Netflix's recently released sci-fi adventure The Adam Project effortlessly blends action, comedy, and heartfelt family drama in its entertaining time travel plot. It also mixed in plenty of Easter eggs and references to sci-fi classics, including other time travel movies. Whether it's played for laughs or for dramatic effect, time travel remains a popular plot device that audiences can't seem to get enough of.
Fortunately for fans of this genre, streaming services offer a wide variety of time travel-centered stories to choose from. Fans of The Adam Project will find plenty to enjoy in these films, whether they are established classics or relatively new releases.
Flight Of The Navigator (1986)
It may not be the best-known 80s sci-fi flick, but Flight of the Navigator was extremely popular in its day and is slated to receive an upcoming reboot. Like The Adam Project, it features a 12-year old protagonist.
In Flight of the Navigator, that boy is David, who inexplicably travels 8 years into the future with no memory of where he's been. When he uncovers that mystery, he discovers that he is the key to operating a high-tech ship on an important mission, which is also reminiscent of The Adam Project. Fans who want to check this classic out before it receives an update can stream it on Disney+.
Back To The Future (1985)
Eagle-eyed fans can find plenty of Back to the Future Easter eggs among The Adam Project's many references to film and pop culture. It's clear that this perennial favorite had an indelible impact on the cinema world.
Back to the Future explores the perils of time travel when Marty McFly puts his own future in danger by preventing his parents from meeting and falling in love. Though this sounds like a serious dilemma, the film has fun making Marty scramble to solve his problem and allows him to get insight into his parents along the way. Viewers who want to relive this classic can stream it on Hulu.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)
Fans who were most impressed by the comedic aspects of The Adam Project will appreciate the light-hearted Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, a cult classic of the time travel genre that spawned two sequels. Best friends Bill and Ted are failing history and discover that this puts the future in jeopardy since their friendship is the key to world peace.
What Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure lacks in futuristic technology it makes up for in laughs, quotable dialogue, and a still-relevant message urging people to "be excellent to each other".Viewers can rent Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure on Amazon Prime.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Adult Adam name-drops the Terminator franchise when describing the deplorable state of the future. Though the original Terminator is undoubtedly worth a re-watch, its sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day has more in common with The Adam Project than its predecessor thanks to the young and adult versions of John Connor.
Terminator 2 improved the franchise in many ways, featuring groundbreaking special effects for its time and a fun twist as a former antagonist becomes John Connor's protector. It is action-packed and exciting, and viewers can currently rent it on Amazon Prime Video.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
It isn't a stretch to call the superhero blockbuster Avengers: Endgame, available to stream on Disney+, a time travel movie. Much of the plot centers on the heroes jumping to the past in order to retrieve the infinity stones.
While time travel is essential to undo the effects of Thanos' snap, it also provides an opportunity for Tony to reunite with his dad, Howard Stark. Tony was deeply affected by his father's death, and the poignant moment between Tony and Howard is one of the film's most heartfelt scenes. Tony gets closure and a chance to say goodbye to his father, which will appeal to those who were moved by a similar moment in The Adam Project.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Part of what makes the future so dismal in The Adam Project is the apparent destruction of the environment, which provides a subtle warning to viewers about the dangers of ignoring the environmental impact of their actions.
In a similar vein, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, delivers a straightforward message of warning. In the 23rd century, an alien probe begins to destroy the earth and can only communicate with whales, which have gone extinct. The crew of the Enterprise is forced to travel back to the 20th century in a Klingon Bird of Prey to retrieve a whale and stop the probe. While this may sound like a heavy message for a film with a ridiculous premise, the movie doesn't take itself too seriously and is full of hilarious moments, which makes it worth a watch.
The Tomorrow War (2021)
In one of the most poignant moments of The Adam Project, adult Adam must choose to let go of his wife Laura and accept the possibility that they will never meet. This idea of letting loved ones go in the interest of the greater good is also present in the Amazon Prime original film The Tomorrow War.
This intense action flick features an intriguing premise that involves drafting people from the past to fight a war in the future. In the most heartwrenching scene, protagonist Dan Forrester is forced to leave a dearly loved family member behind in his quest to win the war. The choice he makes will likely remind fans of Adam and Laura's final goodbye.
X-Men: Days Of Future Past (2014)
Another blockbuster superhero movie with a time travel plot, X-Men: Days Of Future Past is frequently ranked one of the best X-Men movies by fans of the X-Men franchise.
As is the case in The Adam Project, the future is bleak and humanity is on the brink of extinction due to the misguided endeavors of one scientist. Wolverine embodies his younger self in order to prevent the catastrophic future from becoming reality. Like The Adam Project, X-Men: Days Of Future Past also features young and old versions of beloved characters such as Magneto and Charles Xavier. It is available to stream on Disney+.
Project Almanac (2015)
Going back in time allows adult Adam to take revenge against his childhood bullies in The Adam Project. Viewers who appreciated this instance of payback will no doubt enjoy a similar scenario that occurs in Project Almanac.
This 2015 movie gives a surprisingly realistic picture of what a group of teens might do if they figured out how to travel through time. Rather than take on serious social issues, they use their newfound power to win the lottery, pass chemistry, impress crushes, and embarrass bullies. Of course, these seemingly insignificant actions have unexpected consequences in the future. Though many viewers are put off by the shaky, hand-held camera style of this film, those who are intrigued by its premise can rent it on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or YouTube.
About Time (2013)
About Time seems to have little in common with the action-heavy sci-fi plot of The Adam Project. Tim's ability to travel through time is never explained, and there are no major future catastrophes that need to be prevented. However, at its heart, The Adam Project is about the relationship between Adam and his father, and how the loss of his father impacts Adam's life.
Similarly, although About Time features many elements of a romantic comedy, it is also at its core about a father and son and the difficulty of saying goodbye and letting go. A charming, funny film that packs an emotional punch, About Time is available to stream on Netflix.