The Time Machine

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The Time Machine

PG-13

Released Mar 8, 2002

1h 36m

Sci-Fi

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

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Popcornmeter

28%

Tomatometer

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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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

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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

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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

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Al P

good film! watched it so many times !

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/04/25

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Thomas S

I don’t get the downers on here. This is a great film of love lost and found again, with a heartfelt performance by Guy Pearce.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/04/25

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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