If You Enjoyed the TV Series Outlander, There Is Another Movie You Definitely Need to Watch.
Outlander filled a void no one knew existed (probably). Based on Diana Gabaldon’s best-selling book series, this epic love story about a time-traveling woman who becomes embroiled in the most twisted extramarital affair in history was one of the most popular series on television and generated a devoted fan base. If you were one of the show’s superfans and are wondering what to do with yourself now that Claire and Jamie’s story is over, there’s good news: the best movie for Outlander fans came out decades ago, in 1980.
Somewhere in Time is the best movie for Outlander fans.
Based on Richard Matheson’s 1975 novel Go Back in Time, Somewhere in Time is one of those films that’s still talked about nearly fifty years after its release, and it’s an eerily perfect companion piece to Outlander .
Christopher Reeve, fresh from his brilliant performance in Superman , plays playwright Richard Collier. During a road trip, he stops at the Grand Hotel and sees a photograph of Eliza McKenna (Jane Seymour), a famous actress of the early 20th century. He realizes that the elderly Eliza gave him an antique pocket watch many years ago and begins to believe in the possibility of time travel, planning a trip to 1912—and after several attempts, he succeeds.
In the past, he meets Eliza, and they fall madly in love, but her manager sees Richard as a threat to her career and does everything he can to thwart them. This story has many echoes of Outlander , particularly when Claire decides to return to the 18th century to find Jamie after learning he’s still alive. Richard’s determination to stay with Eliza, no matter what, ends in tragedy (another moment familiar to Outlander fans), but the story asks a simple question: isn’t suffering worth it if it leads to true love?
Sure, Somewhere in Time doesn’t delve into Richard and Eliza’s love story as deeply as Outlander did, with Jamie and Claire’s story, which spanned over 100 episodes. But it captures the same powerful moment of connection, when two people overcome the most fundamental obstacle in the universe—time—to be together. Fans of the show will love it. Watch Somewhere in Time on the Roku Channel , Tubi , or Plex , or rent it on Prime Video .
More movies for Outlander fans.
If you’re still missing some timeless time travel romance in your life, there are a few more movies worth checking out.
Kate & Leopold (2001)
More lighthearted, funny, and silly than Outlander or Somewhere in Time , Kate & Leopold tells the story of Leopold, the impoverished Duke of Albany (Hugh Jackman). Living in New York City in 1876, he’s about to invent the Otis Elevator when, while pursuing a man through a time portal, he finds himself in the year 2001. The film has plenty of elevator and time paradox subplots, but Outlander fans will appreciate Leopold’s romantic relationship with his ex-wife, Kate McKay (Meg Ryan). Modern-day Kate is captivated by Leopold’s old-fashioned charm and intellect, leading to one of those classic romantic comedy moments where someone must race to their soulmate, only instead of a plane, they’re racing toward a time portal, as is usually the case. Watch Kate & Leopold on Prime Video .
The Two Worlds of Jenny Logan (1979)
Another film based on a novel (by David L. Williams, “Second Sight “), “The Two Worlds of Jenny Logan” tells the story of Jenny, a woman who moves into an old Victorian house with her estranged husband, who has confessed to infidelity. Legends about the house revolve around its previous owner, David (Marc Singer), who claimed to have seen the ghost of his dead wife and supposedly died in a duel. When Jenny finds an old dress hanging in the closet and tries it on, she is repeatedly transported back to 1899. When she finally meets David, she realizes she was the “ghost” he spoke of. They fall in love, but a jealous rival threatens everything in this wonderfully twisted film that Outlander fans will appreciate. Watch “The Two Worlds of Jenny Logan” on the Roku Channel or YouTube .
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
One of the most effective aspects of Outlander is its exploration of the need to leave something behind in order to truly appreciate it. In “Peggy Sue Got Married,” Peggy Sue (Kathleen Turner) has recently separated from her unfaithful husband, Charlie (Nicolas Cage). When she’s transported from 1986 to her senior year of high school in 1960 and given the chance to change her life, she must wrestle with what could have been and what she still has left in the “real” present. While the film has plenty of laughs, “Peggy Sue Got Married” is, at its core, a love story. Watch “Peggy Sue Got Married” on Tubi or rent it on Prime Video .
Fountain (2006)
Whether this complex, symbol-laden film involves actual time travel or immortality is debatable, as writer-director Darren Aronofsky has left much of the plot open to interpretation. But it’s 100% a love story that, in one sense or another, spans the centuries, as Hugh Jackman plays three versions of a man named Tom (or Thomas, as he’s called when he’s a Spanish conquistador in the 16th century). In the present day, Dr. Tom Creo searches for a cure for death as his beloved wife, Izzy, dies of a brain tumor. And in the distant future, Tom travels through space with what may be the Tree of Life, seeking to somehow reunite with Izzy. It’s an incredibly romantic story, whether you believe all the Toms are real or that some are fictional, and it’s a deeply moving tale that will delight fans of the series. Rent The Fountain on Prime Video .
Timeline (2003)
Based on Michael Crichton’s book, Timeline isn’t a romance, but if your favorite part of Outlander is the ambiguity of someone from the future finding themselves stranded while trying to find their way back in time, it’s a perfect choice. When a group of archaeology graduate students travel back to 1357 to discover the fate of their professor, things go awry, and they find themselves caught in the middle of the Hundred Years’ War between the English and French. The film realistically depicts the difficulties of adapting to the past, and the unexpected twists and turns of its fast-paced plot are a joy to watch. While there’s a romantic element to the film, it’s far from the main focus, but if you’re looking for a more grandiose adventure through the magic of time travel, this film is a real treat. Watch Timeline on Prime Video .