The predominance of movies about time travel focused on Earth or humanity's past can be attributed to several factors:
Historical fascination: Many people are intrigued by history and enjoy exploring different time periods. Movies set in the past allow audiences to witness and experience historical events firsthand, which can be both educational and entertaining.
Relatability: Movies set in the past often feature familiar environments, cultures, and characters that viewers can easily connect with. It's easier to relate to characters and situations set in the past than in an unknown or potentially vastly different future.
Narrative potential: The past offers a rich tapestry of stories and conflicts that can be explored through time travel narratives. The historical context provides a backdrop for various genres, such as period dramas, action-adventures, and even romantic comedies, which can enhance the overall storytelling experience.
Paradoxes and consequences: Traveling to the past can create intriguing paradoxes and explore the consequences of altering history. This opens up dramatic possibilities and moral dilemmas for characters to grapple with, making for compelling storytelling.
Production limitations: Movies set in the future often require extensive world-building and special effects to create convincing futuristic settings, which can be challenging and costly. Additionally, depicting the future accurately is difficult since it's uncertain and subject to rapid change. On the other hand, recreating historical periods can be achieved through set design, costumes, and location scouting, making it a more manageable task.
However, it's worth noting that there are also movies that focus on time travel to the future or alternate timelines. Examples include films like "Back to the Future Part II," "Interstellar," "Looper," and "Edge of Tomorrow." These movies explore the potential consequences, technological advancements, and societal changes that may await us in the future, providing an alternative perspective on time travel narratives.