My favorite time travel movies
I have watched many more time travel movies, but these are the ones I can personally recommend to most regular viewers. If we go below a 7/10 rating I have just as many more movies I can recommend to some specific viewers, but that's for another list. They are mostly ranked by my rating, but also by the time travel quantity and quality in them.
I added in a few stand-alone TV show episodes at the end of the list because otherwise the list will be missing several unique time travel concepts not yet seen in any movie. But largely I avoid TV show episodes/short films.
I added in a few stand-alone TV show episodes at the end of the list because otherwise the list will be missing several unique time travel concepts not yet seen in any movie. But largely I avoid TV show episodes/short films.
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- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsMichael J. FoxChristopher LloydLea ThompsonMarty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.Best movie ever? It's up there with The Godfather and Die Hard. Very rewatchable which is more rare than just high quality. Maybe the most rewatchable movie ever made because of all the cool plot details and fast pacing with clever time travel details.
Time travel: 10 - DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsMichael J. FoxChristopher LloydLea ThompsonAfter visiting 2015, Marty McFly must repeat his visit to 1955 to prevent disastrous changes to 1985...without interfering with his first trip.Still great, but not quite as good as the first one because this future is unrealistic. The first one felt like a real time travel.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorJohn WooStarsBen AffleckAaron EckhartUma ThurmanWhat seemed like a breezy idea that would net an engineer millions of dollars ends up leaving him on the run for his life and trying to piece together why he's being chased.For me this was tons of fun to watch. But it's silly action movie fun and not deep philosophical stuff. Once you understand what the time travel implies you suddenly realize that this is the only realistic John Woo movie. The rest of his movies are as unrealistic, but without any explanation for the weirdness. Which somehow makes this a regular John Woo... but good. You have to get it to enjoy it.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorBarry SonnenfeldStarsWill SmithTommy Lee JonesJosh BrolinAgent J travels in time to M.I.B.'s early days in 1969 to stop an alien from assassinating his friend Agent K and changing history.Many dislike it, many like it. I really love it. Great movie. So damn clever writing. Once you start thinking about the time travel and EXTRA time travel inside the time travel it becomes one of the time travel movies you can rewatch and think about again. It's also fun and light which is essential for a rewatchable movie.
Time travel: 9 - DirectorPeter HyamsStarsJean-Claude Van DammeMia SaraRon SilverMax Walker, an officer for a security agency that regulates time travel, must fend for his life against a shady politician who's intent on changing the past to control the future.Super fun action movie. Nothing deep, so many will find it too silly - not me! I obviously like this kind of movie that's a deep concept without being pretentious. Instead it tries to be fun and entertaining only. And I adore good plot which all these action movies have as you know exactly who wants what.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorJack SholderStarsHelen SlaterJonathan SilvermanNicolas SurovyA man likes a woman at work. He sees her get murdered. He gets drunk and zapped at 12:01AM. Next morning she's back and everything is exactly like the day before. The time loops gives him chances to save her.Very good movie. As always with low-budget movies the ending makes zero sense. Writing an ending is hard. The time travel here is just great except the ending. It's based on a mini movie you can find on Youtube that's quite a fun watch too, but way more serious and moody.
Time travel: 7 - DirectorTerry GilliamStarsBruce WillisMadeleine StoweBrad PittIn a future world devastated by disease, a convict is sent back in time to gather information about the man-made virus that wiped out most of the human population on the planet.Moody movie, but has enough fun in it to be interesting for most people. These moody movies with a twist are not always made for fast consumption or many views but this one is a classic and pretty much one of the most recommended movies ever.
Time travel: 9 - DirectorSteve PinkStarsJohn CusackRob CorddryCraig RobinsonA malfunctioning time machine at a ski resort takes a man back to 1986 with his two friends and nephew, where they must relive a fateful night and not change anything to make sure the nephew is born.Super fun comedy. One of my favorite comedies. But the ending makes zero sense logic wise. Once you get time travel in movies you understand when basic ideas are just ignored by the characters. The ending is like the 12:01 (1993) ending where you don't understand why the writers suddenly got lazy with their own idea and how the characters suddenly forgot basic stuff.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorHarold RamisStarsBill MurrayAndie MacDowellChris ElliottA narcissistic, self-centered weatherman finds himself in a time loop on Groundhog Day.Great movie! You know it. The repetition time travel is my favorite and I added these movies to my list I do think it's traveling back in time. It's one of the most rewatchable movies ever.
Time travel: 10 - DirectorGregory HoblitStarsDennis QuaidJim CaviezelShawn DoyleAn accidental cross-time radio link connects father and son across 30 years. The son tries to save his father's life, but then must fix the consequences.The frantic shaky-cam in action scenes is horrible, but besides that it's really good and the plot is great. The time travel here is more emotional than in any other movie as a family connection is made. It will really make you feel for the characters.
Time travel: 9 - DirectorDoug LimanStarsTom CruiseEmily BluntBill PaxtonA soldier fighting aliens gets to relive the same day over and over again, the day restarting every time he dies.Repetition time travel concept. It's really fun. One of those action movies you can rewatch, but the concept is so simple that you won't be surprised a second time around.
Time travel: 9 - DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsMichael J. FoxChristopher LloydMary SteenburgenStranded in 1955, Marty McFly learns about the death of Doc Brown in 1885 and must travel back in time to save him. With no fuel readily available for the DeLorean, the two must figure how to escape the Old West before Emmett is murdered.Very much the worst in the series, but still a quality movie.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorOriol PauloStarsAdriana UgarteChino DarínJavier GutiérrezTwo storms separated by 25 years. A woman murdered. A daughter missed. Only 72 hours to discover the truth.Very overlooked time travel movie. The ending is a bit weakish in this lower-budget movie, but the rest is really great. Go watch it right now. This is one of the best working directors we have. Everything he makes it worth a watch if you like twists and complicated plots. But this is where he used his mystery and plot brain to create a time travel story.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorGary RossStarsTobey MaguireJeff DanielsJoan AllenTwo 1990s teenage siblings find themselves transported to a 1950s sitcom where their influence begins to profoundly change that colorless, complacent world.Zero time travel. But I think it fits because they do travel to another world in the past. It's a great movie that's kinda a classic of sorts.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsTom CruiseColin FarrellSamantha MortonJohn works with the PreCrime police which stop crimes before they take place, with the help of three 'PreCogs' who can foresee crimes. Events ensue when John finds himself framed for a future murder.Not time travel in person. But it's a great movie and one of those movies that pretty much became a classic of sorts right away.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorBryan SingerStarsPatrick StewartIan McKellenHugh JackmanThe X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.Not much time travel. But it's set in the past with modern heroes so I think it fits here.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorBradley KingStarsDanielle PanabakerMatt O'LearyGeorge FinnThree friends discover a mysterious machine that takes pictures twenty-four hours into the future, and conspire to use it for personal gain, until disturbing and dangerous images begin to develop.Low-budget movie, but it's a unique concept based on the "A Most Unusual Camera" (1960) The Twilight Zone episode. Go watch it for sure. It's one of the most underrated movies I have seen as I really didn't expect this much quality in such a small package. A remake with more and bigger sets and a complete ending would be great.
Time travel: 10 - DirectorJacob GentryStarsChad McKnightBrianne DavisAJ BowenA physicist who invents a time machine must travel back to the past to uncover the truth about his creation and the woman who is trying to steal it.5,5 rating on IMDb? Well, it's low-budget and few sets and actors, but it's spectacular acting from the lead and great tension filled time travel. Very much worth a watch. This is a unique movie for people who watch a lot of films.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorDuncan JonesStarsJake GyllenhaalMichelle MonaghanVera FarmigaA soldier wakes up in someone else's body and discovers he's part of an experimental government program to find the bomber of a commuter train within 8 minutes.This is actually time travel, but not full time travel. It's a movie that works as a plot, but it does feel empty at times as it never tries to be a work of passion or a full blockbuster. It's a movie that keeps you entertained for sure. Can be rewatched because of the clear colors, light plot and an attractive lead actress.
Time travel: 9 - DirectorChristopher NolanStarsMatthew McConaugheyAnne HathawayJessica ChastainWhen Earth becomes uninhabitable in the future, a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper, is tasked to pilot a spacecraft, along with a team of researchers, to find a new planet for humans.This is some of the most interesting time travel I've seen. There is not much time travel, but what we have is mind blowing. The ending makes no sense though, and is a lazy cop-out.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorAlfonso CuarónStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintHarry Potter, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their third year of study, where they delve into the mystery surrounding an escaped prisoner who poses a dangerous threat to the young wizard.The by far best Harry Potter movie also has time travel in it. Coincidence? Not fully. If you watch one Harry Potter movie pick this one.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorStephen HopkinsStarsGary OldmanWilliam HurtMatt LeBlancThe Robinson family was going into space to fight for a chance for humanity. Now they are fighting to live long enough to find a way home.Personally I really like fast paced action movies with cool characters. But many hate this one because it's not like the old TV show. So it may not be for you. The ending is weird as it sets up a universe and a sequel which we never got as the TV show fans got offended.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorSam RaimiStarsBruce CampbellEmbeth DavidtzMarcus GilbertWhen Ash Williams is accidentally transported to 1300 A.D., he must retrieve the Necronomicon and battle an army of the dead in order to return home.Not much time travel, but enough for me to add it here as it's a good movie. The best Evil Dead movie by far in my opinion. The rest are skippable.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorMark DennisBen FosterStarsReiley McClendonCassidy GiffordBrianne HoweyA professor enters a cave and goes missing. Some of his students come looking for him and get trapped in the cave as well.Very fun watch. Weak ending as it's not high budget or clever writing. But very much a ride. It's another one of those "leave you brain at the door" movies. But once you watch it you'll understand that a concept remake with better writers would be glorious.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorScott DerricksonStarsBenedict CumberbatchChiwetel EjioforRachel McAdamsWhile on a journey of physical and spiritual healing, a brilliant neurosurgeon is drawn into the world of the mystic arts.A bit time travel. But it's extremely cool so I had to add it. Some of the most memorable time travel used in a plot.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorLee TamahoriStarsNicolas CageJulianne MooreJessica BielA Las Vegas magician who can see into the future is pursued by FBI agents seeking to use his abilities to prevent a nuclear terrorist attack.Very fun B action movie. If you like silly action and fast paced stories with lots of stuff happening this is for you. But it's not a high budget movie and Jessica Biel is in it trying to pretend she's an actress. These kind of new movies with non-grainy image quality are some of the easiest to watch and rewatch for random viewers. They feel like the real world and not some grainy analog universe.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorMarco BrambillaStarsSylvester StalloneWesley SnipesSandra BullockA police officer is brought out of suspended animation in prison to pursue an old ultra-violent nemesis who is loose in a non-violent future society.Not really time travel just a movie set in the future. But it's really fun and kinda is time travel. It's a classic.
Time travel: 4 - DirectorJosef RusnakStarsCraig BierkoGretchen MolArmin Mueller-StahlA computer scientist running a virtual reality simulation of 1937 becomes the primary suspect when his colleague and mentor is murdered.Not much time travel, but just enough for it to feature on my list as it's a good movie. Very overlooked because the budget is not quite great enough to make it compete with blockbusters as it looks grainy and old at times.
Time travel: 5 - DirectorRian JohnsonStarsJoseph Gordon-LevittBruce WillisEmily BluntIn 2074, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent into the past, where a hired gun awaits - someone like Joe - who one day learns the mob wants to 'close the loop' by sending back Joe's future self for assassination.Creepy movie with tons of plot holes. But worth a watch for sure. It's probably the time travel movie with the most obvious plot holes but that's because it's very hard to use this idea and not have plot holes.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorChristopher NolanStarsJohn David WashingtonRobert PattinsonElizabeth DebickiArmed with only the word "Tenet," and fighting for the survival of the entire world, CIA operative, The Protagonist, journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a global mission that unfolds beyond real time.In this genre it's a must-watch because it tries a new time travel concept. It doesn't always work and feels a bit small with a lead who is not good enough for the project. But overall it's a recommended watch.
Time travel: 9 - DirectorMichael SpierigPeter SpierigStarsEthan HawkeSarah SnookNoah TaylorAs his last assignment, a temporal agent is tasked to travel back in time and prevent a bomb attack in New York in 1975. The hunt, however, turns out to be beyond the bounds of possibility.Very weird movie with a single plot focus. But it's fun to watch it and it's high quality. Probably won't ever even consider rewatching this which is a minus.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorTerry GilliamStarsSean ConneryShelley DuvallJohn CleeseA young boy accidentally joins a band of time travelling dwarves, as they jump from era to era looking for treasure to steal.Silly movie, but enough time travel to make it feature here. Terry Gilliam makes movies that are very weird and not always properly focused. But this is his second best movie after Twelve Monkeys (1995) - which also has time travel.
Time travel: 5 - DirectorChristopher LandonStarsJessica RotheIsrael BroussardRuby ModineA college student must relive the day of her murder over and over again, in a loop that will end only when she discovers her killer's identity.There are some weak scenes in it but overall it's a movie you'll love if you like fast pace and comedic timings. The sequel can be skipped unless you have watched everything on my list and seek 6/10 rated movies just to waste a few hours.
Time travel: 7 - DirectorDoug LimanStarsHayden ChristensenSamuel L. JacksonJamie BellA young man with teleportation abilities suddenly finds himself in the middle of an ancient war between those like him and their sworn annihilators.Does it have time travel? It's one of those movies that's fun to watch, but nothing that feels like a work of passion as it kinda does the basics well, but nothing else. So it's silly light fun - sign me in!
Time travel: 3 - DirectorJay OlivaStarsJustin ChambersC. Thomas HowellMichael B. JordanThe Flash finds himself in a war torn alternate timeline and teams up with alternate versions of his fellow heroes to return home and restore the timeline.One of the better DC cartoons out there. If you only can watch one DC cartoon maybe pick this one. It's very acceptable. I do look forward to DC putting more money into their cartoons as I think they can reach a much higher level. They look very subpar compared to average cinema cartoons.
Time travel: 7 - DirectorJames WongStarsJet LiCarla GuginoDelroy LindoA rogue Multiverse agent goes on a manhunt for alternate versions of himself, getting stronger with each kill. Only the last version of himself, an LASD cop, can stop his crusade before he becomes "The One".Hmmm, time travel? I think so. Of sorts. I added it because it's one of those action movies everyone seems to enjoy even though we all know it's stupid.
Time travel: 4 - DirectorJunta YamaguchiStarsKazunari TosaRiko FujitaniGôta IshidaA cafe owner discovers that the TV in his cafe suddenly shows images from the future, but only two minutes into the future.Very smart mini movie about video chat time travel. Like Time Lapse (2014), but with video instead of a photo camera. Super smart. This likely was cheaper to make than even all the short movies on the list. They just used phone cameras. It looks quite fine and the acting is not terrible. It's basically a movie that presents the concept.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorTodd Strauss-SchulsonStarsTaissa FarmigaMalin AkermanAdam DevineA young woman grieving the loss of her mother, a famous scream queen from the 1980s, finds herself pulled into the world of her mom's most famous movie. Reunited, the women must fight off the film's maniacal killer.A bit lame at the end and you feel cheated because you were that invested in it, but the beginning and middle is fun and the concept is super fun.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorTom TykwerStarsFranka PotenteMoritz BleibtreuHerbert KnaupAfter a botched money delivery, Lola has 20 minutes to come up with 100,000 Deutschmarks.B movie from Germany. Pretty fun to watch as the energy is high and the pace is great. Great actress too.
Time travel: 7 - DirectorChristopher SmithStarsMelissa GeorgeJoshua McIvorJack TaylorFive friends set sail and their yacht is overturned by a strange and sudden storm. A mysterious ship arrives to rescue them, and what happens next cannot be explained.It's lower-budget and tries to be "deep" as many starting out filmmakers try to be. But that doesn't ruin it. I just wish they had focused on plot instead of analogies but so be it. It makes the repetition stuff emotional as we understand what it means. It's a cult classic.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorJustin BensonAaron MoorheadStarsAaron MoorheadJustin BensonCallie HernandezAs kids, they escaped a UFO death cult. Now, two adult brothers seek answers after an old videotape surfaces and brings them back to where they began.It has some time travel concept that's really amazing. But overall it's not about time travel so maybe it doesn't belong on the list. The first one was more clearly time travel, but it's not nearly as good even though it's fun enough.
Time travel: 5 - DirectorFrank CoraciStarsAdam SandlerKate BeckinsaleChristopher WalkenA workaholic architect finds a universal remote that allows him to fast-forward and rewind to different parts of his life. Complications arise when the remote starts to overrule his choices.A classic comedy. Silly and over the top, but the time travel is cool and makes it work overall. Just silly fun worth a watch.
Time travel: 7 - DirectorTony ElliottStarsRobbie AmellRachael TaylorShaun BensonTrapped in a lab and stuck in a time loop, a disoriented couple fends off masked raiders while harboring a new energy source that could save humanity.Second time I watched it I didn't enjoy it at all. But first time around I was glued to the screen as it was NEW time travel!
Time travel: 6 - DirectorGareth CarrivickStarsChris O'DowdMarc WoottonDean Lennox KellyWhile drinking at their local pub, three social outcasts attempt to navigate a time-travel conundrum.It's fun to watch time travel. Low-budget and thud ending, but fun watch. It's overrated in the time travel movies genre because it has famous actors and simple but fun plot. There are much better movies out there but this is just a light one that many teens enjoy.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorJaco Van DormaelStarsJared LetoSarah PolleyDiane KrugerA boy stands on a station platform as a train is about to leave. Should he go with his mother or stay with his father? Infinite possibilities arise from this decision. As long as he doesn't choose, anything is possible.This is a weird movie and weak on plot so it's not for all, but it's a fine single-watch movie because it keeps you guessing. I recommend it to people who want to experience a really weird movie, but it's not a simple watch for random viewers.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorRobert SchwentkeStarsEric BanaRachel McAdamsRon LivingstonHenry DeTamble, a librarian, possesses a unique gene that lets him involuntarily travel through time. His wife, Claire Abshire, finds it difficult to cope with it.Romance. It's fine, nothing spectacular. Must-watch for romance fans. Fine watch for everyone else but once you get it there is not much to it.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorJames CameronStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerLinda HamiltonEdward FurlongA cyborg, identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor, must now protect her ten year old son John from an even more advanced and powerful cyborg.An amazing film havign a low ranking because the time travel is just one-time which doesn't really count unless something more is done with it. But there is enough thinking about the future events they can change that I think it can fit into such list, barely.
Time travel: 4 - DirectorRoland EmmerichStarsKurt RussellJames SpaderJaye DavidsonAn interstellar teleportation device, found in Egypt, leads to a planet with humans resembling ancient Egyptians who worship the god Ra.Basic time travel to the past/other planet. Barely time travel movie but should be on any such list.
Time travel: 4 - DirectorHugh SullivanStarsJosh McConvilleHannah MarshallAlex DimitriadesA man's attempt to construct the ultimate romantic weekend backfires when his quest for perfection traps his lover in an infinite loop.Overlooked low-budget movie. Worth a watch if you like this sort of movie, but nothing big and the ending is a thud too like with nearly all low-budget movies. With a stronger ending I'd probably recommend it directly. But as of now it's a fun watch if you like these sort of super low-budget clever movies with very complicated but clever plots. Probably the most difficult script to write on my list alongside Primer.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorNacho VigalondoStarsKarra ElejaldeCandela FernándezBárbara GoenagaA man accidentally gets into a time machine and travels back in time nearly an hour. Finding himself will be the first of a series of disasters of unforeseeable consequences.Very low-budget movie with a crappy ending. But the road there is fairly interesting. This is a letdown overall because of the ending. It feels incomplete as it's a low-budget idea without a full plot concept. So it's a big let-down if you expect a 3 act structure with an ending.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorTravis MilloyStarsChristopher Soren KellyCassandra ClarkCajardo LindseyA man trapped in an automated prison must outsmart a computer in order to escape.Lower-budget movie with weakish ending. But fun to watch. It's a very simple movie with few actors so unless you love time travel and complicated mystery movies skip these low-budget movies from my list.
Time travel: 5 - DirectorChris McKayStarsChris PrattYvonne StrahovskiJ.K. SimmonsA family man is drafted to fight in a future war where the fate of humanity relies on his ability to confront the past.The movie is fun. But it's incredibly stupid. It's fairly good until the ending where it jumps the shark and just stops making any sense which ruins it overall. They wanted the team to solve all problems alone so they forced a plotline. But, fun is fun...
Time travel: 6 - DirectorMike JudgeStarsLuke WilsonMaya RudolphDax ShepardCorporal Joe Bauers, a decidedly average American, is selected for a top-secret hibernation program but is forgotten and left to awaken to a future so incredibly moronic that he's easily the most intelligent person alive.Barely time travel so I'll have it low on the list. It's a cool concept. Bit like Lego Movie which is also fun.
Time travel: 3 - DirectorJoe CarnahanStarsFrank GrilloMel GibsonNaomi WattsTrapped in a time loop that constantly repeats the day of his murder, a former special forces agent must unlock the mystery behind his untimely demise.Groundhog Day time travel, but it's an action movie. Unfortunately it has a lot of really boring family scenes that drag on forever. And the story feels incomplete at the end. Besides this it's mindless action. Kinda needed just a bit more to be truly great, but it's fun for sure.
Time travel: 7 - DirectorBrad SilberlingStarsWill FerrellDanny McBrideAnna FrielA space-time vortex sucks scientist Rick Marshall, his assistant Holly and a survivalist Will into a world populated by dinosaurs and painfully slow creatures called Sleestaks.Super silly comedy. It's never serious which makes it suck some of the time, but with just a few serious scenes it gets by as the comedy is good too. Shame it's not more serious because it's very close to being a great movie if they didn't try to make it so childish. The fans of the TV show really hate it for making fun of their beloved show. But to me the show looks super outdated and does need a remake like this one - but as a non-comedy.
Time travel: 2 - DirectorShane CarruthStarsShane CarruthDavid SullivanCasey GoodenFour friends/fledgling entrepreneurs, knowing that there's something bigger and more innovative than the different error-checking devices they've built, wrestle over their new invention.Mediocre movie but the concept is really cool. Probably very skippable unless you like super complicated movies. Only added it because it's time travel and interesting enough to watch, but with a budget of $7000 and somewhat flat characters it never really shines overall as it leaves you hanging.
Time travel: 9 - DirectorJim CarrollStarsMorgan RobertsIlsa LevineDonny BoazWhile doing research, a group of young geniuses accidentally stumbles upon a secret terrorist plot to create a time machine to go back in time and change history.This is added as a joke. I still very much recommend it. Seriously go watch it you will be completely confused about why and how it was made plus you will be one of the few people who have watched it, join our cult. It actually has an acceptable budget and some of the writing is quite fine. Overall the movie feels cheap. But it's extremely unique.
Time travel: 11 or something - 1987–199446mTV-PG8.9 (4.8K)TV EpisodeDirectorJonathan FrakesStarsPatrick StewartJonathan FrakesLeVar BurtonThe Enterprise gets caught in a time loop which always has one result: total destruction of the ship, itself.Single story TV episode.
The best Star Trek episode ever made? A crew sits around and play cards. Suddenly something is off about the cards, but no one understands why that is. The reaction to this weirdness is calm and collected and if you are tired of endless fake screaming and crying in scenes where it makes zero sense then this is a must-watch.
Time travel: 10 - DirectorJohn RichStarsFred ClarkJean CarsonAdam WilliamsWhen three unintelligent crooks get ahold of a camera that takes pictures of the future, they set out to make a quick fortune with their new toy.Single story TV episode.
You'll notice that a movie on my list is based on this episode. This is The Twilight Zone at its best without losing focus on the plot as many episodes tend to do. It's why people love the show.
Time travel: 10 - DirectorMario AzzopardiStarsSaul RubinekAlex DiakunAlex ZaharaAaron Zgierski, a lawyer and the son of Holocaust survivors, is investigating the Nazi war criminal who murdered members of his family. He gets help from a mysterious time traveler who is able to procure evidence from Auschwitz in 1944.Single story TV episode.
Very memorable. Honestly had to be on my list because it's very unique and there is nothing similar to it in any movie. So without it my list would feel empty. Very emotional!
Time travel: 9 - DirectorMario AzzopardiStarsAmanda PlummerAndrew AirlieMichelle ForbesAt least 17 men have been executed in the last two decades without a clear motive, with the same gun. FBI Special Agent Jamie Pratt has to find how some of those murders were carried out when the gun had not yet been made.Single story TV episode.
The Outer Limits is the only show that has even comparable level quality to the godfather of these shows, The Twilight Zone. But even though the budget is ridiculously low, and most episodes don't work because of it, this episode is still a unique experience in the time travel genre. There is nothing like it and as the budget is very low and the acting is wooden the writing is all it has to. This just shows how good the writing is for me to overlook all that negative stuff.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorJames L. ConwayStarsAvery BrooksRene AuberjonoisMichael DornQuark and Rom take Nog to Earth and Starfleet Academy, but a malfunction with the ship takes the crew back in time, to Roswell, New Mexico in 1947.Single story TV episode.
One of the best newer Star Trek episodes ever made in my opinion. But it's Star Trek so it's silly fun and seldom looks new and flashy.
Time travel: 7 - DirectorTrey ParkerStarsTrey ParkerMatt StoneJonathan KimmelCartman is stuck in the future, in the middle of an international civil war between rival Atheist factions. And he STILL can't play Nintendo Wii.Single story TV episode.
The best 2 South Park episodes? Probably. Which is why I added them though they are not full time travel.
Time travel: 3 - DirectorBuzz KulikStarsDean StockwellAlbert SalmiRayford BarnesHot-shot new Lieutenant Katell tries to make his mark on the last day of World War II in the Pacific and gets a unique perspective on his actions.Single story TV episode.
Emotionally deep The Twilight Zone episode. It's smart and deep, but I feel like it thinks it's way smarter than it is. The emotional punch is still very strong though.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorWilliam F. ClaxtonStarsKenneth HaighAlexander ScourbySimon ScottA World War I British fighter pilot lands at an American air base in 1959 France.Single story TV episode.
The Twilight Zone episodes are hit and miss, but when they work it's some of the best low-budget fun out there. This one is too simple, but because it's so old you get an extra aspect to it of it actually looking like the 1960's instead of being a glossy recreation of our past.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorJonathan GlassnerStarsJon CryerDean McDermottRichard Ian CoxTrevor McPhee wants to celebrate New Year's in style. On his way back from the store with the champagne, he has an accident. When he wakes, he hitches a ride home and finds his wife thinks that he abandoned her - ten years ago.
Single story TV episode.
Great concept, but it's super lame that they don't do more with it at the end. A big let-down ending, but most of it is still so creative and new that it's a fun watch. It's very unique time travel.
Time travel: 5 - DirectorJoseph PevneyStarsWilliam ShatnerLeonard NimoyJoan CollinsWhen a temporarily insane Dr. McCoy accidentally changes history and destroys his time, Kirk and Spock follow him to prevent the disaster, but the price to do so is high.Single story TV episode.
Worst single episode on my list, but interesting enough. Too low-budget to feel realistic. I may add quite a few more time travel movies if this is acceptable quality for my list.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorPeter DeLuiseStarsRichard Dean AndersonMichael ShanksAmanda TappingCol. O'Neill and Teal'c realize they and their friends are trapped in a time loop.Single story TV episode.
Day repeat time travel done well. Nothing amazing. Nothing terrible. It's a perfectly acceptable episode that's very much fun from start till finish and you will be glad you watched it. But I feel like more could have been done with the romance and character development.
Time travel: 6 - DirectorDavid Orrick McDearmonStarsRussell JohnsonPaul HartmanBartlett RobinsonAt a prominent club in Washington, D.C., a socialite argues about whether it would be possible to change history by traveling back in time. When he leaves the club he finds himself in 1865, on the night that President Lincoln will be shot.Single story TV episode.
The original The Twilight Zone went one step extra intellectually than anything else we had or have so you know this will be an intellectual journey. The questions and answers in this episode are about the fundamentals of time travel and determinism. Of course this show seldom focused much on plot so you may feel like it could have done more with the overall story. Some episodes are just an idea with no plot and therefore boring as heck. This one has a bit plot.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorDevon AveryStarsBrian DietzenErinn HayesJames is all too eager to put his one-minute time machine to use in winning the heart of Regina, until he discovers the unexpected consequences of his actions.Short film.
Had to include it because the plot is amazing. I could probably add 5 more short films to my list, but they don't belong here unless they do something no movie has done.
Time travel: 10 - DirectorDave RedmanStarsBobby BrightSteven CarrollSteph Evison WilliamsRay discovers his La-Z-Boy recliner is a one-minute time machine. Will he learn from his mistakes or is he destined to repeat them forever?Short film.
Short film with a fast pace. Recommended little film.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorAlex CallerosStarsMikie BeattyDan BecknerAdele WatkinWhen a down-on-his-luck inventor builds a time machine to change the past, he unwittingly sets off a disastrous chain of events.Short film.
Some short films work enough on the idea to make it work quite well. This is one of the rare short films that is not awfully boring or pointless. It's silly fun, but the time travel is very smart.
Time travel: 8 - DirectorRamin SerryStarsRyan WoodleLucas KavnerKathy SearleA short film about a dad, a son, and a time-traveling killer android.Short film.
Extremely silly but still fun. Why the low IMDB rating? Short films are nearly never fantastic as such.
Time travel: 3 - DirectorMatt BlackStarsJacob DanielsLarry WoodsJeremy OttensLate for the most important meeting of his life, a toxic executive finds himself trapped in a time paradox within a public restroom.