The ’90s was a transitional decade for sci-fi as advancements in CGI and sound technology allowed creators to come up with better practical effects. However, after the 80s stole the stage in most genres, many good films from the ‘90s languished in the shadows of their counterparts from the previous decade. Despite time travel being a popular concept with audiences, the best time-travel films in the 90s still had to balance top-notch writing with eye-catching cinematic elements to stand out. Oscar-worthy performances from A-Listers like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Michael Fox, and Brad Pitt also helped bring most time travel films to the limelight.
Imaginative filmmakers like Harold Ramis, Terry Gilliam, Tom Tykwer, and Sam Raimi used time travel to turn otherwise typical horror, action, thriller, and comedy films into blockbusters. Their films dominate this list of the top 90s time travel films that have stood the test of time primarily because of their ability to create authentic-looking settings across multiple timelines. While most of the movies on the list are associated with the biggest names in ‘80s and ‘90s sci-fi, some are little-known masterpieces right out of obscurity. From mind-boggling time loops to multidimensional crime dramas, here is a look at the ten best time travel films of the 90s.
10. Pleasantville (1998)
“Pleasantville” is the perfect 90s coming-of-age hybrid of sci-fi and teenage drama. It follows the siblings David (Tobey Maguire) and Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon), who get transported and trapped inside a 1950s TV show called Pleasantville by a magical remote control. Pleasantville is a seemingly perfect, idyllic town, but its inhabitants have no life experience beyond their structured, idealized world. As David and Jennifer interact with the town, their presence begins to introduce color, symbolizing change, emotions, and self-awareness. The siblings inadvertently awaken the town’s residents to the complexities of real life, showing them that the perfect, sheltered existence they once lived isn’t as fulfilling as they thought.
The plot revolves around time travel, making this one of the decade’s most eccentric time travel twists. The twins’ unexpected trip back in time helps bring the whole story to life. Despite being a commercial flop, “Pleasantville” remains one of the most rewatchable fantasy teen dramas from the 90s thanks to its timeless storyline. The narrative offers a journey of education, awareness, and growth for its intricately written characters.
9. Army of Darkness (1992)
After the tremendous success of Sam Raimi’s 1987 blockbuster “Evil Dead” and its first sequel, Raimi and Tapert had every reason to send Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) through the vortex one more time. “Army of Darkness” sees Ash travel to Medieval Britain amid Lord Arthur’s war with his arch-enemy, Duke Henry. He must still defeat the evil dead and reconcile the petty differences between the English and the Scotts. As usual, Raimi uses time travel to take Ash’s battle with the demons into different timelines. To go back in time, Ash mistakenly reads out the words of the spell from Necronomicon Mortis (Book of the Dead), which see him sucked into the time vortex followed by an army of Deadites, forcing him to fight for his life as he struggles to find his way back.
“Army of Darkness” is not as dark or scary as the first two “Evil Dead” films as it features more slapstick comedy and even less somber Ash. The film didn’t match the commercial success of its predecessors, but it has become a cult classic. Bruce Campbell reprises his charming performance as Ash alongside Embeth Davidtz, who wholly matches his energy. Like Raimi’s original film, “Army of Darkness” combines aspects of horror and comedy to turn Ash’s journey into an adventurous tale. Despite their limited budget, Raimi has concocted a deserving ending to the trilogy, which made this a must-watch film for “Evil Dead” fans.
8. Run Lola Run (1998)
“Run Lola Run” is, in a way, can be seen as the German version of the famous time-loop film “Groundhog Day” but with higher stakes and a more romantic storyline. The film also features more action and intensity, including a more convincing justification for the time loop. It follows Lola, a young woman who has exactly 20 minutes to get 100,000 Deutschmarks for her bagman boyfriend, Manni, or he will be killed. Lola tries multiple tricks in the loop to get the money as quickly as possible, but things keep going wrong. Every time she fails, and she or Manni dies, the 20 minutes reset, and she has to try again. Thankfully, the narrative events are not monotonous as Lola tries a different method (legal or not) to get the money every time the loop resets.
Tom Tykwer’s creative genius didn’t get as much credit in 1998 as it does now, and the film’s fame has only increased. Franka Potente’s energetic and heartfelt performance as Lola is a highlight, and the film maintains a tense, high-stakes atmosphere throughout. Alongside the thrilling action and romantic elements, the movie incorporates mystery and emotional depth, particularly in Lola’s complicated relationship with her father.
7. Galaxy Quest (1999)
“Galaxy Quest” is a Sci-fi parody film, poking jabs at the“Star Trek” series and the Star Trek fandom in general. Directed by Dean Parisot, the film even uses a parody cast starring Tim Allen in the lead role of Jason Nesmith and Sigourney Weaver as Gwen DeMarco. The action starts when the fictional show’s cast is mistakenly abducted by aliens called Thermians who need help fighting off a real-life interstellar supervillain. The Thermians mistakenly believe the series to be a documentary, forcing the crew to become intergalaxy superheroes. Jason and his crew find themselves aboard an actual spaceship that looks exactly like their movie prop.
Time travel only plays a minor role towards the climax of the action-packed plot, but that doesn’t reduce the film’s sci-fi appeal. It is a simple 13-second reversal in time that allows Jason and his crew to change the film’s ending. The simple comedic tweak fits smoothly into the plot. Both the sci-fi and comedy aspects of the film are well-balanced, but the details are not nearly as technical as in a “Star Trek” film. It heavily uses satire to turn the mission of Commander Peter Quincy Taggart and the rest of the NSEA Protector crew into a laughable adventure. The film was well-received by Trekkies and non-Trekkies alike, as one doesn’t have to be a “Star Trek” fan to enjoy it, hence its enduring popularity.
6. 12 Monkeys (1995)
“12 Monkeys” was Terry Gilliam’s passion project that forced its way into blockbuster status despite facing many problems in production. It is an intriguing tale of humans stuck in underground bunkers in a post-apocalyptic 2035 after a virus wipes out most of humanity. Authorities decide to send James Cole (Bruce Willis), a convicted criminal, back in time to 1996 to stop the viral outbreak from ever happening. While Cole is primarily chosen because he is dispensable, his journey across time turns into a journey of redemption. Production deployed complex-looking time-travel props and exciting tweaks to the script to make time-jump scenes memorable. Cole never knows where he’ll end up with each jump, which means the threats he faces are unpredictable with every leap.
The glitchy time jumps vary from outright spooky to generally hilarious, making the narrative threads fascinating despite the film’s predictable ending. Cole also realizes he is not the only time traveler in the 20th century, giving him more reasons to worry. “12 Monkeys” starred Brad Pitt and Madeleine Stowe in supporting roles, and their classy performances became the film’s saving grace. Pitt’s portrayal of Jeffrey Goines, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award, was compelling, totally stealing the crown from Willis in the lead role. Bruce Willis was also a natural fit for the role of James Cole, perfectly portraying both the cold-hearted, hardened criminal and the reformed, caring hero ready to save the world.
Also Read: 30 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the 21st Century
5. Back To The Future Part III (1990)
This was the final film of the famous “Back To The Future” trilogy, which still enjoys a massive global following. In “Back To The Future Part III,” Marty McFly (Michael Fox) drives the Delorean (time jumping car) back in time to the Wild West in 1885 to save his friend Emmet ‘Doc’ Brown (Christopher Lloyd) from an outlaw gang led by Buford ‘Mad Dog’ Tannen. The franchise’s time jumps, which are based on speed, allow trains or cars to jump through time once they hit the right acceleration. However, time travel is only used to turn McFly’s adventures into different period dramas. In “Back To The Future Part III,” the stakes are even higher because McFly’s car is damaged when he lands in 1885, making his journey back home even harder.
The film also features an electrifying performance by Mary Steenburgen as Doc’s newfound love, Clara Clayton. Like the original film, McFly’s fun adventure, marked by slapstick comedy and suspense, dominates the film. Time travel is at the heart of the script, although the humor and romance overshadow the goofy sci-fi details. A well-timed Western narrative only spices up the action with authentic-looking costumes and effects. While it might not have had the same visual impact as the first film, “Part III” provides a satisfying conclusion to Marty and Doc’s adventures, tying the trilogy together seamlessly.
4. Star Trek: Fìrst Contact (1996)
“Star Trek: First Contact” is one of the best-executed “Star Trek” films of all time, primarily because of the proper balance between CGI-supported special effects and great makeup. The film also features one of Patrick Stewart’s best performances as Jean-Luc Picard. In the film, Picard and the crew of a much-changed USS Enterprise-E have to jump back in time to stop the Cybernetic Borg from taking over the Earth as humanity reels from a devastating war. Time travel is seamlessly introduced into the narrative when a temporal vortex appears, and the Borg Sphere uses it to go back in time.
The action-packed scenes are supported by similarly catchy special effects as Picard’s new crew appears more diverse and better equipped to fight the Borg. The film’s story also feels more relevant now than in 1996, as the threats of humanity being devastated by war and losing control to AI is a genuine global concern of the 21st century. Introducing the Borg as a new threat gives Picard’s mission a fresh sense of relevance, making the film a true space adventure. Despite its intensity, “First Contact” is cheery and suspenseful, making it enjoyable to watch. Its script is also largely independent of its predecessors, making it attractive for non-Trekkies as well.
3. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
This is another film that reshaped the English lexicon, normalizing the word Shagged which was previously considered a dirty swear word. Poking fun at the James Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me,” the film follows Austin Powers as he travels back in time to 1969 in a bid to recover his mojo, which his nemesis, Dr. Evil, has stolen. Mike Myers, who co-wrote the film, delivers an electric performance as both Austin Powers and Dr. Evil, creating laughable sequences out of most of the plot. Austin uses a time-traveling Volkswagen Beetle, humorously referred to as the “Shaguar,” a blend of British mod aesthetics and fictional technology, for his journey back in time. The transition between the 90s and the 60s is executed well with practical effects, adding authenticity to the time travel.
As the title suggests, the film uses erotic satire extensively as it makes comedy out of the fan-favorite spy thriller. It was the second film in the “Austin Powers” trilogy, but it heavily outshined its predecessor thanks to the comedic genius of Jay Roach. “The Spy Who Shagged Me” continues to enjoy a considerable following among Sci-fi and comedy fans alike, paying tribute to the creative genius invested in the production. Its Award-winning makeup also complements the narrative. Both timelines of Powers’ time jump are convincingly executed, making everything feel realistic despite the extensive use of satire.
2. Groundhog Day (1993)
Having introduced a new term for a boringly repetitive day to the English language, “Groundhog Day” is another true 90s masterpiece. The film is a sci-fi comedy featuring Phil Connors (Bill Murray), a weather reporter who finds himself trapped in a time loop, reliving February 2nd over and over again. While on assignment in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, he begins to experience the same day repeatedly, leading him to confront his fears and seek redemption. The film does not delve into the specifics of why the time loop occurs; instead, it uses it as a backdrop for a quirky romantic story.
Bill Murray’s performance is central to the film’s success, capturing the comedic and relatable aspects of Phil Connors—Andie MacDowell co-stars as Rita, Phil’s love interest. The film benefits from Harold Ramis’s direction and Danny Rubin’s screenplay, which blends comedy with deeper philosophical themes, attracting a broad audience. “Groundhog Day” was commercially successful and remains popular despite the noted creative differences between Ramis and Murray during production. Their disagreements did affect their professional relationship, making this film their last collaboration.
1. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
“Terminator 2: Judgement Day” remains one of James Cameron’s best-ever films, with over $500 million in revenues to back it up. The T-1000, an advanced AI killing machine made of liquid metal, played by Robert Patrick, is sent to kill John Connor (the future leader of the human resistance against Skynet). The surviving humans in the future form the resistance force against the AI and send T-800 (Schwarzenegger), who is reprogrammed and sent to protect John and his mother, Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). Although the T-800 is a less advanced machine, he gives Sarah and John a fighting chance against the formidable T-1000.
While the action dominates most of the plot, “Terminator 2” is a timeless masterpiece that uses time travel to bring a holistic story to life. “Terminator 2” marked a significant leap in CGI technology and set a new standard for how digital effects could be used in filmmaking, especially in creating complex characters like the T-1000. The time jumps in the film are effectively executed. Schwarzenegger delivers a career-defining performance as the stoic yet humane machine. Although Schwarzenegger gets most of the credit, Linda Hamilton and Edward Furlong also put in decent performances, respectively, as Sarah and John Connor. The film resonates even more with today’s concerns, as the growing fear of AI taking over the world makes “Judgment Day” feel more relevant now than it did in the 90s.
