Actors Who Are Obsessed With Time Travel
Time travel remains one of the most enduring themes in cinematic history and several actors have built their entire legacies around the concept. These performers often return to the genre multiple times across different franchises and standalone projects. Their work explores the complexities of temporal paradoxes and the human desire to change the past. This list highlights male actors who have become synonymous with the science fiction subgenre.
Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox became a global superstar through his role as Marty McFly in the ‘Back to the Future’ trilogy. He portrayed a high school student who accidentally travels thirty years into the past and must ensure his parents fall in love. The actor navigated three different films that explored various time periods including the American West and a futuristic version of his hometown. His association with the franchise has made him the primary face of time travel in Hollywood history. He frequently appears at fan conventions to discuss the lasting impact of these temporal adventures.
Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Lloyd played the iconic Doctor Emmett Brown who invented the flux capacitor and the time machine. He dedicated several years of his career to portraying the scientist across three feature films and multiple promotional projects. The actor revisited the character for various specials and even made appearances in other media related to temporal science. His energetic performance helped define the mad scientist trope for a generation of moviegoers. He remains a key figure in the legacy of science fiction cinema.
Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves first gained fame as Ted Logan in the ‘Bill & Ted’ series where he traveled through history in a telephone booth. He later returned to the theme of temporal connection in the romantic drama ‘The Lake House’. The actor eventually revisited his most famous time traveling role for a third installment decades after the original. His career has often intersected with the concept of bending reality and time. He continues to be a favorite among fans of the genre for his versatile performances.
Alex Winter
Alex Winter is best known for his role as Bill S. Preston Esq. in the ‘Bill & Ted’ franchise. He starred alongside Keanu Reeves as they traveled to various historical eras to complete a school project and save the future. The actor has remained deeply connected to the series and its legacy through multiple decades. He returned to the role in ‘Bill & Ted Face the Music’ to explore how his character aged within the timeline. His work helped establish the comedic side of the time travel genre.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger is the face of the ‘Terminator’ franchise which centers on cyborgs sent back in time. He has played various versions of the T-800 model across multiple decades and film installments. The actor helped define the concept of a closed loop paradox in mainstream action cinema. His catchphrases and physical presence became inseparable from the narrative of a war between humans and machines across time. He has appeared in nearly every entry of the long running series.
Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis took on a dark and gritty version of the genre in ’12 Monkeys’ where he played a convict sent back to stop a plague. He later explored the concept of meeting a younger version of himself in the film ‘Looper’. The actor has shown a preference for stories where time travel has heavy consequences for the protagonist. His performances often highlight the psychological strain of jumping between different eras. These films are considered modern classics within the science fiction community.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Joseph Gordon-Levitt starred as the younger version of Bruce Willis in the temporal thriller ‘Looper’. He spent months studying the older actor’s mannerisms to create a convincing continuity between their characters. The actor also appeared in ‘Inception’ which deals with the subjective nature of time within dreams. He has expressed interest in projects that challenge the audience’s perception of linear events. His work in the genre is often praised for its intellectual depth and physical commitment.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal rose to prominence in ‘Donnie Darko’ which involves a complex narrative about tangent universes and temporal manipulation. He later starred in ‘Source Code’ where he repeatedly relived the final minutes of a train crash to find a bomber. The actor often chooses roles that require him to navigate confusing and overlapping timelines. His performances capture the desperation of a man trying to fix a broken past. He remains a prominent figure in cerebral science fiction.
Ethan Hawke
Ethan Hawke delivered a standout performance in ‘Predestination’ which is a film known for its mind-bending temporal paradoxes. He played a temporal agent tasked with stopping crimes before they happen across different decades. The actor has often gravitated toward independent films that explore high concept scientific ideas. His role in this genre is noted for its emotional complexity and narrative twists. He continues to seek out scripts that push the boundaries of traditional storytelling.
Domhnall Gleeson
Domhnall Gleeson portrayed a young man with the ability to travel within his own life in the film ‘About Time’. He used this power to perfect his romantic life and spend more time with his dying father. The actor brought a grounded and emotional perspective to a concept that is usually treated with heavy science. He later appeared in the ‘Star Wars’ sequels which involve the legacy of different eras within a fictional galaxy. His performance in ‘About Time’ remains one of the most heartwarming entries in the genre.
Bill Murray
Bill Murray starred in ‘Groundhog Day’ which popularized the concept of a time loop in popular culture. He played a cynical weather reporter forced to relive the same day in a small town until he becomes a better person. While the film is a comedy it explores deep philosophical questions about immortality and redemption. The actor’s performance is widely regarded as one of his best and most influential works. The movie has inspired countless other stories that use the loop mechanic.
Ashton Kutcher
Ashton Kutcher took a serious turn in his career with ‘The Butterfly Effect’ where he played a man who can change his past through his journals. He discovered that even small changes led to catastrophic and unexpected consequences in the present. The actor portrayed several different versions of his character across various alternate timelines. This role demonstrated his range beyond the sitcom format he was previously known for. The film became a cult classic for its dark exploration of fate.
David Tennant
David Tennant is legendary for his portrayal of the Tenth Doctor in the long running series ‘Doctor Who’. He spent several years traveling through all of time and space in the TARDIS. The actor returned to the role for multiple specials and even played a new incarnation of the character years later. His performance is defined by a deep love for history and a sense of responsibility toward the timeline. He is one of the most iconic figures in the history of television science fiction.
Matt Smith
Matt Smith followed David Tennant as the Eleventh Doctor and brought a whimsical energy to the role. He also appeared as a physical personification of a time machine in ‘Terminator Genisys’. The actor has spent a significant portion of his professional life exploring stories about temporal shifts and ancient histories. His work on television helped introduce a new generation of fans to the concept of time travel. He remains a staple of the science fiction genre.
Peter Capaldi
Peter Capaldi grew up as a fan of the genre before eventually being cast as the Twelfth Doctor in ‘Doctor Who’. He brought a more mature and contemplative approach to the time traveling alien. The actor’s run on the show featured many complex episodes that dealt with the mechanics of time and memory. He has often spoken about the significance of the character’s ability to witness the birth and death of stars. His tenure is highly respected for its intellectual and emotional weight.
Christopher Eccleston
Christopher Eccleston was responsible for reviving the ‘Doctor Who’ franchise for the modern era. He played the Ninth Doctor who was the sole survivor of a massive temporal conflict known as the Time War. His performance grounded the show’s fantastical elements in raw human emotion and trauma. Although he only stayed for one season his impact on the series and the genre was profound. He helped prove that time travel stories could be successful on television in the twenty-first century.
Tom Hiddleston
Tom Hiddleston stars as the god of mischief in the ‘Loki’ series which focuses entirely on the management of timelines. His character works with an organization dedicated to pruning alternate realities and preventing temporal chaos. The actor has explored various versions of himself across infinite branches of existence. This role has allowed him to delve into the consequences of free will versus destiny within a cosmic scale. The show has become a cornerstone of the modern superhero genre.
Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. played a pivotal role in the time travel plot of ‘Avengers: Endgame’ as Tony Stark. He was the character responsible for cracking the code of GPS-guided temporal navigation within the story. The actor’s performance highlighted the sacrifice required to undo a devastating past event. His character’s journey concluded with a final act that reshaped the entire history of the cinematic universe. He remains central to the legacy of one of the biggest science fiction films ever made.
Mark Ruffalo
Mark Ruffalo portrayed Bruce Banner in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and was instrumental in the team’s temporal heist. He was the one who explained the specific rules of time travel to the other characters and the audience. The actor also starred in ‘The Adam Project’ where he played a scientist who accidentally invents the technology for temporal displacement. His roles often involve characters who must grapple with the ethical implications of changing history. He has become a recurring face in high budget temporal adventures.
Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch plays Doctor Strange who uses the Time Stone to manipulate the flow of events in his films. He famously viewed millions of possible futures to find a single path to victory in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’. The actor also explored the concept of the multiverse and intersecting timelines in his solo sequels. His character serves as a guardian of the natural order of time within his fictional world. He has brought a mystical perspective to the otherwise scientific genre.
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds starred in ‘The Adam Project’ as a pilot from the future who travels back to meet his younger self. He also utilized a time travel device in the post-credits scenes of ‘Deadpool 2’ to fix mistakes in his own filmography. The actor often uses the concept of temporal manipulation for comedic effect and meta-commentary. His work in the genre blends high octane action with emotional family dynamics. He continues to produce and star in projects that involve science fiction elements.
Josh Brolin
Josh Brolin played the time traveling soldier Cable in ‘Deadpool 2’ and used a device to prevent a tragic future. He also appeared as the younger version of Tommy Lee Jones in the temporal comedy ‘Men in Black 3’. The actor has a rugged screen presence that fits well with the gritty nature of many time travel stories. His roles often involve characters who are hardened by the dark futures they have witnessed. He is a frequent collaborator in large scale science fiction franchises.
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman starred in ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ where his consciousness was sent back to the 1970s to save his species. He also appeared in the romantic fantasy ‘Kate & Leopold’ as a nineteenth-century duke who finds himself in modern New York. The actor has shown versatility by playing time travelers in both superhero action and period romances. His performances often focus on the fish-out-of-water experience of navigating an unfamiliar era. He is one of the most recognizable actors associated with temporal themes.
James McAvoy
James McAvoy played the younger version of Professor Charles Xavier during the events of ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’. He had to interact with a message from his future self to regain hope and change the course of history. The actor has often been involved in films that deal with the intersection of memory and reality. His performance in the ‘X-Men’ prequel series explored how the past shapes the leaders of the future. He remains a key part of the modern science fiction landscape.
Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender starred in ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ as the younger Magneto during a critical moment in world history. He also played a lead role in ‘Assassin’s Creed’ which involves a technology that allows people to relive the memories of their ancestors. The actor often takes on roles that explore how the actions of the past influence the conflicts of the present. His work in these films highlights his ability to play complex and morally ambiguous characters. He has a strong filmography within the genre of historical and futuristic science fiction.
Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart has a long history with the genre through his role as Jean-Luc Picard in ‘Star Trek’. He starred in ‘Star Trek: First Contact’ where his crew had to travel to the past to stop an alien invasion. The actor also played the elder Professor Xavier in the temporal plot of ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’. He recently returned to his most famous role in a series that involves massive shifts in the timeline. His voice and presence are synonymous with authoritative figures in science fiction.
Eric Bana
Eric Bana starred as the lead in ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ where he played a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to jump through time. He also portrayed the villain Nero in the 2009 ‘Star Trek’ film who travels back to destroy a planet and change the timeline. The actor has experienced the genre from both a romantic and an action-oriented perspective. His roles often emphasize the loss and longing associated with being unable to control one’s place in time. He is well regarded for his dramatic depth in science fiction roles.
Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce took on the lead role in the 2002 remake of ‘The Time Machine’ based on the classic novel by H.G. Wells. He played an inventor who builds a machine to save his fiancée only to travel thousands of years into the future. The actor later appeared in ‘Memento’ which uses a non-linear structure to simulate the feeling of a fractured timeline. His career has frequently touched on the themes of memory and the progression of time. He remains a respected figure for his work in high concept cinema.
Chris Pine
Chris Pine took over the role of James T. Kirk in a ‘Star Trek’ film that specifically used time travel to create an alternate reality. This allowed the actor to play a classic character without being strictly bound by previous continuity. He also appeared in ‘Wonder Woman’ which involves a character existing across different centuries of human history. The actor has become a staple of modern franchises that utilize temporal shifts to reboot or expand their worlds. His energetic performances have helped revitalize these long running stories.
Zachary Quinto
Zachary Quinto played Spock in the rebooted ‘Star Trek’ series which exists in a timeline created by a temporal accident. He had the unique experience of acting alongside the original Spock to discuss the differences in their histories. The actor also appeared in the television series ‘Heroes’ which featured several major plots involving time travel. His roles often involve characters with high intelligence who must calculate the best path for the future. He is a prominent figure in contemporary science fiction media.
William Shatner
William Shatner starred in ‘Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home’ which is one of the most famous time travel movies in the franchise. He also appeared in ‘Star Trek Generations’ where his character met a future captain inside a timeless energy ribbon. The actor spent decades playing a character who encountered various temporal anomalies across the galaxy. His work helped establish the tropes of the genre for television and film audiences in the twentieth century. He remains a legendary figure in the world of science fiction.
Chris Evans
Chris Evans led the mission to retrieve the Infinity Stones from the past in ‘Avengers: Endgame’. His character eventually chose to travel back in time to live out a full life in a previous era. The actor’s performance provided a sentimental and satisfying conclusion to a decade of storytelling. He also starred in ‘Snowpiercer’ which deals with a circular and repetitive existence on a train during a frozen apocalypse. His roles often center on characters who are fighting for a better future regardless of the era.
Paul Rudd
Paul Rudd played Scott Lang in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and was the character who introduced the idea of the Quantum Realm as a path through time. He brought a sense of wonder and humor to the complex scientific theories presented in the film. The actor has become a key part of the cinematic universe’s exploration of shrinking and temporal displacement. His character’s accidental journey five years into the future served as the catalyst for the entire plot. He continues to play a major role in the expanding science fiction narrative.
Scott Bakula
Scott Bakula is best known for starring in the classic television series ‘Quantum Leap’ as Sam Beckett. He played a scientist who leaped into the bodies of different people throughout history to fix past mistakes. The actor spent five seasons exploring various social and historical issues through the lens of time travel. He later returned to the science fiction genre as the captain in ‘Star Trek: Enterprise’. His career is deeply rooted in the concept of a man trying to make the world better one leap at a time.
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise entered the time travel genre with his performance in ‘Edge of Tomorrow’. He played a soldier forced to relive the same day over and over while fighting an alien invasion. The actor performed many of his own stunts while exploring the physical and mental toll of a neverending time loop. This role showcased his ability to blend intense action with complex science fiction concepts. He has since been praised for bringing high stakes energy to the temporal subgenre.
Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey starred in ‘Interstellar’ which explores the effects of time dilation near a black hole. He played a pilot who experiences hours while years pass for his family back on Earth. The actor’s performance captured the profound emotional isolation of being separated from one’s own timeline. The film is noted for its scientific accuracy regarding the way gravity affects the passage of time. He delivered a powerful portrayal of a father trying to return to his children across a cosmic divide.
Jared Leto
Jared Leto starred in ‘Mr. Nobody’ as the last mortal human in a future where everyone else is immortal. The film follows his character as he recounts various possible lives and timelines based on different choices he made. The actor portrayed multiple versions of the same man ranging from childhood to extreme old age. His performance explored the philosophical idea that every path taken is equally valid and meaningful. This role is considered one of his most complex and artistic contributions to the genre.
Will Smith
Will Smith starred in ‘Men in Black 3’ where he had to travel back to the 1960s to save his partner’s life and prevent an alien invasion. He also appeared in ‘Gemini Man’ where he fought a younger cloned version of himself created through secret technology. The actor has a long history of starring in high budget science fiction projects that involve futuristic technology. His roles often combine comedic timing with intense action sequences within temporal settings. He remains a major star in the world of cinematic science fiction.
Frank Grillo
Frank Grillo starred in the action thriller ‘Boss Level’ as a retired special forces officer stuck in a time loop. He spent the film learning new skills and uncovering a conspiracy while dying repeatedly at the hands of assassins. The actor brought a gritty and physical energy to the repetitive nature of the loop genre. His performance was praised for its balance of dark humor and serious character growth. He has become a notable figure in modern independent science fiction films.
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Van Damme starred in ‘Timecop’ as an agent for an organization that regulates time travel to prevent illegal changes to history. He used his martial arts skills to fight criminals across different decades while trying to save his own future. The actor’s performance helped blend the action genre with science fiction concepts during the 1990s. The film became one of his most successful commercial projects and inspired a television series. He is remembered as one of the original action stars to embrace temporal themes.
Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell starred as H.G. Wells in ‘Time After Time’ where he used his machine to pursue Jack the Ripper into modern San Francisco. He also played the villain Tolian Soran in ‘Star Trek Generations’ who was obsessed with entering a timeless dimension. The actor has a distinct screen presence that has led to many roles in the science fiction and fantasy genres. His work often involves characters with an intellectual or obsessive interest in the nature of time. He remains a prolific and respected actor in the industry.
Rod Taylor
Rod Taylor played the lead role of George in the original 1960 adaptation of ‘The Time Machine’. He portrayed an inventor in Victorian England who travels to a distant future to witness the evolution of humanity. The actor’s performance helped establish the visual and narrative language of time travel movies for decades to come. His interaction with the futuristic Morlocks and Eloi remains an iconic part of cinema history. He is a foundational figure in the development of the science fiction genre.
Jim Caviezel
Jim Caviezel starred in ‘Frequency’ where he played a man who discovers he can communicate with his deceased father in the past through a radio. He used this connection to prevent his father’s death and solve a decades old murder case. The actor’s performance focused on the emotional bond between a parent and child across time. The film is unique for using a communication link rather than physical travel to bridge different eras. He delivered a sensitive portrayal of a man trying to heal his family history.
Dennis Quaid
Dennis Quaid played the father in ‘Frequency’ who receives radio transmissions from his son thirty years in the future. He had to follow instructions from the future to survive dangerous situations and change his fate. The actor brought a rugged and relatable quality to the character of a firefighter caught in a temporal anomaly. His work in the film highlighted the practical difficulties of coordinating actions across different time periods. He remains a well known face in movies that blend family drama with science fiction.
Adam DeVine
Adam DeVine starred in the romantic comedy ‘When We First Met’ where he used a magical photo booth to travel back to the night he met his crush. He repeatedly relived the night to try and change his relationship status only to find that things kept going wrong. The actor used his comedic talents to explore the pitfalls of trying to manipulate the past for personal gain. His performance provided a lighthearted take on the time loop trope. He has shown an interest in modern updates to classic genre formulas.
Grant Gustin
Grant Gustin played the title character in ‘The Flash’ television series for nearly a decade. His character frequently used his super speed to travel through time and change the history of his world. The actor’s performance centered on the heavy consequences and emotional toll of creating alternate timelines known as Flashpoint. He became a central figure in a sprawling television universe that utilized time travel as a primary narrative tool. His tenure on the show is one of the longest for any actor playing a temporal hero.
Brandon Routh
Brandon Routh starred in ‘Legends of Tomorrow’ as Ray Palmer and spent several seasons traveling through history on a time ship. He previously played the titular hero in ‘Superman Returns’ which involves a character who remains ageless across generations. The actor has become a veteran of the science fiction genre through his work in various comic book adaptations. His roles often involve optimistic characters who believe in using technology to protect the timeline. He is a fan favorite at conventions for his contributions to television science fiction.
Arthur Darvill
Arthur Darvill played Rory Williams in ‘Doctor Who’ where he traveled across the universe for several years. He later took on the role of Rip Hunter in ‘Legends of Tomorrow’ as a captain of a time traveling vessel. The actor has spent a massive portion of his career playing characters who are deeply involved in the mechanics of temporal travel. His performances range from a loyal companion to a burdened leader responsible for history. He is uniquely associated with two of the most popular time travel franchises in modern media.
Tom Cavanagh
Tom Cavanagh played multiple versions of the character Harrison Wells across various timelines in ‘The Flash’. He often portrayed both the mentor to the hero and the villainous Eobard Thawne who traveled from the future to change the past. The actor’s versatility allowed him to explore how different choices and histories shaped the same individual. His performances were a key part of the show’s complex exploration of temporal paradoxes. He remains one of the most prolific actors within the genre on television.
Stephen Amell
Stephen Amell starred in ‘Arrow’ and was a central figure in many crossover events involving time travel and alternate realities. He also appeared in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows’ which involves a plot about a temporal gateway. The actor’s work often serves as the grounded anchor for the more fantastical elements of science fiction storytelling. He has participated in many narratives where characters must face the future versions of themselves. His career is closely tied to the expansion of interconnected science fiction universes.
Tell us which of these time traveling actors is your personal favorite in the comments.