The Time Machine
A grieving inventor races through time toward a distant, divided humanity in hopes of undoing the tragedy that set him on his path.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- urgent
- melancholic
- wondrous
- sci fi movie night
- blockbuster marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the adaptation entertaining and visually ambitious in places, but unevenly written and weakened by inconsistent effects.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Alexander Hartdegen constructs and tests a machine that propels him from turn-of-the-century New York into the distant future.
Hartdegen discovers humanity split between hunter Morlocks and hunted surface-dwelling survivors.
The film contrasts New York origins with an 800,000-year future of altered landscapes, settlements, and subterranean spaces.
Hartdegen's time-travel research becomes desperate after tragedy motivates him to change the past.
Films like The Time Machine, and why
Back to the Future
Shared time travel premise, futuristic spectacle, and accessible science fiction adventure.
The Postman
Shared post-apocalyptic world-building, action-driven survival conflict, and divided human societies.
The Island
Shared dystopian future setting, speculative technology, and conflict between human factions.
Planet of the Apes
Shared adaptation of foundational science fiction, far-future social division, and adventure-thriller momentum.
Movie Details
- Director
- Simon Wells
- Release Date
- 2002-03-04
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (2678)
Cast
- Guy Pearce
- Samantha Mumba
- Jeremy Irons
- Omero Mumba
- Sienna Guillory
- Orlando Jones
- Mark Addy
- Phyllida Law
- Laura Kirk
- John W. Momrow
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Time Machine about?
- A grieving inventor races through time toward a distant, divided humanity in hopes of undoing the tragedy that set him on his path.
- What is The Time Machine like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Time Machine as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Time Machine violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Time Machine as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Time Machine?
- Critics broadly found the adaptation entertaining and visually ambitious in places, but unevenly written and weakened by inconsistent effects.
- Which films are like The Time Machine?
- Films with a similar feel include Back to the Future, The Postman, The Island, and Planet of the Apes.
- How long is The Time Machine?
- The Time Machine runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Time Machine?
- In United States, The Time Machine streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
