time travel tv shows on hulu

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

20 Best Time-Travel Shows Ranked

If you could travel back and forth through time, where would you go? What would you do? Who would you talk to? Even better, if you were writing a book, making a movie, or working on a television show about time travel, what would you include? The best TV shows about time travel all feature characters who visit other eras for various compelling (or even life-threatening) reasons. Maybe it's to prevent a coming apocalypse, maybe it's just to save one person's life — but as many of these shows teach, small changes can have big effects, and many of these characters learn that their time-traveling can change the world.  

Now, there are some great time travel-adjacent shows that don't quite fit this list. A fun romp like "Early Edition," for example, utilizes a time-traveling newspaper and potentially a time-traveling cat, but doesn't in and of itself feature a lot of time travel. Likewise, something like "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" is rooted in a time travel premise, but stays mostly in one time. With all that said, here's a look at our choices for the 20 best time travel shows on TV.

Save the cheerleader, save the world. That's what future Hiro Nakamura (Masi Oka) tells present-day Hiro when he appears to him from the future, and that's what establishes "Heroes" as way more than just a superhero show.

The NBC series follows a group of regular people who develop special powers, not unlike mutants in the "X-Men" series, after a mysterious worldwide eclipse. Each character gains their own individual abilities. Claire Bennet (Hayden Panettiere) develops the ability to heal from any injury. Senator Nathan Petrelli (Adrian Pasdar) gains the ability to fly, while his brother Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) can temporarily absorb others' powers. Still, few of these characters have cooler abilities than Hiro, who can influence the space-time continuum. This means he can teleport, slow down time — and, of course, time travel.   

Understandably, Hiro's power set becomes a serious asset throughout the series, and his path to perfect his abilities is one of "Heroes'" strongest story arcs. The first few times he travels through time don't go as planned, and throughout the series, things can get in the way of him ending up where he wants to go or when he wants to be. While Hiro's time-traveling is just one part of the larger story, it's definitely one of the show's highlights – especially since Oka is so darn charming as the character.

19. 11.22.63

One of the best Stephen King TV series out there, the eight-episode "11.22.63" follows a man named Jake Epping (James Franco). He's a relatively normal guy who receives a chance to change history when his friend Al (Chris Cooper) tells him he's found a way to travel back in time. Al tells Jake that the portal he's discovered goes back to the year 1960 and that he's been working on a plan to stop the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Al's age and advancing cancer diagnosis prevent him from following through on the plan, however, and he asks Jake to take over for him. Jake agrees, but soon his quest is met with pushback from a mysterious source. As it turns out, the past doesn't want to be changed, and every step Jake takes toward preventing JFK's assassination leads to more cracks in the timeline. 

A charming and exciting time travel drama, "11.22.63" is a well-executed, twisty tale that only ranks so low on this list because it's in such great company. If you're looking for a quick, self-contained time travel miniseries that revolves around one of modern America's most notable events, this show is well worth a watch. 

When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crash lands on a deserted island, wacky and scary things start happening to the survivors. ABC's "Lost" deals with flashbacks, flash-forwards, mysterious groups that already have a presence on the island, a black smoke monster — and, as it turns out, an ancient battle between good and evil. One of the great appointment television shows before streaming broke through, "Lost" had fans talking about it and theorizing about its mysteries on a weekly basis.

The sci-fi drama captivated viewers for six seasons, and though time travel is referenced throughout the entire series run, it plays the biggest role in Season 4. As the island itself leaps from place to place and from time to time, the main group of characters jumps with it, encountering previous versions of themselves and island events that occurred in the past, and suffering from the effects of temporal displacement. The most beloved episode dealing with time travel is undoubtedly "The Constant," in which fan-favorite Desmond Hume (Henry Ian Cusick) figures out a way to stop his consciousness from jumping through time by finding his constant — his true love, Penny (Sonya Walger).

Of course, "Lost" is not just a time travel show, and famously covers such a wide variety of mysteries and sci-fi concepts that viewers might find it hard to keep up. As such, it ends up with this relatively low ranking. 

Like "Lost", "Fringe" is considered one of the most binge-worthy sci-fi shows of all time  but the fact that it isn't exclusively about time travel means it lands near the tail end of this particular list. The ABC show revolves around a science-fiction conglomerate that dabbles with interdimensional travel, wormholes, and alternate realities. Anna Torv stars as FBI Agent Olivia Dunham, who heads up the bureau's Fringe Division. With the help of "mad scientist" Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble), his estranged son Peter (Joshua Jackson), and their lab assistant Astrid Farnsworth (Jakisa Nicole), Dunham explores cases involving fringe science — be they about time travel, mind control, experiments gone wrong or any other strange and obscure criminal activity.

Time travel is more of a looming presence early in "Fringe," particularly present in the character of the Observer (Michael Cerveris), a bald, pale, genetically advanced human from the future. While Season 1 and Season 2 deal with the battle between two dimensions and realities, time travel really becomes an element in Season 3. Seasons 4 and 5 then deal with alternate timelines and the Observers that infiltrate the world from the future, intent on wiping out humanity. As you might expect, things can get a bit confusing, but the show sure is fun.

16. The Umbrella Academy

You have to respect a show that's so high-concept that time travel doesn't even get top billing. "The Umbrella Academy" boasts mysterious events, family drama, dance numbers, a talking chimpanzee, some of the cleverest superpowers in superhero shows, and a robot mom — and that's just scratching the surface. Based on "The Umbrella Academy" comics created by Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance fame, the Netflix show is a saga that exploits everything from the butterfly effect to the grandfather paradox for emotional and comedic impact.

The central Hargreeves family consists of a group of kids all born on the same day, adopted by the same eccentric billionaire (Colm Feore). He has trained them to protect the world with their various superpowers, but they aren't particularly great at it, and their strict upbringing has left them with a wide array of issues and deep rifts between them. The dysfunctional bunch starts out fairly estranged, but slowly bonds to save humanity from an apocalyptic event ... only to cause another potential apocalyptic event by sprinkling themselves across time.

In between the tears in the space-time continuum, "The Umbrella Academy" is ultimately an ensemble story about found (and re-found) family, as well as a truly unique superhero show where personal failure and the side-effects of costumed crimefighter life play a huge role. However, since Season 1 largely approaches time travel through Number Five (Aidan Gallagher) and the Temps Aeternalis agency, and much of Season 3 focuses on a present-day alternate reality, only the 1960s-themed Season 2 goes truly all in on the concept of sending all main characters to a different era. 

15. Sliders

"Sliders" is a 1990s sci-fi adventure series that features Jerry O'Connell and friends getting lost across the multiverse. O'Connell ("Stand By Me") plays boy genius Quinn Mallory, inventor of the Timer — a device that lets him and his friends "slide" through a wormhole vortex into different versions of Earth. The thing about wormhole vortexes, though, is that they like to misbehave, meaning Quinn and his buds never know where they're headed next on their adventures. This makes their quest to get back home to their own Earth a tricky one.

"Sliders" starts off fun and strong, and is at its best when having bonkers fun — like when Rembrandt (Cleavant Derricks) discovers a world where he could have been Elvis-level famous — and when it's exploring real-world issues in a high-concept dimension, like when the crew visits an Earth that treats men worse than women. Even if you've seen it before, it's definitely worth a re-watch, because "Sliders" is one  TV show that's better than you remember.

14. Continuum

On "Continuum," Kiera Cameron (Rachel Nichols) is a Protector – think futuristic government agent from even more futuristic equipment — from the year 2077. She gets transported to the year 2012 along with a group of murderous terrorists, forcing Kiera to remain in the past as she chases them down. Fortunately, her gadgets and knowledge of the past soon come in handy and she finds loyal allies. Unfortunately, her enemies also know their history and plan on altering it for their own gain. 

"Continuum" milks the premise for all it's worth, while avoiding the pitfall of becoming a run-in-the-mill procedural with an unchanging status quo. While Kiera does handle her share of case-of-the-week story arcs, they're often connected to the group she pursues, and she never lets go of her primary target of stopping the terrorists. In order to avoid disrupting the timeline, she also has to go to great lengths to avoid revealing that either she or her targets are time travelers — and when their actions inevitably end up changing the future, she has to deal with the consequences. 

13. Timeless

If ever there was a time travel show that was canceled too soon, it's Eric Kripke and Shawn Ryan's "Timeless." The NBC sci-fi series stars Abigail Spencer as the historian Lucy, Matt Lanter as the soldier Wyatt, and Malcolm Barrett as Rufus, a scientist who makes up a team trying to prevent a mysterious organization from altering the courses of history through time travel. They're up againsts Garcia Flynn (Goran Višnjić), who travels throughout history intending to influence major events like the Hindenburg disaster. However, the team soon realizes that the villain they thought they were fighting is much larger and infiltrates the historical timeline in ways they never imagined. 

Instead of focusing on the usual historical suspects, "Timeless" often highlights forgotten people of color, women, and lesser-known historical figures, giving them their due and celebrating their contributions to society. This element of the show can be seen in the way Rufus, for instance, is reluctant to join the team because he knows how Black people are treated in the eras they visit. 

Despite its intriguing concept, the show was canceled after Season 1, but fans caused such an uproar that NBC reversed the decision of canceling "Timeless"  and renewed it for another season. After Season 2, NBC pulled the plug once more, and again, the fans cried foul. In a kind of compromise, NBC greenlit a special two-hour series finale that ties up loose ends and gives much-needed closure to the story. 

12. 12 Monkeys

The "12 Monkeys" SyFy series is based on the 1995 film of the same name that stars Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt — though the series makes a fair few changes to stretch the plot into a four-season sci-fi drama. The series stars Aaron Sanford as James Cole, a scavenger from the year 2024 who's tasked with traveling to 2015 in order to stop the release of a biological weapon. In the movie, James is helped by a psychologist named Kathryn Railly played by Madeleine Stowe, but here, he befriends a virologist named Dr. Cassandra "Cassie" Railly (Amanda Schull). Pitt's character, Jeffrey Goines, is also gender-swapped here, with Emily Hampshire playing Jennifer Goines.

Like the movie, the series deals with the Cassandra Complex, the idea that we have a hard time believing concerns about the future, no matter how likely and provable they are. It also deals with circular time and the idea that past events can be affected by future ones. If those aspects of the film lift your time travel antennae, the four-season show dives even deeper.

11. Paper Girls

"Paper Girls" is a brilliant time travel show that was canceled way ahead of its time. Based on the comics by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang, this Amazon series tells the story of a group of 1990s tween girls who get attacked by futuristic invaders. They manage to escape into the future, where one of the girls, Erin (Riley Lai Nelet ), meets her adult self (Ali Wong).

The show dispenses with grandfather paradox hand-wringing and instead uses the concept of the girls confronting their past and future selves, to brutally honest and hilarious effect. Young Erin is horrified to find out how much of herself she's abandoned by the time she turns into Old Erin, and refuses to let life work out that way. It motivates Erin to want to return to her home time even more — this kid has a clock to beat. However, there are two sides to the coin, and Old Erin is also able to care for her young self in ways she never felt able to when she was younger. It's a beautiful and potent visual metaphor that other characters also make good on. 

All in all, "Paper Girls" is a feast for the eyes as much as its ensemble cast is a feast for the soul. Plus, Jason Mantzoukas playfully chewing scenery as the ominous Grand Father? This show could have lasted until the end of time — or at least until Season 2.

10. Timewasters

"Timewasters" is a time travel comedy about a Black British jazz band that accidentally time-slips back to 1920s London, among other timelines. The quartet stumbles into an earlier time perod via a disgusting elevator that, yes, doubles as a time machine. Once the crew shows up in the past, they're treated like freaks, but they gain some measure of success as musicians. While the crew eventually tries to return to the present, they also have a "Back to the Future" moment when they seemingly get stuck in the 1950s.

"Timewasters" is full of funny jokes and great music, and it's a groundbreaking show in a number of ways. "People like us never get to time travel — it's what white people do, like skiing or brunch," creator Daniel Lawrence Taylor told the Royal Television Society . "For me, race is so important." Taylor also stars in "Timewasters," along with Kadiff Kirwan ("Slow Horses"), Adelayo Adedayo ("Some Girls"), and Samson Kayo ("Our Flag Means Death"). The show is also an excellent destination if you're into spotting a variety of British actors and comedians ... including Joseph Quinn, who went on to rise to fame as Eddie Munson on "Stranger Things."

9. Outlander

Based on the series of novels by Diana Gabaldon, Starz's "Outlander" follows the story of a World War II nurse named Claire (Caitriona Balfe) who finds herself thrown back in time after visiting a circle of mysterious Druid stones. She arrives in 18th Century Scotland and, after being taken in by a band of gruff Scots, she marries the dashing young Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) in order to avoid being taken prisoner by her real husband's (Tobias Menzies) apparent evil ancestor, Black Jack Randall (Menzies). Claire lives through a time of great upheaval in Scotland when tensions with British control are rising and history-making battles loom in the near future. Despite being initially reluctant to stay, she and Jamie fall deeply in love, and their romance remains the backbone of the series.

The entire "Outlander" timeline  takes some time to explain, what with several 20th-century characters taking the trip to the 18th century and the show covering versions of notable real-world historical events. Without further spoilers, all there is to say is that if you enjoy time travel shows that lean heavily toward historical drama, "Outlander" is where it's at. Also, if you view Tobias Menzies as an incorrigible dweeb due to his performance as Edmure Tully on "Game of Thrones," his monstrous "Outlander" villain is guaranteed to erase that image.

8. Quantum Leap

"Quantum Leap" stars Scott Bakula as Dr. Sam Beckett, a physicist who invents a way to travel through time. When the corporation funding his project threatens to shut it down, Sam uses himself as a guinea pig to test out the method. He finds himself thrown back in time, but in another person's body. The only other entity aware of his 'leap" is a hologram of his colleague and best friend, Admiral Al Calavicci (Dean Stockwell). Al tells Sam that he must correct things that went wrong in the past before being allowed to leap back to his own time and body, and can only use the resources of the project's supercomputer, Ziggy.

With Sam leaping back and forth into different bodies at different times, the show uses a variant of the traditional procedural set up. New characters turn up to guest star and Sam gets to save the day, have a fling, and learn something new before leaping to the next destination, which just might be home one of these days.  

The series ran on NBC from 1989 to 1993, but its combination of time travel and case-of-the-week antics has proved enduring enough that "Quantum Leap" even gets a shout-out in "Avengers: Endgame." Despite being over three decades old, it remains a cool time travel series worth checking out.

7. The 4400

In the opening scenes of "The 4400," an enormous ball of light drops 4,400 people at the foot of Mount Rainier in Washington. They soon realize that they were all taken from some other point in time and deposited into the year 2004, unaged and without any memories of where they'd been. At first, everyone assumes that these people have been abducted by aliens. However, it soon turns out that the truth is far more time travel-related.

The returned people soon start developing "Heroes"-style powers that range from telekinesis to telepathy and super-strength, which people from the future have entrusted with to prevent various catastrophic events that they want to avoid in their timeline. Unfortunately, the 2004 government considers the powered folks a threat, and inhibits their powers with a neurological drug. 

The stories that unfold from this setup are exactly as complex and entertaining as you'd imagine, with various members of the titular group treating their powers in different ways and society having a hard time dealing with them. Unfortunately, "The 4400" ended abruptly after four seasons on a somewhat ambiguous note, but even so, it's a fun show to revisit.

6. Travelers

In Netflix's "Travelers," time-traveling operatives from a post-apocalyptic future are tasked with preventing certain events that have led to the downfall of society in their own present day of 2018. The travelers' consciousness takes over a person in the desired time who's just about to die, and the operative then lives out the rest of that person's days though with the mission in mind ... and a strict set of rules they must follow. Apart from a list of ways they're not allowed to interact with the past, they're also strictly forbidden from communicating with other known travelers outside their team, save for special circumstances dictated by the Director, who communicates by temporarily taking over children. 

It's a unique and complex premise, and the way the travelers scope out potential targets for takeover and learn to live as them is as timely as it comes — they use social media, GPS locations, and other readily available online information for their time-travel tricks. This adds a layer of present-day dread to the show's fascinating take on time travel. 

Loki Laufeyson (Tom Hiddleston) meets his match when he comes up against the Time Variance Authority in one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's most ambitious Disney+ shows, "Loki." The TVA is so dedicated to maintaining a particular sacred timeline that they purge all alternate realities where someone made a choice they deem wrong, which might not always make sense, but precision isn't the point here. It's the idea of playfulness versus control. 

The Loki we see here is an alternate-timeline variant of the one the audiences are familiar with, and thus starts the show in full "The Avengers" villain mode before life — and time — starts grinding him down. Working with TVA agent Mobius M. Mobius (Owen Wilson), he starts redeeming himself by tracking down an apparently evil version of himself, Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) ... and ultimately tackling the biggest challenges time can offer.  

The God of Mischief's surprisingly human path of reckoning is the heart of a show that's deliciously stylish, silly, and sometimes scary. "Loki" takes a cops-and-robbers crime caper into time travel territory and explores hefty themes with a light touch, from mindless compliance to self-serving overseers to criminalizing anyone deemed different. "Loki" isn't just a time travel show — it's a show about everything time can offer and more, with characters dancing between eras as you might step from room to room. Also, it has Alligator Loki, who's objectively the best Loki of all. 

If "Loki" is too light-hearted for you, Netflix's "Dark" might be your jam ... provided you can make sense of its incredibly convoluted time travel storyline. Four families weave a tangled web of time travel in this German-language psychological thriller about missing kids, a rotten town, and how almost all of our secrets come out in time. In other words, it's a good time travel show, but it's definitely not a feel-good time travel show. 

"Dark" follows its many characters over the course of their lifetimes and, at one point, has three timelines going at once. Part of the intrigue and challenge of watching the show is trying to understand how (and when) each timeline threads into the other. If you decide to watch it, it's best to have an evidence board and plenty of red yarn ready to chart the relationships and betrayals the town of Winden sees over the years.

While "Dark" is as much a show about human connection and how frayed it can become as it is about time travel, it's also the MVP of using as many time travel paradoxes as possible during its three-season run. "Dark" is also an innovator in the field of wormhole placement. Wormholes are already not to be trusted, but a wormhole underneath a nuclear power plant? No, thank you.

3. Beforeigners

What happens when a bunch of Viking-era warriors, 19th-century figures, and Stone Age people pop up in modern-day Oslo? "Beforeigners" attempts to answer that question while navigating twisty murder mysteries with such efficiency that the Norwegian series may be best described as "crime travel." Adding to the intrigue is the way it focuses more on the present-day relationship between the time refugees and their modern counterparts than on how they showed up in the first place.

"Beforeigners" centers around the odd-couple partnership between hardened police detective Lars Haaland (Nicolai Cleve Broch) and eager new Viking police recruit Alfhildr Enginnsdóttir (Krista Kosonen), who investigate things like the murder of a Stone Age victim and even look into crimes with possible ties to Jack the Ripper.

The metaphor of time migration is an apt one for immigration, and this sci-fi show explores tricky real-life issues with plenty of scope. Creators Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin got their start in comedy writing, and their commitment to the bit is evident in the show, including the language used. "Early on, I contacted researchers, professors who helped us. We also constructed the language that Stone Age people spoke, and even with the language from the 19th century: We worked on it to make it sound right," Bjørnstad told Variety . "Why not invest in language, which is such a big part of a person's identity?"

2. Russian Doll

"Russian Doll" could be pitched as "Natasha Lyonne's 'Groundhog Day,'" but that still wouldn't hint at half of the show's charm and emotion. This Netflix offering is a mind-bending time loop dramedy that's a stylish and surreal exploration of life, death, and all the trauma in between. Season 1 of "Russian Doll" features Nadia (Lyonne) stuck reliving her 36th birthday until she inevitably dies and resets back to her friend's bathroom. Later in the season, she discovers a fellow time traveler (Charlie Barnett). They quickly realize that the way out of their dead ends and into a new life is through helping each other.

Season 2 takes some departures from the recursive reality set up in the first season, bending viewers' minds even more thoroughly. "Russian Doll" goes deep, but keeps a sense of humor even as it twists the knife in its characters' hearts — and their timelines. The show keeps audiences just oriented enough by linking its time loops to recognizable spaces and sound cues. You will never look at the subway the same way again, and you will probably never get Harry Nilsson's "Gotta Get Up" out of your head.

1. Doctor Who

Really, could any other show top a list like this?  The untold history of "Doctor Who"  goes all the way back to 1963, when the show premiered on the BBC. The series follows the adventures of a Time Lord who calls themselves the Doctor — an alien being from the planet Gallifrey who travels through space and time on a craft called the TARDIS, which is charmingly disguised as an old-fashioned British police call box and is famously bigger on the inside.  Every Doctor has their own companions  – humans who follow the Doctor throughout space and time, helping people, battling new and recurring villains, and dealing with the assorted wibbly-wobbly stuff on the Doctor's timeline .

The original series ran from 1963 through 1989 and established the neat trick of recasting the Doctor every few years or so, thanks to the premise that the character has multiple lives and can reincarnate himself into different physical bodies. The modern series was revived in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor, and talented actors like David Tennant (twice), Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, Jodie Whitaker, and Ncuti Gatwa have followed in his footsteps. Even without the fact that no other show has time travel quite as integrated into its very premise as "Doctor Who," the show's sheer longevity and cultural impact are more than enough to make it the king of the time travel hill. 

You need to watch the most underrated time-travel show ever ASAP

The famous 1995 movie is for cinephiles. But the SyFy reboot is for science fiction fans.

Initiate splinter sequence! If that phrase is meaningless to you, there’s a good chance you haven’t seen the best time travel show of the 21st century — or, perhaps, ever.

For some, this 2010s SyFy Channel series lives in the shadow of Terry Gilliam’s 1995 film. But for fans of science fiction, the TV show 12 Monkeys is actually much more satisfying than its previous incarnation. 12 Monkeys reinvents the time travel genre by embracing its oldest tropes, and in doing so, it makes the sci-fi series more than worth your time, now that all four seasons are streaming on Hulu.

Watching 12 Monkeys in 2022 admittedly can be triggering. The entire premise rests upon James Cole (Aaron Stanford) being sent back in time from 2043 to prevent a worldwide plague from decimating the planet in 2017. Watching the show in 2015 was certainly a grim experience, but post-2020, it's even darker. And yet, as the series goes on, it becomes less about a scheme to prevent a pandemic and more about the time travel itself.

Although Season 1 deals a lot with predestination paradoxes (we were always meant to be here) and closed loops (the time travel tech exists because it’s always existed), nearly every permutation of time travel tropes is depicted, reexamined, and made to feel brand new by the time you get through all four seasons.

Sometimes events are permanently tethered to causality, and sometimes they’re not. While a few alternate timelines are created, they don’t always overwrite the previous ones. In Doctor Who , you might imagine the Doctor saying some things are “fixed points in time,” and other things can be changed. In that series, rules like that are wonky; reliant on the audience being told the rule exists. But in 12 Monkeys , the why and how of those rules is part of the actual narrative.

THE RULES OF TIME TRAVEL is an Inverse special issue exploring the evolution of science fiction's most imaginative sub-genre. From Marty McFly to Avengers: Endgame .

Cole (Aaron Stanford) and Cassie (Amanda Schull) cross several decades together.

So, when the show presents a Back to the Future trope or a remix of a Philip K. Dick story, 12 Monkeys highlights how hyper-aware it is of its influences without resorting to garish fan service. Yes, there’s some stunt-casting, including memorable reoccurring roles from James Callis, original 12 Monkeys star Madeleine Stowe, and, of course, sci-fi royalty, Christopher Lloyd, who basically plays a straight-up villain.

Based upon the 1995 Terry Gilliam film of the same name , the series has about in much in common with that film as the reboot of Battlestar Galactica had with its 1978 predecessor. The show was created by Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett both of who are currently working on Star Trek: Picard Season 2 and Season 3. In fact, if you’ve never seen SyFy’s 12 Monkeys but have recently watched Picard , you’ll be more than a little surprised to see just how many references now exist in Star Trek canon that directly tie into the 12 Monkeys -verse.

Outside of any cross-franchise pollination, the thrust and philosophy of 12 Monkeys not only pay homage to the Gilliam film but also honor the original progenitor of both versions: the 1962 French film La Jetée by Chris Marker. In a sense, 12 Monkeys feels closer to La Jetée insofar that it's less interested in being a confusing mindfuck (like the Gilliam film) and more interested in telling a moving and romantic human story.

Without spoiling anything specifically, part of what makes 12 Monkeys such a joyful series is just how many times the plot twists can surprise you, and how — just as often — those twists are utterly uplifting. The way the characters are presented in the first season drastically changes by Season 4, but each of those changes is justified by meticulous character development, not by time travel reboots and alternate universe revisions. Those happen, too, but the characters change in spite of, not because of those events.

Emily Hampshire as Jennifer.

A good microcosm for the multi-dimensional nature of the show is the character of Jennifer Goines (Emily Hampshire), who is initially presented as a new version of Brad Pitt’s off-the-wall Jeffrey Goines from the original film. At the start, we view Jennifer as a mental patient with a sadistic and villainous edge — like a time travel version of Harley Quinn. But by the end of the series, Jennifer’s characterization becomes far more complex than any cookie-cutter cliché.

In 2017, Hampshire told Inverse she felt that she’d hit the “jackpot” with the role of Jennifer saying, “When do you, as an actor in one show, in one part, get to play yourself at 65, get to be in the ‘80s?”

Again, this detail about one character is a mere synecdoche of why 12 Monkeys is such a fulfilling and wonderful sci-fi TV series. You come for the cool, twisting time travel narrative, but you stay for the characters. Another character, Deacon (Todd Stashwick) adopts the famous Simple Minds hit “Don’t You Forget About Me,” as his personal anthem. It’s a fitting battle cry for the entire series, too. Don’t forget about this one.

12 Monkeys Seasons 1-4 are streaming on Hulu.

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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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15 Time Travel TV Shows You Should Be Watching Right Now, From ’12 Monkeys’ to ‘Dark’ (Photos)

Prehistoric monsters, dangerous meta-humans and confused scientists — these time travel shows have it all

You’re not imagining it — there really is a mess of time travel shows available right now. Whether you’re watching on TV, cable or streaming, there’s no shortage of time-hopping shows that are messing up history.

Here are 14  time travel shows you should be watching right now.

“Frequency” (season 1 on Netflix) A police detective believes her father was killed 20 years earlier while undercover. When a HAM radio somehow connects her to her father in the past, the pair set out to change things — but a serial killer alters the past and their plans. The first season just ended, making this the perfect time to catch up.

“Dark” (season 1 on Netflix)

“Dark” is a German, English-dubbed sci-fi show that’s about a small town where local kids keep disappearing. Things get weird in a hurry as different time periods are introduced, but “Dark” is one of the best time travel shows out there at keeping everything straight and making sense, but with tons of nearly paradoxical twists and turns. 

“Future Man” (season 1 on Hulu)

Even though it’s a time travel comedy with the same goofball sense of humor as Executive Producer Seth Rogen’s movies, “Future Man” is surprisingly in-the-know about time travel. It’s also hilarious, particularly when it hits its stride toward the middle, jumping around to the 1950s, the 1980s, and the futuristic home of “The Terminator” Director James Cameron. Plus, it has one of the best, most intelligent “Back to the Future” parodies ever.

“The Flash” (season 1 on Netflix, new episodes on CW) DC Comics hero Barry Allen can run so fast, he can travel through time. Once he does, he realizes that time travel is central to what turned him into a hero, and to the plans of his nemesis.

“11.22.63” (series on Hulu) James Franco goes back in time to try to stop John F. Kennedy’s assassination in this adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. Trouble is, he’s stuck in the ’60s for years before the actual event, and the universe keeps trying to kill him. The complete miniseries is on Hulu.

“Outlander” (seasons 1-3 on STARZ) A woman is magically sucked through time from the 1940s to the 1740s in “Outlander.” She falls in love and tries to stop some historically awful events, but mostly spends her time trying to avoid getting raped. It comes up a lot, actually.

“Quantum Leap” (seasons 1-5 on Hulu) Thrown through time, Sam Beckett finds himself inhabiting the bodies of people throughout history. Each time he leaps, he has to figure out why he’s arrived when he has to try to fix a variety of situations for the better.

“Continuum” (seasons 1-4 on Netflix) Sixty years in the future, corporations have taken over the world. A group of terrorists travel back in time to start a class war to keep it from happening, along with a cop who tries to stop them.

“Travelers” (season 1-2 on Netlix) The future is bleak, so time travelers are trying to fix it by beaming themselves into the bodies of people in 2016 who are about to die. Taking over their lives, the travelers work like sleeper cells in an attempt to alter history. They have no idea if it’s working.

“Timeless” (season 1-2 on Hulu) There’s a bad guy time traveler who keeps trying to mess up American history, and good guy time travelers try to stop him. Every time they do, the present gets a little more messed up.

“12 Monkeys” (season 1-2 on Hulu) Based on the Terry Gilliam-directed, Bruce Willis-starring movie, “12 Monkeys” explores and expands on the original with Willis seeing his own death. There are a lot more time travel shenanigans here, especially for fans of the movie.

“FlashForward” (season 1 on Watch ABC) An unknown event gives everyone in the world a six-second look into their future. In the aftermath, the FBI tries to find out what caused the event, and everyone else tries to figure out if they can change their future.

“Primeval” (seasons 1-5 Hulu) Dinosaurs are turning up in the UK, thanks to strange time anomalies. A team of scientists tries to figure out what’s going on, and battle a few huge creatures along the way.

“Legends of Tomorrow” (new episodes on The CW) The world is headed toward disaster, so a rogue time traveler jumps back in time to gather super humans to stop it. They go on to fight to protect history from the supervillains who are trying to change it.

“Doctor Who” (BBC) More whimsical than scientific, the titular Doctor recruits companions from Earth to travel with him through time and space. Mostly, it’s to battle monsters, robots, cyborgs and aliens to save the planet.

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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15 Best Stellaris Origins Ranked [3.12 Meta]

In this Stellaris origins tier list, we will explore some of the most powerful origins. Any of these origins can be very effective if used correctly. Regarding the overall power, it’s a bit complicated to pinpoint exactly how powerful is each Origin, but nevertheless, there are clear meta Origins and winners. This Origins tier list…

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The 50+ Best Time Travel TV Shows, Ranked, Ranked

Are you ready to unravel the threads of time? This remarkable selection of the best time travel shows is filled with gripping narratives, memorable characters, and intriguing explorations of humanity's most complex enigma. These phenomenal series have not only captivated audiences but have also left an indelible mark on television history. Prepare to be taken on a thrilling ride through past, present, and future as these amazing tales challenge the limits of human imagination. 

The best time travel shows mesmerize viewers with their unique, thought-provoking explorations of temporal themes. With their gripping, groundbreaking, and original stories, these series immerse viewers in worlds where the rules of time are bent and broken. These exceptional shows have impacted the television industry at large, earning both pop culture prominence and critical acclaim for their unique takes on time-hopping adventures. 

Each offering in the best time travel TV shows selection offers a unique insight into the fascinating realm of temporal navigation. Embark on a mind-bending journey through different eras with Dark , where intricate storytelling keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Delve into the heart-pounding mission to save humanity in 12 Monkeys , a show that blends compelling character arcs with stunning visuals and complex narrative. Experience the race against time in Timeless , a thrilling adventure filled with historical intrigue, unexpected twists, and powerful emotions. These remarkable shows are just a few of the outstanding lineup waiting to transport you through the ages. 

Time travel shows are popular and have had a profound impact on television culture because of the engaging narratives, dynamic characters, and thought-provoking themes. By providing riveting stories, unforgettable characters, and thought-provoking insights into the nature of time, these phenomenal series have solidified their places in the pantheon of the greatest time travel TV shows. So, sit back and prepare to lose track of time as audacious heroes take you on unforgettable voyages through the ages. 

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  For those who appreciate intricate storytelling, Dark is the perfect fit as it masterfully explores themes of time travel, human relationships, and existentialism. This German-language Netflix original gained immense popularity globally for its complexity and mind-bending narrative structure. Don't miss out on this modern sci-fi masterpiece that has been compared to Stranger Things  with a darker twist.

• Premiered : December 1, 2017
• Number of Episodes : 36

IS IT WATCHWORTHY?

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  A refreshing take on the time travel genre, Travelers introduces viewers to a compelling story about operatives sent back in time to prevent humanity's dystopian future. With standout performances from Eric McCormack and Mackenzie Porter, this Canadian-produced series delivers thrilling suspense while exploring themes of sacrifice and responsibility. Stream Travelers for an intelligent sci-fi experience that will leave you questioning your own reality.

• Premiered : October 17, 2016
• Number of Episodes : 35

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Inspired by Terry Gilliam's cult classic film, Syfy's 12 Monkeys raises the stakes in science fiction television by expertly weaving together elements of time travel, suspense, and character-driven drama. The show boasts an incredibly talented cast led by Aaron Stanford and Amanda Schull, whose performances earned rave reviews from critics. Be prepared to be hooked on this intense yet thoughtfully crafted series that redefines the boundaries of traditional sci-fi storytelling.

• Premiered : January 16, 2015
• Number of Episodes : 47

Quantum Leap

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Quantum Leap is a beloved sci-fi classic well known for its unique premise and episodic adventures filled with heart and humor. Scott Bakula stars as Dr. Sam Beckett, who leaps through time to inhabit various lives while solving problems and altering history for the better. An essential watch for any fan of vintage television or science fiction, don't miss out on this entertaining journey through time.

• Premiered : March 26, 1989
• Number of Episodes : 103

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Drama meets adventure in Timeless as viewers follow a team of unlikely heroes tasked with chasing a dangerous fugitive through time. Tackling important historical events and figures, the show offers an enjoyable, educational, and thoughtfully presented fictional journey into America's past. Watch Timeless for its engaging pace, well-developed characters, and clever mix of history and science fiction.

• Premiered : October 3, 2016
• Number of Episodes : 30

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Based on Diana Gabaldon's best-selling novels, Outlander captivates viewers with its lush historical backdrop combined with elements of fantasy and romance. Set primarily in 18th century Scotland, the show seamlessly melds genres to create a visually stunning and emotionally poignant experience for fans of both history and fantasy alike. Tune in for the passionate love story between Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), but stay for the epic tale that unfolds across centuries.

• Premiered : August 9, 2014
• Number of Episodes : 108

The Twilight Zone

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  With its timeless blend of horror, fantasy, and science fiction storytelling, The Twilight Zone remains one of television's most influential series ever created. From the mind of Rod Serling, this anthology program invites viewers to explore strange new worlds filled with eerie twists and social commentary still relevant today. Step into The Twilight Zone for a classic dose of unpredictable entertainment that defies convention.

• Premiered : October 2, 1959
• Number of Episodes : 156

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Adapted from Stephen King's mesmerizing novel by J.J Abrams' Bad Robot Productions, 11.22.63 stars James Franco as a high school teacher tasked with preventing JFK's assassination via time travel in this limited series event from Hulu Originals. This thrilling eight-part drama combines high-stakes intrigue with poignant character development for both fans of King's work or those new to time-travel mysteries.

• Premiered : February 15, 2016
• Number of Episodes : 10

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  This award-winning Canadian sci-fi series offers a fresh take on the time-travel genre by blending compelling crime drama with thought-provoking futuristic elements. Led by Rachel Nichols as a time-traveling cop from 2077, Continuum delves into themes of morality, power dynamics, and shifting allegiances—making it a must-watch for fans seeking intelligent science fiction grounded in human emotion.

• Premiered : May 27, 2012
• Number of Episodes : 44

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  A captivating medical drama wrapped in mystery, Bodies focuses on two doctors working in different eras who find themselves linked through their patients' inexplicable illnesses. With thoughtfully constructed storylines that focus on ethics within the medical profession and a riveting look at how past actions can impact present realities, Bodies offers an intense viewing experience well worth diving into.

• Premiered : October 19, 2023
• Number of Episodes : 8

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Featuring an ever-changing lineup of talented actors as the titular Doctor, this long-running British TV staple has captivated generations with its fantastical adventures through time and space. Doctor Who is beloved for its imaginative storytelling, eccentrically brilliant characters, and endearing camaraderie between the Doctor and their various companions—making it a must-watch institution in science fiction television history.

• Premiered : March 26, 2005
• Number of Episodes : 160

Time Bandits

• Premiered : July 24, 2024

Russian Doll

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Nominated for nine Emmy Awards including Outstanding Comedy Series , Russian Doll is an inventive blend of dark comedy and existential exploration set within a seemingly endless time loop premise. Starring Natasha Lyonne as Nadia Vulvokov, this critically acclaimed Netflix original showcases sharp writing, brilliant performances, and unexpected twists that will keep audiences guessing until the very end.

• Premiered : February 1, 2019
• Number of Episodes : 15

The Umbrella Academy

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Superheroes meet family dysfunction in Netflix's adaptation of Gerard Way's comic book series The Umbrella Academy —an enthralling mix of dark humor, action-packed sequences, and heartfelt character development set against a backdrop of impending apocalypse scenarios involving time travel elements. With a stellar ensemble cast led by Ellen Page and Robert Sheehan, this series stands out as an engaging alternative to traditional superhero fare.

• Premiered : February 15, 2019

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  From the creators of The Simpsons comes Futurama —an animated sci-fi/comedy series that has amassed a dedicated fanbase since its debut in 1999. Set in the year 3000, this hilarious show explores themes like fate versus free will while delivering biting social commentary and unpredictable storylines befitting any fan of adult animation or science fiction.

• Premiered : March 28, 1999
• Number of Episodes : 173

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Based on the 2000 film of the same name, Frequency follows NYPD detective Raimy Sullivan as she discovers an old ham radio that allows her to communicate with her deceased father in the past. This CW series digs deep into themes of family, redemption, and fate while providing viewers with a thrilling mystery and gripping emotional drama. Watch Frequency to explore the unbreakable bond between parent and child across both time and space.

• Premiered : October 5, 2016
• Number of Episodes : 13

Legends of Tomorrow

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  For viewers craving an action-packed adventure filled with superheroes and time travel shenanigans, look no further than DC's Legends of Tomorrow . This CW spin-off showcases fan-favorite characters from Arrow and The Flash as they embark on missions throughout history while grappling with their own personal demons along the way. Watch Legends of Tomorrow for its delightful blend of comedy, drama, and high-flying heroics.

• Premiered : January 21, 2016
• Number of Episodes : 113

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Lost remains one of the most influential television series in recent history thanks to its groundbreaking storytelling techniques, complex character development, and thrilling suspense. The show delves into themes of survival, morality, and the nature of human connection through a multi-layered narrative that keeps fans guessing from episode to episode—a must-watch for anyone seeking thoughtful entertainment with a touch of mystery.

• Premiered : September 22, 2004
• Number of Episodes : 139

Watch This Show If You Love :  Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Prepare for an awe-inspiring journey through time as Quantum Leap masterfully combines science fiction, drama, and adventure while addressing thought-provoking social issues. The series has been widely praised for its innovative concept, strong performances, and compelling storylines. Embrace the opportunity to watch this influential show that pushes the boundaries of television entertainment in today's era.

• Premiered : September 19, 2022
• Number of Episodes : 31

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  A sinkhole appears in Los Angeles, swallowing up numerous individuals who then find themselves transported back millions of years into a prehistoric world unknown to modern humanity. La Brea offers a thrilling mix of survival drama, action, and science fiction elements while delving into themes such as family bonds and human resilience—an ideal watch for those seeking high-stakes adventure with heart.

• Premiered : September 28, 2021
• Number of Episodes : 37

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Undone is an Amazon Prime original set apart by its unique rotoscope animation style and compelling exploration of mental illness within the framework of time travel-based storylines. Featuring Rosa Salazar's captivating performance as Alma Winograd-Diaz alongside Bob Odenkirk (star from Breaking Bad ), fans can expect thought-provoking content grounded in raw emotion with visually stunning visuals sure to draw them in.

• Premiered : September 13, 2019
• Number of Episodes : 23

Being Erica

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  With a unique blend of humor, drama, and time-traveling therapy sessions, Being Erica offers an entertaining yet introspective look at the life of Erica Strange (Erin Karpluk) as she revisits her past while grappling with the challenges of her present. The series skillfully tackles themes like personal growth, regret, and self-discovery—making it a must-watch for fans seeking relatable characters and thought-provoking stories.

• Premiered : January 5, 2009
• Number of Episodes : 49

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Picking up where the second film left off, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles expands upon the rich mythology established in James Cameron's iconic film franchise—offering fans a deep dive into the lives of Sarah Connor (Lena Headey) and her son John (Thomas Dekker) while introducing new characters alongside familiar faces from previous installments. Watch this gripping series for its well-executed blend of action-packed sequences and emotional character development that does justice to its cinematic predecessors.

• Premiered : January 13, 2008

The Outer Limits

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Often compared to The Twilight Zone for its anthology format and genre-defying narrative style, The Outer Limits explores themes like fear, identity, and what it means to be human through chilling tales that transcend space and time. Originally airing in 1963 before being revived in 1995, this cult classic continues to captivate fans with its unnerving storylines and unforgettable twists.

• Premiered : September 19, 1964
• Number of Episodes : 17

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Following the fan-favorite character's unexpected escape in Avengers: Endgame , Marvel's Loki delves into the God of Mischief's adventures through time and space under the watchful eye of the mysterious Time Variance Authority (TVA). Starring Tom Hiddleston and Owen Wilson alongside a strong supporting cast, this Disney+ original series does not disappoint with its clever writing, stunning visuals, and expert blend of humor and intrigue.

• Premiered : June 9, 2021
• Number of Episodes : 12

Paper Girls

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Based on the acclaimed graphic novel series by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang, Amazon Prime's Paper Girls follows a group of young girls in the 1980s who become entangled in a time-traveling war that spans across multiple eras. Fans can look forward to a thrilling adventure infused with nostalgic charm, heartfelt friendships, and thought-provoking themes about growing up amid extraordinary circumstances.

• Premiered : July 29, 2022

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  This action-packed sci-fi comedy from Hulu follows the misadventures of Josh Futturman (Josh Hutcherson), an ordinary janitor enlisted by two warriors from 2162 to save humanity from extinction. With its winning combination of slapstick humor, thrilling action sequences, and compelling character development, Future Man is a can't-miss series for fans who crave lighthearted fun with a futuristic twist.

• Premiered : November 14, 2017
• Number of Episodes : 50

Time Tunnel

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  This classic 1960s sci-fi series takes viewers on a spellbinding journey through time as two scientists become trapped within their experimental time-travel device known as "The Time Tunnel." With its combination of fascinating historical settings and adventurous storylines, this show is an essential watch for fans of vintage television or those interested in exploring early explorations of time travel onscreen.

• Premiered : 1966

Secrets of Sulphur Springs

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Aimed at younger audiences, Disney Channel's Secrets of Sulphur Springs combines mystery-solving adventures with time-traveling escapades as two friends work together to uncover the truth behind their town's haunted hotel legend. With its engaging storyline, diverse cast of characters, and family-friendly appeal, this series offers an entertaining entry point into the world of time travel for viewers of all ages.

• Premiered : January 15, 2021
• Number of Episodes : 27

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  This NBC mystery-drama explores themes such as destiny and interconnectedness when passengers aboard Montego Air Flight 828 return home after a seemingly routine flight only to find that five years have passed. Manifest's intriguing premise, coupled with strong performances from Josh Dallas and Melissa Roxburgh, will keep viewers invested in the characters' journeys of self-discovery and unraveling the truth behind their miraculous return.

• Premiered : September 24, 2018
• Number of Episodes : 63

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, Terra Nova transports viewers back in time to "prehistoric" Earth where humanity's last hope for survival lies within a groundbreaking new colony. This ambitious Fox series explores themes like environmentalism and family dynamics while delivering visually stunning visuals and suspenseful storytelling that will captivate both science fiction enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.

• Premiered : September 26, 2011

Life on Mars

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Taking its name from David Bowie's iconic song, Life on Mars is a UK crime drama infused with elements of science fiction that follows detective Sam Tyler (John Simm) as he mysteriously wakes up in 1973 after being struck by a car in present-day Manchester. The show tackles complex themes such as reality vs illusion while blending gripping police procedural storylines with subtle supernatural undertones—an essential watch for fans seeking unconventional narratives that defy genre boundaries.

• Premiered : October 9, 2008

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  In this critically acclaimed yet tragically short-lived NBC drama, Kevin McKidd stars as San Francisco journalist Dan Vasser who inexplicably begins jumping back and forth through time—affecting both his professional life and personal relationships in profound ways. Journeyman delves into themes like fate versus free will, love across time, and the consequences of altering history with emotional depth rarely seen in sci-fi television programming.

• Premiered : September 24, 2007

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  This short-lived sci-fi gem from the 1980s follows Phineas Bogg (Jon-Erik Hexum) as he travels through time with his young companion, Jeffrey Jones (Meeno Peluce), to ensure history unfolds as it should. Voyagers! offers viewers a charming mix of adventure, humor, and educational content that makes it well worth revisiting for fans of vintage television or those looking to discover hidden gems in the world of time-traveling entertainment.

• Premiered : October 3, 1982
• Number of Episodes : 20

Land of the Lost

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  A staple of Saturday morning television in the 1970s, Land of the Lost chronicles a family's journey through time to a prehistoric world inhabited by dinosaurs and other dangers unknown to modern civilization. This iconic children's show offers viewers nostalgic escapism combined with imaginative storytelling that has inspired generations since its debut over four decades ago.

• Premiered : September 7, 1974
• Number of Episodes : 43

The Lazarus Project

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Showcasing powerful performances from Paul Walker and Piper Perabo alongside a compelling narrative rooted in themes like redemption and second chances, The Lazarus Project is an intriguing exploration of what it means to rewrite your own story through time manipulation technology. With its unique take on the time-travel genre and emotionally charged storytelling, this film is well worth watching for fans seeking fresh perspectives within science fiction cinema.

• Premiered : June 16, 2022

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  In this captivating pilot-turned-feature film from writer/director Christopher Leone ( The Lost Room ), a group of friends stumbles upon an enigmatic building that transports them to alternate dimensions where their own lives have taken drastically different paths. With its thought-provoking exploration of "what if" scenarios and intelligent storytelling grounded in human emotion, Parallels provides an enthralling glimpse into parallel universe theories worth watching.

• Premiered : March 23, 2022
• Number of Episodes : 6

Samurai Jack

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Created by animation visionary Genndy Tartakovsky ( Dexter's Laboratory ), Samurai Jack is a visually stunning action-adventure series that transports viewers back to ancient Japan as our titular hero battles his nemesis Aku across space and time. Featuring striking animation style alongside immersive storytelling steeped in Eastern influences, this critically acclaimed show has secured its place among beloved animated classics for audience members young and old alike.

• Premiered : August 10, 2001
• Number of Episodes : 97

FlashForward

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Based on Robert J. Sawyer's award-winning sci-fi novel, FlashForward presents viewers with an intriguing premise as every person on Earth simultaneously experiences a glimpse of their future six months ahead—a phenomenon that sparks international panic as individuals struggle to comprehend the implications of their "flashes." This ABC series explores themes like fate versus free will while delivering nail-biting suspense that will keep audiences glued to their screens.

• Premiered : September 24, 2009

The Ministry of Time

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  This Spanish sci-fi series delves into themes like history preservation and human connection through the adventures of three individuals selected by "The Ministry of Time" to ensure key moments remain unchanged throughout Spain's past. With its thrilling plots, well-developed characters, and fascinating historical settings, The Ministry of Time is ideal for viewers seeking an intelligent blend of education and entertainment.

• Premiered : February 24, 2015

• Premiered : November 25, 2023

• Premiered : December 15, 2017

Ashes to Ashes

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  This British crime drama with a twist serves as a follow-up to the aforementioned Life on Mars and follows police officer Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) as she finds herself transported back to London in 1981 after being shot in present-day 2008. Ashes to Ashes offers viewers a unique mix of nostalgia, mystery-solving intrigue, and surreal time-travel elements that make it an essential watch for fans of unconventional storytelling.

• Premiered : February 7, 2008
• Number of Episodes : 24

The 7 lives Of Lea

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  This intriguing French television series centers around Lea Mendiantz (Julia Piaton), who discovers she possesses the unusual ability to travel through her own memories—a powerful gift with potentially devastating consequences as dark forces conspire against her. Exploring themes like memory manipulation and self-identity within a complex narrative structure, The 7 Lives Of Lea offers viewers captivating storytelling unlike anything seen before within the realm of time-travel television.

• Premiered : April 28, 2022
• Number of Episodes : 7

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  In this classic '90s sci-fi series, Dale Midkiff stars as Darien Lambert—a futuristic law enforcement officer tasked with hunting down fugitives who have fled across time to evade justice back home. With its charmingly dated special effects and engaging episodic storylines reminiscent of vintage pulp fiction adventure serials, Time Trax remains a nostalgic favorite among fans who appreciate old-school science fiction entertainment.

• Premiered : January 17, 1993
• Number of Episodes : 45

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  In this thrilling ABC drama from creator Paul Zbyszewski (Lost), LAPD detective Brett Hopper (Taye Diggs) finds himself trapped in a time loop that forces him to relive the same day over and over again—a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues as he struggles to discover who is framing him for murder. With its action-packed pacing, intriguing premise, and engrossing character development, Day Break is undoubtedly a must-watch experience.

• Premiered : November 15, 2006

Power Rangers Time Force

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  A fan-favorite installment within the iconic Power Rangers franchise, Time Force offers viewers a unique blend of time-travel adventure and superhero action set against the backdrop of futuristic cities and dystopian wastelands alike. Featuring memorable characters, high-stakes battles, and engaging storylines that explore themes like responsibility, friendship, and destiny—don't miss this enthralling chapter in Power Rangers history.

• Premiered : February 3, 2001
• Number of Episodes : 40

Phil of the Future

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  This light-hearted Disney Channel comedy series follows Phil Diffy (Ricky Ullman)—a teenager from the year 2121 who becomes stranded in present-day America with his family after their time machine malfunctions. As they navigate life in unfamiliar surroundings while trying to return home, Phil's everyday adventures offer humorous insights into generational differences along with plenty of heartwarming moments.

• Premiered : June 18, 2004

Find Me in Paris

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  This charming teen drama combines elements of ballet, romance, and time travel as Lena Grisky (Jessica Lord), a young ballerina at the prestigious Opera de Paris dance school in 1905 finds herself transported to present-day Paris by accident—setting off on an emotional journey filled with new friendships, unexpected challenges, and true love. Find Me in Paris offers a delightful escape into the world of dance and time travel that will appeal to viewers young and old alike.

• Premiered : April 14, 2018

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  Also known as The Great Doctor ,  Faith is a South Korean drama that combines elements of historical fiction, fantasy, and romance as it follows Choi Young (Lee Min-ho), a 14th-century warrior who kidnaps modern-day surgeon Eun-soo (Kim Hee-sun) in order to save the life of his dying queen—a captivating journey through time ensues filled with action, intrigue, and emotional depth well worth exploring.

• Premiered : August 13, 2012

It's About Time

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  This 1966 sitcom from Sherwood Schwartz (creator of Gilligan's Island ) explores the comedic potential of time travel as two astronauts from the future find themselves stranded in prehistoric times alongside a family of cave-dwelling humans. Though short-lived, It's About Time remains an endearing snapshot of vintage television humor executed with a unique twist on the ever-popular sci-fi genre.

• Premiered : September 11, 1966
• Number of Episodes : 26

Nine: Nine Time Travels

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  From South Korea comes this romantic thriller that blends elements of mystery and suspense with themes like fate versus free will within a narrative structure involving multiple timelines. As Park Sun-woo (Lee Jin-wook), a news reporter embarks on a dangerous mission through time to save his family's legacy while navigating complicated relationships along the way— Nine: Nine Time Travels is sure to captivate international audiences seeking fresh perspectives on familiar storytelling tropes.

• Premiered : March 11, 2013

Crime Traveller

Watch This Show If You Love : Pineapple Express, Half Baked, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How High, Friday Why Should I Stream?  A cult classic among British TV enthusiasts, Crime Traveller follows detective Jeff Slade (Michael French) and forensic scientist Holly Turner (Chloë Annett) as they use their secret ability to travel back in time to solve baffling criminal cases. With intriguing mysteries steeped in historical context, this entertaining series offers an engaging blend of crime procedural drama and inventive science fiction storytelling.

• Premiered : March 1, 1997

• Premiered : May 26, 2012

Rooftop Prince

• Premiered : March 21, 2012

• Premiered : May 2, 2024

The Story of Park's Marriage Contract

• Premiered : November 24, 2023

• Premiered : February 25, 2022
• Number of Episodes : 18

Future-Worm!

• Premiered : June 1, 2015
• Number of Episodes : 21
• Entertainment
• Time Travel
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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.

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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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One of the best time-travel books ever gets a great-looking adaptation

Octavia E. Butler’s Kindred comes to FX and Hulu in December

by Matt Patches and Toussaint Egan

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Plans to adapt Octavia E. Butler’s seminal novel Kindred for screen have floated around Hollywood since the book was published in 1979. But with the help of writer Branden Jacobs-Jenkins ( Watchmen ), the science-fiction story has finally found a home at FX and Hulu. FX premiered the first full trailer this Tuesday, following an earlier teaser released last week , revealing that the entire first season would arrive to Hulu this December.

Executive produced by Darren Aronofsky and Janicza Bravo ( Zola ), who also directed the pilot, Kindred takes a more grounded approach to a sensational time-travel odyssey. Mallori Johnson ( WeCrashed ) stars as Dana, a young Black woman and aspiring writer who relocates to Los Angeles to put her life on track. But, as FX puts it in the show’s official synopsis,” before Dana can settle, she “finds herself being violently pulled back and forth in time to a nineteenth-century plantation with which she and her family are surprisingly and intimately linked. An interracial romance threads through her past and present, and the clock is ticking as she struggles to confront the secrets she never knew ran through her blood, in this genre-breaking exploration of the ties that bind.”

The full-season release of Kindred bears a striking resemblance Amazon Studios’ approach to The Underground Railroad , Barry Jenkins’ 2021 television adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s 2016 novel of the same, which was released in full last year on May 14. While the latter series went on to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film, as well as receiving a Peabody Award, one cannot help but wonder whether the series might have enjoyed a larger, word-of-mouth audience had it been released episodically. And what could possibly be more ready for word-of-mouth success than a fantastic looking sci-fi series based on an all-time classic book.

In her storied career, Octavia E. Butler was a Hugo Award winner and MacArthur Fellow, but Kindred remains her most popular and influential novel. We’ll see if the series adaptation can make the same kind of connection with audiences when it drops in full on Dec. 13.

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• Who Are the Cast and Crew of Kindred?

What Is Kindred About? (And More Octavia E. Butler Adaptations to Watch Out For)

There is literally no escaping the past for the hero of FX's sci-fi series Kindred , the long-awaited onscreen adaptation of Hugo Award-winning science fiction author Octavia E. Butler ’s 1979 book of the same title. In this sci-fi drama series, Dana James is a young Black woman and writer who relocates to Los Angeles with her husband Kevin Franklin. While trying to settle down into her promising new life, Dana suffers dizzy spells, during which she finds herself pulled back into America’s pre-civil war past, when slavery was still in practice.

The difference between how time passes in the past compared to the present is even more enigmatic. Time moves quickly in the past, which means an experience that takes several hours there and then could just take a minute in the present. It’s a complexity that showrunner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins has said he is keen on capturing onscreen. “She kind of lives both in the past and the present and at different paces.” And because her experiences in the past change her, “the longer she stays in the past, the more exponentially harder it is for her to get home.”

With all that in mind, here's everything you need to know about this genre-and-time-bending series.

Related: 12 Time Travel Shows Like 'The Time Traveler's Wife' to Watch Next

Prepare to binge Kindred starting December 13, 2022. All eight episodes of the series are set to be released all at once. Produced by FX and Protozoa Pictures, Kindred will be released exclusively on Hulu. An ad-supported subscription to Hulu costs $7.99 per month while a no-ads subscription costs $14.99.

Watch on Hulu

The trailer opens with a bewildered present-day Dana finding herself inexplicably on a riverbank in 19th-century Maryland, with a white boy drowning in the river. Dana rushes to rescue the boy and successfully revives him with CPR, only to be accosted by a white man with a shotgun, demanding: “What the devil is going on here?” What indeed is Dana doing in the antebellum period when slavery was still standard practice across America’s southern plantations? When Dana comes out of her first time-traveling spell and transports back to modern-day LA, she is screaming in terror and her white husband is asking: “What is going on?”

Dana struggles to make sense of it all as we see her being shuttled between the past and the present. Soon, Dana is back in the south, running for her life, chased and beaten by a white man. Mysteriously, she is again rescuing the same white boy — this time from a fire. Her forays into the past throw her current life into chaos. A police car is shown outside her house, sirens blaring. A knife is drawn. Dana is seen in a bathtub, the water red with blood. It looks like the cost of her involuntary trips to the past could very well be her life in the present.

Who Are the Cast and Crew of Kindred ?

Mallori Johnson stars as Dana. A relative newcomer, Johnson played Bea in WeCrashed and is slated to appear as Ellie in the upcoming comedy-drama The Other Zoe . Dana’s husband Kevin is played by Micah Stock , who is perhaps best known for his role as Deke Slayton in The Right Stuff . The southern characters whom Dana meets in the past (and who seem to have ties to her future) include Ryan Kwanten ( Glorious ) as Thomas Weylin, Gayle Rankin ( GLOW ) as his wife Margaret Weylin, and David Alexander Kaplan ( Stranger Things ) as the young boy Rufus. Austin Smith , Sophina Brown , and Sheria Irving round out the cast.

Kindred showrunner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is an Obie Award-winning playwright. His previous plays Gloria and Everybody were finalists for no less than the Pulitzer Prize. Described by The New York Times as “one of this country’s most original and illuminating writers,” Jacobs-Jenkins is known for delving into issues surrounding class and race through a historical lens. His TV work includes HBO’s Watchmen series and Prime Video’s Outer Range . Jacobs-Jenkins executive produces Kindred with fellow heavy-hitters Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel of Protozoa Pictures and the showrunners of The Americans , Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields , alongside Courtney Lee-Mitchell and Julian Jackson . Zola director Janicza Bravo executive produced and directed the pilot. Matthew Shire is credited as a writer and co-executive producer on the project, with Alonso Alvarez also credited as a director and producer. Other producers include Amanda Marsalis (co-executive producer) and Ernestine Walker (executive producer). The cinematography for the series was done by Cybel Martin and Anka Malatynska . For more crew information, you can use this link .

Related: The Best Shows on Hulu Right Now

The official synopsis reads as follows:

As Dana, a young Black woman and aspiring writer, begins to settle in her new home, she finds herself being pulled back and forth in time, emerging at a nineteenth-century plantation and confronting secrets she never knew ran through her blood.

Fans of Octavia E. Butler’s 1979 novel can finally look forward to seeing Kindred onscreen, knowing that the source material has enough character complexity and thrills to fill a series. And for audiences who may be unfamiliar with Butler's work, this could serve as the perfect introduction. Butler is the first science fiction writer to receive the MacArthur “genius” Grant and one of the first African-American science fiction writers to become famous, selling millions of books until her unfortunate death in 2006 at the age of 58. She leaves behind a treasure trove of stories, many of them ripe for adaptation. Apart from this series, HBO is adapting Butler’s vampire novel Fledgling into a series with executive producers Issa Rae and J.J. Abrams and A24 is working on a film adaptation of Parable of the Sower with Garrett Bradley ( Time ) directing.

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Kindred Review: Hulu Historical Drama Doesn't Live Up to Its Fantastic Time Travel Premise

The series commits to Octavia Butler's themes but can't find momentum

Mallori Johnson, Kindred

Adapting Octavia Butler's classic 1979 novel Kindred is a daunting task, made all the more daunting by being the first to bring Butler's work to the screen, big or small. Butler was a groundbreaking science fiction writer whose work explores themes of Black identity, history, and power relationships. Her readership has expanded and her reputation has only grown since her death in 2006 at the age of 58. But while a handful of Butler books are in various stages of development, including Wild Seed and Parable of the Sower , FX's Kindred is the first to make it to the finish line. 

The series, premiering Dec. 13 on Hulu, both expands the world of the novel and stays true to its central concerns, specifically the way American history has papered over the reality of slavery while romanticizing the pre-Civil War South and the ways in which slavery's legacy remains never far from the surface of the present. Acclaimed playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins serves as showrunner, and his Kindred remains admirably true to the spirit of Butler's work. But, based on this eight-episode first season, the series struggles to translate that respectful approach into a consistently compelling ongoing series. After a promising start, Kindred never establishes any sense of momentum or urgency, in spite of a vivid, ugly depiction of plantation life and the best efforts of a strong cast.

But the start is promising. After an ominous bit of scene setting, the pilot (directed by Janicza Bravo ) begins in 2016, following Dana ( Mallori Johnson ), an aspiring TV writer newly arrived in Los Angeles who spends her evenings outlining old episodes of Dynasty to learn the craft. But Dana's arrival comes as a surprise to her aunt Denise ( Eisa Davis ) — her only surviving relative — and Denise's husband, Alan ( Charles Parnell ), who are surprised, and less than thrilled, that she's moved there with the money from selling her grandmother's New York home. The only upside to the awkward dinner in which she tells them of the move: Dana meets Kevin ( Micah Stock ), an awkward but endearing musician/waiter whom she begins dating (after at first keeping him at arm's length).

• The commitment to Octavia Butler's themes
• Strong performances from a pair of relative newcomers in the leads
• After a promising start the series starts to drag

It's a relationship that will face some challenges from the start, both unsurprising and otherwise. On the unsurprising front: some nosy neighbors who, though they won't say it (or maybe even admit it to themselves), aren't sure about having a Black neighbor, maybe especially one with a white boyfriend. Less expected: Dana begins blacking out, disappearing, and traveling through time, returning again and again to a plantation in 1815 Maryland, seemingly drawn there whenever Rufus ( David Alexander Kaplan ), the son of plantation owner Thomas Weylin ( Ryan Kwanten ) and his wife Margaret ( Gayle Rankin ), is in a state of danger and distress. Further complicating matters is another unexpected discovery: Olivia ( Sheria Irving ), the mother Dana previously believed died in a car accident when Dana was 2, is there as well.

Dana, later joined by Kevin, continues to jump back and forth in time, but the series mostly settles into its plantation setting, where the couple struggles to come up with a cover story for their identities (and their odd manner of clothing) and with how best to proceed. Deducing that Rufus is part of her family tree, Dana feels she has to keep him alive but struggles with what to do beyond this. He seems destined to inherit his father's monstrous racism, but perhaps, she reckons, her influence can temper that.

Meanwhile, Kevin both fears for his life and discovers his white privilege extends to the past, despite posing as a penniless traveling musician. Some of the series' best moments come when Kevin finds himself face-to-face with the dehumanizing abuses of slavery, which shock him even more than they do Dana. "You're not seeing what I see everyday," she tells her boyfriend. "I know that," he replies, only to receive a fully warranted "Do you?" in return. Any echoes of the contrast between the day-to-day 21st century realities experienced by white people and those experienced by everyone else are surely not coincidental.

Micah Stock and Mallori Johnson,  Kindred

Stout and Johnson develop playful chemistry as their relationship becomes a kind of refuge from the horrors of slavery, but Kindred often gets bogged down in a narrative that only inches forward in each episode. It also never quite cracks the catch-22 that comes with depicting slave owners. Humanizing Thomas and Margaret too much risks inviting sympathy for the devil. Depicting them as irredeemably awful risks making them stock villains. Kindred mostly chooses the second route, especially with Thomas, which makes the character seem appropriately threatening but also a bit flat and familiar.

Kindred 's first season is thematically rich but narratively sluggish. Yet, like the soap operas Dana adores, it ends on a cliffhanger that makes it hard not to wonder what happens next, and there's enough promise in these episodes to hope the story doesn't end here. 

Premieres: All episodes premiere Tuesday, Dec. 13 on Hulu Who's in it: Mallori Johnson, Micah Stock, Ryan Kwanten Who's behind it: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins serves as showrunner, working form the novel by Octavia Butler For fans of: Butler, stories of time travel, science fiction with social themes How many episodes we watched: Eight of eight

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Jake Epping, a teacher, gets a chance to travel back in time to avert the death of John F. Kennedy. However, history's aversion to alteration and his love for the era and a woman endanger hi... Read all Jake Epping, a teacher, gets a chance to travel back in time to avert the death of John F. Kennedy. However, history's aversion to alteration and his love for the era and a woman endanger him. Jake Epping, a teacher, gets a chance to travel back in time to avert the death of John F. Kennedy. However, history's aversion to alteration and his love for the era and a woman endanger him.

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The 10 Best Time Travel TV Shows of All Time

T ime traveling has always been a rich place for fiction, as the idea has been used in many novels and movies. In the last few years, and with the Golden Era of television, more shows have been using this subgenre, as it’s a great way to explore characters and their actions, and it gives big stakes to every one of their stories.

There have been all kinds of time-traveling TV series. Some follow the Back to the Future idea of going to the past while trying not to change anything. Others are more like Groundhog Day , and use the time loop idea to examine their characters. Some try to use the science behind such a thing as one of their storytelling pillars, while others say that time traveling is just “A big ball of wibbly wobbly, timey whimey stuff”, so the subgenre has many possibilities and sides. Here are the 10 best time-traveling TV shows of all time, ranked.

12 Monkeys (2015 - 2018)

Inspired by the 1995 movie of the same name, starring Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt, 12 Monkeys is a show about a deadly virus and traveling through time to stop the sinister organization that creates it, the Army of the 12 Monkeys. That’s what James Cole (James Stanford), Dr. Cassandra Railly (Amanda Schull), and the maybe crazy Jennifer Goines (Emily Hampshire) try to do in every episode.

Why We've Included 12 Monkeys

What starts as a simple time-traveling mystery gets more complicated as time paradoxes, surprising twists and turns, and new characters appear. The lead characters and the chemistry between them are what make the show worth it, as they try to keep connected through time and space while knowing that they might never see each other again.

Stream on Hulu

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow (2016 - 2022)

Dc's legends of tomorrow.

Release Date 2016-01-21

Cast Matt Ryan, Nick Zano, Caity Lotz

Genres Superhero

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow started as a serious time-traveling show where some discarded heroes from the other Arrowverse TV universe became heroes. What started as a serious story about destiny and avoiding time aberrations became something much more fun and hilarious.

Why Legends of Tomorrow Makes the List

Every season has some great moments , but from the second season on, the series improved greatly. From then on, it never took itself too seriously, and it became the show in that universe with more diversity, fun, queerness, meta-commentaries, and a great running gag about a weird toy named Beebo. They always break the timeline, but they’re also the ones who fix it in the end.

Stream on Netflix

Lost (2004 - 2010)

Release Date 2004-09-22

Cast Matthew Fox, Michael Emerson, Josh Holloway, Nestor Carbonell, Naveen Andrews, Jeff Fahey, Henry Ian Cusick, Emilie de Ravin

Genres Drama, Mystery, Action, Adventure

Oceanic Flight 815 has an emergency landing on a strange island, and as they try to survive, they discover this place is like no other, as it has polar bears, and maybe even a monster. That’s what happens in the Lost pilot, and from there, things keep only getting weirder and weirder.

Why Lost Belongs Here

The show was many things all at once. It created a new narrative tool in TV series, as it used flashbacks in every episode to tell the survivors' stories from before they landed on the island, and worked in all kinds of genres, from drama, and action, to sci-fi and, yes, time traveling. The show has an incredible cast who has kept working , and the latest seasons of the show are the ones that are more in this list genre, but what makes it great is how that phenomenon affects Desmond (Henry Ian Cusack), and his love story with Penny (Sonya Walger), especially in the time-traveling episode, “The Constant”, one of the shows’ best.

Outlander (2014 - Present)

Release Date 2014-08-09

Cast Caitriona Balfe

Genres Family, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi, Action, History, War

Based on the series of novels of the same name by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander tells the story of Claire (Caitriona Balfe), a World War II nurse who is somehow transported into 18th-century Scotland. There, he meets Jamie (Sam Heughan), and they fall in love.

Why We've Included Outlander

There are not that many time-traveling romance stories, and only because of that, this TV series should be on the list. But this show is much more; the chemistry between the two actors is swoon-worthy, and once she goes back to her original present, things get much more complicated for both characters, for the better, making their love story one for the ages.

Timeless (2016 - 2018)

Release Date 2016-10-03

Cast Matt Lanter, Paterson Joseph, Sakina Jaffrey, Malcolm Barrett, Abigail Spencer, Goran Visnjic

Genres Drama

Timeless tells the story of a team trying to stop time from being changed for the worse, as an ex-NSA agent, (Goran Visnjic) steals and uses a time-traveling machine for his nefarious purposes. The team is formed by the three kinds of people you would always need on a time-traveling adventure; a history professor (Abigail Spencer), an engineer who helped create the time machine (Malcolm Barrett), and a soldier (Matt Lanter), for when everything goes wrong.

Why Timeless Makes the List

The chemistry between the three leads is great and makes you want to spend time with them on their adventures. If that wasn't enough, most of their time traveling takes them to times known to audiences, from the killing of Abraham Lincoln to the Hindenburg disaster, or the killing of Bonnie and Clyde, creating stories that also affect the lead characters directly or indirectly.

Russian Doll (2019 - Present)

Russian doll.

Release Date 2019-00-00

Cast Greta Lee, Natasha Lyonne

Genres Sci-Fi

Read Our Second Season Review

Russian Doll is a time loop show as Nadia (Natasha Lyonne, who also created, wrote, and directed the show) keeps repeating her 36th birthday party. Things get even weirder when she discovers the same is happening to Alan (Charlie Barnett), a man she has never met.

Why Russian Doll Is Included

The time loop idea can get tiring, but Russian Doll keeps finding ways to change and improve the idea in every episode, creating a show that has comedy, drama, and many surprises, while keeping the sarcastic, sardonic, voice of her creator and star, Lyonne. The second season is even weirder and wilder, and fans are still hoping for a third one.

Quantum Leap (1989 - 1993)

Quantum Leap was one of the first TV series about time travel, and it still holds up . The show explores the time jumps of Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula), as he helped good people in the past, “leap” into their identity, and better history in the process with the help of his hologram companion Al (Dean Stockwell).

Why Quantum Leap Is a Must-Watch

The show might look a dated now, but it had a great premise and was the perfect idea for a procedural show, where in every new episode, Sam had to play someone different with their own problems, making it a rom-com one episode, a thriller another, and giving it space for social commentary the next, so that the character could learn some lessons and help those in need. The idea was so ahead of its time, that the show got a revival two years ago and is back on TV, with Raymond Lee playing the scientist leaping through time, while his friends and fiancée are trying to help him in 2023.

Rent on Apple TV

The Lazarus Project (2022 - Present)

Read Our Review

The Lazarus Project starts when George (Paapa Essiedu) notices he’s repeating a day in his life, and he doesn’t understand what’s going on. He later discovers there’s an organization, The Lazarus Project, that can reset time to July 1st, if there’s a need to prevent a mass extinction-level event. Since he can see those resets, he becomes the newest agent in the organization.

Why The Lazarus Project Makes the List

After a first episode with a lot of exposition, what makes The Lazarus Project great is how it focuses on its characters and how the knowledge that there’s the possibility of resetting a timeline affects their behavior, and what they would do for a loved one. The characters are the most important thing in the show, although that doesn’t mean avoiding car chases, shooting, and fun spy shenanigans, so they can avoid the world’s end.

Doctor Who (1963 - Present)

Release Date 2005-03-26

Cast Christopher Eccleston, Peter Capaldi, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Ncuti Gatwa, Catherine Tate, Jodie Whittaker, Jemma Redgrave

Genres Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure

Doctor Who has had many lives since it started in 1963, but the gist of it is always the same: The Doctor (who has been played by many actors over the years), explores time and space through the TARDIS with a human companion, and has unique adventures.

Why Doctor Who Is an Obvious Choice

The imagination of its stories, the many time periods it holds, and how you can see the changes in society and technology through the years and its more than 800 episodes. Since the show was revived in 2005, the storytelling has been less innocent and has given the Doctor dilemmas like never before. When the show comes back, it will have a new Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa ( Sex Education and Barbie ), and we can’t wait to see what kind of personality he has, and what kind of time-traveling adventures he gets into.

Stream on Max

Dark (2017 - 2020)

Dark starts with the story of a child being kidnapped in the quiet German town of Winden. From there, the whole community is affected by many time-travel stories, as this has happened before, and their people experience the past, and the present, and how that changes their actions.

What Makes Dark the Best Time Travel Show of All Time?

This is not an easy story to follow, as there are stories in more than one time, and it rewards multiple viewings. What makes it great is the fact that it uses time travel not as a means to an end, but as a way to explore family, love, how a person can touch another and change their behavior, and much more. The show keeps surprising viewers, as nothing is what it seems, and has incredible acting, script, and visuals that lasted three seasons, and has a perfect ending, making it great for a time-traveling binge.

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