If you loved
Time Bandits
Terry Gilliam · Film · 1981
If you loved Time Bandits, you likely crave stories where ordinary people are thrust into surreal, high-stakes adventures across space and time.
Books on the same thread
The Hobbit
J. R. R. Tolkien · Book · 1937
Shares a thread with Time Bandits: Adventure.
Much like the motley crew in Time Bandits, this story centers on a reluctant protagonist pulled into a dangerous quest alongside a group of dwarves in search of treasure.
Discworld
Terry Pratchett · Book · 1983
Shares a thread with Time Bandits: Existentialism.
The satirical wit and absurd world-building found here mirror the chaotic, irreverent spirit of Terry Gilliam’s work in Time Bandits, offering a similarly clever take on fantastical environments.
A Wrinkle in Time
Madeleine L'Engle · Book · 1962
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Conformity vs. Individuality, Family Love.
This journey through dimensions captures the same feeling of a young protagonist caught in a cosmic struggle as seen in Time Bandits, blending science fiction with existential wonder.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams · Book · 1979
Shares 2 threads with Time Bandits: Existentialism, The Absurd.
If the absurd humor and existential dread of Time Bandits resonated with you, this space-faring misadventure provides a perfect companion through its dry, cynical look at the vast universe.
Series on the same thread
Adventure Time
Pendleton Ward · Series · 2010
Shares 2 threads with Time Bandits: Existentialism, Good vs Evil.
The surreal, dreamlike quality of these mystical escapades echoes the vibrant, unpredictable adventures of Kevin and his companions in Time Bandits, focusing on friendship within a bizarre landscape.
Dungeons & Dragons
Kevin Paul Coates · Series · 1983
Shares a thread with Time Bandits: Teamwork.
This series captures the core premise of Time Bandits, thrusting ordinary individuals into a strange realm where they must navigate perilous obstacles to find their way back home.
Timeless
Shawn Ryan · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with Time Bandits: Time Travel.
These historical escapades mirror the time-hopping structure of Time Bandits, following a team as they navigate the consequences of altering the past while chasing a high-stakes mission.
Dark
Baran bo Odar · Series · 2017
Explores: Time Paradox, Family Secrets, Existential Crisis.
The complex, mind-bending nature of this time travel mystery offers a darker, more serious exploration of the paradoxes and existential questions that underpin the chaotic spirit of Time Bandits.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
The improvised, chaotic energy of this campaign captures the same sense of unpredictable fun and collaborative storytelling found when Kevin joined the thieves in Time Bandits.
Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
Fantasy Football · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Competitive gaming, Data-driven decision making, Expert commentary.
If Time Bandits hit, Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast shares the thread.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Time Bandits a movie about time travel?
Yes, Time Bandits follows a young boy named Kevin who joins six dwarfs traveling through holes in the fabric of time. Using a purloined map, they visit various historical eras to steal treasures before they are eventually caught by the Supreme Being.
Who directed the 1981 film Time Bandits?
The 1981 movie Time Bandits was directed by Terry Gilliam. The plot centers on a history buff named Kevin who discovers six former employees of the Supreme Being emerging from his closet to embark on a series of adventures across different historical time periods.
What historical figures appear in Time Bandits?
In the movie Time Bandits, the group of dwarfs and their companion Kevin travel to various historical eras. During their journey through the holes in time, they encounter Napoleon, Robin Hood, and King Agamemnon while attempting to steal treasures from these different periods.
How did the dwarfs in Time Bandits get the map?
The six dwarfs in Time Bandits obtained the map by stealing it from the Supreme Being. As former employees, they used this map, which charts all the holes in the fabric of time, to travel through history and acquire treasures from various eras.