Top 5 Time Loop Films
Counting down our favourite films that revolve around the time loop concept
The time-loop movie is a concept that hasn't been overdone in cinema, as almost every time it's explored it is done so inventively and in a very different way. There's one obvious comparison, but what splits these films apart and which is the best to repeat a day over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over...
"Time loop movies are always a pleasant surprise!" - Ellis
5. The Map of Tiny Perfect Things
Directed by Ian Samuels
"Most of life is just junk; it's filler. And then there's these moments when all the randomness turns into something perfect."
Although in places it feels a little cheaper than the others, it's a really fun time that is already comfortable in the concept at the very start of the film. There's a slickness to the film and it expects the audience to be familiar with the genre. We know the rhythms and mechanics of the world just as Mark, the lead does. It's effortless.
4. Edge of Tomorrow
Directed by Doug Liman
"There is no courage without fear."
This is one that is so much better than it looks. The promotional material was fairly basic when it released and it could've easily been just another Tom Cruise action blockbuster. But it's such a pleasant surprise, doing interesting things with the concept, and although the end does slow down in pace a little, the two leads keep us captivated and maintain their energy until the very last loop. Tom Cruise in particular is fantastic.
3. Looper
Directed by Rian Johnson
"Never let your target escape. Even if your target is you."
Once you get past Jospeh Gordon-Levitt's peculiar nose, it's easy to feel comfortable with the stakes in this sci-fi/thriller take on the time loop movie. There's some excellent moments of dialogue in this and although it's not necessarily as exciting as the other films on this list, it doesn't need to be. It finds peace and sadness in all the right places and is a modern day movie that proves that Bruce Willis has indeed still got it.
2. Palm Springs
Directed by Max Barbakow
"We kind of have no choice but to live. So I think your best bet is just to learn how to suffer existence."
The most recent time loop movie is so much more than you think. Although it begins feeling like a typical Hollywood comedy, it has so much meaning. It's paying homage to things like Groundhog Day that came before it but is being its own meaningful laugh-out-loud comedy too. It's especially affecting to have a character included who is already in the loop, it makes their chemistry even better.
1. Groundhog Day
Directed by Harold Ramis
"What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today."
There's no way it can be anything else. The genre literally wouldn't exist without this film and similarly, we could have called this blog 'Top 5 Groundhog Day movies' and everyone would've understood what we were discussing. It not only created its own fictional concept but also a term used by people in everyday life. This film's success comes from its choice to pick up the story at different points through the repeated day, and Bill Murray as the lead is one of the best film to actor matches in cinema history. He is just perfect as Phil Connors and he proves even further that Groundhog Day is undoubtedly the number one time loop movie.
Worthy Contenders
Films that came close, but for whatever reason, didn't quite make the cut
About Time - It's a favourite of ours, but time loops aren't the leading concept at play.
Doctor Strange - A time loop conclusion makes for a good final battle in this MCU hit.
Boss Level - At this point we're just listing time loop movies...this isn't even that good.
Happy Death Day - Haven't even seen it mate.
Groundhog Day available now on NowTV & Sky Cinema