'Time Hoppers: The Silk Road' Makes Historic Theatrical Debut

For decades, the North American Muslim community has discussed the need for "representation"—the simple but profound desire to see our stories, our values, and our history reflected on the big screen.

We have often had to look elsewhere for quality children’s media, settling for stories that did not quite mirror our heritage.

That narrative changes this February.

In what is being hailed as a historic milestone for the community, “Time Hoppers: The Silk Road” is set for a nationwide theatrical release across the United States, with special limited screenings in Canada.

This marks the first time a Muslim animated feature film has achieved a broad distribution of this scale in the U.S. market.

While 2018’s Bilal: A New Breed of Hero paved the way with a limited run, Time Hoppers represents a major step forward in accessibility and market presence.

A Mission to Save History

The film, produced by Milo Productions Inc.—the creators of the popular Muslim Kids TV streaming service—is an ambitious 3D CGI adventure.

Set in the year 2050, the story centers on four gifted students from the futuristic Aqli Academy in Vancouver: Abdullah, Aysha, Khalid, and Layla.

The plot kicks into high gear when the children accidentally discover a way to travel back in time.

They find themselves transported to the legendary House of Wisdom in 9th-century Baghdad.

However, their wonder is cut short when they encounter Fasid, a rogue alchemist who intends to rewrite history and erase the achievements of the world's greatest thinkers.

The "Time Hoppers" must race across the historic Silk Road to protect the pioneers whose work laid the foundations for modern science.

Along the way, they meet some of history’s most influential figures:

• Al-Khawarizmi, the father of algebra.
• Maryam al-Asturlabi, the brilliant maker of astrolabes.
• Fatimah al-Fihri, the visionary behind the world’s first degree-granting university.
• Ibn Al-Haytham, the pioneer of optics.
• Mansa Musa, the legendary King of Mali.

By framing history through a high-stakes time-travel mission, the film makes the intellectual legacy of the Muslim world accessible and exciting for a new generation.

The Power of Our Stories

This project is more than just an 85-minute movie; it is the culmination of a decade-long dream.

Many in the community will remember the initial research for this project, which first manifested as a popular video game for Muslim children.

Now, that research has been transformed into a cinematic experience featuring the voices of prominent community leaders and influencers, including Dr. Omar Suleiman, Dalia Mogahed, Omar Regan, and Ali Ardekani (Baba Ali).

Time Hoppers is inviting children to travel through time and see the ingenuity that Allah inspired in our ancestors.

It builds a sense of identity and confidence, reminding young viewers that they are the heirs to a rich tradition of exploration and discovery.

A Call to Action for the Community

For the Canadian community, the release of Time Hoppers carries a specific call to action. Currently, the Canadian release is limited to select locations.

However, the film's distributors have signaled that strong ticket sales during the opening weekend—February 7-8, 2026—could encourage more cinemas to pick up the movie.

This is a "market power" moment.

When we show up at the box office, we aren't just buying a ticket for a movie; we are voting for more projects like this.

We are signaling to the media industry that there is a viable, hungry audience for positive and authentic Muslim narratives.

Whether it requires a short drive to a neighboring city or organizing a group outing for your local school or mosque, the impact of our presence on February 7th and 8th cannot be overstated.

Let's show the world the power of our stories and ensure that Time Hoppers is just the first of many such milestones.

Release Information:

• Opening Weekend: February 7–8, 2026 (Limited engagement).
• U.S. Tickets: Search your city here
• Canadian Tickets: View available locations
• Trailer: Watch the official trailer