This time we’ve got a bunch of movies that you can watch again and again and again. Here’s our pick of the best time loop movies of all time:
15. Boss Level (2020)
This 2020 science fiction action flick is directed by Joe Carnahan and stars Frank Grillo as Roy Paulver, a retired special forces soldier.
Roy finds himself in a never-ending loop that results in his death. He must find a way to save himself and escape the loop.
14. Christmas Everyday (1996)
What could be more frustrating than a bad Christmas day? Living that day over and over again.
Billy got a basketball for Christmas but can’t make even a single jump shot. On top of that, his rich uncle David is coming to town to launch a Valu-Mall. This step will put his dad’s store out of business.
Frustrated, he tells his little sister that there is no Santa. She gets upset and wishes it would be Christmas every day. Now, Billy must live the same Christmas day in a never-ending loop.
13. The Final Girls (2015)
Like mother, like daughter. The grieving daughter of a famous 80’s Scream Queen gets transported to a 1986 slasher film. She and her high school fellows must fight off the film’s maniacal killer and find a way back to their world.
It’s a treat for the Scream franchise fans.
12. The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (2021)
What can disturb a content teenager living the same day in an endless loop? A love affair. Mark happily lives his loopy life when he finds a girl who is stuck in the time wrap. They fall in love but they have different opinions about their situation. The girl wants to escape the time loop at any cost while Mark is totally happy with his life as it is.
The story has a fantastical twist and it’s worth watching how the two teens get out of their dilemma.
11. Happy Death Day (2017)
Solving your own murder. That’s it. That’s what the movie’s about. A concept that has been used several times in time loop movies but we can’t get enough of it.
After a night of heavy partying on her birthday, Tree gets killed. Her day starts over again and again and again. She must find her killer and their motive before her chances of survival run out. Dying differently each time, she must solve her murder to escape the loop.
10. 12 Monkeys (1995)
Here’s a dystopian movie for a change of taste. A convict is sent back in time to gather information about the apocalyptic virus that destroyed the human race. On his journey to find the truth, he meets diverse characters.
The film’s haunting imagery and well-written characters captivate the audience. The themes of fate and identity keep us wondering long after the movie’s over.
9. Run Lola Run (1998)
Another foreign entry in our list. This German experimental thriller follows Lola, a young woman who is given 20 minutes to come up with a large sum of money to save her boyfriend’s life. The movie shows different repetitions of her attempts to save her boyfriend. Each version plays out differently depending on the choices she makes.
The movie’s innovative structure and pulsating energy force the audience to wonder about fate and choice as they are glued to their chairs.
8. Triangle (2009)
This is the most underrated movie on our list and by far the most unique one. Triangle stars Melissa George as Jess, who leaves her son to go on a boating trip with her friends. Soon the cruise becomes their living nightmare when a storm wrecks it. The real horror story starts when they board a creepy ship that seems to emerge out of nowhere.
Highly underrated, and highly recommended. Seems like we’ve been writing this blog for ages. In the comment section, let us know which one of these movies you’ve watched more than once. Until next time (or next loop).
7. TimeCrimes (2007)
The twist in this one is that the man only travels back in time only an hour or so. When he finds himself he is horrified and that’s just the beginning of the horrendous consequences of his short time travel.
This Spanish movie’s simple and minimalist style makes it stand out from the rest in the genre and creates much-needed variation.
6. Looper (2012)
In the year 2074, the best way the mob gets rid of someone is to send them into the past where a hitman awaits.
Joe is one of those hitmen. But when the mob decides to close the loop by sending back Joe’s future self for assassination, he must find a way to save himself.
5. Déjà Vu (2006)
The movie stars Denzel Washington and it’s directed by Tony Scott. It is one of our favorite Denzel movies from the 2000s.
After a ferry is bombed, an ATF agent joins a unique investigation using experimental surveillance technology to find the bomber. The agent travels back in time to prevent the attack but soon falls in love with one of the victims.
4. Dr. Strange (2016)
One of the most loved comic characters that have appeared on screen, Dr. Strange is no stranger to time loops.
In this 2016 Marvel movie, Dr. Strange uses the Eye of Agamotto (which contains the Time Stone) to create an unbroken time loop against Dormammu.
The movie is very emotional and visually captivating. One of the best blends in a superhero movie. We’re hoping Marvel will introduce more mystic and cosmic characters in upcoming movies.
3. Predestination (2015)
This 2014 science fiction thriller movie follows a Temporal Agent who is sent on a series of time travel journeys to prevent future murders. One killer has dodged him throughout time and he is no ordinary killer. This killer has perpetrated an attack that will kill thousands of people.
The agent must find a way to stop the killer otherwise thousands of lives will be lost.
2. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
If you haven’t watched Edge of Tomorrow, starring Tom Cruise, you’re missing out big time.
An alien race has invaded Earth and it is so strong that no military unit can beat it. Major William Cage, an officer with zero field experience gets sent on a suicide mission against the aliens. He gets killed within minutes but finds himself thrown into a time loop. He is forced to live the same fate over and over again. Each time he gets better at his skills and understanding of the combat situation. He and his partner, Special Forces warrior Rita Vrataski, fight the aliens head-on. Each time they loop, they get closer to victory.
1. Groundhog Day (1993)
This movie is the father of time loop movies. If time loop were a genre, this is the pioneering movie.
A weatherman is sent to cover a weather forecast on Groundhog Day. This is his fourth year on the same story and he is very frustrated. On waking the ‘next’ day he finds that it’s Groundhog Day all over again. This happens each morning when he wakes up.
Initially, he uses this to his advantage but soon the unsettling feeling starts to creep in that he is doomed to spend the rest of eternity on the same day.
Honorable Mentions
- The Butterfly Effect (2004)
- ARQ (2016)
- Source Code (2011)
What are your favorite best time loop films? Share with us in the comments!
