7 Must-Watch Time Travel Movies You Missed

One type of films that might surprise you by its abundance is time-travel flicks. Picking the cream of the crop can be tricky, given how filmmakers continue to innovate with fresh, intriguing ideas about time travel mechanics as the years roll by. Many of these have become timeless masterpieces, such as the Back to the Future trilogy; some challenge our perspectives on the concept, like Donnie Darko; while others leave a lasting impression due to their seamless integration with the storyline, reinforcing the impact, such as Avengers: Endgame. However, amidst the numerous time-travel movies, some gems have been overlooked and deserve more recognition.

Time travel is a unique concept often associated with science fiction, but it can be effectively utilized across various genres. With this perspective, I’ve compiled a list of underappreciated films that have explored time travel and could benefit from more recognition for their engaging portrayals of going back in time or glimpsing the future.

Synchronic

In a recent development, Anthony Mackie has stepped into the role of Captain America for the first time solo, but beyond this, his filmography includes an engaging time-travel movie. The suspenseful film titled “Synchronic” is helmed by directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (known for Marvel’s Moon Knight), and it follows the story of Steve (played by Mackie) and Dennis (Jamie Dornan), who are paramedics from New Orleans. They begin to encounter a string of peculiar incidents and inexplicable deaths linked to a novel synthetic drug called “Synchronic.

As they delve further, they find that the substance exhibits extraordinary properties, distorting users’ sense of time and enabling them to traverse various temporal dimensions. The narrative takes a poignant turn when Dennis’ child vanishes following use of the drug, prompting Steve to bravely jeopardize his safety and mental well-being to unravel the enigma surrounding it and attempt her rescue. This movie is often overlooked but stands out as a precious find for those who appreciate intricate and intellectually stimulating themes.

Synchronic is available to stream on Netflix.

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” is an excellent choice for those seeking a humorous movie with a unique time-travel element. Directed by Stephen Herek, this film is filled with enjoyable moments but has not received the recognition it deserves. The plot revolves around Bill (played by Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves), two friends whose aim is to achieve success with their rock band. However, they are on the verge of flunking their history class, which jeopardizes their aspirations, given that Ted’s father plans to enroll him in military school if he doesn’t pass. To avert this predicament, they receive assistance from Rufus (George Carlin), a time traveler from the future, who provides them with a time machine disguised as a telephone booth.

In this part, things become especially exciting! Bill and Ted embark on an extraordinary journey through various historical eras, encountering notable figures such as Socrates, Napoleon Bonaparte, Joan of Arc, and Abraham Lincoln. Their aim is to gather these personalities for a spectacular history project and ensure they pass their presentation. The movie maintains a playful, cheerful tone throughout. Notably, this film was followed by two additional installments, each delving deeper into the intriguing concept of time travel.

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure is available to stream on Max.

Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen’s productions often appeal to a more specific audience, but the movie “Midnight in Paris” deserved even more acclaim. This film incorporates time travel as a romantic comedy aspect. The plot revolves around Gil Pender, played by Owen Wilson, who is both a screenwriter and aspiring novelist. He’s with his fiancée, Inez (portrayed by Rachel McAdams), and her family on a trip to Paris, but he feels dissatisfied with his life and career. During his nightly strolls, he inexplicably finds himself transported back to the 1920s in Paris.

In a captivating landscape, I find myself rubbing shoulders with legendary figures such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Salvador Dalí. Yet, it’s not just their iconic personas that steal my heart; I become smitten with Adriana, a muse from yesteryears, igniting a personal odyssey that delves into the realms of self-discovery. This enchanting cinematic experience grapples with the discord between illusions and idealizations, the longing for the past, and the pursuit of something profoundly meaningful.

Midnight in Paris is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Arrival

While Arrival hasn’t quite reached legendary status, it certainly deserves more recognition, given that it showcases Denis Villeneuve’s exceptional talent in the science fiction genre. Arrival, adapted from Ted Chiang’s Story of Your Life, is an example of the director’s genius at work. The film focuses on Dr. Louise Banks, played by Amy Adams, a linguist who is enlisted by the U.S. military when mysterious alien spacecraft appear around the globe. Partnering with physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), she embarks on a mission to decipher the language of the extraterrestrial beings, known as Heptapods, in order to understand their purpose for visiting Earth.

As Louise cracks their intricate tongue, she starts experiencing peculiar, almost premonitory glimpses into her own future and occurrences that haven’t transpired yet. The movie explores the unusual side of time, concentrating more on its non-chronological flow and how our personal perspectives mold our grasp of it. Instead of a traditional time-travel tale, it presents a profound, introspective tale that questions our notions of time and reality.

Arrival is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Project Almanac

1. For fans of independent films, Project Almanac is an excellent choice. The movie was directed by Dean Israelite. The story revolves around David Raskin, a bright student, who discovers plans for constructing a time machine among his late father’s possessions.

2. Joined by his sister Christina and friends Quinn and Adam, David builds the device and begins to manipulate the past to rectify minor mistakes and reap personal advantages such as winning lotteries and boosting their grades.

However, it’s common knowledge that meddling with time can lead to repercussions. Changing past occurrences can set off unexpected and potentially catastrophic events in the current and future timelines. Despite sticking mainly to conventional time travel guidelines, this movie offers an entertaining experience, particularly for those who delight in observing the unforeseen outcomes of tinkering with history.

Project Almanac is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Déjà Vu

Denzel Washington, a highly esteemed actor of our times, often stars in genres that don’t receive the recognition they should – such as the film “Déjà Vu”. Directed by Tony Scott, this movie portrays Denzel Washington as Doug Carlin, an ATF agent probing an explosion on a New Orleans ferry during Mardi Gras that tragically claimed hundreds of lives. As the investigation unfolds, he’s assigned to a unique team utilizing groundbreaking surveillance technology, enabling them to view past occurrences in real-time. This is how Carlin eventually finds himself journeying back in time.

Straightaway, Carlin makes an effort to halt the assault on Claire Kuchever (Paula Patton), a woman linked to the case. However, in his quest to change the past and save lives, he encounters ethical quandaries, and the movie explores the conflict between fate and personal choice.

Déjà Vu is available to stream on Disney+.

Mr. Nobody

The movie titled “Mr. Nobody” might not be entirely new to science fiction enthusiasts, but it’s certainly an overlooked treasure and has undeniably earned cult status by now. Directed by Jaco Van Dormael, this film blends romantic drama with its sci-fi foundations. The plot revolves around Nemo Nobody, portrayed by Jared Leto, a 118-year-old man who is the last mortal in a world where humans have achieved immortality. As his life approaches its finish, he begins to reminisce about various iterations of his life, delving into how minor choices can pave the way for entirely distinct destinies.

In this movie, they don’t stick to the usual guidelines for time travel. Instead, it delves into various life scenarios by employing the time-travel concept. The film primarily concentrates on the theory of the multiverse and how each choice made by Nemo results in distinct alternate realities.

Mr. Nobody is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

2025-03-02 02:11