Time travel films have always had a certain place in cinema—they play into our collective fascination: What if we could alter the past? Glance at the future? Or just do something differently for a moment? From saving the world, mending a heartbreak, or simply getting into ridiculous antics with historical figures, time travel films provide some of the most creative and brain-bending stories that movies have to share. Here’s our countdown of the 15 most memorable time travel movies that do more than warp time—they warp your mind, pull at your heart, and have you returning for multiple viewings.
15. The Time Machine (1960)
This vintage take on H.G. Wells’ classic novel did much to place time travel on the movie map. Though its look might be anachronistic, the questions it poses regarding progress, deterioration, and humanity’s destiny are no less potent. It’s retro sci-fi at its most cerebral—and it paved the way so more modern time travel movies could trot along.
14. Midnight in Paris (2011)
Forget paradoxes and destiny—this movie is about nostalgia. Each evening, a disenchanted writer (Owen Wilson) travels to 1920s Paris, rubbing shoulders with Hemingway and Fitzgerald. It’s fantastical and dreamy, but also conveys a deeply quiet message: each age nostalgically remembers the past, even those in what we presently deem “golden eras.”
13. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Who would have thought that repeatedly watching Tom Cruise die would be such fun? This thrill ride of an alien-war time-loop film combines high-octane action with sharp writing and surprise humor. Emily Blunt is fantastic as a tough soldier, and the structure of the film uses repetition to demonstrate growth, planning, and determination cleverly.
12. Run Lola Run (1998)
More of a philosophical exercise than conventional time travel, this German independent film awards its hero three desperate opportunities to change destiny. With guns-blazing action and splashy visuals, it examines how one tiny decision can rewrite a day—a lifetime.
11. The Butterfly Effect (2004)
Ashton Kutcher in a psych-sci-fi thriller? Yes—and it kinda works. Each time his character attempts to repair the past, things become more and more unmanageable. It’s chaotic, bleak, and full of unforeseen repercussions—just what you’d hope for in messing with time.
10. About Time (2013)
At its essence, this is not a movie about traveling through time—it’s a movie about spending time. A young man learns he can travel in his own life, and from there, it’s an emotional tale of love, family, and the joy of mundane moments. It’s not flashy, but it packs an emotional punch.
9. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Time travel makes a magical leap in this fan favorite Harry Potter chapter. Director Alfonso Cuarón brings elegance and sophistication to the franchise with a twisty third act in which time loops back upon itself—deliberate reveals and a good helping of teenage empowerment.
8. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
When half the universe disappears, the Avengers get completely sci-fi. The movie’s “time heist” provides sentimental reunions, alternate realities, and nostalgia-infused fanfare of the entire Marvel arc. It pushes the science, but its effect is unbreakable—on fans and pop culture.
7. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
Time travel, but with a completely bodacious twist. This comedy classic is as dorky as it is genial, when two lovable slackers take a bumbling journey through history to get out of doing a school report. It’s goofy, yes—but also unexpectedly cogent in its logic and full of charm.
6. Looper (2012)
What if your next mission was to assassinate your future self? That’s the dark premise of this grim sci-fi thriller. It’s a clever, morally ambiguous movie with standout performances by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis. And one set-piece scene involving a vanishing body part? Unforgettable.
5. Groundhog Day (1993)
This isn’t a standard time travel story, but it’s decidedly a loop that warrants discussion. Bill Murray’s perpetually stuck February 2nd evolves into a profound exploration of purpose, generosity, and self-improvement. It’s as funny as it is sweet—and one of the most impactful movies of its genre.
4. 12 Monkeys (1995)
Dark, confusing, and full of philosophical horror, Terry Gilliam’s sci-fi epic sends a prisoner back in time to prevent a plague. Bruce Willis gives one of his finest performances, and the haunting circular storyline will have you thinking long after the credits roll.
3. Interstellar (2014)
Time in this Nolan masterpiece isn’t an abstract idea—it’s a persona. From black holes to time dilation and fifth-dimensional transmission, Interstellar employs scientific theory as a backdrop for profoundly emotional drama. McConaughey’s travels through space and time are as poignant as they are breathtaking.
2. Terminator & Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1984/1991)
These two James Cameron films are the quintessential combination of action and time travel. Robots, destiny, and paradoxes merge in a thriller about attempting to alter a future that is possibly already set in stone. And yet, both films seem as pertinent today as they were decades ago.
1. Back to the Future & Part II (1985/1989)
Is any roundup complete without Marty McFly and Doc Brown? These movies are the gold standard for time travel in pop culture. Whether it’s repairing your parents’ love life or avoiding chaos in a neon-drenched 2015, these movies provide the ideal combination of heart, humor, and high-stakes adventure.
Whether you enjoy emotional gut checks, paradox conundrums, or simply seeing someone high-five a knight from medieval times, there’s something in time travel films for everybody. They cause us to wonder about our decisions, think about the past, and create new futures—sometimes all at once. So if you’re ready to twist your brain, grab the popcorn and start your journey through time. Just try not to run into your past self on the way.