Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Back to the Future

  • 1985
  • PG
  • 1h 56m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
1.4M
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
170
12
Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future (1985)
Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.
Play trailer1:32
24 Videos
99+ Photos
High-Concept ComedyTeen AdventureTeen ComedyTime TravelUrban AdventureAdventureComedySci-Fi

Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.

  • Director
    • Robert Zemeckis
  • Writers
    • Robert Zemeckis
    • Bob Gale
  • Stars
    • Michael J. Fox
    • Christopher Lloyd
    • Lea Thompson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.5/10
    1.4M
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    170
    12
    • Director
      • Robert Zemeckis
    • Writers
      • Robert Zemeckis
      • Bob Gale
    • Stars
      • Michael J. Fox
      • Christopher Lloyd
      • Lea Thompson
    • 1.6KUser reviews
    • 164Critic reviews
    • 87Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #30
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 27 wins & 25 nominations total

    Videos24

    40th Anniversary Trailer
    Trailer 1:32
    40th Anniversary Trailer
    Back to the Future
    Trailer 1:03
    Back to the Future
    Back to the Future
    Trailer 1:03
    Back to the Future
    Back to the Future
    Trailer 1:21
    Back to the Future
    Watch Now
    Clip 3:00
    Watch Now
    Alphabet of Movies | A to Z
    Clip 1:33
    Alphabet of Movies | A to Z
    How "The Umbrella Academy" Survives 1960s Dallas in Season 2
    Clip 3:36
    How "The Umbrella Academy" Survives 1960s Dallas in Season 2

    Photos629

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 622
    View Poster

    Top cast63

    Edit
    Michael J. Fox
    Michael J. Fox
    • Marty McFly
    Christopher Lloyd
    Christopher Lloyd
    • Dr. Emmett Brown
    Lea Thompson
    Lea Thompson
    • Lorraine Baines
    Crispin Glover
    Crispin Glover
    • George McFly
    Tom Wilson
    Tom Wilson
    • Biff Tannen
    • (as Thomas F. Wilson)
    Claudia Wells
    Claudia Wells
    • Jennifer Parker
    Marc McClure
    Marc McClure
    • Dave McFly
    Wendie Jo Sperber
    Wendie Jo Sperber
    • Linda McFly
    George DiCenzo
    George DiCenzo
    • Sam Baines
    Frances Lee McCain
    Frances Lee McCain
    • Stella Baines
    James Tolkan
    James Tolkan
    • Mr. Strickland
    J.J. Cohen
    J.J. Cohen
    • Skinhead
    • (as Jeffrey Jay Cohen)
    Casey Siemaszko
    Casey Siemaszko
    • 3-D
    Billy Zane
    Billy Zane
    • Match
    Harry Waters Jr.
    Harry Waters Jr.
    • Marvin Berry
    Donald Fullilove
    Donald Fullilove
    • Goldie Wilson
    Lisa Freeman
    Lisa Freeman
    • Babs
    Cristen Kauffman
    • Betty
    • Director
      • Robert Zemeckis
    • Writers
      • Robert Zemeckis
      • Bob Gale
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1.6K

    8.51401.8K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Back to the Future' is acclaimed for its inventive time-travel plot, blending comedy, adventure, and romance. Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd's performances and chemistry are celebrated. The nostalgic depiction of the 1950s and 1980s, along with cultural references, resonates deeply. Special effects, especially the DeLorean, are praised for their ingenuity. Themes of family, self-discovery, and consequences are noted for their depth. Its enduring appeal and cultural impact are frequently highlighted.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    9spyder7

    Proof that Hollywood once was capable of putting magic on film

    I watched this movie again for about the seventh time after a 10 year lapse or so. If there ever was magic on screen, Back to the Future has it. By the end of the film, I was only thinking, "Wow, Hollywood was once capable of putting magic on the screen." It really makes you wonder if the best of Hollywood is behind us.

    To summarize a few components of the movie: The storyline and plot are superb, even with the minor plot holes. The acting is spot on in every scene. Today's film editors should watch this film a hundred times to see what editing should really be like, nearly flawless. The direction is unbelievable in my opinion. The screen writing and script are perfect as well and will make you laugh and smile throughout the movie. Every line by the awkward McFly family, every crazy rumbling of "Doc", and even the cheesy bully taunts of Biff fit together so well.

    When I sat down to watch this movie a few days ago, I expected to see an aged movie that I remembered being much better than it actually was. I'm so glad I was wrong.
    10Anonymous_Maxine

    How could anything be more fun than this?

    Back To The Future is such an inventive and exciting piece of filmmaking that it is impossible to forget about it. The casting of every character involved was absolutely perfect, and the performances were spectacular. I first saw this film when I was six years old, and it is the only movie that I know of that I don't think I could ever get sick of.

    One of the best things about Back To The Future is that it really makes you think. You can have in-depth conversations about the plausibility of the story-line and spend hours discussing the film. The story is awesome, it is delivered cleverly and entertainingly, and the movie as a whole is just so much FUN that it can be forgiven whatever number of time-travel discrepancies that may be found in the plot.

    I cannot recommend this movie enough. I have never found a movie other than this one that provides such a huge dose of great fun, and it has the desirable quality where you are able to see something new each time you see it. The only problem is that they stopped at part III.
    george.schmidt

    Gotta get back in time! Get back Marty!

    BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985) **** Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, Thomas F. Wilson, Marc McClure, Wendy Jo Sperber. This generation's "It's a Wonderful Life"? Think about it. Very popular and very entertaining sci-fi comedy that made Fox a movie star after success with tv's "Family Ties", casting him, after Eric Stoltz was dropped, as Marty McFly who winds up in a nuclear-powered DeLorean time-machine and is sent back in time to 1955 by his quintessentially eccentric friend Dr. Emmet Brown (Lloyd doing a fine Art Carney). There he meets up with his parents to be and realizes his chance encounters have changed his future and he must see history repeat itself or perish. High-concept hilarity and some truly ingenious schematics thanks to screenwriter Bob Gale and director Bob Zemeckis. Wondering what it would be like to never be born and/or what it would be like if things were different...see what I mean. Oscar-nominated song "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis (who has a fun cameo) fuels this dynamo gem of a film. Classic.
    Chrysanthepop

    A Time -Travelling Classic

    Zemeckis's 'Back To The Future' trilogy has been a childhood favourite for a long time. Having revisited it today, brought me to a nostalgic state. The 80's saw a lot of excellent original fun 'young' films like 'Back To The Future' (of course), 'Better Off Dead', 'Heathers', 'The Breakfast Club' etc. What really made these films immensely enjoyable then, and classics today, is that they really reflected what it was like being a young person in the 80s. The movies themselves were well written, well executed, well acted and they cut straight to the point.

    Back to 'Back To The Future'. This one is sheer fun, even today. There's an incredible energy about it but it still manages to stay an 'innocent' film. The music is very effective. It's slick and follows a steady pace. The special effects are decent. Though people might pick on the plausibility of the time travelling, I think this is really a very minor flaw because it is overall a well written movie and the point was to entertain. Yet, this is not to say that it's brainless entertainment. I think it cleverly brings forth some interesting themes and I liked how they funnily used some ideas of Oedipus Rex's story.

    The acting is superb overall. Christopher Lloyd as the over-the-top mad scientist is a laugh riot. Michael J. Fox totally owns Marty McFly with his natural charisma, raw energy and brilliant dialogue delivery. Lea Thompson is cute and vivacious and Crispin Glover is good.

    'Back To The Future' is one of the most enjoyable time-travelling classics. It's over 23 years old and it still hasn't gotten old. Sadly, they don't make it like this these days but then again we always can revisit them. That's why they're classics.
    Big Movie Fan

    Time Travel Movies Are Always Brilliant

    Time travel movies never disappoint-that is because the concept of time travel is a very interesting one which most people must have thought about at one time or another. What would happen if you went back in time and an innocuous act changed the course of history for better or worse? It's something to think about.

    I won't reveal any plot details for this movie because it will spoil it for those who haven't seen it. Let's just say that Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly ends up back in 1955 where a sequence of events inadvertently orchestrated by Marty threaten his very existence. He is aided by Doc Brown played brilliantly by Christopher Lloyd who tries to get him back to 1985 without causing any damage to the fabric of time.

    The movie is great-and I feel it can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of their individual tastes in film genres. In fact, I find it hard to believe anyone could dislike a film like this. It has action, adventure, plenty of humour and some cool moments. All the actors involved in the movie play their parts great.

    Anyone who watches this movie will love it.

    Best Emmys Moments

    Best Emmys Moments
    Discover nominees and winners, red carpet looks, and more from the Emmys!

    More like this

    Back to the Future Part II
    7.8
    Back to the Future Part II
    Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
    8.6
    Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
    Terminator 2: Judgment Day
    8.6
    Terminator 2: Judgment Day
    Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
    8.7
    Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
    Back to the Future Part III
    7.5
    Back to the Future Part III
    The Matrix
    8.7
    The Matrix
    Forrest Gump
    8.8
    Forrest Gump
    Gladiator
    8.5
    Gladiator
    The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
    8.8
    The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
    The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
    9.0
    The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
    Saving Private Ryan
    8.6
    Saving Private Ryan
    The Green Mile
    8.6
    The Green Mile

    Related interests

    Jim Carrey in Liar Liar (1997)
    High-Concept Comedy
    Anna Popplewell in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
    Teen Adventure
    Lacey Chabert, Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, and Amanda Seyfried in Mean Girls (2004)
    Teen Comedy
    Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd in Back to the Future (1985)
    Time Travel
    Shameik Moore in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
    Urban Adventure
    Still frame
    Adventure
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The rights to the film and its sequels are owned by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale. In a 2015 interview, Zemeckis maintained that no reboot or remake of the film would be authorized during his or Gale's lifetime.
    • Goofs
      When Marty is being chased by terrorists, Eric Stoltz is playing Marty. Michael J. Fox was later chosen over him, but they kept the driving scenes at the mall with Stoltz in, since the shots were fairly distant and the driver's face is not particularly visible.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Marty McFly: Hey, Doc, we better back up. We don't have enough road to get up to 88.

      Dr. Emmett Brown: Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads.

    • Crazy credits
      The character Marty McFly is credited as a performer on the song "Johnny B. Goode". It is actually sung by Mark Campbell with a guitar solo by Tim May.
    • Alternate versions
      Spanish dubbed version also refers to Marty in 1955 as Levi Strauss instead of Calvin Klein.
    • Connections
      Edited into Marty McFly & The Starlighters: Johnny B. Goode (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      The Power of Love
      Performed by Huey Lewis & The News (as Huey Lewis and The News)

      Courtesy of Chrysalis Records, Inc.

      Written by Huey Lewis, Johnny Colla and Chris Hayes

      Published by Hulex Music

      Administered by Red Admiral Music Inc.

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ47

    • How long is Back to the Future?Powered by Alexa
    • When 1955 Doc is working with the DeLorean out on the street, in the background a person is seen riding a bike and wearing a brown jacket. This is the same type jacket 1985 Doc is wearing is the second movie when he's riding his bike around town. Is this intentional or coincidental?
    • Wouldn't Doc, in 1955, have found Marty's Kodacolor snapshot unusual?
    • What does Marty's younger mother think he is called, when he goes back in time?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 3, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Volver al futuro
    • Filming locations
      • Whittier High School - 12417 E. Philadelphia Street, Whittier, California, USA(Hill Valley High School)
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Amblin Entertainment
      • U-Drive Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $19,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $214,553,307
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $11,152,500
      • Jul 7, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $385,053,307
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 56m(116 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • Dolby Atmos

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.