Time Loop: 10 Best Movies That Will Make Your Head Spin
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You wake up and have a terrible day. Nothing is going your way. But it's all right, just another day.
Tomorrow will be better, right?
But the next day is exactly the same. You wake up at the same time, and exactly the same things happen that happened yesterday. Or is it today?
It's the same day over and over and over and over again.
You're stuck in a time loop.
Now I can't tell you how to get out of this predicament, but here are the 10 best time loop movies that hopefully can.
What is a time loop in films?
The time loop is a film concept where a character experiences the same period of time repeatedly. Just imagine reliving the same day forever. Hopefully, it's the weekend at least...
Usually, no one else knows what's happening, and the character needs to find a way to break out of the cycle. But as we will see in our list, this is not by any means a rule.
If you want to know more about the process of film creation, jump over to our article about filmmaking.
Without further ado, take a look at our list.
So you're not out of the loop. Sorry, I had to.
10 of the best time loops movies
Warning - you may fall in a time loop of your own creation watching these over and over again, so proceed with caution! Also, minor spoilers may appear.
1. 12 Monkeys
We kick off this list with a post-apocalyptic thriller 12 Monkeys. The main stars of this movie are Bruce Willis and up-and-coming Bratt Pitt. Now, it's all about time travel, mad scientists, and a devastating virus.
Not so unrelatable nowadays, huh?
Would you believe a screaming guy stating that he comes from the future to save the planet? He would probably end up in a hospital ward...
2. Before I fall
Did you ever think you have a perfect life?
Me neither. Without getting philosophical, it's not a stretch to say that Sam (Zoey Deutch) has a charming life. Only until something goes wrong.
Sam is forced to relive the same day and figure out what seems to be not so perfect of a situation after all.
3. Doctor Strange
"Dormammu, I've come to bargain"
A Marvel Superhero movie! Doctor Strange puts an entertaining spin on the time loop. This time, it's not destiny or a godly figure that controls the time loop, but Doctor Strange himself.
In an attempt to save the earth, he imprisons the poor little Dormammu until he agrees to his conditions. A very refreshing ending to a Marvel movie. Also shows how being annoying but persistent can sometimes help you achieve your goals!
We're really looking forward to seeing what the 2023 sequel brings.
4. Edge of Tomorrow
Tom Cruise, starring as a fearful military officer, has to save the planet from an alien invasion.
This inexperienced sissy dies expectedly fast, but this is not his end. He relives the same fight over and over until he becomes really good at smashing alien heads.
This action-packed sci-fi will make you look out the window for any potential alien intruders.
5. Groundhog Day
This movie is a classic that established the time loop trope in western popular culture.
Bill Murray is great as a weatherman forced to live the same day in a loop. The change from a self-centered and cynical person into a helpful, kindhearted philanthropist makes you wonder if more of us would benefit from such an experience.
6. Happy Death Day
Happy Death Day is a pretty funny horror-comedy. Tree Gelbman is a teenage college student who gets murdered on her own birthday. She has to relive the tragic but often funny day until she discovers who is her murderer.
The main heroine tries the become a better person on her same-day journey with sometimes unconventional strategies.
The movie was a big success and you can also see a sequel Happy Death Day 2U.
7. Palm Springs
Another really entertaining spin on the time loop concept
Palm Springs is a story about two weddings guests who slowly fall in love while having a lot of fun. Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti have great chemistry, and frankly, there is a decent possibility you will laugh out loud.
The change of pace here lies in the fact that Nyles (Andy) is already a veteran in reliving that day, while Sarah (Cristin) is a fresh rookie.
How many crazy ideas would you try if you were reliving the same wedding over and over again?
8. Predestination
This enthralling time loop thriller puts you on a journey of a time-traveling law enforcement agent. Would you prevent a crime if you could travel back in the time?
Based on the short story "All You Zombies", Predestination has many twists and turns that will make your head spin.
9. Source code
Army Captain Colter Stevens wakes up in someone else's body on a train that will explode within 8 minutes. Colter (Jake Gyllenhaal) has to identify the bomber to prevent the next catastrophe.
The catch is in the fact that every time he only has 8 minutes to work with. Will he prevent the future and save the lives of passenger trains or commit to his mission and only gather information on the bomber?
10. Triangle
This under-the-radar mystery sci-fi focuses on the story of yacht passengers caught up in a storm. The main heroine Jess and other passengers have to board a seemingly abandoned cruise ship to survive the unforgiving ocean weather.
Jess starts having deja-vu like incidents that end with many group members killed. Trapped in a time loop, Jess has to find a way to break away from this cycle to see her son again.
Up next: Explore 90+ movie genres
These were some of the best time loop movies we've seen. Do you have any favorites?
Follow the rabbit hole and explore our comprehensive list of film genres.
What is a time loop?
A Time loop is a film concept where a period of time is repeated over and over by certain characters.
What does it mean to be stuck in a time loop?
To relive the same period of time over and over again. It's like reliving the same day in a loop.
What is a time loop movie?
It's a movie that uses the time loop concept in its plot. Famous examples are Groundhog Day, Edge of Tomorrow, Palm Springs.
