Top 10 Multiverse Movies

Jet Li fighting himself? We couldn’t leave that off the list! “The One” was savaged by critics, and it’s every bit the campy action affair you’d expect. But thanks to the premise and Jet Li’s talents, it’s still a lot of fun if you’re in the right mindset. L.A. cop Gabe Law learns that he’s being hunted down by Gabriel Yulaw (you-law), a version of himself from another universe. By absorbing the life energies of 124 doubles, Yulaw hopes to become “the One”. On Yulaw’s trail are two MultiVerse Authority agents, played by Delroy Lindo and Jason Statham. Jet Li used different martial arts styles to portray Law and Yulaw, and his battles against himself are the highlights of the film.

How do you top a time loop? The sequel to Christopher Landon’s black comedy slasher “Happy Death Day” goes bigger by linking the original premise to a larger multiverse. As in the first installment, Theresa "Tree" Gelbman wakes up to discover that she’s reliving the same day. But this time it takes place in a new, parallel dimension, with some subtle and not-so-subtle differences. While it’s not quite as fun and fresh as the first film, “Happy Death Day 2U” is still an entertaining watch and packs in some interesting themes about grief and what makes us who we are.

Imagine if you could travel to alternate universes - and do whatever you wanted in them without consequences in your own. Would you steal ideas? Seduce a crush? Get revenge on an enemy? In this Canadian sci-fi thriller from Mexican filmmaker Isaac Ezban (ee-SACK ezz-BAN), four friends in a software startup discover a mirror that leads to parallel worlds. Time passes more slowly in the other universes, allowing them to return with knowledge of the future, or least variations of it. Naturally, as the friends exploit this find, it all spirals out of control in the messiest ways possible. “Parallel” isn’t a perfect film, with some questionable cinematography and dialogue, but it’s a fascinating exploration of its central idea.

What if our favorite superheroes broke bad? And DC’s greatest villains were the good guys? That’s the premise of this direct-to-video animated film, based on storylines by comic book writers Gardner Fox and Grant Morrison. Believing that an infinite multiverse renders every action meaningless, Batman’s evil counterpart Owlman wants to destroy it. “Crisis on Two Earths” sees the Justice League teaming up with an alternate Lex Luthor to stop villainous variations of themselves. The high stakes make for a gripping story, and the climactic final battle explores existential questions about the multiverse and what it would mean for our lives.

While the first “Doctor Strange” movie also touched on the idea of the multiverse, it’s Sam Raimi’s “Multiverse of Madness” that goes all in on the concept. The sequel introduces America Chavez, who has the power to open up portals to different dimensions. Hunted for her abilities, she finds protectors in Strange and Wong. We won’t give too much away, but the premise allows the movie to dive into the quirkier and, well, stranger sides of the multiverse - including different versions of familiar heroes. The strong horror elements feel fitting given the overwhelming nature of the multiverse and the dark denizens who lurk within. We’re glad we live in a universe with this movie in it!

If you haven’t heard of this film, maybe it’s because you’ve shifted dimensions without realizing. Or, more likely, it’s because “Coherence” is seriously underrated. The psychological thriller follows eight friends as a passing comet messes with the fabric of reality. Eschewing grandiose special effects, the movie puts its philosophical ideas and complex characters front and center. Perhaps most fascinating of all is how each character, and couple, navigates the crisis. You’re sure to see a bit of yourself and your friends among them. There are bigger, more bombastic multiverse movies, but “Coherence” really stays with you, leaving you thinking long after the credits have rolled.

We warned of spoilers, and here they come. We couldn’t include this sci-fi thriller in our list without giving away the twist. Jake Gyllenhaal’s character Captain Colter Stevens is led to believe that he’s in a simulation of the past, constructed from collective memories for his military overseers. He has eight minutes to identify the bomber in a terrorist attack. Turns out however, the truth is more complicated, and actually involves alternate timelines and realities. As he did with “Moon”, director Duncan Jones takes a sci-fi premise and fills it with engaging human drama, making “Source Code” as compelling as it is ingenious.

When everything goes wrong with the multiverse, the results can be … well, glorious. For fans, anyway. In this sequel to “Homecoming” and “Far From Home”, Peter Parker’s interference in Doctor Strange’s spell breaks the multiverse, bringing villains and heroes from previous films into his world. The level of nostalgia in “No Way Home” could have been gimmicky, but seeing Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland together is genuinely amazing. The chemistry between the cast, especially Holland and Zendaya, adds emotional weight to the story, making the film as moving as it is fun.

The webhead swings in again to grab another spot. Innovative, funny, action-packed, and heartfelt, “Into the Spider-Verse” is everything a superhero film should be. After the death of Peter Parker, Miles Morales takes up his mantle, becoming the Spider-Man of Earth-1610. He’s joined by Spider-Men and Women of parallel worlds that feature some … notable differences to his own. Voiced by Shameik Moore, Morales makes for a fantastic hero who’s easy to root for. The animation is stunning, with stylistic choices that flesh out a unique vision of the multiverse. In this dimension at least, “Into the Spider-Verse” is one of the best multiverse movies ever made.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions.

“Turtles Forever” (2011)
Worlds Collide in This Fun Team Up Between the 1987 & 2003 Ninja Turtles

“Sliding Doors” (1998)
This Romcom Looks at How Chance Events Can Completely Change Our Lives

“John Dies at the End” (2012)
Strap In For a Weird Ride in This Bizarre Comedy Horror

The title isn’t kidding. This sci-fi comedy is also an action movie, a family drama, and more. The initial premise is simple enough: laundromat owner Evelyn Wang wonders if she should’ve made different life choices and struggles to connect with her family. What follows however is a mind-bending journey into the multiverse. To rescue reality, Evelyn must absorb the skills of alternate selves - learning kung fu, knife fighting, and even how to live with hot dogs as fingers. Directors Dan Kwan (kwon) and Daniel Scheinert (SHY-nurt) push their premise to the absolute limit, and Michelle Yeoh delivers an incredible performance as Evelyn. It’s an emotional rollercoaster of a story that makes you laugh, cry, and everything in between - in other words, everything all at once.