The Marathon vs. Groundhog Day

The Marathon

A bit too long and chaffy on the nippies

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is a classic comedy film that has become synonymous with the time loop genre. Directed by Harold Ramis and starring Bill Murray, this 1993 movie follows the story of Phil Connors, a cynical TV weatherman who finds himself reliving the same day over and over again while covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. As Phil navigates the repetitive day, he goes through a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, making this film both hilarious and heartwarming.

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The Marathon

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Cons
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Pros
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Hilarious and engaging performance by Bill Murray1
Thought-provoking storyline1
Mix of comedy and drama1
Timeless appeal that remains popular with audiences1
Heartwarming message about personal growth1
Cons
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A few dated references and 90s cultural elements1

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Frequently Asked Questions

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    2.Palm Springs

    Palm Springs is a refreshing take on the time loop genre, blending romantic comedy with science fiction. Directed by Max Barbakow and starring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, this 2020 film follows the story of Nyles and Sarah, who find themselves stuck in a never-ending wedding day in the desert. As they navigate their surreal circumstances together, the movie explores themes of love, existence, and self-acceptance, all while delivering plenty of laughs and heartfelt moments.

  2. 2
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    3.Edge of Tomorrow

    Edge of Tomorrow is an action-packed sci-fi film that brings a thrilling twist to the time loop concept. Directed by Doug Liman and starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, this 2014 movie follows Major William Cage, who is caught in a time loop during an alien invasion. Each time he dies, he wakes up to relive the same battle, gradually improving his skills and strategizing with the help of war hero Rita Vrataski. The film combines intense action sequences with clever storytelling, making for an exhilarating experience.

  3. 1
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    4.The Endless

    The Endless is a captivating indie sci-fi horror film directed by and starring Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. Released in 2017, the movie follows two brothers, Justin and Aaron, who return to a mysterious cult they escaped from years ago. As they reconnect with the group, they discover that the cult's beliefs about a supernatural entity and time loops might be real. The film blends elements of horror, mystery, and science fiction, creating a unique and thought-provoking experience.

  4. 1
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    6.ARQ

    ARQ is a tense sci-fi thriller that takes the time loop concept into a dystopian future. Directed by Tony Elliott, this 2016 Netflix film stars Robbie Amell and Rachael Taylor as a couple trapped in a time loop during a home invasion. The story unfolds in a world where energy resources are scarce, and a powerful machine called the ARQ might be the key to survival. As the protagonists relive the same few hours repeatedly, they must outsmart their attackers and figure out how to stop the loop, all while uncovering hidden truths.

  5. 0
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    7.Russian Doll

    Russian Doll is a clever and darkly comedic series that explores the concept of time loops with a unique and fresh perspective. Created by Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, and Amy Poehler, this Netflix series stars Natasha Lyonne as Nadia, a software engineer who finds herself repeatedly dying and reliving her 36th birthday party in New York City. As Nadia tries to unravel the mystery behind her time loop, she meets Alan, who is experiencing a similar phenomenon. The show blends humor, existential questions, and emotional depth, making for an engaging and thought-provoking watch.

  6. 0
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    8.Happy Death Day

    Happy Death Day is a fun and inventive blend of slasher horror and dark comedy that uses the time loop concept to great effect. Directed by Christopher Landon and released in 2017, the film stars Jessica Rothe as Tree Gelbman, a college student who gets murdered on her birthday and wakes up to relive the day over and over again. Tree must solve her own murder and uncover her killer's identity while learning valuable lessons about herself and her relationships.

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    2.What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

    What I Talk About When I Talk About Running is a memoir by Haruki Murakami where he talks about two things that define a big part of his life: running and writing. Murakami didn’t always plan on being a novelist. He was running a jazz bar in his twenties when, while watching a baseball game, he suddenly thought, “I could write a novel.” He gave it a shot, it worked out, and he eventually sold his bar to focus on writing full-time. But sitting at a desk all day, smoking and not moving much, wasn’t doing his health any good. That’s when he picked up running. For Murakami, running is more than just exercise—it’s part of his routine and, in a way, a metaphor for writing. Both take endurance. Both are long hauls where you push yourself day after day, even when you don’t feel like it. The book follows him as he trains for marathons, competes in triathlons, and grapples with the slow decline of his physical abilities as he ages. He talks a lot about acceptance—accepting getting older, accepting bad race times, and accepting that sometimes you just don’t do as well as you hoped. His attitude is basically: That’s life. You move on. The writing style is straightforward, like he’s just talking to you over a coffee. He doesn’t dress things up. Sometimes he rambles, mentioning things like cycling habits or going off on tangents about global warming. At one point, he describes running the original marathon route in Greece—sun blazing, salt stinging his eyes, everything uncomfortable. But through it all, there’s this calm acceptance. He’s not trying to convince anyone to run; he just shares what it means to him. By the end, what sticks isn’t just the running or the writing, but the way he embraces both the highs and the lows—the post-race blues, the joy of finishing, and the satisfaction of something as simple as a cold beer after a long run. It’s a book about effort, routine, and learning to keep going, no matter what.

  2. 2
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    4.The Disaster Artist

    The best book about the best director in the world. It was such a great book it was adapted into a movie. Bet the other books on this list can't say that!

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