Time-loop horror movies mess with your mind in a special way other horror films can’t. Unlike time travel, where characters can move freely between the past and the future, time-loop horror traps characters in a specific time period, usually 1 day, that they can’t seem to escape no matter what they do.
The characters are forced to relive the same terrifying moments over and over again until they figure out how to break free. The lack of control is so terrifying, but it also makes for a fun & interesting mystery. If you’re into time-bending movies like Groundhog Day or Palm Springs, then this list of time-loop horror & thriller films is for you.
They each blend suspense, mystery, and horror elements in ways will have you questioning: What would you do if you were stuck in a time loop?
Let’s get to the list.
1. Happy Death Day (2017)
Directed by Christopher Landon, this slasher-comedy stars Jessica Rothe as Tree Gelbman, a college student who keeps reliving the day she’s murdered. Each time, she wakes up in the same spot and has to figure out who’s killing her before it happens again.
2. Happy Death Day 2U (2019)
The sequel brings back Jessica Rothe as Tree, who thinks she escaped the loop, until she’s pulled back in due to a science experiment gone wrong. This time, the mystery goes even deeper.
3. Triangle (2009)
Melissa George stars in this psychological horror directed by Christopher Smith. A group of friends gets stuck in a time loop while sailing, boarding a seemingly abandoned ship where they are stalked by a masked killer.
4. Coherence (2013)
A group of friends gathers for a dinner party on the night a comet passes by. Soon, strange and terrifying events unfold, trapping them in an ever-shifting reality.
5. Until Dawn (2025)
A newer release, Until Dawn is the film adaptation of the popular game of the same name. The story follows Clover and her friends as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of her sister, Melanie, in a remote valley. They find themselves trapped in a terrifying time loop, reliving the same night and facing different killer threats each time. Their only hope of escape is to survive until dawn.
6. Predestination (2014)
Ethan Hawke stars in this sci-fi thriller directed by the Spierig brothers. He plays a time-traveling agent hunting a criminal, only to get caught in a time loop that changes everything he knows.
7. The Endless (2017)
Directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, this eerie slow-burn horror follows two brothers who return to a cult they escaped years ago. They soon realize something supernatural is keeping them, and everyone else, trapped in time.
8. ARQ (2016)
A sci-fi horror thriller directed by Tony Elliott, ARQ follows a couple trapped in a time loop while fending off masked intruders. The loop is linked to a mysterious energy source, making each reset more dangerous.
9. Source Code (2011)
Jake Gyllenhaal stars in this sci-fi thriller about a soldier stuck in an eight-minute time loop, trying to stop a terrorist attack. Each time, he gets closer to the truth, but at a cost.
10. Time Lapse (2014)
Three friends discover a camera that takes photos of the future. At first, they use it to their advantage, but soon they’re trapped in a dangerous time loop that leads to paranoia and betrayal.
