Top 8 Unmissable Time Travel TV Shows to Add to Your Watchlist

By Taylor Winters · April 14, 2025

Time travel has always been a fascinating concept, sparking countless debates and discussions. It's no surprise that this captivating concept has found its way into the heart of popular culture, with numerous TV shows exploring the intriguing mysteries and paradoxes of jumping through time. From drama to comedy, and even sci-fi, here are some of the top-rated television shows that have delved into the realm of time travel.

Outlander: A Historically Rich Time Travel Journey

From the creative mind of Diana Gabaldon, Outlander is a historical drama series that combines elements of romance, adventure, and time travel. The story revolves around Claire Randall, a nurse from 1945, who mysteriously travels back in time to 18th century Scotland. The series beautifully depicts the challenges faced by Claire as she adapts to a new era while trying to return to her original timeline.

Doctor Who: An Iconic Time Travel Adventure

Considered one of the longest-running TV shows, Doctor Who is a staple in the science fiction genre. The series features a time-traveling alien known as 'The Doctor'. With a time machine that resembles a vintage British police box, the Doctor embarks on adventures across various eras and planets, often thwarting alien invasions and resolving time-related paradoxes.

Quantum Leap: A Unique Twist on Time Travel

Quantum Leap presents time travel in a unique light. The series follows Sam Beckett, a scientist who becomes trapped in his own time travel experiment, causing him to leap into different people's bodies across time. Sam's mission in each episode is to correct historical mistakes, all while hoping that his next leap will bring him home.

Timeless: A Fight to Protect History

Timeless is a thrilling drama series that sees a team of time travelers tasked with protecting history from a mysterious criminal. The team, comprising a historian, a soldier, and a scientist, travels to significant moments in history to ensure the timeline remains intact. Timeless delivers an engaging blend of historical events and time travel elements.

12 Monkeys: A Post-Apocalyptic Time Travel Mission

Based on the 1995 film of the same name, 12 Monkeys is a gripping post-apocalyptic series centered around time travel. The series depicts a future where a deadly virus has devastated the world. A time traveler, James Cole, is sent back to the present day to prevent the outbreak and save humanity.


These TV shows have utilized the concept of time travel to create captivating narratives that keep audiences hooked. Whether it's correcting historical mistakes, attempting to return to one's original timeline, or saving humanity from a devastating future, time travel continues to be a versatile and compelling theme in television.