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%

Tomatometer

154 Reviews

38%

Popcornmeter

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

12/29/2010

4/5

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

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Todd McCarthy

Variety

03/27/2009

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.

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Jeff Strickler

Minneapolis Star Tribune

11/06/2002

2.5/4

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.'

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

04/20/2025

3/5

…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….

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/26/2022

4.5/5

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

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Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

06/26/2021

2/4

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

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Robert G

@RobbieG Feb 7

First time watching (2026) Very good, really enjoyed it Samantha rocks Up the dubs

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Andy B

@Andybee Feb 4

Well, is it awful? No, not at all. Is it better than the film made in 1960. No, not at all. Not sure why it's set in the US either, especially given the amount of British actors in it. But if you want to spend 90s mins with a bit of fancy fluff then it will do.

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Nick K.

@luckyirish Jan 3

People were too hard on this movie. It’s fun.

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Hunter P

@im_not_like_you Dec 8

Fantastic. Scary. Whimsical. Intriguing. Thought Provoking. Sad. Satisying. 8.3/10

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Shellie S

@Shell1120 Nov 11

I know why people don't like the movie, but the soundtrack is fantastic.

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Andrew C.

@TerryHoitz550 Oct 18

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.

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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)