Some days are unforgettable, whether they are good or bad. Yet, what if you had the opportunity to relive the same day over and over again? That is the core of the vicious circle or time loop concept in movies. Whether you’re a science fiction enthusiast or a fantasy fan, these vicious circle movies will captivate you. Let’s explore the best titles that revolve around repeating the same day!
1.Hurok
We kick off our list of vicious circle movies with the Hungarian movie Hurok (also known as “Time Loop”). Adam and Anna, a couple dealing drugs, aim to make a big profit and escape this risky business. When their plan goes awry, they betray their boss. At that very moment, something extraordinary happens, thrusting them into a time loop. Forced to live the same day repeatedly, the couple will do everything in their power to break free from this vicious cycle.
Hurok (2016)
- Director: Isti Madarász
- Cast: Dénes Száraz (Adam), Dorina Martinovics (Anna), Zsolt Anger (Detective), Géza Hegedűs D. (József)
- Release Year: 2016
- Duration: 95 minutes
- Country: Hungary
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Language: Hungarian
- Age Rating: Not Rated
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- IMDb Rating: 6.6
- Similar Movies: Predestination, Timecrimes, Coherence
- Trailer: Hurok Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Hurok (2016) – IMDb
2.Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is a classic time loop movie starring Bill Murray. Producer Rita Hanson, cameraman Larry, and weatherman Phil travel to Punxsutawney for the annual Groundhog Day Festival. On February 2, Phil wakes up to “I Got You Babe” by Sonny & Cher. Despite his weather report, a snowstorm hits, trapping him in town. The next morning, he wakes up to the same song and the same radio banter, realizing he’s reliving the exact same day. This vicious circle movie offers a perfect blend of comedy and introspection.
Groundhog Day (1993)
- Director: Harold Ramis
- Cast: Bill Murray (Phil Connors), Andie MacDowell (Rita Hanson), Chris Elliott (Larry), Stephen Tobolowsky (Ned Ryerson)
- Release Year: 1993
- Duration: 101 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG
- Available Platforms: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes
- IMDb Rating: 8.0
- Similar Movies: About Time, The Truman Show, Palm Springs
- Trailer: Groundhog Day Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Groundhog Day (1993) – IMDb
3.Triangle
In Triangle, Jess sets off on a yacht trip with her friends after a minor accident. During the journey, a storm forces them onto a passing ship. Jess becomes overwhelmed by an eerie sense of déjà vu, convinced she has been on this ship before. Soon, her friends are killed one by one by a mysterious figure—a twist that reveals a surprising and dark time loop. This vicious circle movie keeps viewers guessing with its thrilling and mind-bending plot.
Triangle (2009)
- Director: Christopher Smith
- Cast: Melissa George (Jess), Joshua McIvor (Tommy), Jack Taylor (Downey), Michael Dorman (Greg)
- Release Year: 2009
- Duration: 99 minutes
- Country: United Kingdom, Australia
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- IMDb Rating: 6.9
- Similar Movies: Coherence, Timecrimes, The Endless
- Trailer: Triangle Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Triangle (2009) – IMDb
4.A Day (Ha-roo)
The South Korean movie A Day centers on Kim Joon Young, a renowned surgeon who regrets neglecting his daughter. One day, she dies right before his eyes. From that moment on, the day begins to repeat itself, forcing him to uncover the cause of this tragedy. Teaming up with Lee Min Chul, an ambulance driver, he struggles to save his daughter and break out of the time loop. A Day stands out among vicious circle movies for its emotional depth and unique storyline.
A Day (Ha-roo) (2017)
- Director: Cho Sun-ho
- Cast: Kim Myung-min (Jun-young), Byun Yo-han (Min-chul), Yoo Jae-myung (Father), Jo Eun-hyung (Eun-jung)
- Release Year: 2017
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Country: South Korea
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller
- Language: Korean
- Age Rating: Not Rated
- Available Platforms: Viki, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- IMDb Rating: 6.8
- Similar Movies: Forgotten, The Call, The Vanished
- Trailer: A Day Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: A Day (2017) – IMDb
5.Edge of Tomorrow
In the near future, an alien force known as the Mimics devastates Earth, pushing humanity to the brink. All armies unite against these telepathic creatures, but they remain nearly unbeatable. Tom Cruise stars as Officer Bill Cage, a novice soldier who is deployed to the front lines in a seemingly hopeless battle. He dies within minutes—only to wake up at the start of the same day again. Trapped in this time loop, Cage teams up with Special Forces warrior Rita Vrataski (played by Emily Blunt) to change the outcome of the war. This vicious circle movie collected $370.5 million worldwide and delivers top-tier science fiction action.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
- Director: Doug Liman
- Cast: Tom Cruise (Cage), Emily Blunt (Rita), Bill Paxton (Master Sergeant Farell), Brendan Gleeson (General Brigham)
- Release Year: 2014
- Duration: 113 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, iTunes
- IMDb Rating: 7.9
- Similar Movies: Oblivion, Source Code, Looper
- Trailer: Edge of Tomorrow Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Edge of Tomorrow (2014) – IMDb
6.ARQ
Suddenly waking up next to his girlfriend Hanna, Renton is attacked by three armed men, tied to a chair, and threatened. He attempts to escape but is caught and killed—only to wake up next to Hanna again. Remembering everything he has just experienced, he knows the intruders will soon arrive. Forced to relive the same events over and over, Renton realizes he has inadvertently created a time machine that resets time every three hours. Continuously tied to a chair, Renton devises new methods of escape each time the time loop restarts.
ARQ (2016)
- Director: Tony Elliott
- Cast: Robbie Amell (Renton), Rachael Taylor (Hannah), Shaun Benson (Sonny), Gray Powell (Father)
- Release Year: 2016
- Duration: 88 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: TV-MA
- Available Platforms: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 6.4
- Similar Movies: The Endless, Synchronic, Circle
- Trailer: ARQ Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: ARQ (2016) – IMDb
7.Happy Death Day
Tree is an ordinary college student whose life turns upside down when a masked killer targets her. After she is murdered, Tree wakes up the morning of her death as if nothing ever happened. She relives the same day repeatedly, getting killed by the mysterious attacker each time. Exhausted by this vicious cycle, Tree resolves to unmask the killer and end this time loop once and for all. This movie, which has two installments, masterfully blends vicious circle elements with comedy.
Happy Death Day (2017)
- Director: Christopher Landon
- Cast: Jessica Rothe (Tree Gelbman), Israel Broussard (Carter Davis), Ruby Modine (Lori Spengler), Charles Aitken (Gregory Butler)
- Release Year: 2017
- Duration: 96 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, iTunes
- IMDb Rating: 6.6
- Similar Movies: Freaky, The Final Girls, Scream
- Trailer: Happy Death Day Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Happy Death Day (2017) – IMDb
8.Tenet
Directed by Christopher Nolan, this movie follows a hero striving to prevent worldwide destruction. Venturing beyond the boundaries of time, he embarks on an extraordinary mission to avert a threat that could obliterate the planet. Despite its release during the Covid-19 pandemic, this vicious circle movie grossed $334 million worldwide. While the plot’s time-bending elements may not strictly be a time loop, Tenet earns its spot on the list for its mind-boggling approach to temporal manipulation.
Tenet (2020)
- Director: Christopher Nolan
- Cast: John David Washington (The Protagonist), Robert Pattinson (Neil), Elizabeth Debicki (Kat), Kenneth Branagh (Andrei Sator)
- Release Year: 2020
- Duration: 150 minutes
- Country: United States, United Kingdom
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies, HBO Max
- IMDb Rating: 7.7
- Similar Movies: Inception, Interstellar, The Prestige
- Trailer: Tenet Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Tenet (2020) – IMDb
9.Source Code
In Source Code, Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) finds himself awakening on a train in another man’s body. Exactly eight minutes later, the train explodes. He opens his eyes again—this time in his own body. This phenomenon is explained by a government program called Life Code, allowing Colter to live the final eight minutes of another person’s life to uncover the train bomber’s identity. To complete his mission, he must relive these eight minutes repeatedly until he finds the culprit behind the attack.
Source Code (2011)
- Director: Duncan Jones
- Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal (Colter Stevens), Michelle Monaghan (Christina Warren), Vera Farmiga (Colleen Goodwin), Jeffrey Wright (Dr. Rutledge)
- Release Year: 2011
- Duration: 93 minutes
- Country: United States, Canada
- Genre: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- IMDb Rating: 7.5
- Similar Movies: Edge of Tomorrow, Looper, Minority Report
- Trailer: Source Code Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Source Code (2011) – IMDb
10.Boss Level
The 2020 movie Boss Level, which is on our list of vicious circle movies, depicts the story of Roy Pulver (Frank Grillo), a former Special Forces soldier caught in a time loop. Every day, Roy wakes up and encounters assassins sent to eliminate him, dying repeatedly and returning to the same day. In order to break free from this vicious cycle, Roy must endure countless deaths while searching for a way to escape his perpetual reset.
Boss Level (2020)
- Director: Joe Carnahan
- Cast: Frank Grillo (Roy Pulver), Mel Gibson (Colonel Ventor), Naomi Watts (Jemma Wells), Michelle Yeoh (Dai Feng)
- Release Year: 2020
- Duration: 100 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi
- Language: English
- Age Rating: TV-MA
- Available Platforms: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 6.8
- Similar Movies: Crank, Edge of Tomorrow, Palm Springs
- Trailer: Boss Level Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Boss Level (2020) – IMDb
11.Predestination
Another remarkable addition to our list of vicious circle movies is Predestination, which follows a time-traveling agent tasked with preventing catastrophic events before they happen—and catching criminals who exploit time travel. The agent’s primary goal is to track down the so-called “Fizzle Bomber,” who killed 11,000 people in New York in 1975. Venturing to a bar in 1970, he meets John, a columnist whose seemingly simple story becomes increasingly intricate and entwined with the agent’s time-travel mission.
Predestination (2014)
- Director: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig
- Cast: Ethan Hawke (The Barkeep), Sarah Snook (Jane/John), Noah Taylor (Mr. Robertson)
- Release Year: 2014
- Duration: 97 minutes
- Country: Australia
- Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- IMDb Rating: 7.5
- Similar Movies: Looper, Coherence, Timecrimes
- Trailer: Predestination Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Predestination (2014) – IMDb
12.About Time
Set in Cornwall, England, About Time is a romantic science fiction movie featuring Tim Lake, a young man who discovers at age 21 that the men in his family can travel back in time. His father cautions him against using this power for wealth or fame, so Tim decides to focus on finding true love. Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, and Bill Nighy, this vicious circle movie brings a heartfelt, comedic twist to the time-travel genre, blending romance with sci-fi in a unique and captivating way.
About Time (2013)
- Director: Richard Curtis
- Cast: Domhnall Gleeson (Tim), Rachel McAdams (Mary), Bill Nighy (Dad), Lydia Wilson (Kit Kat)
- Release Year: 2013
- Duration: 123 minutes
- Country: United Kingdom
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes
- IMDb Rating: 7.8
- Similar Movies: The Time Traveler’s Wife, Midnight in Paris, Groundhog Day
- Trailer: About Time Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: About Time (2013) – IMDb
13.Los chronocrimes
Known in English as Timecrimes, this vicious circle movie centers on Héctor, a married man settling into a new home. When Héctor spots a woman lying in the woods and tries to help her, he is attacked by a mysterious figure wrapped in pink bandages. Fleeing his attacker, Héctor stumbles across a time machine that sends him back one hour. Warned never to meet his past self, Héctor soon finds himself trapped in a complex and bewildering series of events that threaten to spiral out of control.
Los cronocrímenes (Timecrimes) (2007)
- Director: Nacho Vigalondo
- Cast: Karra Elejalde (Héctor), Candela Fernández (Clara), Bárbara Goenaga (The Girl), Nacho Vigalondo (The Young Scientist)
- Release Year: 2007
- Duration: 92 minutes
- Country: Spain
- Genre: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Language: Spanish
- Age Rating: Not Rated
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- IMDb Rating: 7.2
- Similar Movies: Predestination, Coherence, Triangle
- Trailer: Timecrimes Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Timecrimes (2007) – IMDb
14.Looper
Set in the year 2074, Looper explores a future where time travel exists but is used solely by criminal organizations. These groups send targets 30 years into the past to be executed by hired killers called “loopers.” Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), an addict who leads a comfortable life financed by these hits, faces a crisis when his latest target arrives—and turns out to be his older self (Bruce Willis). Also featuring Emily Blunt, this vicious circle movie combines time-travel intrigue with action-packed drama, creating a dynamic story about fate, self-discovery, and moral dilemma.
Looper (2012)
- Director: Rian Johnson
- Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Joe), Bruce Willis (Old Joe), Emily Blunt (Sara), Paul Dano (Seth)
- Release Year: 2012
- Duration: 113 minutes
- Country: United States, China
- Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 7.4
- Similar Movies: Predestination, Edge of Tomorrow, Source Code
- Trailer: Looper Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Looper (2012) – IMDb
15.Repeaters
Repeaters follows three young people who find themselves reliving the same day again and again. While staying at a rehabilitation clinic, they experience an electrocution incident that throws them into a time loop. Although they each remember everything that happens, their repeated day soon spirals out of control as they begin committing various crimes. This vicious circle movie explores moral boundaries and the consequences of having limitless do-overs.
Repeaters (2010)
- Director: Carl Bessai
- Cast: Dustin Milligan (Kyle Halsted), Amanda Crew (Sonia Logan), Richard de Klerk (Michael Weeks), Gabrielle Rose (Nurse Tally)
- Release Year: 2010
- Duration: 89 minutes
- Country: Canada
- Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: Not Rated
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- IMDb Rating: 5.8
- Similar Movies: Before I Fall, Triangle, Happy Death Day
- Trailer: Repeaters Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Repeaters (2010) – IMDb
16.Before I Fall
High school student Samantha Kingston is beautiful, popular, and content with her ordinary life—until she dies on February 12. Yet her story doesn’t end there. Sam wakes up to February 12 again, trapped in a time loop that forces her to relive the day endlessly. To break free from this vicious circle, she must uncover the hidden truths about herself and the people around her. Starring Zoey Deutch, this vicious circle movie combines teen drama with an introspective, supernatural twist.
Before I Fall (2017)
- Director: Ry Russo-Young
- Cast: Zoey Deutch (Samantha Kingston), Halston Sage (Lindsay Edgecomb), Logan Miller (Kent McFuller), Kian Lawley (Rob Cokran)
- Release Year: 2017
- Duration: 98 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 6.5
- Similar Movies: Groundhog Day, Happy Death Day, The Fault in Our Stars
- Trailer: Before I Fall Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Before I Fall (2017) – IMDb
17.Run Lola Run
Set in Berlin, Run Lola Run centers on Lola and Manni, two lovers who face a critical situation involving a bag of money lost in the subway. Manni, a courier for the mafia, has just 20 minutes to retrieve the missing cash or face dire consequences. He calls Lola, who immediately runs through the city to help him. This vicious circle movie presents three different scenarios (or runs) as Lola tries to solve the same problem. Grossing $22.9 million worldwide and winning multiple awards, Run Lola Run is a riveting example of time-bending storytelling.
Run Lola Run (1998)
- Director: Tom Tykwer
- Cast: Franka Potente (Lola), Moritz Bleibtreu (Manni), Herbert Knaup (Father), Nina Petri (Jutta Hansen)
- Release Year: 1998
- Duration: 80 minutes
- Country: Germany
- Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
- Language: German
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
- Similar Movies: Memento, The Butterfly Effect, Coherence
- Trailer: Run Lola Run Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Run Lola Run (1998) – IMDb
18.Primer
Two engineers tinkering in a garage accidentally invent a device that enables time travel. Each of them starts using it secretly, unaware that their actions will have serious repercussions for both their lives and reality itself. As they continue to experiment, they find themselves entangled in increasingly complicated loops. Primer is a vicious circle movie known for its mind-bending plot, demanding attention from viewers who enjoy intellectually challenging time-travel narratives.
Primer (2004)
- Director: Shane Carruth
- Cast: Shane Carruth (Aaron), David Sullivan (Abe), Casey Gooden (Robert), Anand Upadhyaya (Philip)
- Release Year: 2004
- Duration: 77 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- IMDb Rating: 6.9
- Similar Movies: Coherence, Timecrimes, Predestination
- Trailer: Primer Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Primer (2004) – IMDb
19.Naked
Pounding out our list of vicious circle movies is Naked, a comedy about Rob Anderson, who repeatedly wakes up naked in an unfamiliar elevator on the same day—his wedding day. Every attempt he makes to reach the church in time for the ceremony is thwarted by an unknown force, resetting him back to that same embarrassing moment in the elevator. This lighthearted time loop comedy brings humor to the reliving the same day premise, showcasing how Rob tries different tactics to make it to the altar without losing his mind—or his pants!
Naked (2017)
- Director: Michael Tiddes
- Cast: Marlon Wayans (Rob Anderson), Regina Hall (Megan Swope), Dennis Haysbert (Reginald Swope), Scott Foley (Cody Favors)
- Release Year: 2017
- Duration: 96 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Comedy
- Language: English
- Age Rating: TV-MA
- Available Platforms: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 5.4
- Similar Movies: Groundhog Day, Happy Death Day, 50 First Dates
- Trailer: Naked Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Naked (2017) – IMDb
