Time Travel Movies - The Best and Full of Plot Twists!

If you like stories that play with the concept of time, where a small action can change the course of the entire story, then you will love this list. Time travel is a fascinating subject, especially when accompanied by a good plot twist that leaves everyone speechless.

Let's explore some of the best movies about time travel that will make you question reality.

To create this list, we used a combination of scores from the main movie review sites: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. The average of these scores was used to determine each film's position.

We focused on choosing films that not only explore the concept of time travel, but also present impactful plot twists that challenge the viewer's expectations. This allows us to offer a balanced selection, with both popular success and critical acclaim.

Back to the Future (1985)

Synopsis: Marty McFly, a teenager from the 80s, accidentally travels back in time in a modified DeLorean and finds his parents before they ever met. Now, he must make sure they fall in love, or risk having never existed.

Combining humor, action and a compelling story, Back to the Future is a timeless classic that defines the time travel genre.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Synopsis: Sarah Connor and her son, John, are targeted by a Terminator sent from the future to kill them and prevent John from becoming the leader of the human resistance. With the help of another reprogrammed Terminator, they must survive and try to prevent the apocalypse. This film not only defined the concept of time travel in cinema, but also brought one of the greatest plot twists in the history of action films.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Synopsis: Donnie Darko is a troubled teenager who begins to have visions of a giant rabbit that informs him about the end of the world. As the film progresses, Donnie discovers that he is in the middle of a complex plot of time travel that challenges his perception of reality. This film is a true labyrinth of theories and plot twists that challenge the viewer to put the puzzle together.

12 Monkeys (1995)

Synopsis: In a post-apocalyptic future, a prisoner is sent back in time to gather information about a deadly virus that has wiped out most of the human population. As he delves deeper into the past, he begins to question his sanity and the surrounding reality.

12 Monkeys combines a time-travel narrative with a plot twist that challenges the viewer's perceptions.

The Butterfly Effect (2004)

Synopsis: Evan Treborn discovers that he can travel back in time to specific moments in his life and alter traumatic events. However, each change he makes causes unpredictable consequences in his present, leading him into a cycle of trying to right his wrongs. The Butterfly Effect is a psychological thriller that explores how small decisions can have catastrophic consequences.

Looper: Assassins of the Future (2012)

Synopsis: In a future where time travel is used by mobsters to get rid of targets, an assassin known as "Looper" discovers that his next target is himself, sent from the future. Now, he must face the older version of himself while trying to understand what led to this situation. Looper brings an intricate plot full of twists and turns that defy the notions of cause and effect.

Primer (2004)

Synopsis: Two accidental engineers discover the key to time travel, but soon realize that the complexities and paradoxes of time travel are more than they can handle. Primer is a low-budget film that has become a cult classic, known for its extremely complex plot and plot twists that defy logic and physics.

About Time (2013)

Synopsis: When Tim discovers that all the men in his family have the ability to travel through time, he decides to use this gift to improve his love life. But, as he soon realizes, even the ability to change the past has its limitations and consequences. About Time is a perfect combination of romance, drama and a light touch of science fiction, with an emotional plot twist.

Synopsis: A government agent discovers a technology that allows him to see the past in real time and uses this tool to prevent a terrorist attack. But as he delves deeper into the investigation, he begins to question the boundaries between past, present and future. Déjà vu offers a unique take on time travel and a plot twist that will keep the viewer glued to the edge of their seats.

If you pay attention, you will notice that many time travel movies follow the pattern of being a little more serious and complex. This makes sense, after all, messing with the timeline is something that requires a good dose of creativity and imagination.

Interestingly, if we look solely at IMDb, action films like The Terminator and Looper dominate, while on Rotten Tomatoes, the focus may shift to more artistic productions like Donnie Darko. On Metacritic, the trend is to find a balance between these extremes, reflecting a mix of popularity and critical acclaim.

In the end, it’s interesting to see how different platforms reflect different tastes and perceptions of what makes a time travel film truly impactful.

These films represent some of the best examples of time travel stories cinema has ever produced. From cult classics to blockbusters, each offers a unique perspective on the possibilities and dangers of messing with the timeline.

Whether it’s the frenetic action, the thrilling twists, or the deep philosophical questions, these films will leave you thinking about time long after the credits roll.

So, which one is your favorite? Or do you think we left out any must-see films? Leave your comment and share your ideas!