Time travel continues to be one of the world’s most fascinating concepts. While we may not get to travel anytime soon, we can admire the adventure in time travel movies. Whether it’s saving the world or passing a history test, these movies stretch our imaginations to the point where we end up scratching our heads in confusion.
Are our heroes doomed to make the same mistakes, or can they actually change the course of history? Only time will tell. You just need to hop in that DeLorean and start streaming these movies before you run out of time…
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (Netflix)
In order to get an A+ on their final and pass their history class, Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) employ the use of a time travel device to bring back historical figures for their presentation. If you’re a history buff, a sci-fi nerd, or just a plain old Keanu Reeves fan, this movie is excellent for you, dude.
Back to the Future (Amazon)
When it comes to time traveling, you have to ride in style. In this case, it’s in a 1985 DeLorean. For the inexplicably unfamiliar, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is accidentally sent to the year 1955 and ends up interfering with the first time his parents met. He must reunite them before he ends up being erased from the future to the sound of the Huey Lewis and the News.
Primer (Hulu, Amazon)
Four friends create a time travel device, and the events that follow lead them on a path of betrayal and danger. Simple enough, right? Wrong. Director Shane Carruth made one of the craziest brain teasers in the recent years with Primer. The only thing crazier than the plot is realizing that this movie was made with a budget of only $7,000.
Interstellar (Amazon)
If Christopher Nolan’s Inception didn’t make your brain hurt, then Interstellar certainly will. When the fate of mankind is put into the hands of ex-pilot Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), he must leave Earth and his family to find a new home for the human race. Clocking in about three hours, this movie remains an impressive journey into the unknown of space and also, in a way, through time.
Timecrimes (Amazon)
To those looking for a twisted film with subtitles, Timecrimes is for you. This 2007 Spanish film follows a day in the life of Hector (Karra Elejalde) as he encounters a strange bandaged man near his home. A darkly funny and sometimes chilling movie, Timecrimes takes time traveling to a new and inventive level.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes (Amazon)
Many are familiar with the original Planet of the Apes, but the series’ third installment is truly a movie to be seen. The apes of the first film, Cornelius and Zira, have escaped their planet only to time travel and arrive on Earth in 1973. Enjoy a healthy of serving of ridiculous ape costumes and Ricardo Montalban.
Army of Darkness (Amazon)
After the events of Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead 2, our hero Ash (Bruce Campbell) is transported to Medieval England to battle against the army of the dead and to retrieve the infamous Necronomicon. This cult classic brings humor, action, and a bit of romance to the time travel genre, and there’s nothing quite like it.
12 Monkeys (Amazon)
After a man-made virus has sent the human race underground, Bruce Willis is sent back to prevent the Army of the 12 Monkeys from spreading it. In typical Terry Gilliam fashion, the movie offers a crazy narrative and an even crazier ending.
Looper (Amazon)
There must be something about Bruce Willis and time travel. In the future, going back or forward in time is outlawed, and it’s only used as a method to assassinate targets for a mysterious crime organization. This organization contracts assassins called loopers. However, when one looper has to kill his future self, things take a thrilling turn. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Emily Blunt round out a stellar cast in Rian Johnson’s mind-bending movie.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (Netflix)
This is the quintessential Terminator movie. James Cameron brings back the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to fight alongside Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), and John Connor (Edward Furlong), so they can prevent Judgment Day and destroy the evil artificial intelligence called Skynet. This is the movie that brought you “Hasta la vista, baby” and a badass Sarah Connor. What’s not to love?
