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The Best Time Travel Shows to Watch on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon, and More

We've all dreamed of living in another period

Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan, Outlander

At this point, there's no shortage of shows that deal with time travel in some capacity. It's a popular subject, and for good reason! Now more than ever you might be looking for an escape from your daily life, or from this era altogether, and no one in their right mind could blame you for that. If you're of the belief that existing in one timeline is overrated, you've arrived at the right list.

Some of the shows here are action-packed dramas, while others take a more whimsical approach to history, but all of them are absolutely binge-worthy masterpieces. Whether you want to travel back hundreds of years or just a couple of decades, you'll find the perfect time travel show recommendation in the list below!

Looking for more recommendations of what to watch next?  We have a ton of them!  And if you're looking for more hand-picked recommendations based on shows you love,  we have those too .

Tom Hiddleston, Loki

Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU for short) already know that Loki ( Tom Hiddleston ) is a master trickster. He is literally the god of mischief, and for years his role in these movies was relegated to villain, nuisance, and foil to his brother Thor (Chris Hemsworth), but with Loki , he races through time and space in a series that puts him at the forefront of his own story. The series is a crime thriller that follows an alternate version of Loki who stole the Tesseract in  Avengers: Endgame , an event that basically broke reality. And, as these things go, it's now his responsibility to fix what he started. He's recruited by  Owen Wilson 's Mobius M. Mobius at the mysterious Time Variance Authority (TVA) to travel through history and correct the timeline he messed up. The series is the closest thing to putting an actual comic book on screen, full of madcap twists and turns, and seemingly self-contained, without having to place so much emphasis on setting up for future MCU installments. - Allison Picurro   [Watch on  Disney+ ]

Jodie Whittaker, Doctor Who

This one is a gimme, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention Doctor Who , and honestly, if you haven't watched this long-running British sci-fi series already, we're not sure you can even call yourself a fan of time travel. Doctor Who follows a centuries-old alien known as the Doctor who has the ability to regenerate and take on different faces (hence the "long-running" bit). The Doctor, currently portrayed by Jodie Whittaker , takes unsuspecting ladies (and a few dudes) on ridiculous trips through time and space. Yep, this one checks the space travel box too! If you do choose to watch Doctor Who though, be warned -- you will end up in a fight with someone on Tumblr about which Doctor is the best. It's unavoidable.  [Watch on   HBO Max ]

Eric McCormack, MacKenzie Porter, Nesta Cooper, Jared Abrahamson, and Reilly Dolman, Travelers

Netflix's   Travelers , initially a co-production with Canada's Showcase, doesn't get even half the recognition it deserves for constructing impossibly complex time travel mythology that is still understandable and engaging for its audience, so we're recognizing it by putting it on this list. In the series, squads of elite soldiers travel to the present from hundreds of years in the future in order to change history and save the human race. If that doesn't sound cool enough, let us just add that they do so by sending their consciousnesses into the bodies of people about to die and assuming their identities. So. Freaking. Cool.  [Watch on  Netflix ]

Aaron Stanford and Amanda Schull, 12 Monkeys

Based on the 1995 movie with the same name, 12 Monkeys follows a time traveler who travels from 2043 to 2015 to stop a deadly virus from wiping out most of the planet's population. However, what starts out as a simple mission to the past turns into a mind-boggling journey through some of the biggest historical events of the 20th century and a pretty epic love story. This series really digs into the rules of time travel like causation and paradoxes, so while it may give you one of the aforementioned headaches, it's seriously worth it.  [Watch on  Hulu ]

DC's Legends of Tomorrow

Caity Lotz, Matt Ryan, Olivia Swan, Dominic Purcell and Nick Zano, DC Legends of Tomorrow 

In a sea of series that focus on saving the world with time travel, DC's Legends of Tomorrow easily could have gotten lost in the shuffle. Luckily, this CW series quickly established itself as one part nonsense, two parts pure fun, which set it apart from all the rest. If you're looking for a lighter series to help you while the days away, this one is definitely for you. The Legends team does end up saving the world quite a few times, but most of the time they just wind up turning themselves into singing puppets or fighting giant stuffed animals.  [Watch on  Netflix ]

If you're looking for something a little more romantic to binge-watch, Outlander is your ticket. This series follows Claire Beauchamp ( Caitriona Balfe ), an English WWII nurse who accidentally travels from 1945 back to 1743 while on a trip to Scotland with her husband ( Tobias Menzies ). Thrown into the past and desperate to get home, Claire finds herself embroiled in a Scottish uprising while slowly but surely falling in love with a ruggedly handsome redhead named Jamie Fraser ( Sam Heughan ).  [Watch on   Netflix ,  Starz ,  Hulu with Starz add-on ,  Amazon Prime with Starz add-on ]

Abigail Spencer, Malcolm Barrett, Matt Lanter; Timeless

Though Timeless was canceled twice , its devoted fanbase, known as Clockblockers, were so passionate that the NBC series ended up getting a two-hour series finale to wrap things up, so you won't have to worry about a cliffhanger ending. The show follows a history professor ( Abigail Spencer ), a soldier ( Matt Lanter ), and an engineer ( Malcolm Barrett ) who use a government-created time machine to track down a mysterious villain who is trying to rewrite American history. This series pairs the whimsy of DC's Legends of Tomorrow with the high stakes of 12 Monkeys , making it the perfect "middle of the road" option for time travel fans.  [Watch on  Hulu ]

Though it was canceled after just one season, we're still including Terra Nova on this list because DINOSAURS. Set in a dying world where overpopulation has humans on the brink of extinction, scientists have found a way to send people back in time to the Cretaceous Period where the air is breathable, food is plentiful, and the human race can start over. Unfortunately, it's also where dinosaurs are hungry for human flesh, so that's a problem. This show wasn't executed very well (hence its cancellation), but it's worth a watch anyway just to see hot people running away from raptors.  [Watch on  Amazon ]

Lost in Austen

Jemima Rooper, Elliot Cowan, Alex Kingston, Gemma Arterton, and Hugh Bonneville, Lost in Austen

When you're ready to take a break from all the action and adventure, Lost in Austen is a great time travel alternative. Rather than traveling through time per se, lead character Amanda Price ( Jemima Rooper ) travels into the world of her favorite novel, Pride & Prejudice . Caught up in the Georgian Era -- and the fictional lives of Mr. Darcy ( Elliot Cowan ) and the Bennet family -- Amanda unwittingly ends up as a character in the story she loves so dearly, and falling in love with Darcy herself.  [Watch on  BritBox ]

The critically acclaimed Netflix series  Dark  is not only a complicated time travel drama, it's also a German series, so get ready to turn those subtitles on! The series, which just wrapped up its third and final season, follows multiple generations of four interconnected families living in the German town of Winden (once you've finished the show, our family tree will help explain how everyone is connected ), which just so happens to be home to an underground tunnel and wormhole. Time travel and family drama make for an extremely complicated series (we don't recommend just having this one on in the background, folks), but once you get into it, you'll never look back.  [Watch on  Netflix ]

Best new Time Travel TV Shows in 2024 & 2023 (Netflix, Prime, Hulu & TV List)

New time travel TV series in 2024

Dark Matter

Three Body Problem

Best time travel tv series on netflix, amazon prime, hulu, disney+ or dvd in 2024.

Quantum Leap

A Time Called You

The Lazarus Project

Again my Life

The Shining Girls

Paper Girls

The Peripheral

Tales from the Loop

The Wheel of Time

Twice Upon a Time

De Volta Aos 15

El ministerio del tiempo

80 of the Best Entertaining Time Travel TV Shows You Need To Watch

With romance, adventure, and fun plot twists, these time travel TV shows are sure to entertain.

The time travel trope is quintessentially romantic, with different themes and elements giving it a desperate, romantic air. There is the lone time traveler, bouncing across time in search of lost love. Or a group of travelers unable to return home due to a rift in the space/time continuum. Better yet, the star-crossed lovers fated only to get snatches of time together.  Swoon . There is so much to love about time travel TV shows!

At  The Silver Petticoat Review , we love time travel TV shows so much that we thought a list of binge-worthy shows was necessary.

Depending on your taste in time travel stories, below are 21 binge-worthy dramas, romantic comedies, and Sci-Fi/Fantasy stories (plus 59 bonus recommendations at the end). Not all are traditional versions of the trope, but each one includes an element of time travel.

Get ready! Your watch list is about to become longer!

Note:  Availability for the “Where to Watch” sections are for the US and are subject to change at any time. It was last updated in December 2022.

BINGE-WORTHY TIME TRAVEL TV SHOWS (#1-21)

(in no particular order).

#1 Timeless *

Synopsis:  With history threatened by an evil consortium, a historian, soldier, and scientist join forces to travel through time to save history.

Their adventures take them across history, where they cross paths with some famous and lesser-known figures in history. Yet, each time they save history, they risk changing the future.

Where to Watch:  The NBC series is available on Hulu or to buy on Digital and DVD.

* Timeless  is one of my favorite time travel shows! A lovely,  action-adventure romance  with time travel!

#2 Doctor Who

Synopsis:   Doctor Who   follows the trials of an extraterrestrial Time Lord. Known as the Doctor, he/she travels through time to solve problems and battle injustice across the universe.

Using the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimensions in Space) to travel, the Doctor recruits companions to assist him/her. With various incarnations,  Doctor Who  is a sweeping adventure in space and time.

Note: There are many iterations of  Doctor Who . Any would make our list of time travel series. Pick your favorite! The newer Doctors include Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, and Jodie Whittaker. The new Doctor will be Ncuti Gatwa in 2023.

Where to Watch:  You can stream the classic series on Britbox and the 2005 revival on HBO Max. Both series are available to buy digitally and on DVD.

#3 DC’s Legends of Tomorrow   

Synopsis:  Time-traveler Rip Hunter sets out to save the world with the timeline in catastrophic danger. 

Rip brings together an unlikely group of heroes and villains previously seen in  Arrow  and  The Flash.  

These heroes and villains must come together before they can save the planet. But can they put their differences aside before time runs out?

See our  review of  Legends of Tomorrow .

Where to Watch:  Stream on Netflix or buy digitally and on DVD.

#4 12 Monkeys * 

Synopsis:  Cole travels from a post-apocalyptic future to save the world from a lethal plague. He meets Dr. Cassandra Railly, a virologist, who joins him in his crusade.

It’s a race against time, as they trace the epidemic to its source and discover that appearances are deceiving and time itself is an enemy.

Where to Watch:  Stream on Hulu or buy digitally and on DVD.

Related Post  Romantic Moment of the Week: 12 Monkeys: Cassie and Cole  

*Another personal favorite! When it comes to time travel shows,  12 Monkeys  hits all the right notes!

#5 El Ministerio del Tiempo (The Department of Time)

Synopsis:  A secret government agency recruits three people from different eras to protect Spain’s history.

They bounce through time, chasing time-traveling intruders bent on manipulating history for their own purposes.

Where to Watch:  Stream on Pantaya or buy on DVD.

#6 Travelers 

Synopsis:  Several hundred years into the future, the last humans discover a way to send their consciousness back in time. These “travelers” assume the lives of random individuals.

With only their knowledge of history and social media profiles to guide their way, the travelers quickly discover that experience in the 21st Century is as challenging as their mission.

Content Warning:  Rated TV-MA, the show has strong language, violence, and implied nudity.

#7 Scarlet Heart / Scarlet Heart: Ryeo

Synopsis of Scarlet Heart : A near-fatal accident sends Zhang Xiao, a 21st Century woman, back in time to the Qing Dynasty. It is Kangxi Emperor’s reign, and Xiao is now the teenage daughter of a Manchu general.

Known as Ma’ertai Roux, Xiao attempts to return to the future. Navigating new relationships and love, Xiao adjusts to her new life until, one day, it disappears.

Where to Watch:  Stream on  Viki .

Note: There is also a Korean version of  Scarlet Heart  called Scarlet Heart: Ryeo .  Read our review here . It is only available to buy on DVD.

#8 Making History  

Synopsis:  Misunderstood college facilities manager Dan Chambers discovers time travel, using pop culture to become a beloved 18th Century figure. However, Dan fails to realize the impact time travel has on the present.

When Dan causes Paul Revere to delay his famous ride, he alters the events of the American Revolution. Dan then recruits well-liked history professor Chris Parish for help in correcting history.

Where to Watch:  Rent on Amazon Video or buy Digital.

#9 Sleepy Hollow  

Synopsis:  Ichabod Crane comes back to life 250 years in the future, where he must solve a mystery going back to the time of the founding fathers.

However, he is not alone. Due to a blood curse, the headless horseman also returns to the living. The headless horseman begins a slaying spree in present-day Sleepy Hollow. Ichabod realizes that the headless horseman is the first of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.

Enter Detective Abbie Mills. Familiar with the supernatural, Abbie joins forces with Crane to stop the evil infecting Sleepy Hollow.

Where to Watch:  Stream  Sleepy Hollow  on Hulu, the CW app, CW Seed, and Tubi. You can also buy the series on Digital and DVD.

#10 Torchwood

Synopsis:  Former time agent, Captain Jack Harkness, leads the Torchwood Three to investigate unexplained extraterrestrial events on Earth.

The group, part of a covert agency called the Torchwood Institute, battles supernatural threats outside the protection of the British government and law enforcement.

Where to Watch:  Stream on HBO Max or buy on Digital and DVD.

Content Warning:  The series is TV-MA for strong language in a few episodes. It also includes occasional explicit sensuality, suggestive content, and violence.

#11 Being Erica *

Synopsis:  During therapy, Erica Strange shares her list of regrets with her therapist. In a twist in treatment, Erica goes back in time to those moments with a chance to make different decisions.

Faced with rewriting her past or leaving things as they are, Erica faces each moment with humor and a new appreciation for her choices.

Where to Watch:  Stream on Hulu, Roku, Hoopla, Plex, and Crackle, and buy digitally and on DVD.

*The writing in this show is fantastic!

Content Warning:  Rated TV-14, it is, at times, TV-MA. There is sensual content, as well as nudity and some bad language.

#12 Heroes 

Synopsis:  Around the world, a group of ordinary people is discovering they have superpowers. One man wants their powers for himself.

To protect themselves, they must learn to help each other before he destroys them all.

Where to Watch:  Stream the superhero series on Peacock or buy digitally and on DVD. 

#13 The Librarians * 

Synopsis:  Based on popular TV movies,  The Librarians  are a group of people who protect magical items throughout time.

Consisting of an art historian, a thief, a mathematician, and a warrior, they travel through time to find supernatural objects and bring them under the protection of the Library.

Related:  Read our  romantic moment between Eve and Flynn from  The Librarians .

Where to Watch:  Stream on Hulu, Hoopla, and Amazon’s Freevee. You can also buy it digitally and on DVD.

#14 Early Edition *

Synopsis:  Having lost his job and his marriage, Gary Hobson wakes up one morning to find a cat sitting on a newspaper bearing the next day’s date.

Gary quickly learns that this early edition allows him 24 hours to try and save many people’s lives.

Where to Watch:  All seasons are available for DVD purchase on Amazon Prime.

*This one is an outlier when it comes to time travel TV shows. The only thing that travels in time is the newspaper. Still, it’s Kyle Chandler….. swoon!

#15 Erased 

Synopsis:  Satoru goes back 18 years to prevent the passing of his mother and three classmates.

Where to Watch:  Netflix

#16 Outlander

Synopsis:  British Army Nurse Claire Randall is on her second honeymoon and looking forward to a career as an Oxford historian. Suddenly transported back to 1742, Claire finds her freedom and life are in danger.

RELATED: ‘Midnight at the Pera Palace’ Review: The Time Travel Romance is Irresistibly Good

To survive, she marries Jamie Fraser. An unexpected passionate relationship develops, and Claire becomes caught between two very different men in two very different lives.

See  our review of  Outlander .

Where to Watch:  Stream on Netflix and STARZ or buy on Digital and DVD.

Content Warning:  TV-MA with   explicit sensual content, nudity, assaults, and graphic violence.

#17 The Eternal Love 

Synopsis:  Unhappy with a forced marriage, Qu Tan Er attempts to end her life. She awakens from her failed attempt with the spirit of another woman inside her body. The modern Xiao Tan is Tan Er’s opposite.

Stuck in the past world, she cannot return to the present day. Whenever one of the women lies, the other person takes control. Soon, complications in love arise as the differing women fall in love with two different men.

What will become of the foursome? And will Xiao Tan be able to find her way back to her own time?

Where to Watch:  Viki

#18 Lost in Austen *

Synopsis:  This smart take on Jane Austen’s  Pride and Prejudice  finds modern, working girl Amanda Price trading places with Elizabeth Bennet.

Unable to return to her time, Amanda must try her best to fit in among the Bennets, Bingleys, and Darcys. Yet, her presence in the lives of these beloved characters sets changes to the course of the classic tale.

See our  Lost in Austen review .

Where to Watch:  Stream on Britbox Amazon Channel, Freevee, and Pluto TV, and buy digitally on Amazon or DVD.

#19 Continuum 

Synopsis:  Detective Kiera Cameron, a cop from the year 2077, and a group of dangerous criminals called Liber8 are trapped in present-day Vancouver. Kiera must stop Liber8 before they destroy the corporate world, altering the future as she knows it. She enlists the help of tech genius Alec Sadler to find a way back home.

In the meantime, Kiera takes a job with the Vancouver Police Department. With help from her partner, detective Carlos Fonnegra, they keep tabs on Liber8. Different beliefs and backgrounds lead to suspicion, but slowly, Kiera and Carlos learn to trust each other.

Where to Watch:  Buy digitally from the Microsoft Store or on DVD.

#20 Frequency

Synopsis:  Detective Raimy Sullivan has lived with the pain and resentment of her father’s passing for 20 years. She believes her father, NYPD Officer Frank Sullivan, was corrupt, resulting in his passing. However, everything changes when she hears his voice coming from an old ham radio.

With Raimy’s warning in his ears, Frank survives the attempt on his life. Yet, the change in the past ends in tragedy for the future. Separated by time, connected by an old radio, the two detectives work together to find a way to rewrite the past without losing the ones they love.

Where to Watch:  Stream on the CW app and CW seed.

#21 Seven Days

Synopsis:  CIA Agent Frank Parker receives a special assignment from the NSA. He must travel back in time to prevent current-day catastrophes.

Yet, there is a catch – he must do so within seven days. Using a time machine built from alien technology, Frank races against time in the past to save the future.

Where to Watch:  Buy on DVD.

Whether you are a fan of pure romance or romantic comedies or love the adventure of time travel, there is something for everyone on our list of binge-worthy time travel TV shows. So dip in and travel back in time with some of the most swoon-worthy characters out there.

*Denotes a personal favorite of mine.

EVEN MORE TIME TRAVEL TV SHOWS TO WATCH (#22-80)

This section was updated in 2022 by Amber and Autumn (co-owners and editors of  The Silver Petticoat Review ). 

Numerous time travel TV series exist, and you can never have enough to watch! So, we thought adding a lot more to the list would be fun. 

Enjoy! We included a *star next to our personal favorites.

• #22:  356: REPEAT THE YEAR  (2020) – Korean Drama about ten people traveling back in time one year.
• #23: * THE 4400  (2004; 2021) – We recommend the original series over the reboot. Both shows have 4400 people appearing in the present day from different time periods, not having aged a day since they originally disappeared.
• #24: * AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.   (2013) – The later seasons of this fun Marvel series are all about time travel – and they are marvelous! The love story  between Daisy and Daniel Sousa  is perfect.
• #25:  ALCATRAZ  (2012) – Prisoners from Alcatraz disappeared in 1963 – only to reappear in the present day. The short-lived drama lasted only one season.
• #26:  ALICE  (2022) – A new time travel romance TV series on Kocowa and Viki.
• #27:  ALWAYS A WITCH  (2019) – A time-traveling witch in this Colombian series ends up in the present day.
• #28: * CHARMED (1998; 2018) – The original and new series about three sisters (and witches) include time travel episodes. Both shows are entertaining – but the original is superior.
• #29:  THE CROSSING  (2018) – Refugees from the future travel back in time to seek asylum.
• #30:  DARK  (2017) (TV-MA) – The German sci-fi thriller series deals with a time travel conspiracy in this hugely popular Netflix drama.

RELATED: 50 of the Best Romantic Period Drama TV Series of All Time to Watch

• #31:  DIRK GENTLY/DIRK GENTLY’S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY   (2010; 2016) – Time travel is involved in these two versions of the story about a detective investigating supernatural cases.
• #32:  * A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES   (2018) (TV-MA – mild) – A witch and a vampire fall in love while trying to unravel the secrets of witches, vampires, and demons. She can time travel and much of  Season 2  takes place in Elizabethan times.
• #33:  FAITH  (2012) – Lee Min-ho stars in this time travel Korean series.
• #34: * FELICITY  (1998) – The coming-of-age romance drama from J.J. Abrams ends with a time travel twist.
• #35:  FIND ME IN PARIS  (2018) – A children’s show about an Edwardian ballet dancer who transports into the future with a mystical necklace.
• #36:  THE FLASH (AND OTHER ARROWVERSE SHOWS)  (2014)   – The CW superhero show is fun, likable, and regularly has time-travel storylines.
• #37:  FLASHFORWARD  (2009) – Joseph Fiennes stars in this canceled too-soon series about people having visions of their future.
• #38: * FRINGE  (2008) – An FBI agent explores unexplained fringe science with a scientist and his son in this brilliant sci-fi series.
• #39:  JOURNEYMAN  (2007) – Kevin McKidd stars in this show about a time traveler who helps people.
• #40:  KAIROS (2020) – The fantasy thriller K-drama series is available to stream on Viki and Kocowa.

• #41:  LA BREA  (2021) – A sinkhole in Los Angeles sends a group of people to an ancient world. Soon, a family becomes enmeshed in a time-travel conspiracy. It’s super fun (if illogical) and crazy – especially by Season 2.
• #42:  LEGION  (2017) (TV-MA) – Dan Stevens stars in this bizarre Marvel series about a man with abilities. Time travel becomes a significant element in Season 3.
• #43: * LIFE ON MARS/ASHES TO ASHES  (2006; 2008) (TV-MA – mild) – DCI Sam Tyler wakes up in 1973 after being in a car accident. The spinoff series  Ashes to Ashes  is about another Detective who wakes up in 1981.
• #44:  LIVE UP TO YOUR NAME (2017) – It’s a rom-com time travel K-drama series about a Joseon doctor transported into the present day.
• #45: * LOST  (2004) – Survivors of a plane disaster discover they’re stranded on a mysterious island. Time travel plays an essential role in the  brilliant romantic series .
• #46: * LOKI  (2021) – Loki ends up at the Time Variance Authority – agents who stop time variants and monitor the timeline. Loki soon must fight for his survival as he travels through time.
• #47: * MANIFEST (2018) – The mystery genre series begins when a missing airplane reappears five years later – and no one has aged.
• #48:  MY ONLY LOVE SONG (2017) – An actress time travels to the past in a magical van in this historical fantasy romance show.
• #49:  NINE: NINE TIMES TIME TRAVEL  (2013) – A TV anchorman tries to change his past in this romantic K-drama.
• #50:  THE OUTER LIMITS  (1963; 1995) – The sci-fi show includes episodes about time travel.

RELATED: 10 Romantic Time Travel Movies to Binge Watch: I’ll Love You to the End of Time

• #51: * PRIMEVAL/PRIMEVAL: NEW WORLD (2007; 2012) – Primeval and its spinoff (not nearly as good) follow a team of agents and scientists capturing prehistoric creatures traveling to the present day through mysterious anomalies.  Doctor Who  fans should like this one.
• #52:  * QUEEN IN-HYUN’S MAN   (2012) – A scholar travels into the future and connects with an actress in this charming Korean fantasy rom-com.
• #53:  QUANTUM LEAP  (1989; 2022) – A scientist (Scott Bakula) becomes trapped in the past and must leap between bodies and various times. The original show is superior to the new one, but the revival is still entertaining.
• #54:  THE PERIPHERAL  (2022) (TV-MA for violence and profanity) – Chloë Grace Moretz stars in this new science fiction series with an original time travel twist.
• #55:  ROOFTOP PRINCE  (2012) – The popular fantasy rom-com Korean drama follows a Crown Prince from the past transported to the present day.
• #56:  *ROSWELL  (1999) – Two episodes of the iconic paranormal romance series deal with time travel.
• #57:  RUSSIAN DOLL  (2019) (TV-MA for lots of profanity and some explicit content) – A woman from NYC finds herself stuck in a time loop in this Emmy-winning series.
• #58:  *THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES  (2007) – The  Doctor Who  spinoff is a teen series with fantastic writing about the Doctor’s former companion, journalist Sarah Jane Smith, and her adventures with a group of teens.
• #59:  SHINING GIRLS (2022) (TV-MA) – Time travel plays into this mystery/crime drama starring Elisabeth Moss. The ending could have been better, but it’s an intriguing, well-acted series.
• #60:  SIGNAL  (2016) – This is South Korea’s version of  Frequency .

• #61: SISYPHUS: THE MYTH  (2021) – A woman from a war-torn future journeys to the past to change future events.
• #62:  SLIDERS  (1995) – A group of friends travels into parallel worlds.
• #63:  SOMEWHERE BETWEEN  (2017) – A woman relives a week to stop tragic events from happening.
• #64:  *SPLASH SPLASH LOVE (2015) – This adorable rom-com miniseries follows a teenage girl as she travels back in time to the Joseon Era.
• #65:  *STARGATE: SG-1  (1997) – A military team and scientists are part of a secret group that travels to other planets and occasionally different times through Stargates.
• #66:  *STAR TREK TV SHOWS (INCLUDING THE NEW SHOWS, PICARD, AND STAR TREK: DISCOVERY)  (Some series are TV-MA)   – Time travel plays an essential role in the  Star Trek  universe.
• #67:  STEINS;GATE  (2011) – An animated series about time travel.
• #68:  *TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES ( 2008) – This is an underrated romantic sci-fi series starring Lena Headey.
• #69:  TERRA NOVA  (2011) – A family from a dying future is transported to the prehistoric era to a colony of humans trying to survive.
• #70:  THE KING: ETERNAL MONARCH  (2020) – A romantic K-drama series about two parallel worlds where time travel plays a part.

RELATED: The Day of the Doctor – An Impossible Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Theory

• #71:  THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE  (2022) (TV-MA) – Steven Moffat’s new (but short-lived) romance series is about a married couple dealing with the problems of time travel.
• #72:  TIME AFTER TIME   (2017) – A short but sweet romantic series about a young H.G. Wells.
• #73:  THE TWILIGHT ZONE (1959) – The iconic classic series includes episodes about time travel.
• #74:  TOMORROW, WITH YOU  (2017) – A man can time travel with a subway and tries to avoid his future fate while also falling in love.
• #75:  TUNNEL (2017) – A detective travels 30 years into the future when chasing a suspect through a tunnel.
• #76:  *TRU CALLING  (2003) – A medical grad student develops an ability to relive the previous day and help people. 
• #77:  *THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY  (2019) – The quirky series follows former child heroes as they try to save the world.
• #78:  VOYAGERS!  (1982) – The classic family series follows a young boy and a team of time travelers as they fix history.
• #79:  11.22.63 (TV-MA for violence and profanity)   – James Franco stars in this mystery series based on the novel by Stephen King about a teacher who travels back in time to stop the JFK assassination.
• #80: MR. QUEEN (2020) – A chef is transported to the Joseon Era into the body of a queen in this Korean Comedy series.

What are your favorite time travel TV shows? What do you think is the best time travel show of all time? Drop me a line below!

Featured image credit: Doctor Who (BBC), Continuum (Showcase), 12 Monkeys (NBCUniversal Television Distribution), Torchwood (BBC), and Timeless (Universal Television/Sony Pictures Television/NBC). 

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ROMANCE ARCHIVES: A COLLECTION SORTED BY GENRE

Catherine is an avid reader and a self-declared professional binge watcher. It's not uncommon to find her re-watching a series or movie for the umpteenth time and still be crying into a box of tissues. When she's not hiding in her closet to read or watch a show or movie, Catherine is a wife, mother, and, in her spare time, a lawyer.

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26 thoughts on “80 of the Best Entertaining Time Travel TV Shows You Need To Watch”

thank you – have beeen looking forever for timetravel— y r we soooo fascinated– et me out of here i do not belon in this time — beeen this wy sincei ws 9 and read a book of a little boy being sent to mars after climbing a tree—- love fairies also — ok i am an old fashioned girl they used to call my pollyanna – then i became an out law—- my son in law does not beleive in annnnnythin but $$$$ and power– borrrrrring give me a gooood romance to live in.. oxoxoxoxoxoxox

This is a great list! I love the Korean drama Time Travel series. My favorites are Faith, Rooftop Prince, I love Lee Tae Ri, Signal and Tunnel.

Have you ever seen “Voyagers!”? It was like a predecessor to Quantum Leap and lasted 1 season on NBC. It stared one of the most beautiful men to ever grace television, the late Jon-Erik Hexum. He’s a roguish time-traveling pirate, Phineas Bogg, a Voyager that travels throughout time with a smart young boy and they have to fix moments where history’s gone wrong. It was a fun show. It’s definitely binge-worthy and Hexum was such a charming young actor. Although it was made with kids and education in mind, (Co-Produced by Scholastic) there’s plenty of romantic moments for Bogg!

He and Meeno Peluce (the boy, Jeffrey Jones) made a great team. I run a fansite and FB page for the series. You can watch it on Amazon Prime, and it’s currently free on NBC.com.

I own the series and I was heartbroken when Jon died. I recently bought the 30 episode tv show from the 60’s The Time Tunnel…. Now this was where most time travel shows spawned from. Especially Quantum Leap.

Nice list! Back to the Future made me a sucker for time travel plots. So would the cartoon count as one?

How can Outlander be #16?

You NEED TO READ – It clearly states that the shows are in No Particular Order!

You forgot ‘The Time tunnel’ – The first American time travel show

Goodnight Sweetheart is THE ultimate time travel show!

Maybe you guys can help me….. I’m looking for a series perhaps a movie….. not sure. only saw a piece of it and have been searching ever since. I even looked trough all the male actors to cross reference, nothing. It seem to involve time travel an attempt to shift history. Almost achieve the goal by manipulating the son of the leader – I know its horribly vague…. but he ends up speaking to his son. He explains the situation from a watchmakers point of view- His hobby is watchmaking….the comparison he draws between ‘leading’ or directing humans where they need to be is similar to the watchmaker making a clock. its been almost two years…. but so far no luck finding this series. Help 🙂

think you may be thinking of inception (link removed)

How could you not have Netflix’s Dark on this list?

I agree. Dark is a pretty good series (3 seasons on Netflix). It’s a German show so you have to up with English lip syncing, but once you get used to it, it’s a good show.

Absolutely the best time travel show ever made imo

It is on the list (#30).

12 Monkeys needs to be #1 … Pretty sure it’s the only show that properly does time travel and causality! Love it

Continuum seems to be right on the money as we see a few corporations [e.g., Amazon] displacing small business, and taking over government. Science Fiction frequently becomes Science.

Looks like Continuum is no longer on Amazon Prime (unless you want to buy it. Is it anywhere else?

It looks like it’s only available to buy on Digital and DVD/Blu-ray now.

Netflix’s DARK is the best Time Travel show ever made. Never believe anything else!

Timeslip UK kids show from 60`s predates all these and deals with past , future, global cooling(remember that) and cloning.

I’ve never heard of it! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

It’s a indian movie named Time

Brødrene Dal og Spektralsteinene and Brødrene Dal og Mysteriet om Karl XIIs Gamasjer both have time travel as a key element. I prefer the former but both are pretty well planned out, although only the latter seems to remember concequences.

Thanks for the recommendations! 🙂

I like some others am trying to find a “Time Travel” movie that’s kind of like “If Only” Where a mans’ wife (Possibly Girlfriend) is killed in an auto accident an he keeps traveling back to that time to make her avoid it. He finds every time that it is avoided she is killed in another way. After so many attempts he goes back and gets in the car with her and they both die. So sort of like “If Only “ and sort of like the first part of “The Time Machine”(2002). I think the movie time-line was between 1970 and 2000 only guessing. I didn’t see the start of the movie. Always wanted to see it but the same accident happens or is averted only to have a new death.

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7 best time travel shows to watch right now

Time flies when you're having fun watching these shows

I’ve always enjoyed a good time travel story, and that makes sense considering "Back to the Future" is one of my favorite movies. The idea of jumping between different eras, and the possibilities it brings, is very intriguing and somewhat mysterious. 

While time travel movies are great, shows offer more compelling viewing over the span of several episodes. However, with so many shows available right now, it’s hard to know what to watch . Therefore, I've put together a list of the top seven time travel shows that you simply have to check out on some of the best streaming services . 

Whether you’re into mind-bending sci-fi dramas or lighthearted time-hopping adventures, these shows are sure to fascinate and entertain you. 

'Doctor Who'

What kind of list would this be if I didn’t include "Doctor Who" as the first option? As such an iconic well-known show, most people won’t need an explanation, but for those who have somehow never watched (or even heard of) "Doctor Who," I will happily provide a brief overview of what it’s about. 

"Doctor Who" is a British sci-fi TV series that began in 1963, centering on the Doctor, an enigmatic Time Lord who travels through time and space in the TARDIS, a ship resembling a British police box. The Doctor can regenerate, allowing for multiple actors to portray the character. For example, the show was relaunched in 2005 and continued the "rule" of getting a new Doctor every season. Christopher Eccleston assumed the role in season 1 before David Tennant took over in the next. 

Accompanied by human companions, the Doctor goes on so many different adventures, solving problems and battling iconic villains like the Daleks, Cybermen and the Master. "Doctor Who" remains a significant and beloved part of global pop culture, and perhaps the best time travel show ever.

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'Life on Mars'

"Life on Mars" brilliantly combines science fiction, crime drama and mystery while bringing something new to the table of time travel. The show follows Detective Chief Inspector Sam Tyler (John Simm), who, after being struck by a car in 2006, wakes up in 1973. Confused and disoriented, Tyler finds himself working for the Manchester and Salford Police, living in a world vastly different from the one he knows.

In 1973, Tyler must adjust to outdated policing methods, a more chauvinistic workplace and a society with different social norms. His new boss, Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister), embodies the rough and ready policing style of the era, often clashing with Tyler's more modern sensibilities. As Tyler works on solving crimes, he also tries to understand his predicament, questioning whether he has traveled back in time, is in a coma or is experiencing some form of psychological breakdown. However, all he knows is that he must find a way to return to his own time.

Watch on BritBox

'Russian Doll'

One of my colleagues actually recommended "Russian Doll" by saying it’s a "razor-sharp, wickedly funny, time-bending trip of a series." It follows the story of Nadia Vulvokov (Natasha Lyonne), a cynical New Yorker who finds herself stuck in a time loop, reliving her 36th birthday party over and over again. Each time she dies, she inexplicably returns to the party, starting the night anew.

As Nadia repeatedly experiences her death and the re-set of the night, she goes on a journey to understand what is happening to her. Along the way, she meets Alan Zaveri (Charlie Barnett), who is also trapped in a similar time loop. Together, they try to figure out how to break the cycle and unravel the mysteries behind their predicament.

Watch on Netflix

"Dark" is a German thriller series that intricately weaves together time travel, family secrets and existential questions that will probably blow your mind. The story is set in the small town of Winden and begins with the mysterious disappearance of two children, which exposes the hidden connections and dark pasts of four interconnected families: the Nielsens, Dopplers, Tiedemanns and Kahnwalds.

As the series progresses, it reveals a complex narrative involving time travel across several generations, spanning from 1888 to 2053. The discovery of a wormhole in the town's caves allows people to travel between different time periods, leading to a series of events that impact the town's history and future.

"Timeless" happens to be another well-loved show about time travel. It follows a history professor named Lucy Preston (Abigail Spencer), a soldier named Wyatt Logan (Matt Lanter) and a scientist named Rufus Carlin (Malcolm Barrett), who are recruited to travel through time to stop a mysterious organization called Rittenhouse from altering history for their own gain. 

Using a stolen time machine, the team goes through different historical periods, trying to prevent changes that could have catastrophic effects on the present and future. It’s a very interesting time-traveling show that blends action and historical drama, if you’re into that.

Buy or rent on Amazon

'Outlander'

Now we have a slightly more romantic show, "Outlander", which is actually based on the book series by Diana Gabaldon. It centers around Claire Randal (Caitriona Balfe), a World War II nurse who is mysteriously transported back in time from 1945 to 1743 Scotland. 

There, she becomes entangled in the Jacobite risings and meets Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), a dashing Highland warrior. The series explores Claire's struggles to understand and navigate the dangers of the 18th century while grappling with her divided loyalties between her life in the 20th century and her love for Jamie. If you’re in the mood for a time-traveling show with a bit of juicy romance, "Outlander" is definitely the one for you. 

'Time Bandits'

The 2024 reboot "Time Bandits" is a comedic adventure series that reimagines the 1981 cult classic movie. The show follows 11-year-old Kevin (Kal-El Tuck), a history enthusiast, who finds himself joining a group of time-traveling thieves on a thrilling and humorous quest. This ragtag team, led by Penelope (Lisa Kudrow), goes on crazy adventures across different historical periods, aiming to save Kevin's parents and thwart the schemes of the villainous Pure Evil (Jemaine Clement).

With a talented cast including Taika Waititi as the Supreme Being and a blend of fantasy, history and comedy, "Time Bandits" brings enjoyment to both new viewers and fans of the original movie. You’ll not only see the chaos and fun of time travel but also the importance of friendship and bravery in the face of danger.

Watch on Apple TV Plus

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Alix is a Streaming Writer at Tom’s Guide, which basically means watching the best movies and TV shows and then writing about them. Previously, she worked as a freelance writer for Screen Rant and Bough Digital, both of which sparked her interest in the entertainment industry. When she’s not writing about the latest movies and TV shows, she’s either playing horror video games on her PC or working on her first novel.

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"A Galaxy Far, Far Away": Next Star Wars TV Show Challenges The Very Foundation Of George Lucas' Saga

Emily in paris season 5: will it happen everything we know, bridgerton season 4's sophie beckett casting sparks near unanimous response from the internet.

• Key takeaways:
• Time travel is a versatile plot line that can be used in various genres, from superhero shows like DC's Legends of Tomorrow, to survival dramas like Lost, to romantic series like Outlander.
• Different shows approach time travel in unique ways, such as integrating it with video games in Future Man or exploring familiar time periods in Timeless.
• Time travel shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Star Trek: Next Generation successfully incorporate time travel into their plot lines, keeping it interesting even after multiple seasons.

Time travel is a timeless media trope, and there are so many TV shows that use it successfully. From the superhero genre to more artistic miniseries, every genre has taken a crack at bending time and space for their characters. It's an interesting method to test the will and hearts of characters because, while it's based in humanity, it's nothing viewers have experienced themselves.

Time travel stays a relevant and interesting plot line because of how versatile it is. The time travel could refer to a place that's specifically stuck in one time, like the casino in Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. It could also manifest as a superpower for an individual. There are several shows that create organizations around protecting time and have their protagonists interact with them. While several of these formats are used repeatedly, the variety keeps them fresh every time they're reused in new media. It's hard to narrow down so many great shows, but there are standouts in the time travel, science fiction genre.

10 DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2016-2022)

DC's Legends of Tomorrow was a part of the iconic era of CW television when the Arrowverse was on every weeknight. This show follows a group of ragtag antiheroes as they travel through time to stop magical villains. This series has the quintessential elements of a time travel show, like weird creatures and the butterfly effect impacting all of their lives, but it is on the cornier side. Given the CW's nature, there's a lot of emphasis on morality and the use of obvious jokes. The show does have some great, unexpected reveals that are engaging. The main character is also part of the LGBTQ+ community, which is nice to see at the forefront of a series.

9 Lost (2004-2010)

It's not an overstatement to say this show changed television when it was on. Lost followed a group of stranded passengers after their plane crashes and they find themselves on a mysterious island. The first two seasons of Lost focused on the struggles of living on the island, and it felt like a survival show, but in season 2, episode 13, "The Long Con", time travel is introduced. It is eventually shown how Lost 's island travels through time and the series changed from there. However, the use of time travel in this show did feel confusing and eventually got convoluted. There's still a lot of debate about what even happened in the series finale of the show. While it was revolutionary, there were still kinks to be worked out.

8 Outlander (2014-Present)

Based on the book series by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander is a hit series on Starz that follows Claire—a 1940s army nurse—who travels through time to 18th-century Scotland. She meets Jamie Fraser, a Scottish soldier, and they fall in love. Their romance is complicated as Claire has a husband in her original time that she thinks she'll never see again. Throughout the seasons, they travel back and forth between Claire's past and present all while trying to raise a family and keep their romance alive. The repetition of time travel is bound to feel tiresome—and a little ridiculous—after 7 seasons and a final one on its way. Outlander 's timeline was not exempt from that.

7 Timeless (2016-2018)

Timeless is a show that follows a group of unexpected allies as they try to stop a man from changing the course of history for his own benefit. The best part of this show is the relationships between the characters. The three leads are a history professor, a scientist, and a soldier respectively, which builds a team with every skill base covered. Another interesting part of this show is that the characters explore familiar time periods. One example is the episode that centered around Marie Curie, which was not only compelling to see play out on TV, but it also gave the characters ample space to nerd out.

6 Future Man (2017-2020)

Josh Hutcherson plays a custodian named Josh Futturman in this time-traveling series. After beating a video game, mysterious and dangerous visitors start appearing from the future to tell Josh that he's the only one who can protect the world from an impending alien attack. The aliens were called to him because his video game was a tactic to recruit only the best soldiers for war. Pairing a video game and time travel isn't used very often, so it did help to make this show even more intriguing. Future Man is hilariously crude and uses bright colors for sets and wardrobe to make this a refreshing addition to the time travel show roster.

5 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013-2020)

While Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't the traditional time travel show, it absolutely counts. Time travel was a theme in the first couple of seasons, but became the sole transport method in the last three seasons. The show didn't start with time travel in its plot line, but it has the perfect platform to make that shift since superhero content leaves little for impossibility. The series adapted well to time travel. It integrated its characters seamlessly into every era they were in with costumes, sets, and individual development. The final season had the team in a different time each episode, which returned the series to its episodic case pattern from season 1.

4 Star Trek: Next Generation (1987-1994)

The Star Trek universe has to be on this list in some way, and Star Trek: Next Generation is the perfect option. This show is set 100 years after the era of Captain Kirk, and it follows a group of new officers through time and space on their adventures. One notable episode is season 5, episode 18, “Cause and Effect”, when the crew is trapped in a loop that teaches them about the dangers of messing with time. Star Trek shows all have the same basic understanding of time travel, but Star Trek: Next Generation manages to keep it interesting, even after so many iterations before it.

3 The Umbrella Academy (2019-Current)

As a show that centers around a group of seven siblings with superpowers, it only makes sense that one of them can travel through time. Number Five, played by Aidan Gallagher, appears at the beginning of season 1 after being missing for several years. He travels through time to his family home, still stuck as a 13-year-old, while his siblings are all now 30-year-olds. At the end of every season, and often throughout seasons as well, time travel is effortlessly worked into the plot. Five carries the weight of the world, and often has to save it using time travel. There are changes to how he uses the skill within The Umbrella Academy 's time travel rules , so it doesn't feel overused.

2 Loki (2021-Current)

Time travel is used all over MCU canon-compliant media, and the hit show Loki is no different. Loki is captured by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) at the end of the alternate timeline from Avengers: Endgame. He spends season 1 traveling through time and space with Mobius, a TVA agent, to stop threats to the Sacred Timeline. Since time travel is so embedded in the idea of this show, it doesn't feel out of place. While it's a serious series with a complicated plot, it also stays loyal to the Marvel style and uses Loki's sardonic humor to balance it. The sets are really successful in establishing different times, and it always feels like being in a different world.

1 Russian Doll (2019-Current)

Russian Doll is a Netflix original series that follows Natasha Lyonne's character, Nadia, as she is stuck in a time loop of her 36th birthday party as she repeatedly dies. This show has pieces from every genre, which keeps it funny, intense, and unpredictable. Russian Doll explains the time travel rules in its universe effortlessly, making it feel natural without being too complicated. This show uses time loops, which are a specific type of time travel that can feel really repetitive, especially when it goes on for an entire season. With all of this, Russian Doll escapes that repetitive and tiresome feeling and keeps the plot moving.

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The Best New Shows About Time Travel

Engage in a riveting journey as we propel you into this exciting list of compelling series that unfurl through time. These shows Seamlessly blend suspense, heart-thumping action, and mesmerizing storytelling to characterize. Our carefully curated catalog of ongoing time-travel shows promises more than a mere dalliance with the past, present, and future. 

Spanning more than 30 tantalizing shows, our lineup paints a fascinating tapestry of narratives that intrigue and inspire. From adrenaline-amplifying temporal adventures to spine-chilling thriller series that transcend perceived temporal realities, these narratives prod at the seams of the temporal fabric, offering a peek into the labyrinth of time. 

Ensuring comprehensive viewer engagement, our list is dynamically shaped by the collective preferences of an ever-evolving fandom. Check out the reviews, cast your vote using the interactive feature, and ensure your voice is heard in these crowd-sourced rankings. 

Your journey from selection to viewing is set to be a hassle-free adventure. Supporting a multi-streaming setup, each listing in our assortment comes equipped with dedicated service buttons for prominent streaming platforms. Spot these shortcuts for streaming giants like Amazon Prime, Max, Netflix, Hulu, Paramount+, and Disney+ conveniently positioned for each series for an easy, immersive viewing escapade. 

Our diverse suite is not merely a compilation of TV shows but is a passion-fueled, expertly curated assembly of storytelling genius. Different genres, directions, and dimensions coalesce under the broad umbrella of time travel, bringing you a rich slice of what imaginative authors and ingenious producers have dared to conceive. Steer clear of temporal paradoxes and let engaging narratives piloted by charismatic characters guide you safely through the river of time. Prepare for an exhilarating rollercoaster ride that defies the arrows of time, prying into the past, future, and everything in between.

Spanning over an incredible six decades, Doctor Who has solidified its legacy as one of the most influential television shows centering around time travel. With a seemingly endless roster of captivating characters, innovative storylines, and complex relationships that transcend time and space, this long-running British series pushes the bounds of conventional storytelling to dazzling new heights. The protagonist's ability to regenerate into different forms throughout the series adds a refreshing dimensionality rarely seen in other shows. Following the various incarnations of the enigmatic Time Lord known as the Doctor, viewers are treated to an array of thrilling adventures through past, present, and future worlds.

• Premiered : March 26, 2005
• Genres : Drama,Fantasy,Science Fiction

Worth Your Time?

Outlander masterfully intertwines elements of historical fiction, romance, and fantasy for a riveting exploration of love across centuries. Based on Diana Gabaldon's best-selling novels, the show follows Claire Randall as she unexpectedly journeys from post-World War II Scotland back to 1743—a period fraught with political intrigue and danger. As Claire navigates this unfamiliar landscape while desperately seeking her way back home, she finds herself drawn into a passionate affair with highlander Jamie Fraser that defies not only societal norms but also challenges the very fabric of time itself.

• Premiered : August 9, 2014
• Genres : Drama

Marvel enthusiasts can revel in Loki’s compelling foray into time manipulation as the mischievous god—played by Tom Hiddleston—navigates his way through an intricate web of quantum possibilities under duress from the Time Variance Authority (TVA). This gripping expansion of Marvel’s cinematic universe delves into themes such as destiny versus free will and examines how manipulation of timelines can have far-reaching consequences in a multiverse teetering on chaos. Combining action-packed sequences with moments brimming with existential introspection makes Loki essential viewing for fans of both superhero epics and thought-provoking sci-fi dramas.

• Premiered : June 9, 2021
• Genres : Action,Adventure,Drama

The Flash showcases themes including alternate realities, time paradoxes, and cosmic consequences through the prism of a classic superhero story. Centered on Barry Allen, a forensic scientist endowed with supernatural speed after a freak accident, the show follows his efforts to protect Central City from malevolent forces while grappling with the repercussions of manipulating timelines. Brimming with well-developed characters, emotional depth, and captivating story arcs that stretch across multiple timelines, The Flash delivers an exhilarating exploration of how even the most well-intentioned acts can have unforeseen consequences.

• Premiered : October 7, 2014
• Genres : Action,Adventure,Drama,Fantasy

• Premiered : November 25, 2023
• Genres : Adventure,Drama,Fantasy,Science Fiction

Quantum Leap

Quantum Leap remains an iconic entry in time travel television due in part to its innovative premise: Dr. Sam Beckett's consciousness leaping through time within various people's lives in order to correct historical wrongs—often discovering profound personal insights along the way. This 90s cult classic skillfully blends elements of drama, comedy, and science fiction while providing valuable commentary on societal issues still relevant today. Aided by his endearing holographic guide Al Calavicci, Dr. Beckett's heartrending journey back to his present offers poignant reflections on humanity’s capacity for redemption.

• Premiered : September 19, 2022

Twinkling Watermelon

A hidden gem in time travel television is Twinkling Watermelon —a fantastical journey into mysticism and interdimensional realms led by a pair of endearing protagonists. This whimsical tale explores deep existential questions as it weaves through parallel existences, challenging viewers' perceptions of reality while maintaining a quirky charm that sets it apart from traditional sci-fi fare. As our heroes navigate both temporal and metaphysical quandaries to unravel the secrets behind their entwined destinies, audiences are enchanted by this unforgettable adventure that pushes the boundaries of storytelling with each unexpected twist.

• Premiered : September 25, 2023
• Genres : Comedy,Romance,Drama,Fantasy

The Lazarus Project

The Lazarus Project probes the depths of human morality by presenting its characters with an irresistible opportunity: a chance to rewrite their own personal histories free from pain or regret—a tantalizing premise fraught with unforeseen consequences. As these ordinary people grapple with questions surrounding fate versus free will and assess their true desires when granted absolute power over their destinies, viewers are treated to a thematically rich exploration of humanity’s potential for both greatness and self-destruction.

• Premiered : June 16, 2022
• Genres : Fantasy,Thriller

La Brea presents a unique spin on time travel by plunging its diverse cast into an uncharted prehistoric world following a catastrophic sinkhole event in modern-day Los Angeles. Armed with only their wits and survival instincts, these involuntary time travelers must navigate the treacherous landscapes of this primeval realm while grappling with impossible choices that could disrupt the fragile balance of time itself. This ambitious series provides a fresh take on the genre, seamlessly blending action-packed adventure with emotionally resonant human stories.

• Premiered : September 28, 2021

Tales from the Loop

Inspired by Simon Stålenhag's hauntingly evocative artwork, Tales from the Loop explores the lives of individuals living in an alternate reality where advanced technology is integrated into daily existence. The show's subtle approach to time manipulation offers viewers a refreshing departure from more overtly fantastical entries in the genre. Featuring a captivating ensemble cast and expertly crafted narratives that delve into themes such as love, loss, and longing across temporal dimensions, this mesmerizing anthology series invites contemplation of life's most profound mysteries.

• Premiered : April 3, 2020
• Genres : Drama,Science Fiction

The Ministry of Time

Hailing from Spain, The Ministry of Time expertly weaves elements of historical fiction with thrilling adventures through past and future eras as agents work to maintain the integrity of history itself. From ancient Rome to futuristic utopias, each episode immerses viewers in meticulously crafted worlds rich with intrigue and danger—all while maintaining a keen focus on character development that keeps audiences invested in every twist and turn. Blending humor and drama seamlessly, this international gem boasts enthralling storytelling that transcends both language barriers and conventional expectations for television.

• Premiered : February 24, 2015
• Genres : Sci-fi, Fantasy

Secrets of Sulphur Springs

Secrets of Sulphur Springs offers a unique perspective on time travel by presenting it through the eyes of teenagers experiencing its miraculous possibilities first-hand as they uncover dark secrets within their small town. Blending elements of mystery, adventure, and heartache, this family-friendly series demonstrates how even seemingly insignificant choices can have far-reaching implications across generations while delivering a poignant message about the power—and potential peril—of friendship when faced with life-altering decisions.

• Premiered : January 15, 2021
• Genres : Fantasy,Kids,Mystery

Back to 15 draws upon its protagonist’s journey back in time as an opportunity for poignant self-discovery and a reflection on the decisions that shaped her life. Employing clever narrative devices and emotionally charged storytelling, this Brazilian series offers relatable musings on adolescence, love, friendship, and personal growth—all wrapped up within a captivating exploration of time travel's potential consequences.

• Premiered : February 25, 2022
• Genres : Comedy,Drama

A Time Called You

A Time Called You delves into the intricacies and implications surrounding second chances as its protagonist unexpectedly finds herself transported 10 years into her past—a pivotal moment that forever altered her life's trajectory. Torn between the desire to rewrite a painful chapter and an innate understanding of the delicate balance governing temporal order, she faces impossible choices that challenge both her own sense of identity and viewers' preconceived notions about the nature of time itself.

• Premiered : September 8, 2023

The Story of Park's Marriage Contract

The Story of Park's Marriage Contract seamlessly combines elements of time-bending supernatural intrigue with tender romance in this captivating Korean drama. When a mysterious contract sends the main protagonist spiraling back through time, she becomes entwined in an emotional love triangle that forces her to confront the limits of her own heart and the true nature of fate itself. This well-crafted narrative invites viewers to marvel at both fantastical temporal twists and authentic character connections that make for an unforgettable viewing experience.

• Premiered : November 24, 2023
• Genres : Drama,Fantasy,Romance

Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K. provides an unexpected twist on time-travel tropes by exploring them within an offbeat animation series centered around a megalomaniacal supervillain striving for world domination. As M.O.D.O.K.’s hapless attempts at conquering humanity repeatedly face setbacks—including encounters with alternate versions of himself from different timelines—he ultimately learns valuable lessons about personal growth and self-reflection amidst his twisted quest for power. Striking a perfect balance between irreverent humor and heartfelt character moments, this quirky show appeals not only to fans of superhero tales but anyone seeking a fresh take on familiar themes.

• Premiered : May 21, 2021
• Genres : Animation,Comedy

• Premiered : May 2, 2024
• Genres : Animation,Science Fiction

Time Hustler

Time Hustler flawlessly combines elements of crime drama with thrilling temporal adventures as its protagonists bend the rules of time in pursuit of ill-gotten gains—only to find themselves increasingly entangled in moral ambiguities along the way. As both law enforcement forces and their own consciences close in on them, these enterprising criminals must grapple with the true cost of their actions while navigating an ever-shifting web of temporal possibilities. Intriguing plotlines, compelling character arcs, and high-stakes suspense make Time Hustler essential viewing for fans seeking new twists on familiar themes in television.

• Premiered : December 25, 2022
• Genres : Comedy
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As they say in well-written scripts, "You mean... like time travel?" + also a few bizarre stories about real people who have claimed, despite every law of physics, they have traveled through time.

42 Best Time Travel & Quantum Theory TV Series

1. Doctor Who

4. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

6. Doctor Who

7. Russian Doll

11. The Umbrella Academy

12. The Peripheral

13. Life on Mars

15. Quantum Leap

16. Dark Shadows

17. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

18. Timeless

19. Making History

20. Frequency

21. 12 Monkeys

22. 11.22.63

23. Being Erica

24. Timeslip

25. The Ministry of Time

More to explore, recently viewed.

Best 15 TV Shows About Time Travel [Summer 2024]

There have been numerous TV shows about time travel in the past. Although some shows did have time travel included in part of their plot (like Marvel Agents of Shield), in this list we focused on series that have time travel as a basic premise of the show. With that in mind, we narrowed down our picks to the top 15 TV series that are worth your time, especially during hot boring summer days and nights. However, keep in mind that there are other fantasy shows that you might like – this is just our pick of the best ones so far.

Table of Contents

15. Future Man [2017-2020]

One of the best time travel TV Shows that you’ve probably never seen or heard of. It’s every sci-fi gaming geek’s dream to have a perfect show, with tons of comedy in it. Future Man stars Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark from Hunger Games) Eliza Coupe and Derek Wilson among others. What makes this show so special is the fact that is that it has so many pop culture references and jokes behind them. Future Man follows Josh Futturman, a janitor who, after beating an unbeatable video game that’s a recruitment tool, joins two future warriors (who reminded me of Spy Kids) in a time-traveling quest to save humanity.

Sometimes the show will even go so far as to sacrifice their own story just to make a hilarious joke. On the other hand, the show is not too long and it’s only 34 episodes long, so you can finish it quickly. I promise you it’s the best comedy time travel series that you’ve ever seen.

14. Seven Days [1998-2001]

Back in the Future is how I’d describe this one. The 90s were an era where after the immense success of The X-Files everyone wanted to make something similar. Seven Days (like a Greek croissant) is about Frank Parker, an ex-CIA operative who uses alien technology to travel back in time seven days to prevent disasters. The show revised some of the most famous alien-related events like the Roswell crash and the Frank got an innovative name even for today’s standards “ chrononaut” . Except for disasters, he prevents terrorist attacks, that kinda makes sense as to why they canceled the show after 9/11. 

Now, if you’re someone who likes the 90s era of cinema and TV shows, you like this one. It’s not THE best TV show about time travel, but it sure is one of them. It was iconic as it left a legacy of time-traveling secret CIA conspiracies, that were exploited later on by Hollywood. Once you watch this show you’ll be unable to unwatch or unsee how much of it has been exploited into other forms of media.

13. Day Break [2006-2007]

I was thinking about writing about Lost, but we’ve covered it in another article on TV shows like Fringe . That’s where Day Break fits perfectly plus it’s more about time travel than Lost. To be exact it’s more like “Groundhog Day” type of time travel. Day Break stars Taye Diggs as Detective Brett Hopper reliving the same day to uncover a conspiracy framing him for murder. Diggs’s performance in this TV show is one of the best that he ever had. Some of the fans of the show called it “CSI: Groundhog Day”. In my opinion, the show had great potential and the story was ahead of its time, so nobody understood it.

Day Break aired for only one season back in 2006 and the initial six episodes were released first and the last 7 were released on ABC’s website. Don’t worry the show got the ending that it deserves. If you ask for formal exhalation why was the show canceled, it was because it was too hard for the audience to follow; the story had a non-linear story… Studios should make more  TV shows about time travel by using this approach. At least it was hardcore and it felt time travel and complexity to a certain degree. It wasn’t watered down like any of the modern time-travel movies and TV shows. 

12. The Lazarus Project [2022-2023]

This TV show was written by Joe Barton the guy who wrote The Ritual, an amazing horror movie from 2017. That’s one of the reasons why I watched it in the first place. Besides that, the show had a really good acting crew with some really good performances. In the show, we follow George (Paapa Essiedu) who experiences “Groundhog Day” syndrome but eventually finds out that he has a superpower. As in most TV shows, he finds that he’s not the only one and he jongs a super secret organization that prevents extictions. 

In my opinion, the show could’ve been at least one or two seasons longer, but the studio said no. After two amazing seasons, Sky canceled the show and that’s for a couple of reasons. Probably one of the best time travel TV shows that you probably haven’t heard of, so give it a shot.

11. 11.22.63 [2016]

This is probably one of the highest underrated TV shows about time travel on Hulu ever. The main star of 11.22.63 is James Franco, the show is produced by J.J. Abrams and it’s based on Stephen King’s novel. For those of you who didn’t get it immediately why is the show called 11.22.63, it’s the day when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The TV show does deviate from the book and those who read the book will be like “The book is way better”; like come on guys everybody knows that. Anyway, it’s a mini-series with only 8 episodes, about 45 minutes each, so you can do it in one sitting easily.

Now the show is about Jake Epping (James Franco) who gets an offer from his friend who works in the diner to go back in time and stop Kennedy’s assassination. The plot sounds a bit crazy to work, but it does, and the show gets better as it moves on.  The design of the Dallas from the ’60s was amazing, they’ve done so many little details to make us believe that we went back in time. What I liked about this is that it gives you that afterthought about fate, life, and death, the moral of changing the timeline, which a lot of time travel series don’t give. If you like assassination, time travel S.King, J.J. Abrams, and J. Franco, give it a shot; just like Lee Harvey Oswald did.

10.  Timeless [2016-2018]

A hidden gem among TV series about time traveling is NBC’s Timeless. The show is a quick watch – it only has two seasons and 28 episodes in total but don’t be discouraged by that fact. Timeless still manages to land a meaningful, educating, heart-warming story with a compelling ending. The cast features Abigail Spencer as Lucy Preston a history professor, Matt Lanter as Wyatt Logan, a USA Delta Force Sargeant, and Malcolm Barrett as Rufus Carlin, a programmer. The trio is tasked with capturing a terrorist Garcia Flynn (Goran Visnjic) who is trying to rewrite history.

Although the premise of the show looks very much like what we have seen in Continuum, Travelers and 12 Monkeys, Timeless also offers a variety of real historical events that are shown in the series. The historical part might not always be 100% accurate but it is fun to see the fictional characters interacting with real-life events that took place. Although the show was canceled after two seasons, the viewers still got a well-deserved ending so we highly recommend Timeless.

9. Continuum [2012-2015]

One of the classic TV shows that exploited the topic of time travel is Continuum. Stretching through 4 seasons and 42 episodes, Continuum tells a story about detective Kiera Cameron (Rachel Nichols) who goes back in time by accident with a group of criminals called Liber8. The plot takes place in present-day as Kiera tries to stop members of Liber8 from altering the timeline and destroying the future in which corporations have sized the roles of the governments. A teenage wunderkind Alec Sadler (Erik Knudsen) helps her out on her quest as well as her partner Carlos Fonnegra (Victor Webster). 

Although the plot seems like more of what we saw in some earlier TV shows about time travel, the cast does a pretty decent job and the overall setting is fun to watch. As you can see, this show has been produced more than a decade ago but the CGI elements are not that bad and are watchable. But what gives Continuum a place on our list is the character development that Kiera as a protagonist goes through.

8. Quantum Leap [1989-1993]

Quantum Leap is an old-school TV show that older viewers must have watched during the 90s. The importance of this show is the fact that after its initial success, many directors pitched ideas for similar shows in the future – and that’s how we got so many time travel series. Although Quantum Leap is highly praised, it is a bit outdated nowadays, so it might not be the best choice for younger viewers.

Be it as it may, the show focuses on Dr. Sam Beckett, who gets thrown back in time while experimenting on his project (Quantum Leap). The protagonist is accompanied by his friend Admiral Al Calavicci (Dean Stockwell) but in the shape of a hologram. Dr. Beckett continues to leap to different people in his timeline and hopes to correct the past to finally leap to the present. Quantum Leap offers a unique mixture of science fiction, drama, and comedy all while exploring the topic of time traveling.

7. 12 Monkeys [2015-2018]

12 Monkeys is a sci-fi masterpiece remake of a 12 Monkeys movie (1995) that has time travel in the essence of its plot. As you might remember from the movie, a mysterious group called “12 Monkeys” released the virus which killed over 7 million people and brought humanity to its downfall. The same plot premise is in the show as time traveler Cole (Aaron Stanford) uses an experimental time-traveling device to come back to the present and assist Dr. Cassandra Railly (Amanda Schull) in stopping the virus.

The cast does a great job, especially Amanda Schull, and brings out the darkness of events that are about to come. This show is perfect for viewers who like disaster-like shows combined with time travel – 12 Monkeys has it both.

6. DC Legends of Tomorrow [2016-2022]

Superhero TV shows have all the rage nowadays so it’s just fair to put one that’s about time travel on this list as well. DC’s Legends of Tomorrow might not have the most interesting story but boy, they are fun to watch. Most of the episodes are stand-alone and you can simply sit on your sofa, watch one, and continue after a month without worrying about missing the parts of the plot. When it comes to the story a team of superheroes travels back in time to prevent bad things from altering the timeline, thus saving the future.

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow is a part of the Arrowverse so the show crosses over with Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl several times. The main reason why this show is on our list is the fact that it’s relaxing to watch, witty, and overall entertaining. Caity Lotz, Amy Louis Pemberton, and Dominic Purcell are just some of the names that star in this show – the cast is full of superstars well-known to superhero fans.

5. Manifest [2018-2023]

The show was canceled after three seasons and picked up and renewed by Netflix for the fourth and final season. Manifest tells a story about Flight 828 which vanished into thin air and reappeared five and half years later. The problem is that the passengers have no idea what happened since from their perspective, they just went through a troublesome storm but landed on time, as planned. As they rejoin society, numerous problems arise, especially when some passengers start getting visions (“ Callings “) of future events.

The show has a strong “Leftovers” vibe to it, exploring the topic of how humans are unable to cope with things that they can’t explain. Melissa Roxburgh (Michaela Stone) and John Dallas (Ben Stone) are the stars of the show and have received numerous praises for their performance in Manifest. This TV series is about time travel but also offers a lot more and tells a mysterious story that you will surely enjoy.

4. Dark [2017-2020]

Dark is the first Netflix German series. The show itself is difficult to place as it combines several genres, including sci-fiction, horror, mystery, drama, and thriller. While this combo might not work for some other shows, Dark is an exception – the show delivers magnificently although one might argue that it’s a slow-burn in the beginning. Dark is one of the shows like Black Mirror in a suspenseful feeling that you get while watching it.

Dark starts in Winden, a small fictional German town in 2019. Children begin to disappear from the town so an investigation led by four families takes place. Throughout the three seasons of Dark, the truth will include multiple timelines, wormholes, conspiracies, and parallel worlds. We won’t say any more since the whole point of the show is for the viewer to try to understand the events that took place (and when the events took place). The German cast is lead by Louis Hofmann, Karoline Eichhorn, and Lisa Vicari. This time-travel TV series received praise from both the audience and the critics and is a must-watch. 

3. Fringe [2008-2013]

When it comes to TV shows about time travel, supernatural phenomena, parallel worlds, and doomsday events, Fringe is a must-see masterpiece. First of all, the show has that 2000’s vibe to it which is sure to evoke memories from older viewers. Fringe is well-written and humorous and even a non-fiction fan will be able to enjoy it.

The cast is just astonishing: Anna Torv plays FBI Agent Olivia Dunham who leads Fringe Division. This division is kinda similar to “unsolved cases” that Molder and Scully used to investigate in X-files, although without (that many) aliens. Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble) and his son Peter (Joshua Jackson) assist her in solving these cases. The show has many episodes that are stand-alone type but in the end, it wraps up nicely and tells a compelling story about father and son love filled with sci-fi elements.

2. Travellers [2016-2018]

Travelers have a unique story that widely differs from similar TV shows about time travel and that’s one of the reasons why it’s so high on our list. The basic premise of the show is that the future is ruined and people from it ( Travelers ) transfer their conciseness into humans that are about to die in the 21st century to alternate the timeline, following orders from an AI called “Director”. Sounds wild, right? Well, it works pretty well –  Travelers are super fun and the characters are well-written and very diverse.

The cast is brilliant and is led by Eric McCormack (Grant MacLaren) and MacKenzie Porter (Marcy Warton). Another thing that puts this show at the top of our list is the fact that the sudden ending of season 3 leaves a massive impact on a viewer. We must admit that a decision from Netflix to cancel Travelers after three seasons is baffling. Be it as it may, we are sure that you will enjoy this story and the ending will leave you breathless.

1. Doctor Who [1963-1989; 2005-present]

When a TV show has an actual Guinness record category of longest-running science fiction series, it is hard not to put it in the first place in our list. Doctor Who is a British sci-fi TV show about time travel and numerous other fictional motives and it has been on BBC since 1963. The show follows the adventures of a Time Lord ( The Doctor ), a being that appears to be human but explores the universe, combats foes, and helps people in need using his time-traveling ship ( TARDIS ).

Since Doctor Who had over 850 episodes so far, we won’t try to dig into the plot too much – it would require multiple articles just to cover it. The show gained so much popularity that it is considered a part of British culture and the fans call themselves “Whovians”. We highly recommend that you give this show a try (or a rewatch) since Doctor Who is a classic among TV shows about time travel. Only one question remains, Who is the best Doctor Who of them all, or is the best yet to come? Until then, see you in another timeline geek. 

Vuk Radulovic is a graduated historian with a keen interest in the fantasy genre. For over 20 years he watched, listened, and read basically everything that came across his hands when it comes to fantasy TV shows, books and movies.

He has a particular interest in the Witcher realm as well as the Sword of Truth book series. He thinks the Demon Cycle book series is one of the most underestimated fantasy books of all time. He is looking forward to The Last of Us series.

When he is not in the fantasy realm, Vuk likes to nurture his interest in SEO marketing and content writing.

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From 'Timeless' to 'Quantum Leap': 9 adventurous time travel TV shows worth going back to watch

The time periods might get old, but these shows never do.

Get ready to travel back to 10,000 B.C., because the second half of  La Brea 's sophomore season is here. The first half of Season 2 ended with most of the main cast deciding to return to perhistoric times rather than stick around in the '80s, in the hopes that they might one day be able to return to their correct time period. And, we learned that the cause of all this time travel madness might lie in the future, in the year 2076.

The midseason premiere , which runs a full two hours and airs tonight, Jan. 31, on NBC at 9 p.m. Eastern, will only take place in the year 10,000 B.C., though, as will the rest of the season, according showrunner David Appelbaum . Even if this next string of episodes won't involve any actual time traveling, the occasion of the midseason premiere has us thinking about some of the best time travel TV shows around.

We aimed at time-travel shows that skew more toward letting us explore the past and (recent) present in new ways. So, not a lot of apocalypse action to be had here (though we definitely recommend you binge more apocalyptic/future-y fare like Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, 12 Monkeys , and Continuum , too!). Instead, we’re looking at shows with more of a time-travel adventure bent focused on the far-flung or recent past.

From the biggies to deep cuts, these are some great time machines to jump into and distract yourself from reality.

01 . Timeless

If you’re looking for a wild, fun time-travel adventure, look no further than the short-lived Timeless . The series was a modest hit on NBC, inspiring a fervent fanbase, but the love wasn’t enough to extend its run past two seasons (plus an extended special to wrap up the show’s dangling storylines).

The series followed a rag-tag team of heroes as they zipped through time to different periods, trying to avert changes to the timeline and stop a mysterious cabal out to twist time to its own ends. It visited some great periods, from the Alamo to the heart of the space race in the late 1960s. It was smart, fun, and had a ton of heart.

Plus, even though the run was cut short, it actually has a true ending — so no pesky cancellation cliffhangers here.

How to watch: Hulu

02 . Legends of Tomorrow

The CW’s weirdest and wildest superhero show is also one of the most ambitiously goofy time travel exploits ever attempted. The series follows a team of D-list heroes thrown together on a space ship as they fly through time to try and stop "anomalies" in the timeline (they also tackle monsters and evil escapees from Hell along the way, to boot).

The show is just silly enough to work, but features enough seriousness to really make those time travel stories resonate along the way. Even more fun, all that time travel is also infused with tons of nods to decades of DC Comics lore, so there’s something for everybody.

Meet young Obama one episode, then head back to the Wild West (with Jonah Hex!) the next.

How to watch: Netflix, The CW app

03 . Outlander

This is a time travel story that starts in the past then goes way further back, but it’s one heck of a lovely and compelling tale.

The show follows a young woman who is swept from the 1940s all the way back to the 1700s, where romance, intrigue, and fantasy all come into play. It’s a love story at its heart, while also a fascinating exploration of the differences in a life lived across the eras.

How to watch: Netflix, Starz

04 . Quantum Leap

The OG, baby. This beloved late-1980s, early-1990s sci-fi series follows a man out of time, bouncing from body to body as he tries to right wrongs across the time stream.

Starring Scott Bakula as Dr. Sam Beckett, the show was smart, funny, and ahead of its time in a lot of ways. It also explored a ton of great periods in history, telling small-scale and world-shaking tales from the 1950s to the 1980s. With plenty of buzz about the reboot , it’s the perfect time to go back and enjoy those early adventures.

How to watch: Fridays on SYFY as part of SYFY Rewind.

05 . Making History

There’s a decent chance you missed this one the first go ‘round, and it’d be hard to blame you. The short-lived Fox comedy was burned off with little fanfare, having its initial 13-episode order chopped down to just nine before it was canceled.

But oh, what a fun nine episodes they were.

The show followed a slacker who figures out how to travel through time and does just that with his two pals. Think Doctor Who meets Bill & Ted , kinda? It also had a surprisingly rich pedigree, produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, and starring Adam Pally, Leighton Meester, and Yassir Lester.

It was clever, hilarious, and really dug into the question of what you might really do with a time machine.

Watch it on : Amazon Prime (For Purchase)

06 . Doctor Who

The Doctor has been zipping around through history for longer than a lot of us have been alive and knows a thing or two about mucking around in the time stream.

Though the show often veers off into full-on sci-fi and fantasy, the time travel episodes are the meat and potatoes that make up the DNA of Doctor Who . The rotating regenerations of the Doctor have bounced everywhere from Pompeii to a trip back to hang out with Vincent van Gogh. Not to mention the fact that, if you’re looking for a very long binge, there are decades of Doctor Who going back to the early days, plus 12 seasons of the more modern run to keep you plenty busy.

Watch it on:  HBO Max

07 . Life On Mars (U.S.)

This one is based on a British series, but for our purposes, we’ll keep the focus on the U.S. version. The show starred Jason O’Mara as a present-day detective who wakes up in 1973 New York.

It’s a trippy, well-constructed cop and sci-fi series at its core, but more than that, it’s a compelling look at New York City in that much wilder era of the early 1970s. The vibe, the feel, the smell, even — it’s all there.

If you’re looking to disappear to the grittier, bell-bottomed world of NYC’s past, this should do the trick.

Watch it on: Amazon Prime (For Purchase)

08 . 11.22.63

This Stephen King-based miniseries was one of Hulu’s buzzy originals when it was still getting deeper into the original programming arena back around 2016. It follows a man, played by James Franco, who discovers the ability to travel back to the 1960s. So he takes on a mission to try and stop the assassination of JFK, forging a new life for himself in the 1960s in the hopes his efforts will make the world a better place. It also makes for an easy, concise binge, clocking in at eight episodes.

Watch it on: Hulu

09 . Journeyman

This short-lived 2007 series had all the makings of a sci-fi hit, except for the ratings. But despite its short run, the show was a smart, modern-day twist on the Quantum Leap formula.

It followed a newspaper reporter who suddenly starts jumping back in time, where he realizes he needs to help tweak the lives of those he meets for the better (sound familiar). But more than that, we get to see the impact these jumps make on his own life, as he reconnects with people from his past with the perspective and knowledge of his “future” life.

Sadly, it’s a bit hard to find on streaming, but well worth it if you can track it down.

Watch it on: Full series is available on DVD.

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• DC's Legends Of Tomorrow
• Quantum Leap
• Science Fiction
• Time Travel

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Travel time is probably one of the more popular plot devices within sci-fi (and some fantasy) TV shows. Fans of sci-fi and fantasy are familiar with various forms of time travel, including time loops, arguably made famous in pop culture by Groundhog Day , and traveling to the past to alter the future, reminiscent of Back to the Future . There are also time doors, time portals, wormholes, and your standard time machine. Sometimes, even events are triggers for time travel.

With all the different ways time travel can occur in fiction, there are plenty of television shows with interesting time-travel plots to choose from. However, some time-travel shows are more rewatchable than others because of plot holes, unrelatable characters, or repetitive plot devices. Luckily, there are time-travel television shows out there that are worthy of a rewatch by sci-fi and fantasy fans. These TV shows make time travel interesting with intricate storylines, loveable characters, and mind-bending timelines.

10 'Ashes to Ashes' (2008-2010)

Created by matthew graham and ashley pharoah.

Ashes to Ashes , in the same vein as Life on Mars , is a British crime drama series that ran for three seasons on BBC One. The series stars Keeley Hawkes as DI Alex Drake; it was shot in 2008 by Arthur Layton, and she is sent back to 1981. She comes face-to-face with DCI Gene Hunt (played by Philip Glenister ), whom she had read about during her investigation into the bizarre incidents surrounding Sam Tyler, the protagonist of Life on Mars . Alex is determined to figure out how to get back to her own time, but in the meantime, she teams up with Gene to solve cases.

While Ashes to Ashes tends to settle into a case in each episode, it stands out from a standard police procedural. The mystery of why Alex has been sent back in time permeates through the plot and keeps viewers intrigued about what is going to happen next. Life on Mars leaves the ending of Sam's story ambiguous, and Ashes to Ashes provides an explanation of Alex and Sam's time travel. There are so many interesting details within Ashes to Ashes that provide hints of what is coming in the show’s finale that it makes for a great rewatch. Viewers can pick up on things that they might have missed leading up to the big reveal. Not only are these hints fascinating for viewers to find and try to connect everything together, but the chemistry between the main characters, the moody Gene and the witty Alex, is magnetic, which gives fans a potential romance to invest in. After all, any police procedural needs a good dynamic relationship to keep viewers engaged with the show. Therefore, the Alex and Gene moments alone make A shes to Ashes worth watching again and again.

WATCH ON BRITBOX

9 'Russian Doll' (2019-2022)

Created by leslye headland, natasha lyonne, and amy poehler.

After getting hit by a car and dying, 37-year-old Nadia Vulvokov ( Natasha Lyonne ) finds herself reliving the day of her birthday over and over again in Netflix's comedy-drama series, Russian Doll . But, Natasha isn't alone in being caught in a time loop; Alan ( Charlie Barnett ) is also reliving the same day. And this is just season one of Russian Doll . In the second season, Nadia and Alan find themselves going between the past and present day. Nadia is taken back to the 1970s to "visit" her mother, x (y), and Alan goes to West Germany before the tearing down of the Berlin Wall.

When sci-fi fans think of time loops, they might picture the movie, Groundhog Day . Russian Doll separates itself from Groundhog Day by taking the monotony out of its plot with surprising twists and creating space for complex character development. The complexity of the time loops (and eventually time travel) really makes fans think about how everything is connected. Lyonne and Barnett give incredible performances in Russian Doll . Nadia and Alan are flawed characters, but this only makes them extremely relatable. Viewers will want them to escape the time loop and get back to their normal lives they are missing out on. The second season does away with the time loops and brings in time travel. Both Nadia and Alan want to change the past in order to make the future better .

Russian Doll

WATCH ON NETFLIX

8 'Quantum Leap' (1989-1993)

Created by donald p. bellisario.

Before Scott Bakula helmed the Enterprise as Captain Jonathan Archer in Star Trek: Enterprise , he played a physicist named Dr. Sam Beckett. Dr. Beckett is working to make time travel a reality, but after a few years and lots of money, he discovers that the government is planning to pull the plug on his work. He decides to use himself as a test subject. Ever since he stepped into the Quantum Leap Accelerator, Sam has been living other people's lives in the past. But he isn't alone, as he has a little help from AI (Dean Stockwell), a hologram from his own time.

Firstly, Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell are really a great dynamic duo in Quantum Leap . The banter between Sam and Ai is one of the biggest reasons that this popular time travel show is worthy of rewatching. This is a formula for each episode, which can make it predictable but comforting at the same time. Sam finds himself in the body of someone else, and he must figure out how to help the person with a problem. Once he solves the problem, Sam then time travels to the next place. The show weaves in a lot of history and famous figures, which makes room for some great guest star appearances, like Bruce McGill as Al the Bartender in “Mirror Image” and Debbie Allen as Joanna Chapman in "Private Dancer."

Quantum Leap

Not available

7 'The Lazarus Project' (2022-2023)

Created by joe barton.

The Lazarus Project is an action-packed time travel show that, unfortunately, only had two seasons. The show stars Paapa Essiedu as George Addo and Charly Clive as Sarah. George is happily living his best life with his wife, Sarah, but he notices something strange happening—a time loop. No one else seems to realize that the time loop exists, except for George. George is contacted by a secret organization, and it is told that he is one of the few people on Earth who can recall time-reversion events. He is invited to join the Lazarus Project team. Their mission is to prevent mass extinction events by any means necessary and then do a time reset. When Sarah is in a life-threatening car accident that results in her death, George wants to go back in time to save her. However, the Lazarus Project team doesn't approve of this, and George decides to save Sarah, even if it means breaking the rules. George's actions cause a cascade of events that threaten humanity.

Unfortunately, The Lazarus Project only ran for two seasons, but it made an impression on sci-fi fans. The show explores thought-provoking questions around topics like morality, as any good sci-fi TV show should, and brings up interesting dilemmas around time travel, which some shows might hesitate to address because of their complexity. The characters of The Lazarus Project, especially George, are put in high-stakes situations, which makes each episode like a mini-action movie. This sci-fi show has also been praised for the cast's intense performances. It's thrilling to rewatch The Lazarus Project to see how George's character changes throughout the show.

The Lazarus Project

6 '12 monkeys' (2015-2018), created by travis fickett and terry matalas.

Adapted from the 1995 film directed by Terry Gilliam, which is one of the most rewatchable 90s sci-fi movies , Syfy's 12 Monkeys is a sci-fi television show starring Aaron Stanford as James Cole and Amanda Schull as Dr. Cassandra Railly. In a post-apocalyptic world in the year 2043, a group of scientists from Spearhead, led by Dr. Katrina Jones (Barbara Sukowa), discovers the abandoned Project Splinter. After many unsuccessful attempts to time travel, Dr. Jones recruits James Cole, a scavenger, to be a time traveler. She sends Cole back in time (also known as "splintering") to try to stop a pandemic of Kalavirus from happening. Cole meets Dr. Railly, a virologist, and they discover the virus was created by an organization known as the Army of the 12 Monkeys.

One of the biggest challenges for any time travel show is making it believable, and 12 Monkeys manages to do exactly that. There isn't anything off with the way the show weaves in different timelines. The elements of realism woven into the show's intricate plot are what make 12 Monkeys such a great show to rewatch. The writers put lots of hints within the dialogue, and 12 Monkeys fans love rewatching the show because they are able to catch the significance of these lines when they weren't able to before.

5 'Undone' (2019-2022)

Created by raphael bob-waksberg and kate purdy.

After she almost dies in a car accident, Alma Winograd-Diaz ( Rosa Salazar ) discovers that she can manipulate time and sees her deceased father, Jacob Winograd ( Bob Odenkirk) . Alma investigates the truth about her father’s death. This is all just the first season of Undone . In the second season, Alma and her sister, Becca ( Angelique Cabral), go through a time-bending journey into their family’s generational trauma.

Undone is done in rotoscope, and the visuals in both seasons are breathtaking. It's like artwork coming to life. Besides the breathtaking visuals, Undone' s time-bending plot is intriguing, especially so during the second season, when Becca also experiences what Alma has been going through. The best moments of the show are the chemistry between Salazar and Cabral, who brilliantly portray the Winograd-Diaz sisters. This chemistry brings out the show’s best dark humor moments, making it worth watching.

4 'The Ministry of Time' (2015-2020)

Created by pablo olivares and javier olivares.

The Ministry of Time ( El ministerio del tiempo) , also called The Time Department , is a Spanish fantasy drama in which a secret organization, known only to the Spanish Monarchy and the Prime Minister, is in charge of guarding time doors and preventing anyone from changing history through time manipulation. Julián Martínez ( Rodolfo Sancho ), a paramedic from the 21st century, is recruited by The Ministry of Time, along with Amelia Folch ( Aura Garrido ), a university student from 19th century Barcelona, and Alonso de Entrerríos ( Nacho Fresneda ), a solider from 16th century Seville, to make sure that events in history go as planned.

The Ministry of Time is a fun rewatch for history buffs, as this time travel TV show focuses on historical events in Spain and around the world. With its focus on history, there are plenty of opportunities for significant figures, like Salvador Dalí and Isabella II of Spain, to make appearances throughout the show's four seasons. It's also entertaining to watch characters from different time periods interact together, especially Julián, Amelia, and Alonso.

WATCH ON VIX

3 'Dark' (2017-2020)

Created by baran bo odar and jantje friese.

Dark is a German television series on Netflix about generations of families, including the Kahnwalds, Nielsens, Tiedemanns, and Dopplers, over a span of time. In the town of Winden, Germany, children go missing, and there is a connection between the missing children and a cave underneath a nuclear power plant. The show’s main families discover a wormhole within the cave, and soon their secrets unravel.

The families in Dark are very elaborate and complex, just like the show’s plot, so it's easy to miss connections during the first watch through. The cast does a remarkable job of amplifying the show’s intensity with their acting. While the intensity can make it hard to binge-watch, it’s worth rewatching to experience the emotional journey that these families go on. Watching this sci-fi thriller is an emotional rollercoaster, as there are so many layers within the stories that cross different eras.

2 'Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency'

Created by max landis.

It's rare to have a sci-fi show that has humor without being cheesy (or puny), especially one that is also a crime drama. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency takes the absurdity and hilarity of Douglas Adams' novel of the same name to a whole new level. Elijah Wood plays Todd Brotzman, a bellhop whose life is changed forever after he stumbles upon the body of a millionaire, Patrick Spring. Detective Dirk Gently, played by Samuel Barnett , meets Todd, and the two begin to investigate the murder. However, it won't be an easy investigation as Dirk has made some enemies who want him dead.

What makes Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency so rewatchable is just how absurd it is, and the strangeness in the plot (with its eventual dash of time travel) just adds to the show's great sense of humor. Elijah Wood and Samuel Barnett make a great comedic duo, and they go above and beyond to roll with any weirdness that is thrown their way. The "villains" in Dirk Gently are just as hilarious with their wicked sense of dark humor. One of the standout "villains" is Bart Curlish ( Fiona Dourif ), a holistic assassin who believes that the universe brings people for her to kill.

WATCH ON SLING

1 'Doctor Who'

Created by sydney newman, donald wilson, and c. e. webber.

One of the most beloved time travel shows is Doctor Who , which first premiered on November 23, 1963. The Doctor is a time lord, and they have been played by multiple actors over the years, including David Tennant and Jodie Whittaker . The current actor who plays the Doctor is Ncuti Gatwa , who gave a stunning performance in his first season debut . As a time lord, the Doctor travels in a Tardis, a time-traveling machine disguised as a police box. The Doctor doesn't travel alone; they are often accompanied by companions, humans who want to see the universe. Currently, the Doctor's companion is Ruby Sunday, played by Milie Gibson .

With over 800 episodes so far, there is so much history and lore in Doctor Who . That means there is a lot to rewatch! What makes this show such a great rewatch is the variation in storytelling and iconic characters. As Doctor Who fans are well aware, time travel makes for great adventures for the Doctor and their friends, which means rewatching episodes doesn't get old at all.

The show follows the adventures of a Time Lord, “The Doctor,” who is able to regenerate, and the Doctor’s human friends. The Doctor and his companions journey through time and space in the TARDIS – a time-traveling ship shaped like a police box – saving the universe with a combination of wit, bravery, and kindness.

NEXT: The Best Time Travel Movies That Aren't Sci-Fi

10 Best Time Travel TV Shows, Ranked

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Ever since the English writer H. G. Wells wrote The Time Machine back in 1895, time travel has remained popular in movies, books, games, and TV shows. Since scientific explanations are normally given for the characters’ ability to journey through different time periods, the majority of works that use the concept normally fall under the sci-fi genre. However, a couple of fantasy projects also embrace it.

In the TV landscape, time travel can be traced all the way back to The Twilight Zone ’s original pilot, “The Time Element,” but while the anthology series only uses the concept sparingly, there are numerous series that have made entire premises out of it. And even though most of them are enjoyable, a few shows have executed the idea much better.

RELATED: The 10 Best Time Travel Video Games

10 11.22.63 (2015 – 2016)

Among the numerous time-travel shows that are available for streaming, 11.22.63 is a must-see one because it handles a topic that America has always been obsessed with—the assassination of John F. Kennedy. In it, the English teacher, Jake Epping, goes back in time via a portal in order to stop the assassination of the famed US president but complications arise.

Apart from being one of Stephen King’s most popular adaptations , 11.22.63 is recommendable because it doesn't glorify time travel like most projects of its kind do. This is something it does by unveiling a series of consequences that stem from Jake's actions. For example, John F. Kennedy serves two terms but is succeeded by the populist and segregationist Alabama governor, George Wallace. Consequently, a devastating war breaks out in America.

9 12 Monkeys (2015 – 2018)

In the post-COVID era, 12 Monkeys is more relevant than ever since it revolves around a scavenger from 2043 who travels back to 2015 to prevent the spread of a deadly virus. The show also feeds into the conspiracy theory that suggests that such outbreaks never occur naturally. Many are engineered by a sinister group and in the Syfy series, it’s the “Army of the 12 Monkeys.”

RELATED: 10 Sci-Fi Movies Where Time Travel Actually Makes Sense

Though the plague that needs to be corrected occurs in the 2010s, the show avoids restricting itself to just two timelines. Creative subplots sprout from each episode and as a result, events jump to 2163 at some point, and then as far back as the ‘80s. However, nothing is pointless and, in the end, the protagonist manages to set a timeline where the "Army of the 12 Monkeys" doesn’t exist.

8 Doctor Who (1963 – Present)

At 871 episodes, Doctor Who is one the longest-running TV shows , and it boasts of the kind of variety that no other show in the genre. Rather than deal with a single dilemma, the show presents several challenges, such as a future where a group of people wants to destroy the world by expanding the sun or one where aliens have managed to clone humans successfully.

For decades, The Doctor has continued to use the time traveling machine known as the TARDIS to journey through various time periods and prevent various villains from either harming innocent people or changing the course of history. Today, everything that time travelers from other shows have tried to do has probably been done by The Doctor before but the only disadvantage Doctor Who has is its thin plots.

7 Paper Girls (2022)

Time travel fans that enjoy interactions between characters and their future selves will appreciate Paper Girls ’ plot since it presents similar circumstances. In the Prime Video series, four girls that work as newspaper distributors for The Cleveland Preserver find themselves in a time-altering conspiracy that involves a villainous organization known as the “Old Watch.”

Generally, the series is more of an examination of choice and consequence, as it shows how even the simplest decisions in one life can end up affecting their future in a major way. Some girls are shown to be totally pleased with their future selves while others aren’t. Additionally, the numerous differences between the Paper Girls comics and the series are all beneficial rather than disadvantageous. A couple of intriguing series-exclusive characters are introduced and so are some heartwarming relationship arcs.

6 Outlander (2014 – Present)

Based on a series of books by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander is as recommendable to history lovers as it is to fantasy fans. Through time travel, viewers get to see the fictional protagonists, Claire and Jamie, influence some key historical events such as the Battle of Culloden and the invention of Penicillin. The 20th and 18th centuries are the main periods covered and so viewers get to see the best of both timelines.

RELATED: 10 Funniest Time Travel Comedy Movies

Outlander is also easy viewing for casual fans because it focuses more on the adventures rather than the nitty-gritty of the whole process of moving from one timeline to another. All a character has to do is present themselves at the Craigh na Dun, Abandawe cave, or Ocracoke stone circle. Additionally, the implications of time travel aren’t just limited to historical events but to the romantic lives of the main characters

5 Quantum Leap (1989 – 1993)

Like Doctor Who, Quantum Leap also offers variety in terms of characters and storylines. The time-traveler, Dr. Sam Beckett and a hologram of his friend, Al, are the only two characters that are present in each episode. This is because whenever Sam jumps to a different time period, he takes on the identity of someone that exists in that year and interacts with their friends and family.

The concept that makes Quantum Leap more distinctive and believable since it rubbishes the notion that one person can simply exist as their usual self in another era. And as one of TV’s most intelligent scientists , Sam remains the show’s greatest asset. Whether it's fixing a train engine or coming up with a new nuclear weapon, he remains as inventive as ever, no matter which year he finds himself in.

4 Timeless (2016 - 2018)

Most time travel shows paint the protagonist as the most competent person in that particular fictional world but in Timeless , the villain Garcia Flynn—an ex-NSA agent turned terrorist—gets to shine more. In his efforts to change the course of history, Flynn is always two steps ahead, forcing the heroes to play catchup.

Apart from having a formidable antagonist and incorporating plenty of solid time-leap plots, Timeless cleverly tweaks past events, sometimes in controversial ways, Whether it’s the use of a modern firearm to assassinate Abraham Lincoln or the attempt to block Charles Lindbergh’s efforts to make the first solo transatlantic flight, the show outdoes itself when it comes to its plots.

3 Dark (2017 – 2020)

Dark is one of the few shows that require a rewatch in order to properly comprehend everything that’s going on, but that’s the beauty of it all. What starts out as a simple murder and suicide mystery soon develops into a complex time travel drama after it’s revealed that there is a wormhole existing in the quiet fictional town of Winden, Germany.

RELATED: 10 Best Time Travel Movies, Ranked

For example, a child named Mikkel disappears and goes back in time to the ‘80s where is he raised by another family and comes back as the adult, Michael, in 2019 and still goes on to take his own life. Almost everything has a connection to a person that existed in the past, and that’s something the characters get to discover later on via their own time-traveling adventures or via another character

2 Russian Doll (2019 – 2022)

The creativity on display in Russian Doll is unrivaled because the show features both time loop and time travel concepts. In Season 1, the software engineer, Nadia Vulvokov, finds herself relieving her 36th birthday again and again, and in Season 2, she goes back in time to 1982, where she gets to change important events in her family’s history.

The Season 2 storyline is especially mind-blowing because Nadia not only goes back in time but also does something no other time-traveling character has done before, and that’s going back to her mother’s womb. Despite being a fetus, her IQ remains high, so she is able to literally control her mother and make her change some of her bad decisions.

1 Life On Mars (2006 – 2007)

Life On Mars ’ appeal lies in the fact that viewers are never quite sure what caused the main character, Sam Tyler, to find himself operating as a junior police officer in the ‘70s. Yet, he had a higher rank in Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in the modern area. “Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time?” That’s a question he asks in each of the opening monologues, and it isn’t until the finale that the answer gets given.

The series is also the perfect TV cocktail as it combines mystery, science fiction, period, supernatural, and police procedural genres to tell Tyler’s story. The most fun stems from the procedural plots, mostly because of a difference in ideologies. During every case, Sam keeps clashing with his superior, Gene Hunt, because he prefers forensics, yet Gene prefers coercion.

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The 25 Best Time Travel TV Shows, From ‘Doctor Who’ to ‘Timeless’

There are a few reasons we’re obsessed with time travel TV shows. For one, the high-stakes adventures promise plenty of mystery and thrills. And better yet, they span across a variety of genres, from historical dramas and comedies to mystery thrillers.

So, for our next binge-watching session, we're living vicariously through our favorite characters as they journey through time, whether they're exploring a major period in history or visiting a futuristic society. From Doctor Who to Timeless, keep reading for the best time travel TV shows you can stream right now.

The 20 Best Time Travel Movies to Stream Right Now (That Aren’t ‘Back to the Future’)

1. Dc’s Legends Of Tomorrow

• Rating: TV-14
• Who’s in it: Victor Garber, Brandon Routh, Arthur Darvill. Caity Lotz, Franz Drameh

Set in the Arrowverse, this superhero series includes several familiar DC characters, like White Canary, Captain Cold, Firestorm and Vixen. But fortunately, you don’t have to be well-versed on all things DC comics to enjoy this one. The CW series documents the adventures of a diverse team of superheroes as they travel through time to prevent disasters. And naturally, there’s no shortage of epic combat scenes.

2. Doctor Who

• Rating: TV-PG
• Who’s in it: Jodie Whittaker, Peter Capaldi, Matt Smith, David Tennant

Given that Doctor Who has become synonymous with time travel, it would be a crime to not include this classic. Over the span of 13 seasons, the show offered several versions of the Time Lord as they step into the infamous TARDIS and get swept through time. Seeing these heroes fight to save humanity and protect history just never gets old.

3. Timeless

• Who’s in it: Abigail Spencer, Matt Lanter, Malcolm Barrett

An unlikely team travels through time to stop the criminal mastermind, who stole an experimental time machine. And as they pursue him, they learn that he plans to change the course of history. Though it's not 100 percent perfect in terms of historical accuracy, it delivers plenty of action and thought-provoking themes.

4. Outlander

• Rating: TV-MA
• Who’s in it: Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Sophie Skelton

Set during World War II, Outlander tells the story of a married army nurse named Claire, who time travels to the year 1743 while in Scotland and starts a passionate relationship with a Highlander. Steamy intimate scenes, feminist themes and breathtaking scenery are just a few things you can expect from this beloved period drama.

5. Manifest

• Who’s in it: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas, Athena Karkanis, J. R. Ramirez

Can you imagine hopping on a plane and landing five and a half years in the future? That’s exactly what happens to the passengers of a turbulent flight in this gripping supernatural drama. When they all return, they discover that their plane went missing and mysteriously returned years later. But what really happened? (You’ll have to wait until season 4 to get that answer, but until then, enjoy the first three seasons on Netflix.)

6. Beforeigners

• Who’s in it: Krista Kosonen, Nicolai Cleve Broch, Stig R. Amdam

HBO Nordic's first-ever original series follows a group of people from different time periods, who mysteriously land in 21st-century Norway. Dubbed the "beforeigners," these migrants attempt to blend in with the modern-day world—although it proves to be more challenging for some than others.

• Who’s in it: Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, Lance Reddick

A cross between The X-Files and The Twilight Zone , Fringe follows the FBI's Fringe Division, where the team uses fringe science (a branch that explores the most bizarre or far-fetched theories) to investigate a series of mysterious cases—some of which are connected to alternate timelines. Fun fact: The show spawned three novels and a comic book series.

8. Quantum Leap

• Who’s in it: Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell, Deborah Pratt

Bakula plays the iconic Dr. Sam Beckett in this five-time Emmy Award-winning series, and his random adventures will give you major Doctor Who vibes. Join the physicist as he “leaps” through time to fix historical errors.

9. My Only Love Song

• Who’s in it: Lee Jong-hyun, Gong Seung-yeon, Lee Jae-jin

Soo-jung (Seung-yeon), a self-obsessed movie star, accidentally time travels to 6th-century Gogurye after falling into a portal. There, she meets the handsome On-dal (Jong-hyun), a guy who appears to be just as obsessed with his wealth as she is. But his generosity towards people in need forces her to reconsider her own values.

• Who’s in it: Yuki Furukawa, Mio Yuki, Jin Shirasu

Based on Kei Sanbe’s Japanese manga series of the same title, Erased revolves around a man named Satoru Fujinuma, who has the ability to go back in time and stop life-threatening events right before they happen. But when his mother gets murdered, he’s sent back nearly two decades, giving him the opportunity to save even more lives.

• Who’s in it: Tom Hiddleston, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Wunmi Mosaku, Eugene Cordero

Loki picks up right where Avengers: Endgame left off, with the God of Mischief accidentally creating a new timeline as a result of stealing the Tesseract. And now, the authorities present him with two options: to either accept his punishment or to travel back in time to correct his mistakes. Almost any Marvel fan will agree that this series is full of charm and a welcome change from the pacing and tone of the Marvel films.

12. Terra Nova

• Who’s in it: Jason O'Mara, Shelley Conn, Christine Adams, Allison Miller

Humanity gets a major do-over in this fascinating series, and there’s more than enough compelling themes to keep you invested (like Utopias gone terribly wrong). Terra Nova follows the Shannon family as they flee from a dying Earth in 2149 and travel to prehistoric Earth, where they join a colony of people known as Terra Nova and attempt to rebuild a civilization.

13. 11.22.63

• Who’s in it: James Franco, Sarah Gadon, Cherry Jones

Inspired by Stephen King’s novel 11/22/63 , the show details one time traveler’s efforts to go back in time and stop the assassination of former president John F. Kennedy. But when he goes to the year 1960, he builds a new life that could threaten the success of his mission. It’s worth noting that James Franco gives an unforgettable performance as Jake Epping/George Amberson.

14. Making History

• Who’s in it: Adam Pally, Leighton Meester and Yassir Lester.

Pally, Meester and Lester star as three friends from different time periods, who take full advantage of their ability to time travel—until they realize the ramifications of their adventures. The show is humorous and silly in the best possible way.

15. Somewhere Between

• Who’s in it: Paula Patton, Devon Sawa, JR Bourne

Laura Price (Patton) has it all: a successful career, a loving husband and a delightful young daughter. But when a serial killer murders her child, she falls into depression and attempts suicide. After the incident, Laura is stunned to find that she time traveled to the week before her daughter’s death. Can she save her daughter?

16. Umbrella Academy

• Who’s in it: Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman

The Haragreeves have become our favorite dysfunctional family, and for good reason. In this Netflix series, the seven adopted superhero siblings team up to investigate their father’s death and save the world from an apocalypse. But when they try to travel back in time, they end up in different periods, which only complicates things.

• Who’s in it: Natasha Lyonne, Charlie Barnett, Greta Lee

Amy Poehler teamed up with Natasha Lyonne ( Orange Is the New Black ) and Leslye Headland ( Bachelorette ) to create this critically acclaimed comedy drama. The series follows a game developer named Nadia (Lyonne), who finds herself trapped in a time loop after she dies at a party. As she tries to escape this trap, however, she discovers that she isn’t the only one. Yes, it sounds a bit like a modernized version of Groundhog Day , but trust us, it’s unpredictable and incredibly refreshing.

18. Travelers

• Who’s in it: Eric McCormack, Mackenzie Porter, Jared Abrahamson

A surviving group of humans, who live centuries in the future, have figured out how to send their consciousness back in time. Known as “Travelers,” they all go back to the 21st-century and assume the identities of random people with one mission in mind: to save the future of humanity.

19. Continuum

• Who’s in it: Rachel Nichols, Victor Webster, Erik Knudsen

The year is 2077, and the U.S. has officially become a corporatocracy. But three criminals, known as Liber8, are determined to go back in time and change the course of history by stopping corporations from replacing the government. As they time travel to the year 2012, a police officer joins them and does everything in her power to stop their violent plans—all while hiding that she’s from the future.

20. 12 Monkeys

• Who’s in it: Aaron Stanford, Amanda Schull, Barbara Sukowa

Follow the exploits of scavenger James Cole (Aaron Stanford) as he time travels from 2043 to the year 2015 to stop a deadly virus from wiping out most of the human race. Expect plenty of twists and complex themes that’ll spark interesting convos, from corporate greed to the downsides of technological progress.

21. The Ministry Of Time

• Who’s in it: Cayetana Guillén Cuervo, Juan Gea, Francesca Piñón

Welcome to The Ministry of Time, a top-secret Spanish organization that’s responsible for guarding the doors of time and reporting all time travel incidents to the Prime Minister. The series focuses on the Ministry’s patrol as they carry out their assignments, and while there’s no shortage of thrills, the show also does a phenomenal job of weaving in bits of Spain's history.

• Who’s in it: Louis Hofmann, Julika Jenkins, Andreas Pietschmann, Maja Schöne

Set in the fictional German town of Winden, Dark centers on four families who are connected to the mysterious disappearance of two children. Aside from exploring their relationships, the show takes viewers on a wild journey that involves a major time travel conspiracy—one that spans multiple generations.

23. Always A Witch

• Who’s in it: Angely Gaviria, Sofia Bernal Araujo, Dylan Fuentes, Valeria Henríquez

The Colombian series follows Carmen, a 19-year-old 17th-century witch who gets sentenced to death for falling in love with her master's son. However, she escapes her fate by time-traveling to modern day Cartagena as part of a deal with a wizard. Her task? To help him break his curse.

24. Voyagers!

• Rating: TV-G
• Who’s in it: Jon-Erik Hexum, Meeno Peluce, David Cadiente

Phineas Bogg (Jon-Erik Hexum) and his partner in crime, Jeffrey Jones (Meeno Peluce), are members of a secret group known as the Voyagers, who are tasked with making sure that history doesn’t change. The feel-good cult classic only lasted for one season, but all 20 episodes are simply delightful and worth the watch.

• Who’s in it: Rosa Salazar, Angelique Cabral, Constance Marie

This animated drama revolves around a young woman named Alma (Rosa Salazar), who, per the official logline , explores "the elastic nature of reality" after surviving a dangerous car accident. She then uses her newfound ability to investigate her father's death. (Psst, look out for the second season, which premieres on April 29 on Amazon Prime.)

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The Sci-Fi Time Travel Series Everyone Is Binging On Hulu

Time travel is one of the most popular storytelling devices in the modern age of filmmaking. Back to the Future , Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure , Avengers: Endgame, and even a little movie called Looper  all found enormous success over the years, by shifting protagonists backwards or forwards in time. But in some cases, it's not the hero who travels in time, but someone else: for instance, Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) didn't travel to the future in The Terminator , but instead, the future came to her — in the form of an Arnold Scharzenegger-shaped robot meant to kill her.

There's a similar narrative thread running through a certain  Seth Rogen -produced show on Hulu — which is right now gaining a lot of eyes — and that's  Future Man . The series combines elements of The Terminator with another, lesser known eighties classic,  The Last Starfighter,  crafting a story that involves a gamer whose high score qualifies him to become a fighter pilot in an intergalactic future war.

Yes, you read that right: In Future Man,  that gamer — Josh Futterman, played by Josh Hutcherson, from The Hunger Games –  beats the seemingly unbeatable game Biotic Wars, only to discover that the game is based on a very real, dystopian future that he must now save in real life.

A cast worth traveling in time (with terrible results) for

Future Man has a pretty great pedigree behind it. In addition to Seth Rogen executive producing and guest starring, as well as Josh Hutcherson leading, there is a ton of fantastic talent involved. Most notably, the first season surrounds the poor life choices of a scientist named Doctor Elias Kronish, played by none other than legendary sci-fi and voice actor Keith David ( They Live , Gargoyles ). Meanwhile, the actors playing Josh's parents are none other than Ed Begley Jr. ( The Accidental Tourist, Best in Show ) and the late, great Glenne Headly (who famously out hustles the hustlers in the Frank Oz classic Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) .

Without giving too much of the story away, Future Man cribs from more than just The Terminator and The Last Starfighter . Very notably, it also borrows from Back to the Future, what with our heroes traveling backwards in time, even making some direct references to the Michael J. Fox classic. Of course, in this case, they attempt to repair a mistake which will inevitably cause the end of the world with hilarious (and terrible) results.

Future Man  wrapped up its run of three seasons on Hulu in 2020. It is a half-hour comedy, making it very easy to binge-watch. So if you're looking for the sort of time hijinks story Seth Rogen would make, well, Future Man is probably the show for you.

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The 25 Best Time Travel TV Shows, From ‘Doctor Who’ to ‘Timeless’

There are a few reasons we’re obsessed with time travel TV shows. For one, the high-stakes adventures promise plenty of mystery and thrills. And better yet, they span across a variety of genres, from historical dramas and comedies to mystery thrillers.

So, for our next binge-watching session, we're living vicariously through our favorite characters as they journey through time, whether they're exploring a major period in history or visiting a futuristic society. From Doctor Who to Timeless, keep reading for the best time travel TV shows you can stream right now.

RELATED: The 20 Best Time Travel Movies to Stream Right Now (That Aren’t ‘Back to the Future’)

1. DC’s Legends of Tomorrow

Rating: TV-14

Who’s in it: Victor Garber, Brandon Routh, Arthur Darvill. Caity Lotz, Franz Drameh

Set in the Arrowverse, this superhero series includes several familiar DC characters, like White Canary, Captain Cold, Firestorm and Vixen. But fortunately, you don’t have to be well-versed on all things DC comics to enjoy this one. The CW series documents the adventures of a diverse team of superheroes as they travel through time to prevent disasters. And naturally, there’s no shortage of epic combat scenes.

Watch on Netflix

2. Doctor Who

Rating: TV-PG

Who’s in it: Jodie Whittaker, Peter Capaldi, Matt Smith, David Tennant

Given that Doctor Who has become synonymous with time travel, it would be a crime to not include this classic. Over the span of 13 seasons, the show offered several versions of the Time Lord as they step into the infamous TARDIS and get swept through time. Seeing these heroes fight to save humanity and protect history just never gets old.

Watch on HBO Max

3. Timeless

Who’s in it: Abigail Spencer, Matt Lanter, Malcolm Barrett

An unlikely team travels through time to stop the criminal mastermind, who stole an experimental time machine. And as they pursue him, they learn that he plans to change the course of history. Though it's not 100 percent perfect in terms of historical accuracy, it delivers plenty of action and thought-provoking themes.

Watch on Hulu

4. Outlander

Rating: TV-MA

Who’s in it: Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Sophie Skelton

Set during World War II, Outlander tells the story of a married army nurse named Claire, who time travels to the year 1743 while in Scotland and starts a passionate relationship with a Highlander. Steamy intimate scenes, feminist themes and breathtaking scenery are just a few things you can expect from this beloved period drama.

5. Manifest

Who’s in it: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas, Athena Karkanis, J. R. Ramirez

Can you imagine hopping on a plane and landing five and a half years in the future? That’s exactly what happens to the passengers of a turbulent flight in this gripping supernatural drama. When they all return, they discover that their plane went missing and mysteriously returned years later. But what really happened? (You’ll have to wait until season 4 to get that answer, but until then, enjoy the first three seasons on Netflix.)

6. Beforeigners

Who’s in it: Krista Kosonen, Nicolai Cleve Broch, Stig R. Amdam

HBO Nordic's first-ever original series follows a group of people from different time periods, who mysteriously land in 21st-century Norway. Dubbed the "beforeigners," these migrants attempt to blend in with the modern-day world—although it proves to be more challenging for some than others.

Who’s in it: Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, Lance Reddick

A cross between The X-Files and The Twilight Zone , Fringe follows the FBI's Fringe Division, where the team uses fringe science (a branch that explores the most bizarre or far-fetched theories) to investigate a series of mysterious cases—some of which are connected to alternate timelines. Fun fact: The show spawned three novels and a comic book series.

Watch on Amazon Prime

8. Quantum Leap

Who’s in it: Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell, Deborah Pratt

Bakula plays the iconic Dr. Sam Beckett in this five-time Emmy Award-winning series, and his random adventures will give you major Doctor Who vibes. Join the physicist as he “leaps” through time to fix historical errors.

9. My Only Love Song

Who’s in it: Lee Jong-hyun, Gong Seung-yeon, Lee Jae-jin

Soo-jung (Seung-yeon), a self-obsessed movie star, accidentally time travels to 6th-century Gogurye after falling into a portal. There, she meets the handsome On-dal (Jong-hyun), a guy who appears to be just as obsessed with his wealth as she is. But his generosity towards people in need forces her to reconsider her own values.

Who’s in it: Yuki Furukawa, Mio Yuki, Jin Shirasu

Based on Kei Sanbe’s Japanese manga series of the same title, Erased revolves around a man named Satoru Fujinuma, who has the ability to go back in time and stop life-threatening events right before they happen. But when his mother gets murdered, he’s sent back nearly two decades, giving him the opportunity to save even more lives.

Who’s in it: Tom Hiddleston, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Wunmi Mosaku, Eugene Cordero

Loki picks up right where Avengers: Endgame left off, with the God of Mischief accidentally creating a new timeline as a result of stealing the Tesseract. And now, the authorities present him with two options: to either accept his punishment or to travel back in time to correct his mistakes. Almost any Marvel fan will agree that this series is full of charm and a welcome change from the pacing and tone of the Marvel films.

Watch on Disney+

12. Terra Nova

Who’s in it: Jason O'Mara, Shelley Conn, Christine Adams, Allison Miller

Humanity gets a major do-over in this fascinating series, and there’s more than enough compelling themes to keep you invested (like Utopias gone terribly wrong). Terra Nova follows the Shannon family as they flee from a dying Earth in 2149 and travel to prehistoric Earth, where they join a colony of people known as Terra Nova and attempt to rebuild a civilization.

13. 11.22.63

Who’s in it: James Franco, Sarah Gadon, Cherry Jones

Inspired by Stephen King’s novel 11/22/63 , the show details one time traveler’s efforts to go back in time and stop the assassination of former president John F. Kennedy. But when he goes to the year 1960, he builds a new life that could threaten the success of his mission. It’s worth noting that James Franco gives an unforgettable performance as Jake Epping/George Amberson.

14. Making History

Who’s in it: Adam Pally, Leighton Meester and Yassir Lester.

Pally, Meester and Lester star as three friends from different time periods, who take full advantage of their ability to time travel—until they realize the ramifications of their adventures. The show is humorous and silly in the best possible way.

15. Somewhere Between

Who’s in it: Paula Patton, Devon Sawa, JR Bourne

Laura Price (Patton) has it all: a successful career, a loving husband and a delightful young daughter. But when a serial killer murders her child, she falls into depression and attempts suicide. After the incident, Laura is stunned to find that she time traveled to the week before her daughter’s death. Can she save her daughter?

16. Umbrella Academy

Who’s in it: Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman

The Haragreeves have become our favorite dysfunctional family, and for good reason. In this Netflix series, the seven adopted superhero siblings team up to investigate their father’s death and save the world from an apocalypse. But when they try to travel back in time, they end up in different periods, which only complicates things.

17. Russian Doll

Who’s in it: Natasha Lyonne, Charlie Barnett, Greta Lee

Amy Poehler teamed up with Natasha Lyonne ( Orange Is the New Black ) and Leslye Headland ( Bachelorette ) to create this critically acclaimed comedy drama. The series follows a game developer named Nadia (Lyonne), who finds herself trapped in a time loop after she dies at a party. As she tries to escape this trap, however, she discovers that she isn’t the only one. Yes, it sounds a bit like a modernized version of Groundhog Day , but trust us, it’s unpredictable and incredibly refreshing.

18. Travelers

Who’s in it: Eric McCormack, Mackenzie Porter, Jared Abrahamson

A surviving group of humans, who live centuries in the future, have figured out how to send their consciousness back in time. Known as “Travelers,” they all go back to the 21st-century and assume the identities of random people with one mission in mind: to save the future of humanity.

19. Continuum

Who’s in it: Rachel Nichols, Victor Webster, Erik Knudsen

The year is 2077, and the U.S. has officially become a corporatocracy. But three criminals, known as Liber8, are determined to go back in time and change the course of history by stopping corporations from replacing the government. As they time travel to the year 2012, a police officer joins them and does everything in her power to stop their violent plans—all while hiding that she’s from the future.

Watch on Vudu

20. 12 Monkeys

Who’s in it: Aaron Stanford, Amanda Schull, Barbara Sukowa

Follow the exploits of scavenger James Cole (Aaron Stanford) as he time travels from 2043 to the year 2015 to stop a deadly virus from wiping out most of the human race. Expect plenty of twists and complex themes that’ll spark interesting convos, from corporate greed to the downsides of technological progress.

21. The Ministry of Time

Who’s in it: Cayetana Guillén Cuervo, Juan Gea, Francesca Piñón

Welcome to The Ministry of Time, a top-secret Spanish organization that’s responsible for guarding the doors of time and reporting all time travel incidents to the Prime Minister. The series focuses on the Ministry’s patrol as they carry out their assignments, and while there’s no shortage of thrills, the show also does a phenomenal job of weaving in bits of Spain's history.

Watch on Apple TV

Who’s in it: Louis Hofmann, Julika Jenkins, Andreas Pietschmann, Maja Schöne

Set in the fictional German town of Winden, Dark centers on four families who are connected to the mysterious disappearance of two children. Aside from exploring their relationships, the show takes viewers on a wild journey that involves a major time travel conspiracy—one that spans multiple generations.

23. Always a Witch

Who’s in it: Angely Gaviria, Sofia Bernal Araujo, Dylan Fuentes, Valeria Henríquez

The Colombian series follows Carmen, a 19-year-old 17th-century witch who gets sentenced to death for falling in love with her master's son. However, she escapes her fate by time-traveling to modern day Cartagena as part of a deal with a wizard. Her task? To help him break his curse.

24. Voyagers!

Rating: TV-G

Who’s in it: Jon-Erik Hexum, Meeno Peluce, David Cadiente

Phineas Bogg (Jon-Erik Hexum) and his partner in crime, Jeffrey Jones (Meeno Peluce), are members of a secret group known as the Voyagers, who are tasked with making sure that history doesn’t change. The feel-good cult classic only lasted for one season, but all 20 episodes are simply delightful and worth the watch.

Who’s in it: Rosa Salazar, Angelique Cabral, Constance Marie

This animated drama revolves around a young woman named Alma (Rosa Salazar), who, per the official logline , explores "the elastic nature of reality" after surviving a dangerous car accident. She then uses her newfound ability to investigate her father's death. (Psst, look out for the second season, which premieres on April 29 on Amazon Prime.)

RELATED: The 15 Best Action Movies on Amazon Prime Right Now

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The Most Underrated Time-Travel Show of the Century Still Holds Up

Sing me a song, of a lass that is gone.

Everybody wants something different from a time-travel story . Some want a sense of adventure that the subgenre is uniquely well-suited to provide. Others just want to see moments of the past or potential futures realized onscreen. Not every sci-fi story has to satisfy both of those desires. In order to truly win over their viewers, though, the one thing every time-travel movie and TV show should be is immersive.

From the very beginning, Outlander has understood that. The romantic drama, which was originally developed by For All Mankind co-creator Ronald D. Moore and is based on a series of books by Diana Gabaldon , tells a straightforward, no-nonsense time travel story. It, nonetheless, quickly stood out when it premiered in 2014 because of the fiery chemistry between its leads and — perhaps even more importantly — the specificity of its setting.

In the 10 years since it made its debut on Starz, the series has experienced its fair share of creative ups and downs. However, all throughout that time, Outlander has remained the most underrated time-travel show on TV.

Outlander has a transportive power that is, at times, astonishing.

Outlander begins in 1945. It follows Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), an intelligent and proud nurse who travels to Scotland with her husband, Frank (Tobias Menzies), following the end of World War II. Whilst on their trip, a chance interaction with a collection of strange standing stones sends Claire back in time to 1700s Scotland. Stranded in a cutthroat and even more patriarchal time, Claire quickly finds herself accompanying an assortment of quirky Scottish highlanders, including a handsome Jacobite rebel named Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan). The two quickly hit it off and — before Claire has even realized it — fall in love, but their romance is relentlessly tested by the issues of the time and Claire and Jamie's shared tendency to get into trouble.

If Outlander 's premise makes it sound like a high-concept twist on a typical romantic fantasy novel, that's because it is. The show isn't ashamed of that fact, either. On the contrary, it has embraced the paperback-romance-esque aspects of its story from the very beginning. At times, this has led Outlander down narrative paths both illogical and cringeworthy. For the most part, though, its embracement of its central love story has allowed it to frequently rank as the most romantic TV show of the past decade. That is partly thanks to Balfe and Heughan's magnetic chemistry, which makes you immediately accept their characters' romance, as well as their full-throated, shockingly bone-deep portrayals of both Jamie and Claire.

It's also the natural result of Outlander 's own affection for its setting and material. There aren't many shows on TV that love their characters as much as Outlander loves its, and the series' first three seasons are further enriched by its adoration of Scotland itself. The show spends much of its first season intricately building out its 18th century Scottish setting and spotlighting all of the country's rolling green hills and misty highlands. In doing so, it makes you fall in love with Scotland at the same pace as Claire, and the same goes for its equally loving recreations of 18th century Paris and revolutionary America.

Outlander 's unwavering attention to detail not only creates a certain level of affection for its various landscapes and historical backdrops, but it also makes it easier to buy into the show's time-travel story. The series goes so far out of its way to explore even the most minute details of Claire and Jamie's ever-evolving life together that it remains, frankly, a far less demanding task to keep up with Outlander ’s constant twists and turns than you might think. That is also, once again, a testament to the work done by, specifically, Balfe and Heughan, whose performances always manage to ground Outlander in recognizable emotions even when the show comes dangerously close to letting the plot-heavy nature of its source material get in the way of everything else.

Outlander has consistently ranked as one of TV’s most visually stunning dramas.

Whether or not Outlander has ever managed to match the highs of its first three seasons is a debate that will likely continue to rage amongst the show's fans. Its initial seasons were, notably, buoyed by a slew of memorable supporting performances given by, among others, Graham McTavish , Laura Donnelly, Duncan Lacroix, and Simon Callow. The show's debut seasons were also elevated by Menzies' double performance as both Frank, Claire's present-day husband, and Jonathan "Black Jack" Randall, a slimy British military captain who becomes obsessed with Jamie and Claire.

All of this is to say that the fact that Outlander 's latest seasons have struggled to hold onto the momentum and energy of its first few doesn't take away from the show's early accomplishments. When it premiered on Starz in August 2014, it quickly emerged as an impressively vivid take on a seemingly familiar romantic drama. The series’ setting and characters felt immediately alive and well-defined, and its willingness to explicitly explore complex matters of power — particularly in regards to how it affects romantic and sexual relationships of various forms — seemed revolutionary at the time.

Since then, Outlander 's glow may have faded a bit, but it still hasn't disappeared. Even now, it and — at the very least — its initial seasons remain (pun intended) well worth your time.

Outlander Seasons 1-6 are streaming now on Netflix. The first half of its seventh season is available to stream on Starz.

• Science Fiction

The Twilight Zone: 12 Best Time Travel Episodes, Ranked

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8 Funniest Twilight Zone Episodes, Ranked

7 best twilight zone actors, the twilight zone: most mind-bending episodes.

Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone covered science fiction, crime thriller, and horror tropes over its original 156-episode run, including everything from alien invasions to mischievous genies in several daring and subversive plotlines. In addition to offering some of television's most memorable twists, The Twilight Zone was often remarkably precise when it came to predicting the future

The Twilight Zone: Rod Serling's Best Quotes

Rod Serling is arguably the face of The Twilight Zone, and in that time as the host, he's harbored some truly memorable quotes.

This sense that the show's writers could see the future perhaps explains why trips into the eponymous Twilight Zone often involve time travel. Over a dozen episodes of the series focus on characters who find themselves cast adrift in history and either learn from their past or suffer its eternal curse.

Updated August 14, 2024, by Kristy Ambrose: The Twilight Zone 's cautionary tales, moral lessons, and mysterious parables stand the test of time. The whole series could be an example of time travel because it continues to resonate with modern audiences. Every story is different, and the time-travel feature might be described as hallucinations, visits from ghosts, alien technology , or a character that literally travels through time using a device or machine. Any of the above and more is possible in the Twilight Zone.

12 The Trouble With Templeton, S1E26

Imdb rating: 7.1.

• Directed By: Buzz Kulik
• Written By: E. Jack Neuman
• Starring: Brian Aherne, Pippa Scott, Sydney Pollack
• Air Date: December 9, 1960

The typical theme of a Twilight Zone episode is often a dark one, concerning a deeply flawed character who refuses to learn a lesson and suffers the consequences. "The Trouble With Templeton" is the story of an actor nearing the end of his career who pulls himself back from the brink after learning a valuable lesson from a brief visit to his past.

Booth Templeton is unhappy in his second marriage and is reminiscing about how happy he was with his former wife in the earlier years of his acting career. When he's late to rehearsal, the new and younger director doesn't recognize his talent and pushes Booth to be more committed to the production. Templeton leaves the theater, upset at the confrontation, and finds himself 30 years in the past.

Of course, Booth immediately goes to the old speakeasy to find his former wife and friends, and he does, but the reception isn't exactly what he dreamed it would be. However, they don't send him back to the present empty-handed, and when he returns to the theater he not only asserts himself with the new director but uses his clout to dismiss the producer, changing his future for the better.

11 Execution, S1E26

Imdb rating: 7.2.

• Directed By: David Orrick McDearmon
• Written By: Rod Serling
• Starring: Albert Salmi, Russell Johnson, Than Wyenn
• Air Date: April 1, 1960

"Execution" opens with outlaw Joe Caswell, played by Albert Salmi, being sentenced to death. The remorseless murderer is offered a surprise reprieve when a time travel experiment inadvertently transports him from 1880 to 1960.

Caswell is overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the modern world, but he nonetheless chooses to resume his criminal spree. His actions result in the death of the naive scientist responsible for Caswell's extraction, but the killer nonetheless learns an important Twilight Zone lesson: Karma has a tendency to catch up with you.

With its memorably ruthless villain and fish-out-of-water protagonist, "Execution" is a solid installment in the classic anthology series. Caswell, who ranks among the series' most psychopathic villains, meets his match in the future with ironic consequences. Justice eventually finds its mark, even if it misses its initial target.

9 Of Late I Think Of Cliffordville, S4E14

• Directed By: David Lowell Rich
• Adapted From: "Blind Alley" by Malcolm Jameson
• Starring: Albert Salmi, Julie Newmar, John Anderson
• Air Date: April 11, 1963

William Featherstone, played by Albert Salmi is a cruel businessman and is given the chance to start from scratch in his hometown of Cliffordville after he makes a deal with the satanic Miss Devlin, who also happens to be Batman 's Julie Newmar. Arriving in Cliffordville in 1910, Featherstone uses his remaining money to purchase land that he knows will be found to contain oil.

However, he overlooks the fact that the drills needed to access the oil deposits will not be invented for nearly thirty years, by which time he will likely be dead. The episode was one of those remade as a radio drama , but its original iteration is perhaps the best take on the material. Featherstone's journey shows that pride comes before a fall.

8 Once Upon A Time, S3E13

• Directed By: Norman Z. McLeod
• Written By: Richard Matheson
• Starring: Buster Keaton, Stanley Adams, Jesse White
• Air Date: December 15, 1961

The Twilight Zone covers a range of genres, from mind-bending surrealism to spine-tingling horror . However, the show rarely indulges in pure comedy, and even more rarely does so successfully. That "Once Upon a Time" is such a hidden gem is no doubt due to its star famous silent movie actor Buster Keaton gives an impressive performance as Woodrow Mulligan, a disgruntled janitor who is sent from 1890 to 1961 thanks to an experimental "time helmet."

Funniest Twilight Zone Episodes, Ranked

Among the bizarre tales of The Twilight Zone, these episodes stand out as some of the show's funniest.

While much of the episode's charm can be attributed to Keaton's trademark slapstick, efforts are also made to make the episode's "historical" sections as authentically retro as possible—complete with speech cards in place of spoken dialogue. The result is a quirky departure from The Twilight Zone norm, but one that remains an entertaining oddity.​​​​​​

7 A Kind of Stopwatch, S5E4

Imdb rating: 7.5.

• Directed By: John Rich
• Written By: Michael D. Rosenthal, Rod Serling
• Starring: Richard Erdman, Herbie Faye, Leon Belasco
• Air Date: October 18, 1963

The main character of this story is an unfortunate person named Patrick McNulty, and his superpower is being the dullest, most mind-numbing, and utterly boring person. Still, he's oblivious to how he makes other people feel, which makes him annoyingly self-important. Even when his attitude costs him his job, he doesn't learn.

McNulty's incessant chatter is so annoying it clears out a whole bar, except for one drunken patron, who speaks in strange, archaic phrases. He gives McNulty his stopwatch, which stops time for everyone but the person using it, and McNulty thinks that he can use this power to get his old job back. The wheel of fortune never stops turning in the Twilight Zone, however, and a time-travel adventure gone wrong puts McNulty in his place when the watch breaks mid-stop, and our hero is left alone on Earth and frozen in time.

6 Back There, S2E13

• Starring: Russell Johnson, Paul Hartman, John Lasell
• Air Date: January 13, 1961

Following a hypothetical discussion about time travel, Peter Corrigan (Russell Johnson) slips a century backward in time. Finding himself in Washington just hours before the assassination of President Lincoln , Corrigan is desperate to thwart the infamous murder. Unfortunately, his pleas appear to fall on deaf ears. Is it really possible for a man to change the course of history, or are Corrigan's efforts in vain?

Best Twilight Zone Actors

The Twilight Zone has seen many distinct and memorable actor performances in its rich history. These are the best of the best.

Rod Serling's script couples a literal race against time with themes of free will, predetermination, and destiny. Ultimately, "Back There" is a story about mankind's general impotence when faced with the tides of time. However, as the episode's climax shows, Corrigan's intervention may have borne fruit, albeit in an unexpected and trivial way.

5 The Rip Van Winkle Caper, S2E24

Imdb rating: 7.6.

• Directed By: Justus Addiss
• Starring: Simon Oakland, Oscar Beregi, Jr., Lew Gallo
• Air Date: April 21, 1961

After stealing a million dollars of gold bullion, a criminal gang engages in one of The Twilight Zone 's most elaborate methods of time travel. Hiding in a Death Valley cave, the crooks attempt to evade arrest by placing themselves in suspended animation for a century. Once the heat has died down, they will reawaken and be able to profit from their audacious heist . Naturally, this bold plan is far from foolproof because not all criminals survive their one-way trip to the future.

Known for mystery and fright, The Twilight Zone harbors some truly mind-bending episodes in its legacy.

A power struggle ensues between the remaining criminals, although the future isn't quite what they expected. "The Rip Van Winkle Caper" has an ending that suits The Twilight Zone 's reputation for neatly ironic twists, plus a cameo from a retro-futuristic car borrowed from the 1956 movie Forbidden Planet . If this episode has a moral, it is as follows: budding time travelers should be careful what they wish for, especially when moving through The Twilight Zone .

3 The Odyssey Of Flight 33, S2E18

Imdb rating: 7.8.

• Starring: John Anderson, Paul Comi, Sandy Kenyon
• Air Date: February 24, 1961

No time travel series is complete without little plastic dinosaurs. Doctor Who featured them in 1974's "Invasion of the Dinosaurs," while The Twilight Zone used the charming technique in 1961's "The Odyssey of Flight 33." While this filmmaking method is unlikely to convince modern CGI-savvy audiences, it enhances rather than detracts from Rod Serling's tale of a passenger jet that zooms out of control and into the distant past.

Strong performances and true-to-life dialogue, thanks to Serling running the script past his brother, an aviation writer, make the episode one of The Twilight Zone 's most iconic installments. Viewers will root for the passengers and crew of the displaced Boeing 707 as it makes its troubled voyage through time. Dinosaurs are a classic trope of fantasy and science fiction, even if their inclusion doesn't always result in a successful end product, but in the case of this episode, it's safe to say that the series delivers.

2 The Last Flight, S1E18

Imdb rating: 8.0.

• Directed By: William F. Claxton
• Starring: Kenneth Haigh, Simon Scott, Alexander Scourby
• Air Date: February 5, 1960

Richard Matheson's first Twilight Zone script demonstrates why the writer became such a key player in shaping the original iteration of the series . A World War One-era pilot, Terry Decker, played by Kenneth Haigh, emerges from a cloud bank to find himself over forty years in the future. The authorities on the ground are initially skeptical, but Decker's insistence, and his knowledge of a fellow pilot who is now recognized as a hero, convinces his captors.

Decker admits to being a coward who chose the Air Force to avoid direct combat, and his realization that he has a vital but dangerous part to play in the course of history allows him to grow as a person, which results in one of the show's most bittersweet endings. "The Last Flight" is one of The Twilight Zone 's more melancholy stories, but its character-driven nature indicates it's likely to resonate with viewers long after the credits roll.

1 A Hundred Yards Over The Rim, S2E23

Imdb rating: 8.1.

• Starring: Cliff Robertson, John Crawford, Miranda Jones
• Air Date: April 7, 1961

Pioneer Christian Horn, played by Cliff Robertson, leads a wagon train across the desert to reach the fabled land of California. However, the expedition is fraught with danger and problems. His son is dying of an unknown disease, morale is low among the travelers, and the rest of the party is ready to turn around and go back to Ohio.

Horn, who refuses to quit, goes out alone over a nearby hill. He expects to find water, but he does not expect to find himself transported nearly a century in the future. "A Hundred Yards Over the Rim" is a fairly low-stakes episode of The Twilight Zone. While the lack of tension can detract from the story, this deficit is compensated for by the episode's cinematography.

The beautifully shot desert landscapes capture the Wild West era and contrast nicely with the modern, claustrophobic set used to represent a 1960s diner. It's also a rare episode with a happy ending, something far from the norm in The Twilight Zone 's world of twists and turns.

The Twilight Zone

• Movies & TV

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Reality tv star wrongfully convicted by kamala harris’s office will vote for trump in november: ‘life was good’.

A wannabe filmmaker who was wrongfully convicted of murder by Kamala Harris’ office when she was San Francisco’s district attorney said he was bullied by Hollywood leftists into supporting Democrats in 2020 — but is now all in for Team Trump.

Jamal Trulove spent six years in San Quentin and other California state prisons and was only sprung in 2015 after he was acquitted in a retrial, amid accusations of police and prosecutorial misconduct from Harris’ office.

“I can’t see myself voting for a woman who had something to do with me being framed for murder,” Trulove told The Post by phone.

“When we look at what our life was like when Trump was in office we felt like life was good compared to right now,” said Trulove, 39. “We wasn’t in no wars, right now we’re in wars. Illegals wasn’t coming in, but they’re coming in now.”

“So a huge reason to why I’m voting for Donald Trump is because the economy, the border and inflation,” he said.

During the 2020 election, Trulove, who appeared on the VH1 reality TV show “I Love New York 2,” publicly backed the Biden/Harris ticket — something he now regrets, he said.

“I put my differences aside only because I was being pressured by executives and a lot of my advisors, because I had I had contracts to do my documentary and obviously, I do film, and so forth and so on.” he said, adding that he feared being “blackballed.”

“The people that I work with in Hollywood, they’re all on the left,” he added. “I really had no other choice.”

Trulove’s turn to Trump didn’t happen overnight.

Just weeks after appearing on the VH1 show, Trulove, an aspiring actor and hip-hop performer, was arrested in 2010 for the 2007 murder of 28-year-old Seu Kuka in a San Francisco housing project.

The case was predicated almost entirely off a single witness: Priscilla Lualemaga, who identified Trulove as the shooter. Deputy prosecutor Linda Allen lauded Lualemaga at the time, alleging she faced deadly retaliation for her participation.

“She’ll never get her life back,” Allen said at the time, adding Lualemaga testified knowing “maybe [she’ll] get killed over being a witness because she saw someone else kill someone.” 

Harris, who was District Attorney of San Francisco from 2004 until 2010, did not prosecute the case directly, but praised the “brave eyewitnesses” after Trulove was convicted.

He was convicted in October 2010 and sentenced to 50 years to life. A few months later, Harris was elected Attorney General of California.

Trulove appealed, and in 2014, the California Court of Appeal overturned his conviction , citing “highly prejudicial prosecutorial misconduct” by Harris’ office, including falsely and improperly inflating the personal danger Lualemaga had been in.

“The People did not present a scintilla of evidence at trial that defendant’s friends and family would try to kill Lualemaga if she testified against him, nor that Lualemaga was placed in the witness protection program for any reason other than Lualemaga’s subjective concerns about her safety,” the court wrote.

“Rather than concede Lualemaga’s fears were just that, however, the People trumpeted her courageous willingness to testify in the face of assassins lurking on defendant’s behalf. This yarn was made out of whole cloth.”

A new trial was ordered for Trulove in 2015, at which he was acquitted. A federal civil jury later found that San Francisco police officers fabricated evidence against Trulove and withheld exculpatory evidence in the case. Linda Allen, one of the prosecuting attorneys, was later fired by Harris’ district attorney successor, far-left progressive Chesa Boudin.

After being released from prison, Trulove tried to get back into the filmmaking and media business.

He worked on a documentary called “Black and White: The Greatest Team That Almost Never Was” — which told the story of racial integration in college football and the 1972 University of Southern California Trojans. The project does not appear to have been made.

He also had a small role in the 2019 film “The Last Black Man in San Francisco,” according to IMDB.

In July, Trulove mocked Harris on his YouTube account , “Kamala laughalot Harris” — and accused her of mocking him in court after he was initially sentenced to 50 years to life in prison.

“She was smiling. She did that stupid ass laugh that she do right now,” Trulove said in the video.

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The ‘Orgasm Gap’ Isn’t Going Away for Straight Women

A new study suggests they still have fewer orgasms during sex than men do, even with age and experience.

By Catherine Pearson

Sex researchers and therapists have long known that women in heterosexual relationships tend to have fewer orgasms than men do. A large new study suggests that this “orgasm gap” persists — and does not improve with age.

The Numbers

The research, published recently in the journal Sexual Medicine, found that across all ages, men of all sexual orientations reported higher orgasm rates during sex — from 70 to 85 percent — compared with 46 to 58 percent for women. Lesbian and bisexual women between ages 35 and 49 reported higher orgasm rates than their heterosexual counterparts.

The analysis included data from eight Singles in America surveys, which are funded and conducted by Match.com annually in collaboration with The Kinsey Institute, the sexuality and relationships research program at Indiana University. The sample included more than 24,000 single Americans between the ages of 18 and 100.

Researchers were especially interested in the question of whether orgasm rates vary by age. Amanda Gesselman, a research scientist with the Kinsey Institute and lead author on the study, said she thought the team might find evidence that the orgasm gap narrows as women develop confidence and learn what they like (and, perhaps, their partners develop skills to help pleasure them).

However, while older gay and bisexual men and lesbian women did have higher orgasm rates, “we really didn’t see evidence of closing the orgasm gap overall,” she said, adding that she hopes future studies will explore the age-orgasm connection further.

“We really, as a society, sort of prioritize men’s pleasure and undervalue women’s sexual pleasure,” Dr. Gesselman said. “And I think that contributes to consistent disparities.”

The Limitations

Emily Nagoski, a sex educator and author of the book “Come Together” — who did not work on the new study — said a limitation of the study was that the survey asked: “When having sexual intercourse in general, what percentage of the time do you usually have an orgasm?” But it did not provide a more specific definition of what “sexual intercourse” means.

Research shows the majority of women require some form of clitoral stimulation in order to orgasm. So if straight women defined “sexual intercourse” as vaginal penetration alone, it makes sense that there was a significant gap in orgasm rates, she said.

A more revealing question might be, “What percentage of the sex you have do you like?” Dr. Nagoski said. “Orgasm is not the measure of a sexual encounter. Pleasure is the measure of a sexual encounter.”

Ultimately, what matters is that people spend time figuring out what makes a satisfying sexual encounter for them — which often includes things like connection, trust and comfort, said Kristen Mark, professor at the Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health at the University of Minnesota.

“There are so many ways to experience sexual pleasure, so it’s important not to equate the orgasm gap to a pleasure gap,” she added.

Dr. Mark said that may be especially true later in life, when factors like the hormonal changes that occur during menopause, a partner’s erectile problems or other health challenges can make it difficult for women to reliably orgasm during sex — but they might still be enjoying the sex they are having.

What Progress Looks Like

At the same time that sex researchers and experts are calling for a more nuanced understanding of what makes sex “successful,” they express frustration at the fact that heterosexual women of all ages are still not having as many orgasms as their partners.

Laurie Mintz, a professor of psychology at the University of Florida and author of “Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters — and How to Get It,” said the study’s findings underscore the need for comprehensive sex education. But that’s not enough.

Women need to figure out what they find pleasurable, and then feel confident and comfortable communicating that to their partners, Dr. Mintz said. That requires an attitude that conveys “I deserve pleasure as much as my partner,” she added — and it also requires a partner who is receptive and open. Dr. Mintz acknowledged that both are easier said than done, calling the orgasm gap an “insidious” byproduct of patriarchal attitudes toward sex.

Women who are unable to orgasm, or who are simply not having sex that feels good, can talk to their general practitioner, Dr. Mark added — though she lamented that it tends to fall on patients, not medical professionals, to initiate conversations about sexual health. And she acknowledged that most doctors get little if any training in sexual health. Still, “it’s their job to meet you where you are and find you the resources you need,” Dr. Mark said. For instance, issues like dryness and pain during sex after menopause — which can make orgasms elusive — are treatable.

But she and other sexual health experts emphasized that there are larger issues at play. Among them, the lingering idea that women’s sexual pleasure is somehow secondary.

“It can be fixed,” Dr. Mintz said. “It’s going to take education, and empowerment, and acceptance of vibrators and lubricants, and using the word ‘clitoris’ — and all of that.”

Catherine Pearson is a Times reporter who writes about families and relationships. More about Catherine Pearson

What to Know About Your Sexual Health

Sexual health can be an important part of personal well-being. the information below can help you demystify this often misunderstood topic..

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