The Time Machine

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The Time Machine

PG-13

2002

1h 36m

Sci-Fi

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

28%

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154 Reviews

38%

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100,000+ Ratings

Scientist and inventor Alexander Hartdegen (Guy Pearce) is determined to prove that time travel is possible. His determination is turned to desperation by a personal tragedy that now drives him to want to change the past. Testing his theories with a time machine of his own invention, Hartdegen is hurtled 800,000 years into the future, where he discovers that mankind has divided into the hunter ... and the hunted.

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Critics Consensus

This Machine has all the razzle-dazzles of modern special effects, but the movie takes a turn for the worst when it switches from a story about lost love to a confusing action-thriller.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

A good movie based on H.G. Wells' classic novel.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 29, 2010

Full Review

Todd McCarthy

Variety

Although it gets off to a decent start, this "Time Machine" breaks down when it gets to the distant future, which in this case isn't a good place to be stranded.

Mar 27, 2009

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Jeff Strickler

Minneapolis Star Tribune

If H.G. Wells had a time machine and could take a look at his kin's reworked version, what would he say? 'It looks good, Sonny, but you missed the point.'

Rated: 2.5/4

Nov 6, 2002

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…this 2002 edition wasn’t quite the definitive version of the HG Wells time-travelling story we were looking for, but it’s not awful; there’s a few vestiges from a bigger, better film, a few sly grace notes which make it worth the watch….

Rated: 3/5

Apr 20, 2025

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

An underappreciated movie anchored by a fine lead performance by Guy Pearce.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 26, 2022

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Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

While I appreciate the ambition... all it made me do is want to watch the one from 1960.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 26, 2021

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Andrew C.

I really like this movie, but maybe for the nostalgia. I remember watching it as a kid. The concepts are awesome. The effects, the makeup, sets. All really good. Sad to see it has a poor rating.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/18/25

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tiny u

This Was Awful. In the beginning, this movie was really interesting, with the man wanting to save his partner, but after the time travel mishap, it took a corny, and idiotic turn, by going into a future pre-historic time, meeting some weird star wars looking dude and everything, fighting to the death. Had they stayed with him trying to prevent his lovers death, growing more and more insane with how and why cant he save her, eventually letting her know she'll die if he doesn't save her, but her saying she's OK if its her time, then that would've been interesting. Maybe popping in and out of the future with new ways to prevent her death. Then at the very end, it shows his former colleagues visiting his home, like huh????? This movie was awful and made 0 sense.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/13/25

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Dave P

A very underrated film. Despite being directed by the great grandson of H.G. Wells and written by John Logan, who has been nominated for 3 Oscars, film critics decided they knew better and tore it to shreds. Respectful to the original source material and makes use of outstanding visual effects. I enjoyed this movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/10/25

Full Review

Korra N

A fun blockbuster adaptation of H.G. Wells' classic from his great-grandson, the movie is still visually breathtaking, rousing & thoroughly enjoyable, even if it never fully explores the dangers of time travel or of the toll taken on our protagonist.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

Full Review

Russel K

The one movie I’d like to buy! BUT it’s on Prime. Although, this is by far, one of my favourites. 5/5 stars!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

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This Old G

Not terrible but I'll take the magic of the 1960 version anytime over this

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

Full Review

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Simon Wells

Director

Guy Pearce

Alexander Hartdegen

Samantha Mumba

Mara

Mark Addy

David Philby

Sienna Guillory

Emma

Phyllida Law

Mrs. Watchit

The Time Machine: Official Clip - All the Years of Remembering

2:02

The Time Machine: Official Clip - What If?

2:11

The Time Machine: Official Clip - Going Forward

2:12

The Time Machine: Official Clip - The Morlocks' Diet

1:17

The Time Machine: Official Clip - Time Travel, Practical Application

2:12

The Time Machine: Official Clip - 800,000 Years of Evolution

2:07

The Time Machine: Official Clip - The First Attempt

2:13

The Time Machine: Official Clip - The Morlocks

2:13

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Synopsis

Scientist and inventor Alexander Hartdegen (Guy Pearce) is determined to prove that time travel is possible. His determination is turned to desperation by a personal tragedy that now drives him to want to change the past. Testing his theories with a time machine of his own invention, Hartdegen is hurtled 800,000 years into the future, where he discovers that mankind has divided into the hunter ... and the hunted.

Director: Simon Wells
Producer: Walter F. Parkes, David Valdes
Screenwriter: John Logan
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG, Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers, DreamWorks Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Action Violence)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 8, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 21, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $56.7M
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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