Exploring the World of Time Travel Movies
‘Time Travel’ has captivated audiences for generations, blending science fiction, adventure, and imagination to explore the possibilities of moving through the past, future, and even alternate timelines. In this comprehensive guide, we showcase some of the best time travel movies—from pioneering classics like The Time Machine to modern hits, mind-bending thrillers, and inventive indie films—that focus on the mechanics and storytelling of traveling through time.
Whether it’s inventors exploring distant futures, heroes attempting to prevent catastrophic events, characters caught in looping timelines, or comedic adventures revisiting decades past, these films capture the thrill, mystery, and consequences of bending time. Many of the movies featured here are available to watch for free on platforms like PlutoTV, TubiTV, Archive.org, or YouTube, while for others you can Rent or Buy online. Wherever possible, we’ve included links so you can step into these cinematic journeys for yourself.
From iconic franchises to hidden gems, this list is designed to delight time travel enthusiasts and casual viewers alike—movies that will entertain, challenge, and make you think about the very nature of time itself.
The Time Machine – H.G. Wells
The original foundation of mechanical time travel in film, based on H.G. Wells’ landmark 1895 novel that popularized the concept of a time machine. The 1960 film is the classic cinematic adaptation of this story, inspiring decades of future time travel movies.
The Time Machine (1960)
A pioneering tale of time travel based on H.G. Wells’ groundbreaking novel, widely regarded as the original foundation of time travel storytelling. The story follows George, an inventor who constructs a machine to explore the past and future. He ultimately travels to the year 802,701, where humanity has split into two species — the peaceful Eloi and the subterranean Morlocks, who prey upon them. Through his journey, George confronts themes of human evolution, resilience, and the long-term consequences of civilization. Watch for Free · Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
The Time Machine (2002)
Directed by Simon Wells (H.G. Wells’ great-grandson). Alexander Hartdegen, a Victorian-era inventor, builds a time machine to cope with personal tragedy. Traveling to the distant future, he encounters the Eloi and the Morlocks, exploring themes of loss, grief, and consequences of tampering with time. Watch for Free on PlutoTV · Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
Back to the Future Trilogy
One of the most beloved time travel franchises, the Back to the Future films follow Marty McFly and Doc Brown as they navigate the past, future, and alternate timelines with the help of a DeLorean time machine.
Back to the Future (1985)
Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is accidentally sent back to 1955 in a DeLorean time machine invented by Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd). Stranded in the past, he must ensure his parents meet and fall in love to preserve his own future. Along the way, Marty navigates the social norms of 1950s Hill Valley, outwits Biff Tannen, and learns the consequences of meddling with time. Try Free on AMC+
Back to the Future Part II (1989)
Marty and Doc Brown travel to the year 2015 to prevent a disaster that would affect Marty’s family in the future. However, their interference inadvertently creates a chaotic alternate 1985, where Biff Tannen has seized power using a sports almanac from the future. Marty and Doc must navigate the dangers of this corrupted timeline, confront the consequences of altering history, and find a way to restore the original timeline before it’s too late. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
Back to the Future Part III (1990)
Marty travels to 1885 to rescue Doc Brown after learning he is stranded in the Old West. Together, they must repair the DeLorean, avoid local outlaws, and navigate the dangers of the past to return safely to 1985. This final installment blends action, comedy, and a Western setting while exploring the enduring friendship between Marty and Doc. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
The Terminator Franchise
This iconic science‑fiction series blends time travel with a dystopian war between humanity and sentient machines. From the original 1984 classic that introduced Skynet and the unstoppable T‑800 to later sequels that expand the timeline, the Terminator films explore fate, artificial intelligence, and the consequences of altering the past.
The Terminator (1984)
A cybernetic assassin, the T‑800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger), is sent back in time from a war-torn future to 1984 to eliminate Sarah Connor, whose future son will lead the human resistance against the rogue AI Skynet. The resistance sends soldier Kyle Reese to protect her, leading to a relentless battle for survival. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Years later, Skynet sends the T‑1000, an advanced liquid-metal Terminator, to kill young John Connor. In response, the resistance reprograms a T‑800 to protect him. As Sarah Connor struggles to prevent Judgment Day, the characters must navigate time paradoxes, confront human-machine conflict, and protect the future. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
Skynet evolves beyond human control, sending a new Terminator (T-X) back to eliminate John Connor. A reprogrammed T‑800 is sent to protect him and his future wife. As Judgment Day draws near, the characters confront the inevitability of the machine uprising while exploring themes of fate versus free will. Subscribe to Fandango
Terminator 4: Salvation (2009)
Set in a post-apocalyptic future, adult John Connor teams up with former soldier Marcus Wright to fight Skynet’s forces. John must grow into the leader the resistance needs while uncovering Marcus’ mysterious past and his connection to the machines. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
Terminator 5: Genisys (2015)
A reboot and reimagining of the timeline, Kyle Reese travels to the past to protect Sarah Connor, only to find that events have shifted dramatically. He must navigate a new timeline and stop Skynet from activating prematurely. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
Terminator 6: Dark Fate (2019)
This is a MUST SEE for fans of the franchise. Decades after Judgment Day, Sarah Connor faces a new advanced Terminator sent to kill a young woman critical to the future resistance. Reunited with familiar allies, Connor must protect humanity’s next generation and confront the persistent threat of machine sentience. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
The Philadelphia Experiment Movies
A time travel duology centered around secret U.S. Navy experiments that tear open space and time. These films explore the unintended consequences of advanced military technology, alternate timelines, and the dangers of altering history.
The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)
During a secret World War II naval experiment, two sailors are accidentally sent decades into the future. As they struggle to survive in an unfamiliar time, they uncover the dangerous side effects of the experiment and the risks of tampering with forces beyond human control. Watch for Free on PlutoTV · Watch for Free on YouTube
The Philadelphia Experiment II (1993)
Set years after the original film, the sole survivor of the first experiment is pulled back into another time disaster when a new military test goes wrong. This time, the altered timeline results in a Nazi-dominated present, forcing him to travel through time once again to prevent catastrophic changes to history and restore the original timeline. Watch for Free on TubiTV · Watch for Free on YouTube
Stand Alone Time Travel Movies
These are “singles” — time travel movies that stand alone rather than being part of a series. Listed in chronological order from oldest to newest, each explores unique adventures in time traveling, offering self-contained stories of past, future, and alternate timelines.
Time After Time (1979)
H.G. Wells pursues Jack the Ripper into the 20th century using his time machine. The film blends suspense, romance, and historical curiosity as the inventor confronts a future he never imagined. Watch for Free on TubiTV · Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
The Final Countdown (1980)
A modern aircraft carrier mysteriously travels back to December 6, 1941, just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. The crew faces a moral dilemma: intervene in history or let events unfold, blending military drama with speculative time travel intrigue. Watch for Free on TubiTV · Watch for Free on PlutoTV · Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
Timestalkers
1987 · 1 hr 24 min
TV-14
History professor Scott McKenzie gets swept into a time-travel mystery after discovering a clue in an 1886 photo that links to visitors from 2586. Watch for Free on TubiTV · Subscribe to MGM+
Subtitles: English
Starring:William DevaneLauren HuttonJohn RatzenbergerForrest TuckerKlaus Kinski
Directed by:Michael Schultz
12 Monkeys (1995)
Set in a post-apocalyptic future, a prisoner is sent back in time to gather information about a virus that wiped out most of humanity. As he travels between eras, questions arise about fate, memory, and whether the past can truly be changed. The film blends time travel with psychological thriller elements, gradually blurring the line between reality and delusion. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
Contact (1997)
Based on Carl Sagan’s novel, Contact follows astronomer Ellie Arroway as she deciphers an extraterrestrial signal containing instructions to build a mysterious machine. When activated, the device transports her across vast distances of spacetime via wormholes. Although only seconds pass on Earth, Ellie experiences hours of travel, introducing a powerful example of relativistic time dilation. The film explores science, belief, and humanity’s place in the universe while remaining grounded in real theoretical physics. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
Frequency (2000)
A firefighter discovers he can communicate with his deceased father through a mysterious ham radio, bridging a 30-year gap in time. Using this connection, they work together to prevent tragedies and alter events in the past. The film explores the consequences of changing history, family bonds, and how small actions across time can have profound effects on the present. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
Primer (2004)
A low-budget but highly intellectual time travel film that focuses on realism and scientific plausibility. Two engineers accidentally discover a method of time travel while working on a garage-based invention. As they begin to manipulate timelines for personal gain, overlapping realities and paradoxes quickly spiral out of control. Primer is known for its complex narrative structure and rewards careful attention from viewers. Watch for Free on YouTube · Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
The Butterfly Effect (2004)
A young man discovers he can travel back to key moments in his past by revisiting old memories, allowing him to alter events in his life. Each change, however, leads to increasingly severe and unexpected consequences in the present. The film explores themes of free will, trauma, and the unpredictable nature of time, making it one of the most accessible and emotionally driven time travel stories. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
The Jacket (2005)
After undergoing experimental treatment, a man experiences visions of the future while confined in a mental institution. As he moves between timelines, he attempts to change his fate and prevent tragic outcomes. The film combines psychological drama with time travel elements, focusing on memory, perception, and the fragility of reality. Watch for Free on TubiTV · Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
Deja Vu (2006)
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Timecrimes (Los Cronocrímenes) (2007)
A man accidentally becomes entangled in a series of time loops after discovering a mysterious time machine. What begins as a simple attempt to correct a mistake quickly escalates into a web of cause-and-effect consequences. This Spanish-language film is known for its clever structure, minimalistic approach, and realistic portrayal of how small actions can unravel time itself.
Source Code (2011)
A soldier is repeatedly sent back into the final eight minutes of a commuter’s life to identify the source of a deadly attack. Each reset brings him closer to the truth while raising questions about consciousness, reality, and whether the past can be changed. The film blends time-loop mechanics with action and suspense, making it a fast-paced and accessible time travel thriller. Watch for Free on TubiTV
Looper (2012)
In a future where time travel exists but is illegal, criminal organizations send targets back in time to be executed by hired assassins known as “loopers.” Joe, one such assassin, faces the ultimate paradox when his future self is sent back for elimination. As timelines collide, the film explores the consequences of altering the past, moral responsibility, and the personal cost of changing one’s fate. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
41 (2012)
A young man’s life is turned upside down after a tragic accident leads him to a mysterious motel room where a hole in the bathroom floor serves as a portal into the past. Following cryptic advice from an enigmatic stranger, he enters the portal and finds himself repeatedly sent back about twelve hours, giving him the chance to try to change events and alter his personal history. This low‑budget, independent sci‑fi film blends time‑travel concepts with emotional stakes as he navigates multiple timelines in search of redemption and understanding. Watch for Free on TubiTV · Watch for Free on YouTube Movies
Coherence (2013)
During a dinner party, a cosmic event causes reality to fracture, leading to overlapping timelines and alternate versions of the same people. As the night unfolds, the group struggles to understand what is happening and which reality they truly belong to. Though more subtle than traditional time travel films, Coherence explores time distortion and parallel outcomes through a tense, dialogue-driven narrative. Watch for Free on TubiTV · Watch for Free on PlutoTV · Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
Live Die Repeat: Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
In a future where Earth is under attack by a powerful alien force, an inexperienced military officer becomes trapped in a time loop, reliving the same day every time he dies. With each reset, he gains knowledge, combat skills, and insight into how events unfold. Teaming up with a legendary warrior, he uses the loop to change outcomes and fight back against impossible odds. The film combines fast-paced action with a time-loop mechanic that makes learning, repetition, and sacrifice central to survival. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
Interstellar (2014)
While primarily a space exploration story, Interstellar features scientifically grounded time travel through relativity-based time dilation. Astronauts experience time at different rates depending on gravity and velocity, creating profound consequences for relationships and missions. This film demonstrates a realistic, physics-based interpretation of moving through time. Preview · Subscribe to MGM+
Predestination (2014)
A complex and tightly woven time travel thriller centered on a temporal agent tasked with preventing major crimes throughout history. As the agent tracks down an elusive criminal, the mission evolves into a deeply personal journey involving identity, fate, and paradoxes. The film is widely praised for its intelligent use of time loops and its commitment to exploring the consequences of altering one’s own timeline. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
Time Lapse (2014)
Three friends discover a mysterious camera that takes pictures of the future. As they try to use it to predict events, they realize that knowing the future comes with complex consequences. The movie is a tense exploration of causality, paradox, and the butterfly effect, grounded in a scientific concept of time observation. Watch for Free on TubiTV · Watch for Free on PlutoTV · Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
Fun Fact: The premise of Time Lapse echoes a classic Twilight Zone episode, “A Most Unusual Camera,” (Season 2, Episode 10) in which a mysterious camera shows the immediate future.
Paradox (2016)
A group of scientists working on a classified time travel experiment unlock the ability to send people into the future. When one member returns with disturbing knowledge of what lies ahead, the team realizes their invention may trigger a catastrophic chain of events. As timelines begin to fracture, the film explores causality, unintended consequences, and the dangers of seeing too much of the future. Paradox delivers a tense, fast-paced take on time travel that rewards close attention. Watch for Free on TubiTV · Watch for Free on YouTube Movies
Time Trap (2017)
A group of students exploring a mysterious cave discovers a hidden anomaly where time moves at drastically different speeds. As they venture deeper, hours outside the cave become days and years, revealing a secret tied to advanced technology, immortality, and the far future of humanity. The film blends adventure, sci-fi, and survival elements while exploring the consequences of being trapped between timelines. Watch for Free on TubiTV · Watch for Free on PlutoTV · Watch for Free on YouTube Movies
Time Freak (2018)
A brilliant young inventor builds a homemade time travel device that allows him to repeatedly return to moments in his own past. Using the machine, he attempts to perfect conversations and decisions in order to win over his crush. As the resets continue, he begins to realize that manipulating time for personal gain comes with emotional consequences. The film blends romance, comedy, and science fiction while exploring how small changes can impact relationships and personal growth. Watch for Free on TubiTV · Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
See You Yesterday (2019)
A pair of teenage prodigies invent a time machine to prevent a personal tragedy. Using their homemade device, they experiment with changing the past, but quickly discover that even small alterations can have far-reaching consequences. The film explores the ethics, risks, and mechanics of tampering with time through a technically plausible machine.
Tenet (2020)
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The Adam Project (2022)
After a futuristic time traveler crashes in the present, a man teams up with his younger self to prevent catastrophic events. Advanced technology, paradox management, and the consequences of altering personal timelines are central to the story, making it a modern take on mechanical and scientifically inspired time travel.