25+ Great Movies That Have A Ticking Clock

In this iconic sci-fi adventure, teenager Marty McFly is accidentally transported back in time to the 1950s by a time-traveling DeLorean, created by the eccentric inventor Doc Brown. As Marty interacts with his parents' teenage selves, he must ensure their romance blossoms so that his own existence isn't jeopardized, while also finding a way to return to the future with Doc's help. The film's clever use of time as both an obstacle and ally sets it apart as a seminal entry in the genre, ensuring its enduring popularity.

This gripping action thriller stars Keanu Reeves as LAPD officer Jack Traven and Sandra Bullock as bus passenger Annie Porter, who find themselves trapped on a city bus rigged with a bomb. The explosive will detonate if the vehicle's speed drops below 50 mph, forcing the two to work together to maintain speed and rescue passengers while attempting to outsmart the vengeful madman responsible. The relentless pacing and high-stakes tension make this a classic example of a film where every second counts.

Based on the true story of the ill-fated 1970 lunar mission, this drama follows astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert as they face a series of life-threatening malfunctions that force them to abort their moon landing. The trio must work closely with mission control on Earth to devise a plan to return home safely before their oxygen and power supplies run out. This film showcases the ingenuity and resilience of the human spirit in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

In this influential sci-fi action film, super-soldier Sarah Connor and her son, John, are pursued by a relentless futuristic killing machine known as the T-1000, sent back in time to eliminate John before he can lead a human resistance against the rise of the machines. They gain an unlikely ally when a reprogrammed T-800, the same model that once hunted Sarah, is sent to protect them. The race against time to avoid Judgment Day's impending nuclear apocalypse and change the course of history cements this film as an enduring classic.

This tense, action-packed thriller centers on the efforts of Army virologist Sam Daniels, played by Dustin Hoffman, to prevent a deadly virus from spreading throughout a Californian town and beyond. With a military quarantine in place and a ticking time-bomb scenario, the race to find a cure becomes a desperate and harrowing fight for survival. The film's exploration of the fragility of societal order in the face of widespread panic makes it a chillingly relevant watch.

In Ridley Scott's gripping adaptation of Andy Weir's bestselling novel, astronaut Mark Watney, played by Matt Damon, is left stranded on Mars after a devastating storm hits during a manned mission. Presumed dead, Watney must use his resourcefulness and determination to survive on the inhospitable planet while his crewmates and NASA scientists on Earth work tirelessly to devise a rescue plan. The film deftly balances tension and humor, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit in its portrayal of the race against time to save one man's life.