Top 10 Running Out Of Time Movies

VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
Script written by Nick Spake

These movies and films used a time limit and high stakes to keep the tension up throughout, and had us on the edge of our seats until the very end. WatchMojo presents the Top 10 Running out of Time Movies. But what will just barely make the top spot on our list? Run Lola Run, Back to the Future, or Inception? Watch to find out!

Special thanks to our users Jedimperial96 for submitting the idea using our interactive suggestion tool at

Script written by Nick Spake

It’s the final countdown! Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 Running Out of Time Movies.

For this list, we’re taking a look at the most intense movies where the characters have a limited amount of time to complete a given task.

#10: “Gone in 60 Seconds” (2000)

With a title like that, it’s only natural that time would be a crucial factor. Nicolas Cage stars as Memphis, a former car thief who’s roped back in for one last job to save his brother by stealing fifty cars within seventy-two hours. Throughout their race against the digital clock, our protagonists encounter numerous obstacles, such as cops, gang members, and even snakes. The film takes it up a gear in the final act as Memphis engages in an over-the-top high-speed chase with only a few minutes remaining until his deadline. We won’t spoil what happens here, but let’s just say you should definitely go along for the ride.

#9: “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” (1974)

In this slick thriller, a group of armed men take seventeen people hostage aboard a New York subway train, demanding a ransom of one million dollars to be delivered within an hour. If the money arrives late, the criminals will kill one passenger for each passing minute. The film is largely carried by a stellar performance from Robert Shaw as the mysterious Mr. Blue, who’s calm and sophisticated, but will shoot a hostage without thinking twice. Walter Matthau is just as great as Zachary Garber, a hard-boiled lieutenant trying to buy the hostages time and outwit the hijackers. A well-plotted script, sharp direction, and strong supporting cast further helped “Pelham” to stick out as one of the seventies’ finest heist movies.

#8: “Crank” (2006)

This balls to the walls action-fest gives you five minutes of exposition and then immediately cuts to the chase. Assassin Chev Chelios is injected with a drug that slows down his heart and will eventually kill him. Throughout his desperate pursuit for a cure, Chev must keep his heart going through narcotics, defibrillation, and sex. This popcorn flick is a heart pounding-adrenaline rush that refuses to stop for a breather. It may be relentless and ridiculous, but “Crank” won’t bore you for a second. Watching the film is the equivalent of drinking a box of energy drinks and then tossing back some Mentos just for kicks. If you’re a Jason Statham fan, it’s about time you checked this one out.

#7: “Speed” (1994)

“Speed” has one of the most ingenuous setups you’ll ever see in an action picture: a bus is rigged with a bomb that will explode if the driver drops his speed below 50 mph. Of course having a terrific premise is one thing. The question is if the idea is well executed? With Jan de Bont behind the camera, “Speed” never runs out ofgas. The film is much more than an extended car chase sequence, elevated by brilliant pacing, endearing heroes, and genuine thrills. Even when the bus reaches its final destination, it doesn’t allow its audience to stop and rest. It continually raises the stakes as our heroes run out of time.

#6: “127 Hours” (2010)

Danny Boyle brings us the amazing true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston, who gets stuck in a canyon after his arm is trapped under a boulder. The clock starts to tick from that moment as Aron fights to survive. Where most people would give up and wait to expire in such a hopeless situation, Aron refuses to let his spirit be crushed. He resorts to extreme measures over the next five days, which are undeniably brutal and grueling at times. The experience truly makes the audience reflect on how suddenly the timer on anyone’s life can suddenly speed up. During his 127 hours of imprisonment, everyone in the audience is inspired to make the most oftheir time on earth.

#5: “Unstoppable” (2010)

Sometimes one little mistake can escalate into a much bigger disaster. In director Tony Scott’s final feature film, an unattended freight train is accidentally sent rampaging towards a city. As the runaway charges at full power, it appears there’s no way to stop it in time. Luckily, Denzel Washington and Chris Pine don’t know the meaning of the word, “unstoppable.” Much like the locomotive itself, the movie is a nonstop thrill ride that keeps gaining momentum, with the suspense building as the narrative intensifies. Gripping, stimulating, and exceedingly well made, you won’t regret climbing on board this action-packed flick.

#4: “Armageddon” (1998)

Director Michael Bay is no stranger to playing around with time constraints. In “The Rock,” our heroes embark on a race against time to prevent a nerve gas attack on San Francisco. In “Armageddon,” all humankind is at risk as an asteroid the size of Texas heads for earth. With only 18 weeks left, N.A.S.A. enlists a ragtag crew ofoil drillers to prevent a global catastrophe. With its nonstop action and rapid editing, “Armageddon” is admittedly an acquired taste. Nevertheless, Bay’s hyper filmmaking style does create a real sense of panic, dread, and danger. The film additionally puts the ticking clock trope to impeccable use, leading to a dramatic ending that’s sure to have a deep impact on the viewer.

#3: “Back to the Future” (1985)

Sent back in time from 1985 to 1955, Marty McFly only has one shot at returning home, when a lighting bolt strikes the clock tower at precisely 10:04PM on the evening of November 12th. On top of that, our hero has a week to ensure that his parents fall in love. Otherwise, he – and his family in his present – will be erased from existence. As if that mission weren’t already stressful enough, Marty also has to get his trusty DeLorean back to 1985 in time to save the Doc’s life. But he’s got all the time in the world, doesn’t he? The memorable characters, plus the balance of action, drama, and comedy, all come together to make this a truly timeless classic.

#2: “Inception” (2010)

An unconventional heist movie, “Inception” follows a group of thieves that infiltrate a CEO’s subconscious to plant an idea in his head. In the real world, our protagonists have a ten-hour window of opportunity. In the dream world, though, time works differently; moving faster the deeper they go. That means time becomes even more precious, since fifty years can pass by in a flash, and the team’s maneuvers have to be done precisely at the right moment. Director Christopher Nolan would play with time again later in “Interstellar,” as our heroes travel to a planet where one hour equals seven earth years. While that film also brilliantly made us feel the ticking clock, “Inception” set the standard with its inventive ideas, mind-blowing set pieces, and sense of uncertainty.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- “Source Code” (2011)
- “Two Days, One Night” (2014)
- “Ransom” (1996)
- “Running Out of Time” (1999)
- “Nick of Time” (1995)

#1: “Run Lola Run” (1998)

Literally opening with a ticking clock, “Run Lola Run” instantly throws the audience into the action, and it almost never slows down. This fast-paced thriller centers on a young woman who is given 20 minutes to help her endangered boyfriend raise 100,000 marks. The plot may seem straightforward on paper, but the film frequently catches the audience off guard with unexpected twists and turns. Every second here makes a difference, putting the viewer in a state of urgency. The rousing musical score will additionally make the audience feel like they’re running on a treadmill with a gun pointed at them. Clocking in at only 81 minutes, “Run Lola Run” flies by fast and takes your breath away in the process.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite running out of time movie? For more entertaining Top 10s published everyday, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.