Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Of 2025Holiday Watch GuideGotham AwardsSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

The Time Traveler's Wife

  • 2009
  • PG-13
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
164K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,928
717
Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams in The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)
The Time Traveler's Wife Theatrical Trailer
Play trailer2:29
12 Videos
99+ Photos
Time TravelTragedyDramaFantasyRomanceSci-Fi

Henry DeTamble, a librarian, possesses a unique gene that lets him involuntarily travel through time. His wife, Claire Abshire, finds it difficult to cope with it.Henry DeTamble, a librarian, possesses a unique gene that lets him involuntarily travel through time. His wife, Claire Abshire, finds it difficult to cope with it.Henry DeTamble, a librarian, possesses a unique gene that lets him involuntarily travel through time. His wife, Claire Abshire, finds it difficult to cope with it.

  • Director
    • Robert Schwentke
  • Writers
    • Bruce Joel Rubin
    • Audrey Niffenegger
  • Stars
    • Eric Bana
    • Rachel McAdams
    • Ron Livingston
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    164K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,928
    717
    • Director
      • Robert Schwentke
    • Writers
      • Bruce Joel Rubin
      • Audrey Niffenegger
    • Stars
      • Eric Bana
      • Rachel McAdams
      • Ron Livingston
    • 321User reviews
    • 141Critic reviews
    • 47Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 5 nominations total

    Videos12

    The Time Traveler's Wife
    Trailer 2:29
    The Time Traveler's Wife
    The Time Traveler's Wife
    Clip 1:12
    The Time Traveler's Wife
    The Time Traveler's Wife
    Clip 1:12
    The Time Traveler's Wife
    The Time Traveler's Wife
    Clip 1:26
    The Time Traveler's Wife
    The Time Traveler's Wife
    Clip 1:00
    The Time Traveler's Wife
    The Time Traveler's Wife
    Clip 1:06
    The Time Traveler's Wife
    The Time Traveler's Wife: Will You Marry Me?
    Clip 1:26
    The Time Traveler's Wife: Will You Marry Me?

    Photos112

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 106
    View Poster

    Top Cast68

    Edit
    Eric Bana
    Eric Bana
    • Henry
    Rachel McAdams
    Rachel McAdams
    • Clare
    Ron Livingston
    Ron Livingston
    • Gomez
    Michelle Nolden
    Michelle Nolden
    • Annette DeTamble
    Alex Ferris
    Alex Ferris
    • Henry at Six
    Arliss Howard
    Arliss Howard
    • Richard DeTamble
    Katherine Trowell
    Katherine Trowell
    • Hospital Receptionist
    Bart Bedford
    • Library Researcher
    Esther Jun
    • Waitress
    Matt Birman
    Matt Birman
    • Chicago Police #1
    Craig Snoyer
    • Chicago Police #2
    Carly Street
    • Librarian
    Romyen Tangsubutra
    • Thai Waiter
    Brooklynn Proulx
    Brooklynn Proulx
    • Clare at Six and Eight
    Jane McLean Guerra
    Jane McLean Guerra
    • Charisse
    • (as Jane McLean)
    Brian Bisson
    Brian Bisson
    • Mark Abshire
    Maggie Castle
    Maggie Castle
    • Alicia Abshire
    Fiona Reid
    Fiona Reid
    • Lucille Abshire
    • Director
      • Robert Schwentke
    • Writers
      • Bruce Joel Rubin
      • Audrey Niffenegger
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews321

    7.1164K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    8nickos82

    Echoes of Momento & The Butterfly Effect but more touching!

    Well, I am shocked and surprised. I had written this movie off as a "chick flick" and was dragged to see this by my wife as it her was her choice this week. I am glad that I went. Throughout the whole film, I was kept entertained and wanting to see the next development. Personally, I enjoyed the combination of lead actor and actress.

    The concept of the film had echoes to that of Momento or The Butterfly Effect but equally different on its own merits.

    The combination of characters is touching and you can really relate to this heartbreaking story.

    I cried towards the ending of this film (its not a surprise, when a story gets me, I have to show emotion!)
    8saarvardi

    Hollywood deserves a big kudos for not messing this one up!

    The Time Traveler's Wife is based off of one of the best books I've read in recent years. Naturally, the movie couldn't come close to catching all the little details that made the book so captivating, since like any other film it had a limited time frame he had to work with. However, the Hollywood adaptation (with Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams as the lead rolls) did do one thing right: it captured the heart of the novel and transferred much of the book's atmosphere to the big screen. Now, as much as I've always hated those original-material purists who nitpick on every little detail in a given adaptation, I have to say the work done on The Time Traveler's Wife was extraordinary loyal in spirit to the film.

    Hollywood and director Robert Schwentke deserve a big kudos for not messing this one up, and for creating a big screen experience that welcomes those who loved the novel as well as newcomers to this tragic-romantic story.

    I gave it 9 out of 10.
    7claudio_carvalho

    Delightful Love Story

    In Chicago, the special collections librarian Henry DeTamble (Eric Bana) has a genetic anomaly that allows him to travel in time; however, he is not able to control the moment or the destiny of his voyages. When the stranger Clare Abshire (Rachel McAdams) meets him in the library, she invites him to have dinner with her in his favorite restaurant Beau Thai where she confesses that she has been in love with him since she was six years old. Henry leans that he had visited her many times in the real state of her parents and he falls in love with her. Sooner they get married, but the life of Clare becomes troubled with the successive unexpected travels of her beloved husband.

    "The Time Traveler's Wife" is a delightful love story with an original romance of a time traveler that wins the heart of his wife when she was six years old and he was older. Therefore he does not know her in the present time. The chemistry between Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams is wonderful and makes their love absolutely believable. However, the girl Brooklynn Proulx steals the movie with a marvelous performance. My vote is seven.

    Title (Brazil): "Te Amarei Para Sempre" ("I Will Love You Forever")
    7blanche-2

    romantic film from 2009

    Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana star in "The Time Traveler's Wife," from 2009. Directed by Robert Schwentke and based on the novel by Audrey Niffenegger, it tells the story of Henry DeTamble.

    Henry (Eric Bana) works as a special collections librarian. He has an anomaly he was born with which allows him to travel in time. He never knows when or where he's going.

    When Clare Abshire meets him, she invites him to dinner -- she has been in love with him since she was six years old. He finds out that he visited her often when she was a child. They fall in love and marry.

    It turns out that being married to a time traveler isn't all it's cracked up to be. Henry always leaves unexpectedly and sometimes is gone for a while, and it can happen at any time.

    Good movie, with wonderful performances by both leads, who have good chemistry. Rachel McAdams to me is scarily like Jennifer Garner. She's lovely and sympathetic as Clare, and Bana, a fine actor, is very effective as Henry, whose visits to the future don't always make him comfortable.

    Depending on your mood, this bittersweet story can be a real tear- jerker. It got to me and I cried, I admit it.

    I think the tale says that we have to deal with what we're given, even if it's not always convenient. We are not always the masters of our abilities.
    8J_Trex

    Nicholas Sparks channels Rod Serling

    This was much better than expected. The premise seemed far-fetched, to put it mildly. But the movie worked on a number of different levels based on the screenplay, directing, beautiful cinematography, and acting, not just of the always captivating Rachel McAdams, but also the much underrated Eric Bana as the co-lead, and the rest of the supporting cast.

    The basic plot is Eric Bana (Henry) is afflicted with being involuntarily sent through time. He has no control about the time or places where he is sent. At some point, he meets with Rachel McAdams (Clare), drops in and out of her life, they fall in love and marry. However, as one can easily imagine, the downsides of involuntary time travel takes its toll. The movie could have easily have spun out of control and ended up a total mess, but the movie actually works quite nicely.

    The plot could be a collaborative effort of the late Rod Serling (of Twilight Zone fame) with bizarre, science fiction type plots and Nicholas Sparks, the author of countless sticky sweet love stories (i.e. – "The Notebook").

    I liked this movie, but I realize this might not be everybody's cup of tea. I would say stick with it & you'll be glad you didn't give up & go see "Halloween II" across the hall (as I was tempted to do). I've seen them both. Believe me when I say "Time Traveler" is the better of the two.

    More like this

    The Time Traveler's Wife
    7.7
    The Time Traveler's Wife
    About Time
    7.8
    About Time
    The Vow
    6.8
    The Vow
    P.S. I Love You
    7.0
    P.S. I Love You
    The Age of Adaline
    7.2
    The Age of Adaline
    Dear John
    6.3
    Dear John
    A Walk to Remember
    7.3
    A Walk to Remember
    The Lake House
    6.8
    The Lake House
    The Best of Me
    6.7
    The Best of Me
    Safe Haven
    6.7
    Safe Haven
    The Notebook
    7.8
    The Notebook
    No Strings Attached
    6.2
    No Strings Attached

    Related interests

    Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd in Back to the Future (1985)
    Time Travel
    Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams in Manchester by the Sea (2016)
    Tragedy
    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The two girls who play Alba are sisters in real life. Tatum McCann plays Alba at four and five years old, while Hailey McCann plays Alba ages nine and ten.
    • Goofs
      The Calendar page for February 1984 pasted in Clare's diary has 30 days.
    • Quotes

      Clare at Eight: Are you married?

      Henry DeTamble: Yes, I am.

      Clare at Eight: Is your wife a time traveler?

      Henry DeTamble: No. No, thank God.

      Clare at Eight: Do you love her?

      Henry DeTamble: Yes. Very much. What's wrong?

      Clare at Eight: Nothing. I was just hoping you're married to me.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Taking of Pelham 123/Imagine That/Moon (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Love Will Tear Us Apart
      Written by Ian Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, and Bernard Sumner

      Performed by Broken Social Scene

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ23

    • How long is The Time Traveler's Wife?Powered by Alexa
    • Is "The Time Traveler's Wife" based on a book?
    • What is "The Time Traveler's Wife" about?
    • What song was played in the trailer?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 14, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • arabuloku.com
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Te amaré por siempre
    • Filming locations
      • Osgoode Hall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada(Library in Chicago)
    • Production companies
      • New Line Cinema
      • Plan B Entertainment
      • Nick Wechsler Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $39,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $63,414,846
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $18,623,171
      • Aug 16, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $101,344,412
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 47m(107 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.