When the weekend comes there’s nothing quite like getting cozy and indulging in the experience of watching some wild characters meander their way through a series of unpredictable events.
A wonderful switch up to this is watching characters meander through the same event over and over and over again, trying to break a predictable cycle – this is the Time Loop Movie.
Since Groundhog Day (1993) (the classic film featuring Bill Murray) the formula has been repeated several times forming a cinematic time-loop of it is own.
But much like these films, no two loops are exactly the same and to help you figure out what to watch this weekend, we’ve listed 5 of the best after Groundhog Day which will always be the OG of the trope.
5. Happy Death Day (2017)
Thriller/Horror/Fantasy Film
Dir. Christopher Landon
Aroh Rating 6.8
Young Tree (Jessica Rothe) is stuck in a Time Loop and is forced to relive the day she is murdered by a dude in a creepy baby mask. Despite the grim premise this film happens to be able to squeeze a reasonable mount of humour in between the mystery and murder. Happy Death Day is a reasonable safe PG-13 level horror - fun for the whole family, kinda.
4. Before I Fall (2017)
Drama/ Fantasy Film
Dir. Ry Russo-Young
Aroh Rating 6.8
High School student Sam (Zoey Deutch, Set It Up (2018), Zombieland Double Tap(2019) ) lives a charmed life until it turns out to be her last. She then goes on to unravel the mystery around her death and gain a better understanding of what she’s really lost. With a stellar performance from Duetch this film is an emotionally tumultuous ride, so be sure to bring out tissues when you’re prepping your snacks.
3. Palm Springs (2020)
RomCom/ Fantasy/ SciFi Film
Dir. Max Barbakow
Aroh Rating 7.6
Wedding guests Nyles (played by Andy Samburg; Lonely Island, SNL, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) and Sarah (played by Cristen Milioti; Wolf of Wallstreet (2013), Fargo (2015), Made for Love (2021)) find them selves stuck in a time loop. While living the same day over and over again they slowly develop a budding romance.
Samburg and Cristen come through as a funny, cute and super loveable duo. The film also features just the right amount of JK Simmons (Whiplash (2014), Spider-man: No Way Home (2021), Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) ) filled with righteous anger.
This film provides the laughs and occasionally the feels all while bringing that sweet Time-Loop action and being the first in your personal watchlist of Films to Watch in the Lead up to Valentine’s Day.
2. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Action/ Sci-Fi Film
Dir. Doug Liman
Aroh Rating 8.9
A slippery communications Rep for Earth’s Armed Forces, Cage (Played by Tom Cruise; Mission Impossible Series, Jack Reacher (2012), Top Gun: Maverick (2022)), is thrust into battle and forced to fight on the front lines against an Alien invasion. After being killed in action, he gets killed in action, again and again and again. Through this Time Loop
Along with super badass soldier, Rita (played by Emily Blunt; A Quiet Place (2018), Into the Woods (2014), Devil Wears Prada (2006)), Cage must use his reset ability to save the world.
In what is honestly one of the most consistently entertaining blockbusters I’ve ever seen, both Cruise and Blunt arrive with both charisma and chemistry that is beyond convincing. Despite the repetition Director Doug Liman makes sure that there’s never a dull moment in this film.
1. Source Code (2011)
Sci-Fi/ Drama/ Action Film
Dir. Duncan Jones
Aroh Rating 9.1
What is a movie list with the potential for a Jake G freakout scene.
A soldier (played by Jake Gyllenhaal; Nightcrawler (2014), Donnie Darko (2001), Prisoners (2013)) wakes up on a train, in someone else’s body and dies in an explosion 8min later.
Tasked with finding out who the bomber is, we join Colt 8min at a time as he goes through a roller coaster of events trying to battle inevitable demise of the train and all its passengers.
Packed with action, mystery, a tight deadline, and incredibly talented actors Source Code comes in right at the top of this list as the Time Loop movie you absolutely have to see, again, and again, and again.
BONUS: Russian Doll (2019), a loop series, weird as hell a lot of fun.
Creators: Leslye Headland; Natasha Lyonne; Amy Poehler
Russian Doll follows a typical New Yorker as she keeps dying and returning to the party that's being thrown for her.
Natasha Lyonne delivers a lovely but somewhat cynical performance as Nadia, our bold and brash Red-headed protagonist. Unlike most loops, things get weirder and stranger with every iteration driving us, and her to wonder what’s really going in here and how bad will things get.
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