I didn't expect Netflix's new romantic sci-fi movie to be this charming — it's a time travel story worth adding to your watchlist
Netflix's top 10 movies list is showing a wide mix of genres right now, with Gerard Butler's action-thriller holding the No. 1 spot, a shocking documentary about the OceanGate disaster, and, quite randomly, the meme-heavy 'Bee Movie' creeping its way up.
But amid the usual action flicks and thrillers, a Mexican romantic sci-fi movie caught my attention and it's one I didn't expect to be so charming. 'Our Times' tells the story of a 1960s couple who accidentally time travel to 2025, and the whole premise might sound a bit cheesy (to be honest, it is).
But what surprised me most was how relatable and genuine it felt, even with the sci-fi trappings. While the setting revolves around time travel, the story is about how two people from a very different era try to make sense of a future that's completely alien to them.
Since its release on June 11, it's been steadily climbing Netflix's U.S. charts, cracking the top 10 and holding its ground in the No. 8 spot. So if you're looking for something a little different that still tugs at the heartstrings, this time travel romance might be exactly what you need on your watchlist. Here's everything to know about 'Our Times' on Netflix.
'Our Times' follows Nora (Lucero) and Héctor (Benny Ibarra), a married couple of physicists from 1966 who invent a time machine. When their experiment doesn't go as planned, they find themselves unexpectedly transported decades into the future — the year 2025.
Thrown into a world completely unfamiliar to them, they must navigate modern technology and the challenges of adapting to a time far beyond their own. As they explore this new era, both Nora and Héctor find their relationship being tested in ways they never anticipated.
The story follows their journey as they try to make sense of their situation. With the help of people from the future, they work toward finding a way back to their original time, and then deciding if that's even what they truly want.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Time travel movies usually center around characters trying to fix something (whether it's a personal heartbreak or a full-blown global disaster) by changing the past, but 'Our Times' flips that idea on its head.
Instead of going backward, the characters are thrust into the future, and the story becomes less about rewriting history and more about how they adjust and live in the now. This is what makes the premiere quite refreshing, and I'm glad the movie doesn't want time getting into the meat of the story.
We're first introduced to a brilliant scientist couple from the 1960s who are just as devoted to each other as they are to their work. But when their groundbreaking invention accidentally launches them into the year 2025, their bond is truly tested when one of them begins to thrive in the future, and the other can't wait to get back to the past. As you can probably guess, this sets up some juicy conflict.
Lucero and Ibarra bring a fun, lighthearted energy to their roles as they try to make sense of life in the 2020s. They have some humorous, awkward moments, like struggling to use modern tech or reacting with suspicion to today's fashion trends. But beneath the comedy, there's a more serious undertone: they're both especially struck by how much attitudes around gender roles and sexuality have evolved.
It's then that 'Our Times' starts to peel back the layers of its premise, digging into how people evolve when everything they once knew is upended. And for most of the movie's 90-minute runtime, this messaging works.
The only thing that made this sci-fi flick less effective was the third act. It felt a little hurried and uneven to me, with an ending that didn't quite land emotionally especially after how strong and engaging everything leading up to it was. 'Our Times' could've benefited from being slightly longer to go beyond surface level.
Still, if you can tolerate the weak ending and some occasionally muddled messaging, 'Our Times' is enjoyable enough that it never feels like a chore to watch or like time you'll regret spending.
If you love time travel movies like 'About Time' and 'The Time Traveler's Wife' then you'll probably find something to enjoy in 'Our Times.' This new Netflix movie turned out to be a surprisingly charming watch.
Lucero and Benny Ibarra share a natural, believable chemistry that makes their relationship easy to invest in right from the start. Across the board, the cast delivers strong performances, all backed by detailed sets, convincing effects, and props that really sell the time period.
'Our Times' shows a lot of promise as a new take on the rom-com, but it definitely could have benefited from a stronger script and a more polished storyline (mainly to fix that ending). Regardless, it stands as a bittersweet reflection on how we grow and how relationships evolve when life throws us curveballs.
You can stream 'Our Times' on Netflix now. For more streaming recommendations, see what else is new on Netflix in June 2025.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
30 minutes ago
- New York Times
Jay Ellis Considers Colson Whitehead His Literary GOAT
So far this year, Jay Ellis has played a basketball coach in the Netflix comedy 'Running Point' and a record-setting M.V.P. in the action movie 'Freaky Tales.' This summer, he's swapping free throws for freestyles as he steps into the role of a hip-hop star in the Off Broadway play 'Duke & Roya,' at the Lucille Lortel Theater. The drama finds him stumbling into a cross-cultural romance with life-threatening consequences. 'At first glance,' he said, 'there's no reason why you think these two people would ever hit it off.' He added: 'We're in a world where everyone yells, no one listens. Everybody really just wants connection, to be seen, to be understood, and I just loved the idea that these two characters do.' Ellis, 43, temporarily relocated his family of four to New York from their home in Los Angeles. One particular aspect of the local culture suits him well. 'I absolutely love pizza,' he said, name-dropping his latest find, Fini. 'My daughter took a bite and was like, 'Why don't we have pizza like this in L.A., Daddy?'' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Tom's Guide
34 minutes ago
- Tom's Guide
I finally binged 'The Bear' to catch up before season 4 — and it's transformed how I watch TV
In the fast-paced world of streaming, the newest releases tend to steal the spotlight. The best streaming services like Max, Netflix, and Disney Plus constantly push their latest shows and movies to the forefront. But that makes it hard to catch up on all the must-watch TV shows if you're not much of a binge-watcher (guilty) or tend to be skeptical of anything that's universally hyped (also guilty). The latter may sound overly cynical (eh, I can be guilty of that too), but you have to understand that, out here near Chicago, people adore "The Bear." They will not shut up about it. The onslaught of "The Bear" recommendations began with literally the first episode, which includes a one-line shoutout about Rockford, where I'm based, that was the talk of the town for weeks. I wish I was exaggerating. Tired of hearing about how much I just have to watch "The Bear," I finally sat down at the start of the month to check out Hulu's Emmy-winning comedy-drama series. With "The Bear" season 4 premiering on June 25, I doubted I'd be able to catch up in time. And I was wrong. Turns out, binge-watching is for me after all — and my sleep schedule already hates me for it. I severely underestimated how bingeable "The Bear" would be. The hype was all well-deserved. Pretty much from the first episode, I was glued to my couch, devouring all three seasons in just a few short weeks. I can already feel you seasoned binge-watchers shaking your heads — that must be a snail's pace by comparison — but like I said, I don't tend to binge-watch shows. Every once in a while, one like "Yellowjackets" gets its hooks into me, but I thought it was the exception rather than the rule. After two or three episodes, my attention span tends to be on its dying legs; meanwhile, my actual legs are itching to get up and do something else after sitting for so long. I prefer savoring series, taking regular breaks to reflect on what happened, sit with the characters' choices for a bit, and appreciate the pacing or overarching themes. Even the juiciest of cliffhangers are rarely enough to convince me to hit "next episode" once I'm tired of watching TV for the day. But "The Bear" has made a binge-watcher out of me yet. While I considered pacing myself, "The Bear" felt almost tailor-made for a binge. Between the short episode lengths (a bite-sized 30 minutes) and the way each installment plays out like a self-contained stage play, I found myself only hungry for more by the time the credits rolled. Set in Chicago, "The Bear" tells the story of fine-dining chef Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) who returns home to rescue his late brother's floundering restaurant — and it's nothing short of remarkable. The dizzying highs and crushing lows as Carmy whips The Beef into the restaurant he and his brother always dreamed of having are captivating to watch unfold. Part of that secret sauce is how each episode adds new ingredients to play with. Flashbacks that illuminate each character's motivations and struggles. Explosive fights (and there are a lot of those) that reveal more than the characters mean to. Or small moments that add up to heart-wrenching realizations several episodes — or even seasons — later. With its raw, chaotic portrayal of family dynamics and mouth-watering food, I'm not surprised "The Bear's" achieved such cult status. The constant simmer of conflict threatened to burn me out at times, but then a quieter, more reflective episode would reset my palette. I particularly enjoyed season 3's debut episode, "Tomorrow," which completely upended my understanding of who Carmy is with a series of contemplative, devastating flashbacks of his career. I adore it anytime a show makes me fall in love with a character I initially despised, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Cousin Richie is one for the history books. He goes from a complete asshole to an asshole worth cheering for. Beneath the bravado and outbursts, he's grieving, insecure, and trying (however messily) to find his place in a world that's evolving without him. One of my favorite moments in the show so far was seeing him belt out Taylor Swift's "Love Story" in the car after coming into his own in season 2. While there's truly no universal rule for how to watch TV shows, "The Bear" has made me reconsider my stance on binge-watching. As much as I prefer giving stories space to breathe between episodes, I can't deny that "The Bear" was improved by devouring its twists and turns in an insatiable marathon. Binge-watching still isn't my default, but for the right show, it can be the ideal way to experience things.
Tom's Guide
4 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Netflix is losing 41 movies this month — here's the 5 you need to stream now
The Netflix movie library is constantly rotating. While the streaming service adds plenty of new flicks each month, it also removes some old favorites to make room. On June 30, 2025, Netflix will remove more than 40 movies from its platform. These cover pretty much all genres, from family-friendly adventures like 'The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water' to jump-scare-landed horror like 'The Nun.' The platform is also removing the complete 'Twilight' saga, so if you want to relive your angst-ridden teen years, you've got only a few days left. While some of the soon-to-be-removed movies probably won't be missed by many subscribers, there's a healthy handful that I'm sad to see go. But don't worry — you've still got a little time to watch because the month isn't over yet. These are the five Netflix movies you should stream right now before they head to the great streaming service in the sky. 'Crazy, Stupid, Love.' is unquestionably one of the most beloved rom-coms of the 21st century. It's not hard to see why, either. Any movie that brings together Steve Carell, Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling and Julianne Moore, flaked by John Carroll Lynch, Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon, is going to be a hotbed of lovable charm and charisma. Plus, that third-act scene (you know the one) seems to go viral literally every single week, for good reason. This easy-watching comedy opens with Cal Weaver (Carell) discovering his wife (Moore) is having an affair. Thrust back into single life and very out of practice when it comes to dating, a younger hotshot womanizer (Gosling) takes Cal under his wing. But his bar-hopping commitaphobe starts to change his ways when he begins to fall for one of his hook-ups named Hannah (Stone). Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Genuinely funny, surprisingly romantic and effortlessly warm, it's an almost perfect rom-com. Watch on Netflix until June 30, 2025 One of 2024's very best movies is making its exit from Netflix this month. 'Dune Part Two' is another sci-fi masterpiece from Denis Villeneuve, and it gives even 'The Lord of the Rings' a run for its money when it comes to epic scale. This sprawling blockbuster combines intergalactic politicking with deeply compelling characters and a hair-raising sense of spectacle. I thought Villeneuve's first 'Dune' movie was a remarkable achievement, but 'Part Two' raises the bar even further. And I've not even touched upon the ludicrously stacked cast, incorporating more than a dozen recognizable A-list names from Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya to Rebecca Ferguson and Javier Bardem. In the wake of the fall of House Atreides (as depicted in 2021's 'Dune'), Paul (Chalamet) has united with the Fremen clan, as he seeks to liberate the desert planet of Arrakis from the treacherous forces that betrayed his family. Struggling with his supposed destiny to become a great leader who will determine the fate of the universe, he also begins to fall in love with a Fremen rebel, Chani (Zendaya). Gripping from the drop, 'Dune: Part Two' is incredible. Watch on Netflix until June 30, 2025 With the franchise reboot on the horizon (it's set to arrive in theatres this summer), now is a great time to rewatch, or get familiar with, the '90s original. 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' is an archetypal slasher, the type of horror movie that 'Scream' was lampooning just a year prior, and was thoroughly mocked in the first 'Scary Movie.' Yet while it sticks to all the genre conventions, 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' remains an enjoyably silly popcorn-muncher, and there's enough bloody fun to keep you hooked throughout. The movie centers on a group of friends who accidentally hit a pedestrian following a beach trip to celebrate July 4. They swear a pact to hide the body and never speak of the incident again. However, a year later, one of the group, Julie (Jennifer Love Hewitt), receives a letter telling her that somebody knows what they did, and the mystery sender wants revenge. Also starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr., it's a pretty cheesy, yet enjoyable watch. Watch on Netflix until June 30, 2025 Netflix is removing the entire original 'Ocean's' trilogy this month, so now is the perfect time for a movie marathon full of gripping heists and larger-than-life characters. Directed by Steven Soderbergh (whose new movie 'Black Bag' is one of the year's best to date), and a remake of the 1960s Rat Pack crowd-pleaser of the same name, it stars a legendary crew of 2000s top-tier talent including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Jula Roberts and Casey Affleck. Clooney plays the leader of the group, Danny Ocean, a career criminal who uses his charms to rob those he believes deserve their comeuppance. Alongside partner in crime Rusty (Pitt), he brings together a sophisticated group of thieves to pull off a seriously audacious heist. The plan is to rob three of Las Vegas' biggest casinos in one swoop, and the stakes are extra personal because the owner of these gambling establishments happens to be dating Danny's ex-wife, Tess (Roberts). Watch on Netflix until June 30, 2025 'The Equalizer 3' has enjoyed a fruitful run on Netflix, holding the No. 1 spot for several weeks when it first arrived on the streaming service in early 2024. Since then, it's always been in and around the top 10, but all good things must come to an end, and Netflix will soon lose one of Denzel Washington's best action efforts to date. For anybody who (foolishly) doubts it, 'The Equalizer 3' again confirms Washington's status as the coolest man in Hollywood. The second sequel to the 2014 original sees Washington return as Robert McCall, a former Marine and government assassin who now protects the vulnerable in society who are unable to defend themselves. Having moved to southern Italy to escape his past actions, McCall's sun-soaked retirement is short-lived when he's forced back into the field to save his new friends from a local mafia boss, who might be McCall's most ruthless foe yet. Watch on Netflix until June 30, 2025
