Paris (2011)
A disillusioned screenwriter (Owen Wilson) vacationing in Paris with his fiancee (Rachel McAdams) finds himself magically transported back to the 1920s, encountering literary icons like Hemingway and Fitzgerald. The film explores the idea that every era seems glamorous in retrospect, and the present moment may hold more magic than we realize.
- Actors: Owen Wilson (Gil Pender), Rachel McAdams (Inez), Kathy Bates (Gertrude Stein), Adrien Brody (Salvador Dalí), Carla Bruni (Gabrielle)
- Genre: Romantic comedy fantasy
15. Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)
This hilarious comedy follows a group of middle-aged guys (John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke) who travel back to 1986, the peak of their high school years, after a wild night in a malfunctioning hot tub. They get to relive their glory days (or rewrite some regrets) with plenty of laughs and nostalgic references along the way. It’s a fun and entertaining take on time travel that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
- Actors: John Cusack (Adam), Rob Corddry (Nick), Craig Robinson (Nick), Clark Duke (Jacob), Chevy Chase (Repairman), Crispin Glover (Phil)
- Genre: Comedy, Sci-fi
16. Groundhog Day (1993)
Bill Murray stars as a cynical weatherman trapped reliving the same day over and over. The film explores themes of self-improvement, redemption, and the value of appreciating everyday life with humor and heart. It’s a thought-provoking and surprisingly heartwarming story transcending the typical time travel adventure.
- Actors: Bill Murray (Phil Connors), Andie MacDowell (Rita Hanson), Chris Elliott (Larry), Stephen Tobolowsky (Ned Ryerson)
- Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
17. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) travels back in time to prevent a future in which humans hunt mutants. He must change a pivotal event in the past to prevent this dark future from coming true.
- Actors: Hugh Jackman (Wolverine), James McAvoy (Professor X), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique), Patrick Stewart (Professor X – Older), Ian McKellen (Magneto – Older)
- Genre: Superhero, science fiction, action
18. Men in Black 3 (2012)
Agent J must travel back to 1969 to prevent a vengeful alien from killing Agent K. He encounters younger versions of K and historical figures while trying to rewrite history and save his partner.
- Actors: Will Smith (Agent J), Tommy Lee Jones (Agent K – present day), Josh Brolin (Agent K – 1969), Jemaine Clement (Boris the Animal), Emma Thompson (Agent O)
- Genre: Sci-fi action comedy
19. Butterfly Effect (2004)
Ashton Kutcher plays Evan Treborn, a man plagued by childhood blackouts that he later discovers are trips back in time. He tries to fix past mistakes, but his attempts have devastating and unpredictable consequences, altering the present in increasingly disturbing ways.
- Actors: Ashton Kutcher (Evan Treborn), Amy Smart (Kayleigh Miller), Eric Stoltz (George Miller), Elden Henson (Lenny Kagan), Ethan Suplee (Tommy Milligan), Melora Walters (Andrea Treborn)
- Genre: Sci-fi thriller, psychological drama
20. Tenet (2020)
An unnamed CIA operative (John David Washington) joins a shadowy organization called Tenet to prevent a global catastrophe by manipulating the flow of time. He teams up with Neil (Robert Pattinson) to stop a villain (Kenneth Branagh) using time inversion to destroy the future.
- Actors: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Kenneth Branagh
- Genre: Sci-fi action thriller
21. Predestination (2014)
In Predestination, a temporal agent (Hawke), on his final mission to stop a bomber, uncovers a shocking truth – his target and himself are connected in a mind-bending loop that challenges their understanding of time, identity, and free will.
- Actors: Ethan Hawke (Bar Tender/Agent), Sarah Snook (Frezzi/John), Noah Taylor (Fizzle Bomber), Preston James Hillier (Young John)
- Genre: Sci-fi thriller
22. Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)
A disillusioned magazine intern investigates a classified ad seeking a companion for time travel. As she delves deeper, she uncovers a man yearning to fix a past mistake, and an unexpected connection blossoms. It’s a quirky indie dramedy that focuses on the human element of the journey.
- Actors: Aubrey Plaza (Darius Britt), Mark Duplass (Kenneth Calhoun), Mary Lynn Rajskub (Kristin), Jake Johnson (Jeff Schwensen)
- Genre: Indie dramedy
23. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
Mike Myers plays both the groovy 60’s spy Austin Powers and his nemesis Dr. Evil, who travels back in time to steal Austin’s “mojo” and ensure his own future villainy. The film cleverly blends slapstick humor with clever sci-fi and spy movie references, making it a cult classic for its comedic take on time travel tropes.
- Actors: Mike Myers (Austin Powers/Dr. Evil), Heather Graham (Felicity Shagwell), Verne Troyer (Mini-Me), Seth Green (Scott Evil)
- Genre: Comedy, Action, Sci-Fi
Conclusion
And that’s the list. Did we miss any great movies? Please leave a comment below and share.
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