The Ultimate Guide to the Greatest Time Travel Shows of All Time

Summary

Key takeaways:

Time travel is a flexible storyline that finds its place in diverse genres, ranging from superhero shows like DC's Legends of Tomorrow to survival dramas like Lost and romantic series like Outlander. Various shows adopt distinct approaches when narrating time travel, for instance, by blending it with video games in Future Man or by delving into well-known historical eras in Timeless.

Numerous TV shows, including Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Star Trek: Next Generation, effectively incorporate time travel into their plot lines, maintaining a captivating storyline throughout multiple seasons.

Time travel serves as a consistently popular theme in various forms of media, with countless successful TV shows exploring it. From the realm of superheroes to the realm of artistic miniseries, every genre has explored the concept of manipulating time and space for their characters. It presents an intriguing opportunity to examine the willpower and emotions of characters, as it taps into the realm of humanity while remaining uncharted territory for viewers.

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

Time travel continues to captivate audiences due to its unparalleled versatility. This concept can be portrayed in various ways, such as a specific location frozen in a single time period, as exemplified by the casino in Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Additionally, time travel can be depicted as a unique superpower possessed by an individual. Numerous television shows have successfully incorporated time-traveling organizations that safeguard the integrity of the timeline and allow their main characters to interact with them. Despite the repeated use of these narrative formats, the sheer diversity they offer ensures that each instance feels exciting and novel. Although it is challenging to choose among the plethora of exceptional shows, there are undeniable standouts within the science fiction genre of time travel.

DC's Legends of Tomorrow emerged during the golden era of CW television, when the Arrowverse dominated the airwaves every weeknight. This captivating series chronicles the adventures of a motley crew of antiheroes as they journey through time to thwart mystical villains. With all the essential elements of a time travel show—otherworldly creatures and the far-reaching consequences of altering history—it does lean towards the cheesier side. As expected from the CW, morality plays a significant role, alongside the use of overt humor. However, the show also delivers unexpected and thrilling revelations. Notably, the inclusion of a LGBTQ+ protagonist takes center stage, showcasing the series' progressive stance.

9 Lost (2004-2010)

8 Outlander (2014-Present)

This show had a profound impact on television during its run. Lost followed a group of passengers who became stranded on a mysterious island after their plane crashed. The initial focus of the first two seasons was on their struggle to survive, giving the show a survivalist vibe. However, in season 2, episode 13, "The Long Con," time travel was introduced, leading to significant changes in the series. The exploration of time travel in Lost became increasingly confusing and convoluted, leaving a lot of unanswered questions, particularly in the controversial series finale. While the show was revolutionary, there were still unresolved issues that needed addressing.

Derived from Diana Gabaldon's book series, Outlander has become a popular Starz series depicting the extraordinary journey of Claire, a nurse serving in the 1940s army, who mysteriously transports back in time to 18th-century Scotland. There, she encounters Jamie Fraser, a Scottish soldier, and the two embark on a passionate romance. However, their love story becomes entangled as Claire remains bound to her husband in her original era, creating a constant longing for a reunion that seems impossible. Despite the challenges they face, including raising a family and preserving their undeniable connection, the repetitive nature of time travel becomes tiresome—and at times even far-fetched—by the end of the seventh season, with a final season still awaiting completion. Even Outlander's timeline was not exempt from these sentiments.

7 Timeless (2016-2018)

Timeless is an extraordinary show that revolves around a remarkable band of allies determined to thwart a man's malicious attempts to alter history for his personal gain. The true brilliance of this show lies in the profound relationships forged among its characters. With the history professor, scientist, and soldier as the trio of protagonists, this team boasts a diverse range of skills and expertise. Furthermore, the show captivates viewers by delving into well-known time periods. One notable instance is the captivating episode centered around the renowned Marie Curie, which not only enthralled audiences with its portrayal on television, but also allowed the characters to embrace and revel in their inner passion and enthusiasm for knowledge.

6 Future Man (2017-2020)

In this time-traveling series, Josh Hutcherson portrays Josh Futturman, a custodian who finds himself thrust into a thrilling adventure. After conquering a video game, Josh is confronted by enigmatic and perilous visitors from the future who reveal his pivotal role as the world's sole protector against an imminent alien invasion. These extraterrestrial beings were attracted to Josh due to the game's ingenious strategy of recruiting elite soldiers. Combining elements of video games and time travel, this show offers a unique and captivating narrative. Future Man captivates with its uproariously crude humor and its vibrant use of colors in both its sets and wardrobe, making it a highly enjoyable addition to the realm of time travel stories.

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

4 Star Trek: Next Generation (1987-1994)

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., though not a conventional time travel show, definitely falls into that category. While time travel was initially introduced as a theme in the first few seasons, it soon became the primary method of transportation in the subsequent three seasons. Although the show did not begin with time travel as a central focus, it easily made the transition due to the limitless possibilities presented by superhero content. The series skillfully incorporated time travel into its narrative, seamlessly integrating its characters into various eras through authentic costumes, sets, and individual character development. In the final season, each episode showcased the team in a different time period, restoring the episodic case format reminiscent of the show's first season.

The inclusion of the Star Trek universe in this list is imperative, and the ideal choice to represent it is Star Trek: Next Generation. This series takes place a century after Captain Kirk's era and follows a fresh group of officers on their daring voyages through time and space. An episode worthy of mention is season 5, episode 18, "Cause and Effect", where the crew becomes ensnared in a time loop that imparts valuable lessons about the perils of tampering with time. Despite sharing a common foundation in the concept of time travel, Star Trek: Next Generation excels in maintaining its allure even after numerous prior iterations.

3 The Umbrella Academy (2019-Current)

As a show centered around a group of seven siblings with extraordinary powers, it is only logical for one of them to possess the ability to time travel. Introduced in season 1, Number Five, portrayed by Aidan Gallagher, reappears after years of being absent. Trapped as a 13-year-old, he journeyed through time to his family's residence, where his siblings have aged into 30-year-olds. Throughout the seasons, time travel seamlessly weaves into the plot, often serving as a crucial element for Five to carry the weight of the world and save it from peril. The way Five employs this skill within The Umbrella Academy's time travel rules evolves, ensuring it never becomes overused.

2 Loki (2021-Current)

Time travel is a recurring theme in the vast collection of MCU canon-compliant media, and the popular series Loki is no exception. In the show, Loki finds himself apprehended by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) after the events of the alternate timeline in Avengers: Endgame. Throughout season 1, Loki embarks on a journey through time and space alongside Mobius, a TVA agent, in an effort to prevent threats to the Sacred Timeline. The inclusion of time travel in the show seamlessly fits within its overarching concept. While Loki maintains a serious tone with its intricate plot, it remains true to the distinct Marvel style and effectively incorporates Loki's signature sardonic humor to strike a balance. Additionally, the set designs expertly evoke different time periods, transporting viewers to entirely new worlds with each episode.

1 Russian Doll (2019-Current)

Russian Doll is a Netflix original series that follows the character Nadia, played by Natasha Lyonne, as she finds herself trapped in a time loop, reliving her 36th birthday party and dying repeatedly. This captivating show seamlessly blends elements from various genres, resulting in a compelling and unpredictable viewing experience. Russian Doll effortlessly introduces and explains the time travel rules within its universe, creating a natural and easy-to-understand narrative without overwhelming complexity. Despite relying on time loops - a form of time travel that can sometimes feel monotonous - Russian Doll manages to escape repetitive and tiresome storytelling, keeping the plot constantly progressing.