A Glean movie guide
Infinite Returns: The Best Time Loop Movies
Break the cycle.
From hilarious resets to high-stakes survival, these films prove some days are worth repeating.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
Groundhog Day
The definitive time loop classic that balances cynical humor with a profound heart.
A cynical TV weatherman, along with his idealistic producer and his sardonic cameraman, is sent to report on Groundhog Day in the small town of Punxsutawney, where he finds himself repeating the same day over and over.
- 02
Edge of Tomorrow
A high-octane blockbuster that uses the loop mechanic to perfect effect in a sci-fi war zone.
Major Bill Cage is an officer who has never seen a day of combat when he is unceremoniously demoted and dropped into combat. Cage is killed within minutes, managing to take an alpha alien down with him. He awakens back at the beginning of the same day and is forced to fight and die again... and again - as physical contact with the alien has thrown him into a time loop.
- 03
Palm Springs
A sharp, nihilistic, and surprisingly sweet take on sharing a never-ending day with someone else.
When carefree Nyles and reluctant maid of honor Sarah have a chance encounter at a Palm Springs wedding, things get complicated when they find themselves unable to escape the venue, themselves, or each other.
- 04
Source Code
A tense race against time that uses a high-tech loop to solve a high-stakes train mystery.
When decorated soldier Captain Colter Stevens wakes up in the body of an unknown man, he discovers he's part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train.
- 05
Happy Death Day
A clever and energetic blend of slasher horror and dark comedy with a charismatic lead.
Caught in a bizarre and terrifying time warp, college student Tree finds herself repeatedly reliving the day of her murder, ultimately realizing that she must identify the killer and the reason for her death before her chances of survival run out.
- 06
Triangle
A haunting and complex puzzle of a movie that rewards viewers who pay close attention to every detail.
When Jess sets sail on a yacht with a group of friends, she cannot shake the feeling that there is something wrong.
- 07
Run Lola Run
A pulse-pounding experiment in style and fate that explores how tiny choices change everything.
Lola receives a phone call from her boyfriend Manni. He lost 100,000 DM in a subway train that belongs to a very bad guy. She has 20 minutes to raise this amount and meet Manni. Otherwise, he will rob a store to get the money. Three different alternatives may happen depending on some minor event along Lola's run.
- 08
Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes
An ingenious, low-budget marvel filmed in a single take about a very short, very chaotic loop.
A cafe owner discovers that the TV in his cafe suddenly shows images from the future, but only two minutes into the future.
- 09
The Endless
A slow-burn supernatural mystery that explores the terrifying side of eternal recurrence.
Two brothers return to the cult they fled from years ago to discover that the group's beliefs may be more sane than they once thought.
- 10
Boss Level
A loud, fun, and fast-paced action flick that plays like a live-action video game.
A former special forces agent is trapped in a time loop and relives his death over and over again. To escape the terrible situation, he must track down those responsible and stop them.
- 11
The Map of Tiny Perfect Things
A charming and thoughtful coming-of-age story about finding beauty in the mundane.
Two teenagers trapped in an endless time loop set out to find all the tiny things that make that one day perfect.
- 12
ARQ
A gritty, claustrophobic thriller where every reset reveals a new layer of a dangerous conspiracy.
Two old friends living in a dystopic future become trapped in a mysterious time loop — one that may have something to do with an ongoing battle between an omnipotent corporation and a ragtag band of rebels.