Sartaj Singh
Whether altering the past, glimpsing the future, or visiting alternate realities, time travel concepts brim with potential. They seem to add intriguing twists to every genre of film they are utilized in. Such works often greet us with refreshing settings and unique dynamics, putting their characters through imaginative scenarios. From heart-pounding thrillers to heartwarming romances, these are the absolute best time-traveling movies offered on Netflix.
12. Don’t Let Go (2019)
Jacob Aaron Estes’ time-bending drama ‘Don’t Let Go’ centers on Homicide Detective Jack Radcliff (David Oyelowo), who starts receiving calls from her niece Ashley (Storm Reid) weeks after she is murdered along with her father (Jack’s brother) and mother, in what seems to be a murder-suicide. Now, without letting her know of her fate, Jack must investigate the case in the present and guide Ashley in the past so that her and her parents’ deaths can be avoided. With a unique take on the time travel genre, ‘Don’t Let Go’ is a gripping drama that fills the gaps in its plot with the performances. You can watch it here.
11. Time Cut (2024)
Hannah Macpherson’s ‘Time Cut’ follows a high school student, Lucy (Madison Bailey), who goes back in time to save her sister, Summer (Antonia Gentry), who was murdered by a masked killer. Lucy has only a few days before the attack that took Summer’s life along with those of three other students. The question is: Can she save her life without compromising the flow of time and altering her own future? With a slasher take on time travel, ‘Time Cut’ is a binge-watchable movie that may not awe you with its execution but does count as an addition to the sci-fi slasher genre. It can be streamed here.
10. See You Yesterday (2019)
Directed by Stefon Bristol, ‘See You Yesterday’ is a Netflix teen-adventure film that blends racial themes with a time travel plot. When a police officer senselessly shoots African American teen C.J. Walker’s caring brother, she and fellow prodigy Sebastian Thomas complete their time-traveling device to save him. However, they find that changing the past turns out to be incredibly difficult. With their device’s charges running low, the two become desperate to prevent the shooting and try to alter the sequence of events at various points. The poignant and impactful tale addresses themes of racial injustice, grief, and sacrifice. It conveys a sense of helplessness felt by the protagonist, which is symbolic of her community’s emotional state, making great progress but falling victim to old prejudices. You can see the movie here.
9. Captain Nova (2021)
In the directorial hands of Maurice Trouwborst, ‘Captain Nova’ is a Dutch sci-fi film that follows Nova, a fighter pilot from a dystopian future where the Earth is on the brink of environmental collapse. She is sent on a mission from 2050 to 2025 to alter key events and save the future. However, she unexpectedly becomes a young teen girl as a side effect and struggles to be taken seriously. Nas, an outcast teen, assists her on the mission as the Secret Service tries to capture her. With striking visual effects and creative future technology, the film adds a touch of humor for a refreshing sci-fi experience aimed at audiences of all ages. You can see the movie here.
8. In the Shadow of the Moon (2019)
With Jim Mickle at the helm, ‘In the Shadow of the Moon’ combines a noir-style serial killer mystery with time travel in a high-concept thriller filled with twists and turns. The story centers on Philadelphia police officer Thomas Lockhart, who becomes obsessed with a series of inexplicable murders committed by a woman appearing every nine years despite having died in front of him. As Lockhart delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a chilling connection that challenges his understanding of reality and time itself. The Netflix sci-fi film features a thought-provoking, imaginative plot that explores themes of fate, justice, and the burdens of the past. You can stream the movie here.
7. The Door Into Summer (2021)
Also known as ‘Natsu e no Tobira: Kimi no Iru Mirai e,’ ‘The Door Into Summer’ narrates a tale of mystery, betrayal, and advanced technology interwoven with the delicate threads of time travel. Directed by Takahiro Miki and based on Robert A. Heinlein’s eponymous novel, the film follows Soichiro Takakura, an ingenious inventor who finds himself betrayed by his girlfriend and business associates who take over his life’s work. Hoping to live in a brighter future, he enters cold sleep and wakes up thirty years later in 2025. Finding his wealth completely dissolved and his company closed down, he traces down figures from the past in search of answers. The Japanese-language film essays as a thoughtful time travel story, offering a combination of romance and sci-fi with moving performances from the lead cast. You can see the movie here.
6. Still Time (2022)
Directed by Alessandro Aronadio, ‘Still Time’ is a poignant Italian comedy-drama about a workaholic man who finds his life skipping a year ahead every day. The film is based on Josh Lawson’s ‘Long Story Short.’ Dante barely makes time to spend with his friends and family, being late to his own fortieth birthday. Blowing out the candles, he makes a wish that causes him to begin leaping in time. From missing the birth of his baby to witnessing his relationships withering owing to overwork, each day makes him grieve the life slipping through his fingers. ‘Still Time’ stands out as a touching and thought-provoking time travel movie that encourages us to cherish each moment before it’s too late. The narrative depicts how everyday choices and habits can paint the picture of one’s life in the long term, offering a glimpse into the future without even requiring time travel. You can stream the movie here.
5. When We First Met (2018)
‘When We First Met’ narrates the story of a man going back in time to win the affection of the woman he loves in a delightful romantic comedy directed by Ari Sandel. Noah meets Avery, the girl of his dreams, but waits too long to make a move and is friend-zoned. After she marries someone else, he wishes for another chance and inadvertently travels back in time through a photo booth. Jumping with joy, Noah tries to woo Avery in a series of hilarious and ill-fated attempts, traveling back to the night they met repeatedly. With its humor, heart, and refreshing twists, ‘When We First Met’ offers a relatable and gratifying take on a time-tested formula. You can see the movie here.
4. Mirage (2018)
Originally titled ‘Durante la tormenta,’ ‘Mirage’ revolves around Vera Roy, a mother who finds that she is able to influence past events through her television set. With the old device and a peculiar thunderstorm overhead, she communicates with a boy living 25 years in the past and saves his life before he meets with a tragic accident. The intervention unknowingly alters the course of her own life, and she wakes up in a reality where her daughter never existed.
Vera must restore her timeline within 72 hours or be stuck in her new reality. Helmed by Oriol Paulo, the gripping Spanish thriller blends complex time travel with suspense and mystery, its post-Cold War setting creating a foreboding atmosphere. The well-written film manages to keep us in the dark with its twists and is further enhanced by stellar performances from the cast. You can stream the movie here.
3. 13 Going on 30 (2004)
In Gary Winick’s ‘13 Going on 30,’ 13-year-old Jenna Rink miraculously time travels to the future and wakes up as a 30-year-old. While she enjoys being a grown-up, the issues of being an adult slowly start piling up, forcing her to look for a way to return to her own time. As tough as it is, her only way seems to be her childhood friend Matty, who might know what happened 17 years ago. Starring Jennifer Garner as adult Jenna, Mark Ruffalo as adult Matty, Christa B. Allen as young Jenna, and Sean Marquette as young Matty, ‘13 Going on 30’ offers a chick-flick look at time travel, a cult classic rom-com that can be streamed right here.
2. The Adam Project (2022)
Helmed by Shawn Levy, ‘The Adam Project’ narrates a humorous and action-packed time travel tale of a pilot from the future teaming up with his past self to save the world. Adam is a young boy grappling with the recent loss of his father while facing bullying at school. One day, he finds an injured pilot hiding in his shed, who is revealed to be his future self. On a secret mission, the older Adam (Ryan Reynolds) is being pursued by a powerful organization and seeks to save the future from it.
The interactions between the Adams are both heartwarming and hilarious, with the two bonding over their woes and sharing comparable mannerisms. Their futuristic pursuers attack with gunships, pulse weaponry, and “not lightsabers,” making for stylish chase and fight scenes. ‘The Adam Project’ is a solid sci-fi romp which accomplishes its goal of thorough entertainment with Ryan Reynolds delivering his signature charm. You can see the movie here.
1. Interstellar (2014)
Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi movie ‘Interstellar’ follows a former NASA pilot who sets out with his crew to find a new home for humanity, Earth about to become uninhabitable. Bent on finding a new place that humanity can call home, the crew inadvertently travels through time, ending up in an inexplicable corner of our universe, returning from which, if possible, will “cost” a lot of time. Are they ready to pay? Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Wes Bentley, and David Gyasi, ‘Interstellar’ is a visually stunning drama that offers a whole new look at time travel underscored by human relationships. You can watch it here.
Read More: Best Sci-Fi Movies on Netflix
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