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

151 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

Dec 29, 2010

4/5

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

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Todd McCarthy

Variety

Mar 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

Nov 6, 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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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Aug 4, 2026

1.5/4

...a progressively lackluster endeavor...

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Apr 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

Aug 26, 2022

4.5/5

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

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 13, 2026

The Time Machine = a *2* star Movie!

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Unimpressed G

@RT51541674 Jul 14, 2026

For whatever the reason, I'd thought this to be a cult classic. Boy was I wrong, because not only is the direction of this film as flat as a board, but the acting feels misguided too. I was totally on board with the first 20 minutes of the film, but just like a rapid decay with accelerated time travel, this story took a massive turn for the weirder and worser for wearer. Honestly, I would've liked to've seen Alexander FINALLY reunite with his beloved Emma once more...but maybe instead have had his beloved and time machine stolen, then it could turn into a time CHASE, to get his beloved back before his machines runs out of fuel. There would be so much to stake with that, along with some minor details that would prevent him from just using future tech to bypass this issue altogether, but all the same: the way this movie played out as it was, left so much to be desired. So strange how we go from Victorian NYC, to 800k years in the future w/ orcs and ESP vampire men. Like, what?

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PAL S

@star-pals Jul 11, 2026

A tale as old as time. Critics don't understand the plot of sci-fi, so they give sci-fi movies a low score. Is it perfect? No. Is it a 3/10 like the critics think? Absolutely not. It has an interesting take on time travel paradoxes, great music, and passable acting. I mean the Dune miniseries (2000) got an audience score of 70+% and while I like it too, the quality is far below this movie. If your like time travel, movies with good musical scores, or think critics are not to be trusted, this is a movie worth watching.

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Robert G

@RobbieG Feb 7, 2026

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

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Andy B

@Andybee Feb 4, 2026

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, 2026

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

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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

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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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