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Back to the Future

Play trailer 1:31 Poster for Back to the Future PG 1985 1h 56m Comedy Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 115 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
In this 1980s sci-fi classic, small-town California teen Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is thrown back into the '50s when an experiment by his eccentric scientist friend Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) goes awry. Traveling through time in a modified DeLorean car, Marty encounters young versions of his parents (Crispin Glover, Lea Thompson), and must make sure that they fall in love or he'll cease to exist. Even more dauntingly, Marty has to return to his own time and save the life of Doc Brown.
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Critics Consensus

Inventive, funny, and breathlessly constructed, Back to the Future is a rousing time-travel adventure with an unforgettable spirit.

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Critics Reviews

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Adam Kempenaar Filmspotting 40 years later, Future is as fun as ever, but Marty’s anxiety – and having to confront seeing himself reflected in his father – reveals a sneakily resonant story of self-doubt and self-discovery. Rated: 4.5/5 Oct 31, 2025 Full Review Pauline Kael The New Yorker What pushes Back to the Future over the edge from so-so to oh-no is its willing complicity in the continuing glorification of the '50s. Jun 28, 2023 Full Review Marsha McCreadie Arizona Republic Remember how Huck Finn daydreamed about going to his own funeral? Back to the Future does an inverse, witty turnabout on this theme. Jun 28, 2023 Full Review Giancarlo F. Ciprian Cinencuentro Back to the Future is, in addition to being an iconic film whose elements now form part of retro culture, a reflection on the passage of time and the vindication of the past. [Full review in Spanish] Nov 5, 2025 Full Review Fred Topel United Press International On a deeper level, Back to the Future is about patterns that repeat throughout your life. If you don't break them, you're doomed to pass them on generationally. Oct 28, 2025 Full Review Brian Viner Daily Mail (UK) Back To The Future offers a reminder not just of a classic comedy but also of the value of tenacity and self-belief. Rated: 5/5 Jul 9, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dan J This film is, imo, perfect. For 40 years it's remained a delight, and I'm always happy to have watched it again. This anniversary edition is a beautiful transfer, high in visual detail and vibrant in color (although a tad light on contrast) and remixed for modern sound. The famous Hill Valley lightning storm has never sounded like this! Do yourself an immense favor and give this movie 2 hours of your time. It's humor, invention, warmth, adventure, and excitement will not let you down. Now make like a tree... and get outta here. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/09/25 Full Review Scott Great to see Back to the Future on the big screen again!!! Brings back all the nostalgia. If it were set in 2025 they would have gone back to 1995, crazy. Let’s hope it’s back for the 50th anniversary!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/09/25 Full Review Rabbits And Reels ABSOLUTE CINEMA! Felt so good to see this classic back in theaters. As someone born in Gen Z, this film still remains a classic! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/08/25 Full Review Kunal P The perfect movie. Never gets old. The surround sound of the theater makes the movie really shine. Go see it! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/08/25 Full Review James I mean, it's pretty much a perfect movie! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/07/25 Full Review Carlos Amazing! This was the best way to watch Back to the Future! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/07/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Back to the Future

Movieclips: Back to the Future's Best Scenes Movieclips: Back to the Future's Best Scenes 22:02 Back to the Future: Official Clip - The DeLorean Back to the Future: Official Clip - The DeLorean 1:22 Back to the Future: Official Clip - Back In Time Back to the Future: Official Clip - Back In Time 2:03 Back to the Future: Official Clip - Johnny B. Goode Back to the Future: Official Clip - Johnny B. Goode 2:57 Back to the Future: Official Clip - 1.21 Gigawatts Back to the Future: Official Clip - 1.21 Gigawatts 2:46 Back to the Future: Official Clip - Back to the Future Back to the Future: Official Clip - Back to the Future 3:04 Back to the Future: Official Clip - You're George McFly! Back to the Future: Official Clip - You're George McFly! 2:59 Back to the Future: Official Clip - You Leave Her Alone Back to the Future: Official Clip - You Leave Her Alone 2:59 Back to the Future: Official Clip - I'm From the Future Back to the Future: Official Clip - I'm From the Future 2:52 Back to the Future: Official Clip - The Libyans Find Doc Brown Back to the Future: Official Clip - The Libyans Find Doc Brown 2:41 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis In this 1980s sci-fi classic, small-town California teen Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is thrown back into the '50s when an experiment by his eccentric scientist friend Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) goes awry. Traveling through time in a modified DeLorean car, Marty encounters young versions of his parents (Crispin Glover, Lea Thompson), and must make sure that they fall in love or he'll cease to exist. Even more dauntingly, Marty has to return to his own time and save the life of Doc Brown.
Director
Robert Zemeckis
Producer
Bob Gale, Neil Canton
Screenwriter
Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy, Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 3, 1985, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Oct 31, 2025
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 8, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$221.9M
Runtime
1h 56m
Sound Mix
Surround
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