By Rob Bricken in
Daily Lists, Movies
Thursday, Sep. 17 2009 @ 8:05AM
5) Donnie Darko
While there's a lot more going on in Donnie Darko besides some simple emo time adventure, the concept of time travel is expertly woven into the movie's plot and opens up yet another, ahem, portal to the film's ever-raging fanbase dialogue. Since it's probably futile to attempt to sum up the adventures of one Donnie Darko in just a few lines, we'll just say that it's a movie about a troubled high school student growing up in 1980's suburbia whose life experiences, which involve a large talking bunny, time tunnels, and a missing jet engine, differ from any that we ever expect to have and leave it at that. The movie's eerie atmosphere, fueled largely by its unique, eclectic soundtrack and puzzlecentric storytelling that begs for multiple viewings make this a time travel fairy tale that belongs in everyone's viewing library.
4) Groundhog Day
There's little doubt that Groundhog Day is a non-traditional choice for a time traveling picture, but we contend that the Harold Ramis directed Bill Murray classic qualifies, since it still revolves around a man stuck in a time loop, even if he didn't intend to time travel in the first place. Of course, the movie is about a lot more than just a man with one day of his life stuck on repeat, as it is essentially a parable for what we all may go through in different parts of our lives: finding ourselves stuck somewhere until we learn to change ourselves, evolve and see things differently. In his 2005 Great Movies revisitation of Groundhog Day, Roger Ebert may have put it best when he remarked, "But there are a few films, and this is one of them, that burrow into our memories and become reference points. When you find yourself needing the phrase This is like "Groundhog Day" to explain how you feel, a movie has accomplished something."
3) Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Standing today as a testament to fine time travel craftsmanship just as it did in 1991 when theater audiences first heard Arnold Schwarzenegger immortalize the term "Liquid Metal" while cruising on his new motorcycle with young Edward Furlong in tow, the perfect meld of brain and brawn, Terminator 2: Judgment Day is still arguably the greatest time travel actioner of them all. Try as we may, it's hard to pinpoint the exact root of Terminator 2''s distinct brand of awesomeness; It could be the huge step up in visual effects it took from its 1984 predecessor, which still look great today. It could be the story's high tension pacing that keeps us enthralled at every turn. Or, how about the ridiculous action sequences? Or the epic ending? The timeless score? It's pretty safe to say that we'd travel to the future just to get to see another movie this amazingly good sooner.
2) Back to the Future: Part II
Sure, we know that without the first film in Robert Zemeckis' epic trilogy, Back to the Future: Part II would fade faster than Marty in his family photo at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance, but we're trying to be honest with ourselves here. While Back to the Future: Part II by nature doesn't possess the originality of the first film, nor the quaint Western charm of the third, so many of the series' most iconic elements made their first appearance or were really put to use in this venerable 1989 sequel, such as the Hoverboards, Flying DeLorean, Marty's power lace Nikes, Griff Tannen, a virtual Michael Jackson as your retro diner's waiter and Jaws 19 at the Holomax that we would have a hard time looking at ourselves in the mirror if we didn't give them their just due. Did we mention that we finally got to see the future in this one? The future we say! Plus, you have to love BttF: Part II for how effectively it voltrons together with the story of the original to create a powerful space robot of time travely goodness, making both movies better and fighting off evil robeast memories of painful time travel movies past.
1) Primer
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at 2004's Sundance Film Festival and shot on a tiny-by-movie-standards $7,000 budget, Primer is easily the most "indie" of the entries on this list--but reduced budget does not a bad time travel movie make. To the contrary, what the complex and technically robust Primer excels in most is allowing its audience to share in the excitement of discovery by following the story of a team of young engineers from their humble beginnings as garage experimenters to the height of their manufactured power. Another film that benefits greatly from multiple viewings, Primer is definitely exhibit A for why movies should value the journey over the grand finale or twist endings -- despite the fact that Primer's somewhat open ending, while keeping with its real world approach, may have accounted in part for its light box office haul. Life is rarely fair for time travelers.
While there's a lot more going on in Donnie Darko besides some simple emo time adventure, the concept of time travel is expertly woven into the movie's plot and opens up yet another, ahem, portal to the film's ever-raging fanbase dialogue. Since it's probably futile to attempt to sum up the adventures of one Donnie Darko in just a few lines, we'll just say that it's a movie about a troubled high school student growing up in 1980's suburbia whose life experiences, which involve a large talking bunny, time tunnels, and a missing jet engine, differ from any that we ever expect to have and leave it at that. The movie's eerie atmosphere, fueled largely by its unique, eclectic soundtrack and puzzlecentric storytelling that begs for multiple viewings make this a time travel fairy tale that belongs in everyone's viewing library.
4) Groundhog Day
There's little doubt that Groundhog Day is a non-traditional choice for a time traveling picture, but we contend that the Harold Ramis directed Bill Murray classic qualifies, since it still revolves around a man stuck in a time loop, even if he didn't intend to time travel in the first place. Of course, the movie is about a lot more than just a man with one day of his life stuck on repeat, as it is essentially a parable for what we all may go through in different parts of our lives: finding ourselves stuck somewhere until we learn to change ourselves, evolve and see things differently. In his 2005 Great Movies revisitation of Groundhog Day, Roger Ebert may have put it best when he remarked, "But there are a few films, and this is one of them, that burrow into our memories and become reference points. When you find yourself needing the phrase This is like "Groundhog Day" to explain how you feel, a movie has accomplished something."
3) Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Standing today as a testament to fine time travel craftsmanship just as it did in 1991 when theater audiences first heard Arnold Schwarzenegger immortalize the term "Liquid Metal" while cruising on his new motorcycle with young Edward Furlong in tow, the perfect meld of brain and brawn, Terminator 2: Judgment Day is still arguably the greatest time travel actioner of them all. Try as we may, it's hard to pinpoint the exact root of Terminator 2''s distinct brand of awesomeness; It could be the huge step up in visual effects it took from its 1984 predecessor, which still look great today. It could be the story's high tension pacing that keeps us enthralled at every turn. Or, how about the ridiculous action sequences? Or the epic ending? The timeless score? It's pretty safe to say that we'd travel to the future just to get to see another movie this amazingly good sooner.
2) Back to the Future: Part II
Sure, we know that without the first film in Robert Zemeckis' epic trilogy, Back to the Future: Part II would fade faster than Marty in his family photo at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance, but we're trying to be honest with ourselves here. While Back to the Future: Part II by nature doesn't possess the originality of the first film, nor the quaint Western charm of the third, so many of the series' most iconic elements made their first appearance or were really put to use in this venerable 1989 sequel, such as the Hoverboards, Flying DeLorean, Marty's power lace Nikes, Griff Tannen, a virtual Michael Jackson as your retro diner's waiter and Jaws 19 at the Holomax that we would have a hard time looking at ourselves in the mirror if we didn't give them their just due. Did we mention that we finally got to see the future in this one? The future we say! Plus, you have to love BttF: Part II for how effectively it voltrons together with the story of the original to create a powerful space robot of time travely goodness, making both movies better and fighting off evil robeast memories of painful time travel movies past.
1) Primer
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at 2004's Sundance Film Festival and shot on a tiny-by-movie-standards $7,000 budget, Primer is easily the most "indie" of the entries on this list--but reduced budget does not a bad time travel movie make. To the contrary, what the complex and technically robust Primer excels in most is allowing its audience to share in the excitement of discovery by following the story of a team of young engineers from their humble beginnings as garage experimenters to the height of their manufactured power. Another film that benefits greatly from multiple viewings, Primer is definitely exhibit A for why movies should value the journey over the grand finale or twist endings -- despite the fact that Primer's somewhat open ending, while keeping with its real world approach, may have accounted in part for its light box office haul. Life is rarely fair for time travelers.
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135 comments
Comments
IisAwesomecakes said:
BAH! BACK TO THE FUTURE PART 1 SHOULD HAVE BEEN NUMBER ONE! WHOSE RESPONSIBLE THIS? I WANNA NO RITE NOAW,YOIU AIRE ARLL IN TRUBEL ADN...sorry, I couldn't resist.
JaywhY said:
Time Cop, anyone?
budious said:
Where did Bill&Ted get lost in all this awesomeness of bad thread?
ZADL said:
The Navigator - medieval plague ridden village sends some guys into a cave so that they can mine metal to make a new cross of the church, and they end up in modern times. Then they find people here to help forge the cross, return to their crappy past and are spared the plague only to have the Navigator who led them die of the disease.
tphantom1 said:
they should string the inter-mission videos from the Red Alert games into a movie.
come on, they had Udo Kier!
ACS said:
What about Time Bandits?
Evan said:
I would argue that BTTF II definitely belongs on this list. Actually, many of the time travel movies that follow it owe it a major debt of exposition. Many sci/fi film fans probably don’t notice, but average movie goers need fake plot devices like time travel practically spoon fed to them. Knowledge of how a previously viewed story deals with a challenge like specific survival issues in outer space (air, warmth, re-entry) or defending against an invisible alien attacker (cover the bastard in custard) establishes seemingly unexplained details for follow up films of a similar kind.
Despite a long run of movies where people go back or forwards in time to explore and have adventures, I submit that the idea of changing a detail of the past (more powerful than leaving a locket for you to find in the future…or some damn thing) and then creating a totally alternate now is a notion that was still hazy for most viewers before Doc Brown’s chalkboard timeline scene. Audiences get take that general understanding of “Time Travel Cause and Effect” and apply it to future films (T2, Frequency, Lake House, 12 Monkeys).
I would argue that more interesting time travel movies get to be made when they stand on the narrow shoulders of BTTF II. It is my least favorite, though.
telezombie said:
ARMY OF DARKNESS?!? EVIL DEAD 2?!? Ash = Greatest Time traveler of all time.
Kenny said:
How about FAQ About Time Travel? Brilliant film! Better than half the films on that list!
Lando Da Pimp said:
Back to the Future isn't number 1? Lame
Pudge said:
Some Indie film is number one? BLASPHEMY! WHOSE RESPONSIBLE THIS?!
korg20000bc said:
ZADL,
You beat mke to the punch.
Excellent New Zealand made movie.
Abraxas said:
I agree, Back to The Future 1 should be on it, also - how about 'Somewhere In Time'?
Anonymous said:
What, no Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure? Or the most obvious one, The Time Machine from 1960?
Otherwise a good list. Fun read. But I am a little stumped over the choice of BTTF2 over BTTF1.
cn0byt3 said:
What about Time bandits?!
Simon said:
What, no Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure? Or the most obvious one, The Time Machine from 1960?
Otherwise a good list. Fun read. But I am a little stumped over the choice of BTTF2 over BTTF1.
cummins said:
It's wonderful to see Primer on this list. That movie features some amazing WTF moments.
sohei said:
Whose responsible this crappy list? Where are Bill & Ted (best time travel movie evar), Army of Darkness, Time Bandits (c'mon!), and Star Trek IV (I know the rule is one movie per series, but TNG is technically a different series).
False Moustache said:
I will also back up BTTF II as the right choice. BTTF I may be a more classic film, but it's more a Connecticut Yankee-ish, fish out of water,Oedipal conflicts movie than a time travel movie, which BTTF II is, showing not only the future and the past, but how time travel can disrupt the present. Though II does suffer from a lack of Crispin Glover.
Also, Flight of the Navigator is such a terrific movie, I'm glad it made the list.
Colin said:
When I saw this I thought of Primer straight away, nice to see other have heard of it. Thought it was just me and the 6 other people i've lent it too.
Its a brilliant film but make sure your not sleepy when watching it
Skirkster said:
God, Primer is so amazing.
I keep meaning to watch it again, because it's nearly impossible to understand.
http://www.freeweb.hu/neuwanstein/primer_timeline.html
That's an example of how insanely convoluted it is. Highest of recommendations.
GQ said:
I adore Flight of the Navigator so all is well.
ryan said:
I would argue AGAINST Terminator 2's inclusion in this list, or it's high ranking on the list, because, in my opinion, over the top action and special effects are central to the film moreso than time travel. I'm not saying that it is a bad film at all. In fact, T2 is one of those seminal films that, much like Star Wars, changed the face of genre movies. I just don't think that it's time travel storyline is as complex or as thought provoking as, say, 12 Monkeys. Perhaps my view is shrouded by the fact that later Terminator films have further muddied the time travel aspects of the T2 mythology.
Patrick said:
What? No Bill & Ted? BOGUS!!!!!
On the other hand, it's nice to see the crew of the Next Generation get some love over the original Trek crew. I totally agree that First Contact is a much better time travel movie than The Voyage Home.
Sadly, most people do not agree with this opinion.
The Contrarian said:
WTF? Time Travelers Wife FTW Bitch!
Prodijy said:
I agree, where is timecop.....
Van Damme got screwed
Mitch Harden said:
Glad Primer made #1. This might help you when you watch it:
Bill said:
No "The Time Machine"??? That's based on the book that started this all!
WHOSE RESPONSIBLE THIS!!!
Hachiko said:
No Bill & Ted?
No Final Countdown????
EPIC FAIL! WHOSE RESPONSIBLE THIS! RE-DO!!!!!1!!1!
Portion of Foxes said:
WHOSE RESPONSIBLE THIS!?
no BTF1 but 2!?
why not put 3 up there
demoncat said:
can see why making this list was hard to do but groundhogs day instead of classics like time bandits or evil dead. and both terminator and back to the future were part of serieswould they have been dqued by the rule.as for primer nice to see it make the list even though one has to watch it a few times to understand it if one has not seen it before
Clint said:
Black Knight anyone?
awesome-O 5000 said:
Primer! Wow. Great pick for number one. For those of you have not watched Primer and doubt its number one spot seriously take a look at it. You might still feel that it shouldn't be number one, but I think it will at least make a very good argument for itself.
GREAT LIST!
Captain Flunky said:
Agree about Time Bandits. WRT?
Wonder Pigeon said:
Sorry, but no Bill and Ted and Back to the Future part 2 instead of part 1 invalidates the list for me.
Andy said:
Bill and Ted
Butterfly Effect
Hmmm.....
I would also shove 12 Monkeys a lot higher up the list.
davelog said:
Dude. No Time After Time? Malcolm McDowell as H.G. Wells chasing David Warner as Jack the Ripper through time to end up squaring off in 80's America? That's just about as awesome as it gets, man!
Baltimoron said:
No love for Turtles in Time?
Cobra Commander said:
Davelog took the words right outta my mouth.
Sci-Fi Gene said:
I'm actually surprised by how many of the above I do agree with! Primer should definitely stay on the list, although perhaps a little lower - most of the WTF moments are actually "WTF are they saying?" moments. I would personally have given 12 Monkeys the number one spot and included Bill and Ted but hey.
BorgQueen said:
Yeah I wish 12 Monkeys was higher up too. Besides being a great time travel movie it is just a great movie.
ST: FC was a better movie than Voyage Home overall, although Voyage Home was funnier (He did a lot of LDS).
But... no love for The Time Machine? The original of course. That should be #1
davelog said:
Davelog took the words right outta my mouth.
Coupla teeth, too.
Paul - can't bring himself to write FF involving Topless Robot said:
Why BttF 2 over 1?
Because Biff gets access to the DeLorean and hoses the past.
Because Marty has to go back to the prom again, and set up the circumstances that occurred the first time through.
Additionally, I just want to say, I can't stand Sandra Bullock or Keanu Reeves as actors, but I went and saw The Lake House just for the gimmick.
rubyrose said:
the list obviously could have been longer bill & ted needed some love.
turnerkick said:
I'm a fan of a time travel movie called 12:01. It's basically a similar premise to Groundhog Day, only without Bill Murray playing an asshole, which to me is a big plus. It doesn't have as big of a budget (it was a TV movie), but it's got charm and some good laughs along the way.
What the donkey said:
NO TIME BANDITS WTF IVE LOST ALL FAITH IN THIS SITE.
Ryan Aston said:
Primer is definitely exhibit A for why movies should value the journey over the grand finale or twist endings
Yes, because it makes no sense and you're an idiot. Primer is 100% A-grade garbage and has no place on this list - ditto The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.
Law Dog said:
Time Rider. Remo Williams on a motorcycle in the old west. Nuff said.
Skirkster said:
Is there an echo in here?
Skirkster said:
Hey, Ryan Aston,
You're a genius! Your point that if someone disagrees with you they're an idiot is brilliant!
Learn to argue your point like a grown-up, then you can sit at the adults' table, ok?
Chew Chew said:
Utter fail!!!
BTTF should be #1.
12 Monkeys should be #2.
Bah. Nerd rage in the morning makes me happy.
Dr. Communism said:
I'm just glad to see someone else praising Time Crimes. I've been shoving that movie down people's throats for the last 6 months.
I love bill & ted, but they are dumb as hell. Seriously, did they even consider the ramifications of feeding Genghis Khan that many twinkies?!
Lynnie said:
The internet has already convinced me to watch Primer, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
JPyke said:
Great call on Time Crimes. That movie was surprisingly amazing! The plot and theme is so simple, but the execution is masterful. Fuck all these whining nerds complaining about what's NOT on the list (Or the order of the list). You get mad props for including Time Crimes!
Hachiko said:
In a sense, Scrooged is a time travel movie. It is another true Murray classic, and should get a nod here.
cap'n crunch said:
agreed on Time after Time. that movie's awesome. netflix it if you've never seen it, especially if you're a trek movie fan.
THE PR0F3550R said:
No "The Time Machine"! (1960)
No Back to the Future!
No Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure!
No Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home!
WHOSE RESPONSIBLE THIS!
Kench said:
Man, I'm glad to see Primer got #1. That one still ranks as one of my favorite movies.
I have to agree that not having Bill & Ted on this list is a sad thing, though...
Andy said:
Why is no one else screaming for Butterfly Effect.... superb movie based around the idea of time travel!
Skeeter said:
I was about to freak out that "Primer" wasn't going to be included on this list until I got to number one. Good show.
Overall, pretty good list. Would have been nice to see some other movies on this list, but it's a pretty good mix of genres.
As for nobody "screaming for Butterfly Effect," that's mainly because it was fucking awful.
Davie Wavie said:
OH MY GOD!
How can you leave off the following films?
Millenium - awesome effing flick
Disaster in time
Bill and Ted
ALL star trek should be excluded from that list as EVERY FRAKKIN STAR TREK EPISODE/MOVIE is about time travel! lol
dude, YOU need to travel back in time and fix that list.
JOHN TOMES said:
While I watched and liked The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, I don't agree with the rest of the list. As someone already wrote above, I think there are a few of really important movies missing.
JOHN TOMES said:
While I watched and liked The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, I don't agree with the rest of the list. As someone already wrote above, I think there are a few of really important movies missing.
Johnny C said:
The original 'The Time Machine' wasn't mentioned? It was awesome for its day.
Mina said:
BACK TO THE FUTURE??? HELLLOOOOO people! No digg-able! Im very dissapointed! :)
Shulkie said:
What about Somewhere in Time? Romance-time travel! "RICHAAAAAAAAAARD!" that scream haunts me. Plus, it's got the goddamned Superman!
And no BILL AND TED?
jaszczesniak said:
The first thing I thought of when I read the title to this article was "Primer had better be number one!" and when I saw it was I literally yelled "YES!"
DNA said:
Primer, FUCK YEAH! This is how time travel will really go down once we figure it out.
CChaos said:
I think the list is good and I particularly like how none of these movies are particularly new, all in all. New time travel movies are utter crap in comparison for the simple reason that Hollywood writers are getting to be the laziest idiots in existence. Time travel becomes a cheap and easy plot device so they don't have to think things through.
It's for that reason that if I so much as get a hint of time travel in movies now, I avoid them like the plague. But there were some interesting ones previously.
joelcrowservo said:
OK, so I get that most folk wouldnt put "Somewhere in Time" on the list. Because theyre cynical jackasses. But to not have "Time After Time" or "The Final Countdown" in the list is a shame. Great time travel films should have at least one awesome anachronistic scene and "TFC" has it: (then)Modern fighter jets vs. 1941 Japanese Zeros. And Spartacus commanding them! OK, so Kirk Douglas doesnt play Spartacus in the movie...
erik said:
Time Crimes has a cool idea and a great method of revealing the story (I don't want to spoil anything with my bitching, so I'll be vague), but if you think about it from a characters point of view a lot of his actions don't make any sense. It's worth seeing, but I wouldn't put it higher than 12 Monkeys.
Iqbal Gomar said:
Something I noticed last time I watched Groundhog Day: on one of the repetitions of the day in which Bill Murray's character tries to escape the time loop by killing himself, they show a scene where he's dead, lying in the morgue as his friends identify his body. This scene implies that the whole day doesn't reset each time it loops, it actually continues without Bill's awareness. i.e.: Every repetition of the day spawns a parallel universe. Bill thinks his actions don't have consequences, but they do! He's spawning countless parallel universes in which he's wreaking all kinds of havoc with peoples' lives! This made me realize that that movie is way more messed up than I had previously believed.
fds said:
The girl who leapt through time is actually about a time travelling con-artist who fools women into loving him so that they'll take care of this painting he wants in the future.
emerson999 said:
@Kenny
YES! Given how little buzz frequently asked questions about time travel had, I'm not surprised more people haven't seen it. But everyone with even a slight sense of humor and appreciation for time travel movies owes it to themselves to watch it. Funny movie, and damn well done time travel.
Primer said:
The time-lines that people are posting for Primer are HUGE spoilers. Watch the movie first before reading any attempted explanations.
hawkins said:
Primer was a terrible movie. The writer of this article is a moron.
Mkorry said:
To have include a mediocre film like Flight of The Navigator and not even mention:
The Time Machine (1960)
Time After Time (1979)
Frequency (1999)
is just plain ridiculous. I guess any film made before the advent of digital effects just doesn't count. Even "Somewhere In Time" (1979) is a better time travel movie than many of the titles you mention.
Harlan Ellison is right - history for many is what they had for breakfast.
Shrimphead said:
I second the vote for "The Navigator: A Mediaeval Odyssey" (1988), This Aussie movie is truly one of my favorite time-travel movies.
LINK = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095709/
Thanks for the list.
Anonymous said:
primer deserves number 1
all you idiots bitching about bill and ted are idiots and have no taste
Equimanthorn said:
Time after Time starring Malcolm McDowell and David Warner (who also starred in Time Bandits) certainly should be included in this list. There's no excuse for it not to be.
Primer is a wet fart. Yes I got it, yes, the plot is thick, yes, it's tech-heady, blah, blah- I still bloody hated it.
This "top 10" list is an f***ing inexorable FAIL.
duane said:
Yes! Primer number one! One of my favorite movies. I do however have to say BttF1 not BTTF2...
lay said:
you are joking right, the 10 greatest and you picked Back to the Future 2?!? that was the worst
Ross Carlson said:
When I saw the title I thought "I bet they don't even know about Primer" - one of the best movies I've seen in the last 10 years. Really made me think - fantastic that you guys put it #1, it really does deserve it!
sangjmoon said:
How about the original Planet of the Apes? Although you list only movies, I think a best-of-time-travel list is amiss without mentioning the Doctor Who TV series.
slacker137 said:
I kick myself in the ass every time I look at one of these "Top-10" lists. "BTTF II" is better than "12 Monkeys"? Are these people actually paid to write this drivel?
LBD "Nytetrayn" said:
I have not yet read the list, but if Back to the Future isn't #1, I'm coming back later with a gun.
alex.sahounov said:
Man, the people on here bitching and complaining...jesus.
BTTF2 showcased time travel in a much more effective way than the first film. While Marty only travelled through time twice in the first film (once to 1955, and once back), BTTF2 had him jumping all through alternate timelines and eras, and culminated in the clever conceit of both him (and Doc Brown, to a minor extent) having to make sure the events of the first film happened correctly.
BTTF1 may have been the better film, but BTTF2 really did showcase time-travel in a much more grandiose way (and the problems that arise from it).
Richard said:
You left out the best -- TIME AFTER TIME, and the most romantic of the genre, SOMEWHERE IN TIME. There's also the George Pal production of THE TIME MACHINE. It pays to know the breadth of available films.
UnklJo said:
12 Monkeys sucked ass! 'Nuff said.
rogerborn said:
MY LIST OF BEST TIME TRAVEL MOVIES/BOOKS
H. G. Wells THE TIME MACHINE (the book)
R. A. Heinlein TIME ENOUGH FOR LOVE, et. al. (the books)
SOMEWHERE IN TIME
GROUNDHOG DAY
TERMINATOR (I and II)
PRIMER
12 MONKEYS
FINAL COUNTDOWN
TIME RIDER
TIMESCAPE
TIME COP
FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR
TIME BANDITS
TIME AFTER TIME
THE RETURNERS
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
PLANET OF THE APES
MILLENNIUM
STAR TREK FIRST CONTACT (or most any Trek TV show or movie)
STARGATE, AND ATLANTIS (the television series)
BABYLON 5
nemryn said:
I am honestly surprised that we got this far without mentioning Bender's Big Score, even in the comments. C'mon, people! Don't make me revoke your nerd licenses!
Kris said:
Butterfly Effect is terrible and doesn't even follow its own rules. Anyone saying it should be on this list needs to have their right to have opinions revoked.
Primer is awesome, anyone who doesn't like it didn't understand it and should probably just stick to watching Austin Powers for their time travel fix.
Wes Grogan said:
I would personally make an argument for Memento. Though not technically the main character traveling through time, the audience does when they experience the world through the main character. Don't know that everyone would agree, but just my take.
Kevin said:
I would have included Back to the Future I over II, and would have put it first. While II deals more with the "science" and hijinks of time travel, the first movie was more successful at capturing the wonder, adventure and human side of it. I think that overwhelmingly made it the better film, and better time travel film.
I would have included Pal's Time Machine, too, although I could see how some people view it as a little stiff.
Thomas said:
A few comments to add late in the day.
1. Bill and Ted was ok as a goofy movie. However it belongs nowhere on this list. The movie is not that good, and it has Keanu Reeves. People have been utilizing the WHO'S RESPONSIBLE THIS?!?! phrase a lot in this list...I say that phrase should be levied at Reeves in general.
2. Army of Darkness is not a real time travel movie. It seems to me that they do more inter-dimensional travel. It does not appear that the place Ash lands is just in the past, but a different version of earth, or a different planet all together.
3. I would say the same thing about Butterfly Effect. It seems like Kutcher just goes to alternate realities than actually going back in time.
That is all. Good article and good show sir!
Kevin said:
The end of Butterfly Effect won me over: Years later, he's fully engrossed in his new life and passes the girl he loved in the former timeline on the street. They never met and she passes on by, likely never to meet this time around. It was a tragically sad moment.
Unfortunately, the makers of the film hate that ending and now insist on the new ending where the main character goes back into the womb and kills himself so he never existed and brought misery to people's lives. Melodramatic, frustrating and over the top.
Jim said:
'90 Years Ago, I was a Freak...Today, I'm an Amateur'.
That chilling line was spoken by David Warner, as Jack The Ripper, in what I think is the greatest time travel film of all, Time After Time, Written and directed by Nicholas Meyer. The effects are rudimentary, compared to todays CGI Marvels, but the story is absolutely bulletproof, and it has something for everyone: comedy, romance, social commentary, and includes an old school editing sequence involving a police interrogation, a stalking, and a resolution that will punch you in the gut. Malcolm MacDowell, Mary Steenbergen, and David Warner are flawless, Especially Warner, who even manages to make you feel sympathy for his monsterous character. Its not here, this list is meaningless
sobank said:
Which idiot made this "great" list?
"Planet of the Apes", one of the most iconic movie, is not included.
diablito said:
get your Parallel / Alternate Universe movies out of my goddamn Time Travel movies!
Kayla said:
C'mon! You guys know nothing about cinema.
A Kid in King Arthur's Court is the best damn time travel movie EVER.
Fucking Sinbad was in it. As well as that kid from "The Rookie," you know, the one that broke his arm and suddenly threw a pitch like 180 km/hr?
IG-69 said:
Japanese import "The Returner" was also fantasgreat.
'Deja Vu' with Denzel.
What about parallel time/alternate reality tales like 'Sliding Doors?!'
Also 'Superman the Motion Picture' cos Kal-El was 'the best of the best' as he DID fly around th' Earth making it rotate backwards thus allowing him to save the day vs. being pwned by a ginormous Kryptonite necklace [removed by Lex's lover with the doubly ginormous cans].
Peter Payne said:
No Somewhere in Time? No TIme After Time? No The Time Machine? Terminator 1 was the movie that made me a raging time travel movie nerd, that deserves to be on the list instead of 2 since 2 basically took a shit all over the neat premise of the first tilm.
pumpkinguts said:
A whole planet of apes > 12 monkeys
jenn said:
whose responsible this?! high five to the writer for not copping out and using back to the future on the list. back to the future 2 though, awesome. nice work, sir. nice work.
jenn said:
whose responsible this?! great list! high five to the writer for not copping out and using back to the future or terminator 1. back to the future 2 though, awesome. nice work, sir. nice work.
Carlos Mal Pacheco said:
Fuck yeah Primer. Amazing movie.
Hachiko said:
No Black Knight?
This site is racist!
question.jcr said:
primer ....perfect option for numer one ...
this web is very clever
atte JCR
Old Fart @ Play said:
I agree with Jim. Time after Time not being on the list is a shame. Great cast and writing. Warner was brilliant as Jack the Ripper, as was MacDowell in the role of H. G. Wells. This is making me want to dig through my collection so I can watch it tonight.
jedieb said:
Wow, BTFII? Really? Not only do I think it doesn't belong on this list, it's universally regarded as the weakest of the trilogy. The western themed conclusion was a definite improvement and ended the series on a high note. The McFly entry that should have made this list was clearly the original. It was simply one of the best movies of the decade.
Chronos said:
Ehmm, not sure I agree with the choices. If you really, really like time travel, visit Ultimate Time Travel: http://www.UltimateTimeTravel.com - the best resources for time travel books & movies!
Mark 2000 said:
The more I think about first contact, the more I realize what a bad piece of fan fiction it is. I mean, a borg queen? Who but an idiot superfan would come up with something so dumb? Going back in time to visit Zephram Cochran? Picard swinging around in a sleeveless shirt? Data having nooky? Come on!
Sesame said:
Thank you so much for putting The Girl Who Leapt Through Time at #8. It's a great film!
Hartz said:
How can a nerd list not have "Somewhere in Time" on it with Christopher Fucking Reeve?
ThatCostumeGirl said:
I figured the man's chick flick 'Somewhere in Time' would be on this list. I have yet to meet a man who doesn't choke up while watching SiT.
The mob has chosen: Time Machine, Time after Time, Time Bandits, and BttF I. Go mob!
yahaboobay said:
I will continue to beat the 'Time Bandits' drum.
A movie about five midgets who steal from god a map of all the holes in time on it? AND Sean Connery kills a minotaur? how can you go wrong?
klinteastwood said:
Primer was boring..sorry guys
Asat said:
Could have added another indie feature by mentioning Run Lola Run. Like Groundhog Day, the time travel is non-traditional but central to the action (and the audience's enjoyment) rather than incidental, as in the Terminator films. Face it, Skynet is just an excuse to have a robot try to kill a kid and his mom. Swell Macguffin, but not really a time-travel plot.
Daniel said:
Good choice for number one. I stumbled upon the film late at night on IFC, one of the best time travel movies ever. Really. It really is. The acting isn't great, but shit, the plot? The paradoxes? The thought provoked? All great.
People who are bitching about an indie film being number one need to take a moment and consider the fact that what makes a good film isn't necessarily a 7 figure budget.
Rdevitt said:
Stop saying Bill and Ted! We all agree it's a great movie, but as far as how it handles the ideas of timetravel, it's juvenile at best.
Of note: Timecrimes is on Netflix Instant Watch
B.C. Cakes said:
Back to the Future Part 1 should have been number 1. While I think BTTF 2 did a good job going back to Nov 15, 1955 and incorporating footage from the first movie, I do have some problems with the rest of the movie.
Problem 1:
When going 30 years into the future, you should not be able to encounter *your* future. You left the timestream in 1985, my friend. In effect, you simply disappeared. You reappear in 2015...but you have not been around since 1985. You shouldn't meet yourself or any of your offspring, because you haven't been an impact on the world since you left back in 1985.
Problem 2:
When Old Biff stole the time machine to take the almanac back to 1955, he should NOT have been able to return the time machine to the 2015 he originally left from. The moment he went back in time and gave himself the almanac, all future history from that point would have changed.
After giving his younger self the almanac in 1955, whatever future Old Biff would travel to after that point would be the one created by Biff winning all the money and taking over Hill Valley, killing George McFly, etc etc. Doc Brown even flat out explains this to Marty when Marty suggests leaving the "Nightmare 1985" and going to the future to stop Old Biff from stealing the time machine.
While the movie BTTF 2 was a fun ride, I don't believe it deserves to be the Number 1 spot. That should have gone to BTTF Part 1. IMO.
Glass said:
Where's Back to the Future???
BookWorm said:
I actually consider Back to the Future Part 3 to be superior to Part 2.
Part 2's first half was so overly dark and bizarre and had none of the charm the first did. The second half then proceeded to simply redo the enitre plot of the first film. It's like it's 2 different movies.
The original Back to the Future should have been on the list.
Walcraeb said:
One afternoon when I was home sick I watched Primer and Requiem For a Dream back to back.
I'm not sure I ever really made it out of that afternoon... not really.
Walcraeb said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9miqKm0aB0
I'm sorry, but the Time Machine (1960) deserves to be on this list.
sunsetsur4 said:
Dude, time bandits! come on...
David said:
I stopped reading this list after you mentioned TimeCrimes. That was just a bad movie. And not really a funny bad movie; just bad.
JOBAH said:
Where is Time Machine?
tiki god said:
primer was a steaming pile of shit, in a steaming pile of shit that is the genre of time travel movies.
wtf were you thinking?
Kevin Edwards said:
How is it that nobody has mentioned "The Girl, The Gold Watch, and Everything"...it even had a sequel "The Girl, The Gold Watch, and Dynamite".
Seriously though, I saw TimeCrimes because of this list and loved it. Primer is one of my all time favorites.
Steve said:
I clicked on this link just to make sure Primer was on the list. So glad its number 1!!! Best movie I've seen that nobody I know seems to have seen. Thanks!
Richard Rodrigues said:
What about "The Blue Yonder" It´s a great movie about time travel with Peter Coyote.
checkur6 said:
primer is the shiznit of time travel movies, all the stupid people that knock it down r just braindead and cant understand a plot that involves a little thinking. fukinridonkulous
The Amazing Rando said:
Why is Millennium not on this list. That movie actually tells us what happens when people fuck with time. The world ends, people die of plagues, or end up exploding in tubes. And any movie with an obviously homosexual robot must be good enough to end up on this list right?
tim said:
1.) The Time Machine - hands down. Can you say H.G. Wells?
2.) Also, the film "Time Ater Time" Where Malcolm McDowell plays HG Wells who is in this version - as not only the famous author, but a time traveller.
Great stuff.
