Back to the Future
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''Back to the Future'' is a 1985 American
science fiction film Science fiction (or sci-fi) is a film genre that uses speculative, fictional science-based depictions of phenomena that are not fully accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial lifeforms, spacecraft, robots, cyborgs, interstell ...
directed by Robert Zemeckis, and written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale. It stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, and
Thomas F. Wilson Thomas Francis Wilson Jr. (born April 15, 1959) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for playing Biff Tannen, Griff Tannen, and Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen in the ''Back to the Future'' film trilogy (1985–1990). He also played coach ...
. Set in 1985, the story follows Marty McFly (Fox), a teenager accidentally sent back to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean automobile built by his eccentric scientist friend Emmett "Doc" Brown (Lloyd). While in the past, Marty inadvertently prevents his future parents from falling in love—threatening his existence—and is forced to reconcile the pair and somehow get back to the future. Gale and Zemeckis conceived the idea for ''Back to the Future'' in 1980. They were desperate for a successful film after numerous collaborative failures, but the project was rejected over 40 times by various studios because it was not considered raunchy enough to compete with the successful comedies of the era. A development deal was secured with
Universal Pictures Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Americ ...
following Zemeckis's success directing '' Romancing the Stone'' (1984). Fox was the first choice to portray Marty but was unavailable;
Eric Stoltz Eric Cameron Stoltz (born September 30, 1961) is an American actor, director and producer. He played the role of Rocky Dennis in the biographical drama film ''Mask'', which earned him the nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Suppor ...
was cast instead. Shortly after
principal photography Principal photography is the phase of producing a film or television show in which the bulk of shooting takes place, as distinct from the phases of pre-production and post-production. Personnel Besides the main film personnel, such as a ...
began in November 1984, Zemeckis determined Stoltz was not right for the part and made the concessions necessary to hire Fox, including re-filming scenes already shot with Stoltz and adding $4million to the budget. ''Back to the Future'' was filmed in and around California and on sets at Universal Studios. Filming concluded the following April. Following highly successful test screenings, the release date was brought forward to July3, 1985, giving ''Back to the Future'' more time in theaters during the busiest period of the theatrical year. The change resulted in a rushed post-production schedule and some incomplete special effects. ''Back to the Future'' was a critical and commercial success, earning $381.1million to become the highest-grossing film of 1985 worldwide. Critics praised the story, humorous elements, and the cast—particularly Fox, Lloyd, Thompson, and Glover. It received multiple award nominations and won an
Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment in ...
, three
Saturn Awards The Saturn Awards are American awards presented annually by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films. The awards were created to honor science fiction, fantasy, and horror in film, but have since grown to reward other films bel ...
, and a Hugo Award. Its theme song, " The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis and the News, was also a success. ''Back to the Future'' has since grown in esteem and is now considered by critics and audiences to be one of the greatest science-fiction films and among the
best films ever made This is a list of films considered the best in national and international surveys of critics and the public. Some surveys focus on all films, while others focus on a particular genre or country. Voting systems differ, and some surveys suff ...
. In 2007, the United States
Library of Congress The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The librar ...
selected the film for preservation in the
National Film Registry The National Film Registry (NFR) is the United States National Film Preservation Board's (NFPB) collection of films selected for preservation, each selected for its historical, cultural and aesthetic contributions since the NFPB’s inception ...
. The film was followed by two sequels, '' Back to the Future Part II'' (1989) and '' Back to the Future Part III'' (1990). Spurred by the film's dedicated fan following and effect on popular culture, Universal Studios launched a multimedia franchise, which now includes
video games Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This feedb ...
, theme park rides, an animated television series, and a stage musical. Its enduring popularity has prompted numerous books about its production, documentaries, and commercials.


Plot

In 1985, teenager Marty McFly lives in Hill Valley, California, with his depressed alcoholic mother,
Lorraine Lorraine , also , , ; Lorrain: ''Louréne''; Lorraine Franconian: ''Lottringe''; german: Lothringen ; lb, Loutrengen; nl, Lotharingen is a cultural and historical region in Northeastern France, now located in the administrative region of G ...
; his older siblings, who are professional and social failures; and his meek father, George, who is bullied by his supervisor, Biff Tannen. After Marty's band is rejected from a music audition, he confides in his girlfriend, Jennifer Parker, that he fears becoming like his parents despite his ambitions. That night, Marty meets his eccentric scientist friend, Emmett "Doc" Brown, in the Twin Pines mall parking lot. Doc unveils a time machine built from a modified DeLorean, powered by
plutonium Plutonium is a radioactive chemical element with the symbol Pu and atomic number 94. It is an actinide metal of silvery-gray appearance that tarnishes when exposed to air, and forms a dull coating when oxidized. The element normally exhib ...
he swindled from Libyan terrorists. After Doc inputs a destination time of November5, 1955—the day he first conceived his time travel invention—the terrorists arrive unexpectedly and gun Doc down. Marty flees in the DeLorean, inadvertently activating time travel when he reaches . Arriving in 1955, Marty discovers he has no plutonium to return. While exploring a burgeoning Hill Valley, Marty encounters his teenage father and discovers Biff was bullying George even then. George falls into the path of an oncoming car while spying on the teenage Lorraine changing clothes, and Marty is knocked unconscious while saving him. He wakes to find himself tended to by Lorraine, who becomes infatuated with him. Marty tracks down and convinces a younger Doc that he is from the future, but Doc explains the only source available in 1955 capable of generating the power required for time travel is a lightning bolt. Marty shows Doc a flyer from the future that documents an upcoming lightning strike at the town's courthouse. As Marty's siblings begin to fade from a photo he is carrying with him, Doc realizes Marty's actions are altering the future and jeopardizing his existence; Lorraine was supposed to tend to George instead of Marty after the car accident. Early attempts to get his parents acquainted fail, and Lorraine's infatuation with Marty deepens. Lorraine asks Marty to the school dance, and he plots to feign inappropriate advances on her, allowing George to intervene and "rescue" her, but the plan goes awry when Biff's gang locks Marty in the trunk of the performing band's car, while Biff forces himself onto Lorraine. George arrives expecting to find Marty but is assaulted by Biff. After Biff hurts Lorraine, an enraged George knocks him unconscious and escorts the grateful Lorraine to the dance. The band frees Marty from their car, but the lead guitarist injures his hand in the process, so Marty takes his place, performing while George and Lorraine share their first kiss. With his future no longer in jeopardy, Marty heads to the courthouse to meet Doc. Doc discovers a letter from Marty warning him about his future and rips it, worried about the consequences. To save Doc, Marty re-calibrates the DeLorean to return ten minutes before he left the future. The lightning strikes, sending Marty back to 1985, but the DeLorean breaks down, forcing Marty to run back to the mall. He arrives as Doc is being shot. While Marty grieves at his side, Doc sits up, revealing he pieced Marty's note back together and wore a bulletproof vest. He takes Marty home and departs to 2015 in the DeLorean. Marty wakes the next morning to discover his father is now a confident and successful
science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imagination, imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, Paral ...
author, his mother is fit and happy, his siblings are successful, and Biff is a servile valet in George's employ. As Marty reunites with Jennifer, Doc suddenly reappears in the DeLorean, insisting they return with him to the future to save their children from terrible fates.


Cast

* Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly: A high school student and aspiring musician * Christopher Lloyd as Emmett "Doc" Brown: An eccentric scientist experimenting with time travel * Lea Thompson as Lorraine Baines-McFly: A 1955 teenager who grows into Marty's unhappy, alcoholic mother * Crispin Glover as George McFly: A nerdy 1955 high schooler who grows into Marty's cowardly, submissive father *
Thomas F. Wilson Thomas Francis Wilson Jr. (born April 15, 1959) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for playing Biff Tannen, Griff Tannen, and Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen in the ''Back to the Future'' film trilogy (1985–1990). He also played coach ...
as Biff Tannen: A 1955 high school bully turned George's 1985 boss The 1985 portion of the film features a cast that includes Claudia Wells as Marty's girlfriend Jennifer Parker, and Marc McClure and Wendie Jo Sperber as Marty's siblings Dave McFly and Linda McFly, respectively. Elsa Raven portrays the Clocktower Lady. Singer Huey Lewis cameos as a judge for the Battle of the Bands contest. Richard L. Duran and Jeff O'Haco portray the Libyan terrorists. Cast appearing in the 1955 portion includes George DiCenzo and Frances Lee McCain as, respectively, Lorraine's parents Sam and Stella Baines, and Jason Hervey as Lorraine's younger brother Milton. Biff's gang includes
Jeffrey Jay Cohen Jeffrey Jay Cohen (born June 22, 1965) is an American actor who has appeared in film and on television. Cohen's first feature film was in the 1985 film ''Paradise Motel''. It was not until 1985, he would get his big role in the film '' Back to th ...
as Skinhead, Casey Siemaszko as , and Billy Zane as Match. Norman Alden plays the cafe owner Lou and Donald Fullilove appears as his employee (and future mayor) Goldie Wilson.
Harry Waters Jr. Harry Tunney Waters Jr. (born April 13, 1953) is an American actor, singer and theatre director, best known for his portrayal of Marvin Berry in ''Back to the Future'' (1985). His renditions of " Night Train" and "Earth Angel" are two of the ten ...
portrays Chuck Berry's cousin Marvin Berry, Will Hare appears as Pa Peabody, and Courtney Gains portrays Dixon, the youth who interrupts George's and Lorraine's dance. James Tolkan portrays Hill Valley high school principal Strickland in both 1955 and 1985.


Production


Conception and writing

Long-time collaborators Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis conceived of ''Back to the Future'' in 1980. They wanted to develop a film about time travel but were struggling for a satisfying narrative and were desperate for a successful project following the critical or commercial failures of their recent efforts, made in collaboration with Zemeckis' mentor
Steven Spielberg Steven Allan Spielberg (; born December 18, 1946) is an American director, writer, and producer. A major figure of the New Hollywood era and pioneer of the modern blockbuster, he is the most commercially successful director of all time. Spi ...
. Following the release of their comedy '' Used Cars'' (1980), Gale visited his parents and came across his father's high school
yearbook A yearbook, also known as an annual, is a type of a book published annually. One use is to record, highlight, and commemorate the past year of a school. The term also refers to a book of statistics or facts published annually. A yearbook often ...
. Gale questioned whether he and his father would have been friends had they attended school together. He did not think so but realized he could test his theory if he could travel back to a time when he and his parents were a similar age. He shared the idea with Zemeckis, who recalled his mother's childhood stories were often contradictory. Gale and Zemeckis began a draft in late 1980. They sketched and acted out each scene to help develop the dialogue and actions. They believed many time travel films focused on the past being immutable and wanted to show the past being altered and the impact those changes would have on the future. In the draft, video pirate Professor Brown builds a time machine that sends his young friend Marty back to the 1950s where he interrupts his parents' first meeting. In September 1980, Gale and Zemeckis pitched their idea to
Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the multi ...
president Frank Price, who had liked ''Used Cars'' and was keen to work with the pair. Gale recalled having to rein in Zemeckis' enthusiastic pitch before Price had time to change his mind. Gale and Zemeckis completed the first draft for Price on February21, 1981, but Price believed it needed significant refinement. Some early concepts were abandoned. Originally, Marty's actions in 1955 had a more significant impact on the future, making 1985 more futuristic and advanced, but every person who read the script took issue with the idea. Marty's father also became a boxer, a result of his knockout punch on Biff. The time machine was a stationary object moved around on the back of a truck. Inspired by the documentary '' The Atomic Cafe'', the drained time machine was written to be powered by Marty driving it into a nuclear explosion, combined with an additional ingredient—
Coca-Cola Coca-Cola, or Coke, is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by the Coca-Cola Company. Originally marketed as a temperance drink and intended as a patent medicine, it was invented in the late 19th century by John Stith Pemberton in Atla ...
. Gale and Zemeckis took inspiration from tales of legendary scientists, opting to make the time machine's creator an individual instead of a faceless corporation or government. The pair wanted the inciting time travel incident to be an accident so that it would not appear that the hero was seeking personal gain. Gale and Zemeckis drew humor from the cultural contrasts between 1955 and 1985, such as Marty entering a 1955 soda shop while wearing 1985 clothing. The shop owner asks Marty if he is a sailor because his down vest resembles a life preserver. They also identified conveniences of 1985 that Marty had taken for granted, but would be denied in 1955. Gale and Zemeckis struggled as they were in their 30s and did not particularly self-identify with either era. They were inspired by the All-American aesthetic of films by Frank Capra featuring white picket fences and exaggerated characters like Biff, '' The Twilight Zone'', science-fiction films, and books by
Robert Silverberg Robert Silverberg (born January 15, 1935) is an American author and editor, best known for writing science fiction. He is a multiple winner of both Hugo and Nebula Awards, a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, and a Grand ...
and Robert A. Heinlein. The romantic relationship between 1955 Lorraine and her future son was one of the more difficult writing challenges. Gale and Zemeckis attempted to take the concept as far as possible to keep the audience on edge. They believed it had to be Lorraine who stopped the relationship; she remarks that kissing Marty feels like kissing her brother. Gale jokingly said no one asked how she could make that comparison, but that audiences would accept it because they did not want the relationship to happen. The second draft was completed by April7, 1981.


Development

Price opted not to green-light the second draft; although he liked it, he did not believe it would appeal to anyone else. The most successful comedies at the time, such as '' Animal House'' (1978), '' Porky's'' (1981), and '' Fast Times at Ridgemont High'' (1982), featured sexual and bawdy elements; ''Back to the Future'' was considered too tame in comparison. The project went into turnaround—a process allowing other studios to purchase the idea. The script was rejected some 40 times, sometimes multiple times by the same studios. Reasons given included the concept being unappealing to contemporary rebellious youth and the failures of other time travel films, such as '' The Final Countdown'' (1980) and '' Time Bandits'' (1981). Walt Disney Productions turned it down because they considered Marty's fighting off his future mother's advances too risqué for their brand. The only supporter of the project was Spielberg, but with their previous collaborations considered relative failures, Gale and Zemeckis feared another misstep would suggest they could only get work through being friends with Spielberg. Zemeckis accepted the next project offered to him, '' Romancing the Stone'' (1984). Against expectations, the film was a significant success, and gave Zemeckis enough credibility to return to ''Back to the Future''. Zemeckis held a grudge against the studios that had rejected the project and turned to Spielberg, who had set up his own production company,
Amblin Entertainment Amblin Entertainment, Inc., formerly named Amblin Productions and Steven Spielberg Productions, is an American film production company founded by director and producer Steven Spielberg, and film producers Kathleen Kennedy (producer), Kathlee ...
, at Universal Studios, where Price now worked. Spielberg disliked Price because he had rejected ''
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial ''E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'' (or simply ''E.T.'') is a 1982 American science fiction film produced and directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Melissa Mathison. It tells the story of Elliott, a boy who befriends an extraterrestrial, d ...
'' (1982) and demanded his involvement in ''Back to the Future'' be minimal. Sidney Sheinberg installed himself as chief executive to oversee the studio's investment in the project. Amblin executives Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall joined Spielberg as the film's executive producers. However, rights to ''Back to the Future'' remained with Columbia Pictures. Price's successor at Columbia Pictures, Guy McElwaine, was developing a satire of the Universal-owned noir film ''
Double Indemnity ''Double Indemnity'' is a 1944 American crime film noir directed by Billy Wilder, co-written by Wilder and Raymond Chandler, and produced by Buddy DeSylva and Joseph Sistrom. The screenplay was based on James M. Cain's 1943 novel of the same t ...
'' (1944) called '' Big Trouble'' (1986). Its similarities to ''Double Indemnity'' meant the studio would violate Universal Pictures' copyright. With production imminent, McElwaine asked for the rights from Price; in exchange, Price obtained the rights to ''Back to the Future''. Sheinberg suggested modifications to the film including changing the title to ''Space Man from Pluto'', believing ''Back to the Future'' would not resonate with audiences. Gale and Zemeckis did not know how to reject Sheinberg's suggestions without risking his ire. Spielberg intervened, sending Sheinberg a memo reading: "Hi Sid, thanks for your most humorous memo, we all got a big laugh out of it, keep 'em coming." Spielberg knew Sheinberg would be too embarrassed to admit his memo was to be taken seriously. Sheinberg later claimed the story was "bullshit". Sheinberg also wanted to change the name of Marty's mother from Meg to Lorraine (a tribute to his wife Lorraine Gary), and rename Professor Brown to Doc Brown because he considered it more accessible. The third draft was completed by July 1984. The lengthy development allowed Gale and Zemeckis to refine the script's jokes, especially ones that had become dated since 1980. The joke about former actor Ronald Reagan becoming
president of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal gove ...
remained following his re-election in 1984.


Casting

Michael J. Fox was the first choice to portray Marty McFly. Gale and Zemeckis believed his acting timing in the sitcom '' Family Ties'' (1982–1989) as the sophisticated Alex P. Keaton could be translated to Marty's clumsiness. Spielberg asked the show's producer Gary David Goldberg to have Fox read the script. Concerned Fox's absence would damage ''Family Ties'' success—especially with fellow star Meredith Baxter on maternity leave—Goldberg did not give Fox the script. Other young stars were considered, including:
John Cusack John Paul Cusack (; born June 28, 1966)(28 June 1996)Today's birthdays '' Santa Cruz Sentinel'', ("Actors John Cusack is 30") is an American actor, producer, screenwriter and political activist. He is a son of filmmaker Dick Cusack, and his o ...
, C. Thomas Howell,
Johnny Depp John Christopher Depp II (born June 9, 1963) is an American actor and musician. He is the recipient of multiple accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award, in addition to nominations for three Academy Awar ...
, Ralph Macchio, Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, Ben Stiller, Peter DeLuise, Billy Zane, George Newbern, Robert Downey Jr., Christopher Collet, Matthew Modine, and Corey Hart (who declined to audition). Howell was the frontrunner, but Sheinberg preferred
Eric Stoltz Eric Cameron Stoltz (born September 30, 1961) is an American actor, director and producer. He played the role of Rocky Dennis in the biographical drama film ''Mask'', which earned him the nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Suppor ...
, who had impressed with his portrayal of Rocky Dennis in an early screening of the drama film ''
Mask A mask is an object normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance, or entertainment and often they have been employed for rituals and rights. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and pra ...
'' (1985). With the filming date approaching, Zemeckis opted for Stoltz. Sheinberg promised that if Stoltz did not work out they could reshoot the film. The character's name was derived from ''Used Cars'' production assistant Marty Casella. Zemeckis suggested McFly because it sounded "All-American". Among others, Jeff Goldblum, John Lithgow, Dudley Moore,
Ron Silver Ronald Arthur Silver (July 2, 1946 – March 15, 2009) was an American actor/activist, director, producer, and radio host. As an actor, he portrayed Henry Kissinger, Alan Dershowitz and Angelo Dundee. He was awarded a Tony in 1988 for Best Act ...
,
Robin Williams Robin McLaurin Williams (July 21, 1951August 11, 2014) was an American actor and comedian. Known for his improvisational skills and the wide variety of characters he created on the spur of the moment and portrayed on film, in dramas and comed ...
,
John Cleese John Marwood Cleese ( ; born 27 October 1939) is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. Emerging from the Cambridge Footlights in the 1960s, he first achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and ...
, Mandy Patinkin, Gene Hackman, and James Woods were considered for the role of Doc Brown. Producer Neil Canton suggested Lithgow, having worked with him and Christopher Lloyd on ''
Buckaroo Banzai ''The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension'', often shortened to ''Buckaroo Banzai'', is a 1984 American science fiction film produced and directed by W. D. Richter and written by Earl Mac Rauch. It stars Peter Weller in the tit ...
'' (1984). Lithgow was unavailable, and the role was offered to Lloyd. He was reluctant to join the production until a friend encouraged him to take the part.
Albert Einstein Albert Einstein ( ; ; 14 March 1879 – 18 April 1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist, widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest and most influential physicists of all time. Einstein is best known for developing the theor ...
and conductor Leopold Stokowski inspired Lloyd's wild, white hair. Lloyd affected a hunched posture to lower his height closer to the tall Fox. The filmmakers became aware of Lea Thompson while researching Stoltz in the comedy-drama '' The Wild Life'' (1984). Crispin Glover used many of his own mannerisms in portraying George McFly. Gale described his performance as "nuts", and Zemeckis was reportedly unhappy with Glover's performance choices, instructing him to be more restrained as the older George. Glover lost his voice during filming and later dubbed in some lines. Deluise, Zane, Tim Robbins, and J. J. Cohen were considered to play Biff Tannen. Cohen was not considered intimidating enough against Stoltz, and the role went to Thomas F. Wilson; his first feature starring role. Zane and Cohen were cast as Biff's minions Match and Skinhead instead. Tannen's name was taken from Universal Studios executive Ned Tanen, who had been unpleasant with Gale and Zemeckis. Melora Hardin was cast as Jennifer Parker on a two-film contract. After Stoltz's replacement, the crew were polled about Hardin being taller than Fox; the female crew overwhelmingly voted Marty should not be shorter than his girlfriend. Hardin was replaced by Claudia Wells, who had previously declined the role because of her commitment to the short-lived television series ''
Off the Rack Ready-to-wear (or ''prêt-à-porter''; abbreviated RTW; "off-the-rack" or "off-the-peg" in casual use) is the term for ready-made garments, sold in finished condition in standardized sizes, as distinct from made-to-measure or bespoke clothing ...
'' (1984). Actresses Kyra Sedgwick and Jill Schoelen were also considered; Schoelen was told she looked too "exotic" and not sufficiently All-American. Doc Brown's pet, a dog named Einstein, was originally scripted as a chimpanzee named Shemp. Sheinberg insisted films featuring chimps never did well. James Tolkan was the first choice for Principal Strickland after Zemeckis saw him in the crime drama '' Prince of the City'' (1981). Singer and soundtrack contributor Huey Lewis cameos as a Battle of the Bands judge. Lewis agreed to appear as long as he was uncredited and could wear a disguise. Gale cameos as the hand in the radiation suit tapping the DeLorean time display.


Filming with Stoltz

Principal photography Principal photography is the phase of producing a film or television show in which the bulk of shooting takes place, as distinct from the phases of pre-production and post-production. Personnel Besides the main film personnel, such as a ...
began November26, 1984, on a 14-week schedule set to conclude on February28, 1985, with an estimated $14million budget. Filming took place mainly at the Universal Studios lot and on location in
California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...
. Dean Cundey served as the cinematographer; he and Zemeckis had collaborated on ''Romancing the Stone''. Editor Arthur Schmidt was hired after Zemeckis saw his work on '' Firstborn'' (1984); Schmidt recommended hiring Harry Keramidas as co-editor. Frank Marshall also served as a second unit director. Owing to the tight schedule, editing occurred concurrently with filming. On December30, 1984, Zemeckis reviewed the existing scenes with Schmidt and Keramidas. Zemeckis was reluctant to review the footage because he would be self-critical, but he believed Stoltz's acting was not working, and had already listed several scenes he wanted to reshoot. Zemeckis called in Gale and the producers to show them the footage; they agreed Stoltz was not right for the part. Stoltz was performing the role with an intense and serious tone, not the "screwball" energy they desired. Gale characterized Stoltz as a good actor in the wrong role. Stoltz utilized method acting and stayed in character as Marty when not filming, refusing to answer to his own name. This resulted in feuding with some of the cast and crew, including Wilson. Stoltz put his full strength into pushing Wilson rather than imitating doing so, despite Wilson's protests. Spielberg said Zemeckis needed a replacement in place before firing Stoltz, or he risked the production being canceled. Zemeckis and the producers asked Sheinberg for permission to do whatever was necessary to accommodate Fox's participation; Spielberg made another call to Goldberg. On January3, 1985, Goldberg told Fox about withholding the ''Back to the Future'' script from him, and the filmmakers wanted to know if he was interested. Baxter had returned to the show, and they could be more flexible with Fox as long as ''Family Ties'' took priority. Fox agreed to join without reading the script. The transition could not take place immediately and filming continued with Stoltz in the lead role, unaware he was to be replaced. On January10, 1985, Zemeckis informed Stoltz that he was no longer a part of the film. Zemeckis described it as "the hardest meeting I've ever had in my life and it was all my fault. I broke toltz'sheart." Stoltz was reported to have told his make-up artist he was not a
comedian A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting foolish (as in slapstick), or employing prop comedy. A comedian who addresses an audience dir ...
and did not understand why he was cast. The producers informed the principal cast and the rest of the crew much of the film would be re-shot. Cundey said most of the crew saw Stoltz's removal as "good news". Crew members later said there were obvious signs Stoltz would be replaced; the set designers were told not to change the 1955 set, and a scene involving a discussion between Marty and Doc was filmed only showing Doc. Stoltz had shot numerous key scenes including Marty traveling to 1955 in the DeLorean, it breaking down as he prepares to return to 1985, and his final scene was Marty's return to 1985. Filming fell behind schedule, with 34 days of filming lost and an additional cost of $3.5–$4million, including Stoltz receiving his salary in full. Universal Pictures' marketing team was tasked with mitigating the negative publicity from a project replacing its main star.


Filming with Fox

Fox's first day on set was January15, 1985. He filmed ''Family Ties'' during the day before traveling to the ''Back to the Future'' filming location. Often, he would not return home until early the following morning, and on weekends, the schedule was pushed back further as ''Family Ties'' was filmed in front of a live audience. The teamsters dropping Fox at home regularly had to carry the actor to bed. This continued until April, when ''Family Ties'' finished filming. Gale said Fox's youth meant he could cope with less sleep than usual; Fox described it as exhausting, but worth the effort. Further into the filming schedule, Fox was energetic during his scenes but struggled to stay awake off set. He ad-libbed some lines when he forgot the intended dialog, and recalled looking for a camcorder on the ''Family Ties'' set, before realizing it was a prop on ''Back to the Future''. He also had to learn to mimic playing the guitar and choreographed skateboarding routines taught by Per Welinder and Bob Schmelzer. To compensate for his conflicting schedules and reduce production costs, some scenes involving Marty were shot without Fox, who filmed his part separately. Re-shooting scenes gave the filmmakers the opportunity to identify problems and implement new ideas. To avoid building an additional classroom set, the opening pan across the array of clocks in Doc Brown's laboratory replaced an opening scene where Marty sets off a fire alarm to get out of detention. The height differences between Stoltz and Fox necessitated other changes, such as a scene of Fox teaching George how to punch, because Fox could not reach the necessary prop. According to Gale, once Fox replaced Stoltz, the atmosphere on set improved. Thompson anecdotally said while Stoltz ate lunch alone in his trailer, Fox ate lunch with the cast and crew. The production used many locations in and around
Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the wor ...
. The
clock tower Clock towers are a specific type of structure which house a turret clock and have one or more clock faces on the upper exterior walls. Many clock towers are freestanding structures but they can also adjoin or be located on top of another build ...
is a structure on the Universal Studios Lot in
Universal City, California Universal City is an unincorporated area within the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, California, United States. Approximately 415 acres (1.7 km) within and around the surrounding area is the property of Universal Picture ...
. When filmed from below, Lloyd was positioned on a recreation of the clock tower, but when filmed from above, Lloyd stood atop the tower itself. Production designer Lawrence G. Paull insisted on using the Universal backlot sets because of the difficulties and costs involved in making an on-location area look 1955 appropriate.
Whittier High School Whittier High School (WHS) is a high school located in Whittier, California. It belongs to the Whittier Union High School District. It is the alma mater of President Richard Nixon (class of 1930) and John Lasseter (class of 1975), founder of ...
in the city of Whittier is the Hill Valley high school. Marty's home and the surrounding Lyon estates are in Arleta, Los Angeles. Several of the residential locations were filmed in Pasadena: Lorraine's and George's 1955 homes, and Doc Brown's 1955 home—its exterior is the Gamble House—and interiors were shot at the historic
Blacker House The Robert Roe Blacker House, often referred to as the Blacker House or Robert R. Blacker House, is a residence in Pasadena, California, United States, which is now on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1907 for Robe ...
. Puente Hills Mall in
Rowland Heights Rowland Heights is an unincorporated area in and below the Puente Hills in the San Gabriel Valley, in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 48,231 at the 2020 census. Rowland Heights is in the Los Angeles metropoli ...
serves as the Twin Pines mall, that later becomes the Lone Pine mall after Marty knocks over one of the trees at Twin Pines ranch in 1955, which was filmed at the Walt Disney Studios-owned Golden Oak Ranch in Newhall, Santa Clarita, California. Other locations include the basement of the Hollywood United Methodist Church where the school dance was filmed, and
Griffith Park Griffith Park is a large municipal park at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains, in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. The park includes popular attractions such as the Los Angeles Zoo, the Autry Museum of the A ...
, where Marty begins his drive to the courthouse to return to 1985, passing by a lamp post outside of the Greek Theatre. Filming concluded after 107 days on April 26, 1985. The final day of filming included pick-up shots of Marty and Einstein the dog in the DeLorean.


Post-production

Arthur F. Repola served as the post-production supervisor, but he became responsible for many aspects outside of his role, including budgets, storyboarding, and general problem-solving. Those roles belonged to Kennedy and Marshall but both were occupied on other films. Schmidt found editing the film difficult because he had to imagine where the special effects would later be added; there was no time or budget to re-edit afterward. A rough version of the movie was cut together for a test screening at Century 22 theater in
San Jose, California San Jose, officially San José (; ; ), is a major city in the U.S. state of California that is the cultural, financial, and political center of Silicon Valley and largest city in Northern California by both population and area. With a 2020 popul ...
, in mid-May 1985, just three weeks after filming concluded. The audience was seemingly uninterested at the exposition-heavy opening but became engaged after the DeLorean appeared. At a test screening in
Long Beach, California Long Beach is a city in Los Angeles County, California. It is the 42nd-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 466,742 as of 2020. A charter city, Long Beach is the seventh-most populous city in California. Incorporate ...
, 94% of the audience responded they would definitely recommend the film; 99% rated it very good or excellent. Gale said there was some concern when Doc's dog Einstein was sent through time, as the audience believed he had been killed. The film was re-cut and screened again at the
Alfred Hitchcock Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In a career spanning six decades, he directed over 50 featur ...
theater at Universal Studios for executives, including Sheinberg. He was so impressed he moved the scheduled release date forward to July3, 1985, to give it more time in theaters during the peak summer season. The new date reduced the post-production schedule to just nine weeks for special effects and editing. Zemeckis spent much of June rushing to finish the film. Deleted scenes include: Doc looking at an issue of ''
Playboy ''Playboy'' is an American men's lifestyle and entertainment magazine, formerly in print and currently online. It was founded in Chicago in 1953, by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. K ...
'', remarking the future looks better; a scene of 1985 George being coerced into buying a large amount of peanut brittle from a young girl; a scene of young George being trapped in a phone booth by the man who interrupts his dance with Lorraine; and the scene of Marty pretending to be "Darth Vader", which was shortened. Zemeckis considered cutting the "Johnny B. Goode" performance because it did not advance the story, but test audiences reacted well to it. There is a dispute if a shot of Stoltz's hand is in the finished film in the scene where Marty punches Biff. Gale noted it is impossible to tell without checking the original film negative, which would risk damaging it. The final 116minute cut was completed on June23, 1985. Universal Studios took out a full-page advertisement in '' Variety'' magazine, thanking the post-production crew for completing their work on time. The final budget was $19million.


Music

Alan Silvestri composed the score for ''Back to the Future''; he had worked with Zemeckis on ''Romancing the Stone''. The only direction Zemeckis gave him was "it's got to be big". Silvestri used an orchestral score to create a sound that contrasted with the small-town setting and the significant time-changing events occurring within it. He wanted a heroic theme that would be instantly recognizable. Huey Lewis was approached to write a theme song for the film; he was coming off the success of his recent album ''
Sports Sport pertains to any form of competitive physical activity or game that aims to use, maintain, or improve physical ability and skills while providing enjoyment to participants and, in some cases, entertainment to spectators. Sports can, ...
''. He met with Gale, Spielberg, and Zemeckis, who intended that Huey Lewis and the News be Marty's favorite band. Though flattered, Lewis did not want to participate because he did not know how to write film songs and did not want to write one called "Back to the Future". Zemeckis assured Lewis he could write any song he wanted. Lewis agreed to submit the next song he wrote, which was " The Power of Love". Lewis maintains "Power of Love" was his first submission, but Zemeckis recalled a different first song that was rejected. Lewis later acquiesced to Zemeckis' request for a second song, " Back in Time". Musician
Eddie Van Halen Edward Lodewijk Van Halen ( , ; January 26, 1955 – October 6, 2020) was an American musician and songwriter. He was the guitarist, keyboardist, backing vocalist, and primary songwriter of the rock band Van Halen, which he co-founded along ...
performed the guitar riff Marty (dressed as "Darth Vader") uses to wake George. The filmmakers wanted to use
Van Halen Van Halen ( ) was an American rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. Credited with "restoring hard rock to the forefront of the music scene", Van Halen was known for its energetic live shows and for the virtuosity of its lead gu ...
's music, but the band refused to take part, so Eddie took part on his own. Mark Campbell provided Marty's singing voice, but did not receive credit as the filmmakers wanted to pretend Fox was singing. When music supervisor Bones Howe learned of this, he secured Campbell a small percentage of the soundtrack revenue as compensation. Paul Hanson taught Fox how to use a guitar to play "
Johnny B. Goode "Johnny B. Goode" is a 1958 rock song written and first recorded by Chuck Berry. Released as a single, it peaked at number two on ''Billboard'' magazine's Hot R&B Sides chart and number eight on its pre-Hot 100 chart. "Johnny B. Goode" is con ...
", and choreographer Brad Jeffries spent four weeks teaching Fox to replicate various rock star moves popularized by artists like
Pete Townshend Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (; born 19 May 1945) is an English musician. He is co-founder, leader, guitarist, second lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the Who, one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s. Towns ...
, Jimi Hendrix, and Chuck Berry. Berry withheld permission to use "Johnny B. Goode" until the day before filming, receiving $50,000 for the rights. Harry Waters Jr. provided the vocals on " Earth Angel".


Design


Special effects

Industrial Light & Magic Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) is an American motion picture visual effects company that was founded on May 26, 1975 by George Lucas. It is a division of the film production company Lucasfilm, which Lucas founded, and was created when he began ...
(ILM) developed the film's special effects under the supervision of Ken Ralston and
Kevin Pike J. Kevin Pike (born 9 May 1951) is an American film special effects supervisor, former below-the-line talent agent, and screenwriting consultant. Pike is best known for supervising the Special Effects of the 1985 film '' Back to the Future''. He ...
. It contains approximately 27–32 special effects shots, compared to the 300 such shots typical in contemporaneous higher-budget films. Despite working simultaneously on '' The Goonies'' and '' Cocoon'', Ralston took on the additional project because it required relatively few effects, and he wanted to realize the planned ending of Marty driving the time machine into a nuclear explosion. The team had a nine-and-a-half-week schedule, reduced to less than nine once Universal Pictures moved up the release date. ILM was working on ''Back to the Future'' up to the moment it had to be handed over to print the theatrical film reels. The tight schedule affected the special effects' quality. Ralston was disappointed by the scene where Marty's hand fades away as his future is altered. Fox was filmed separately from his hand and the two were composited together; the hand was filmed with a wide-angle lens, making it appear too large and it had to be scaled down. Zemeckis wanted a subtle fade, but it resulted in a small circle of the hand fading away and there was no time to fix it. In the same scene, Marty and his siblings fade away from a photo. ILM found it difficult to fade the photo's individual aspects, especially as it was moving on the neck of a guitar. A replica of the guitar neck was constructed at four times the normal size; the guitar strings were made of cable up to a quarter-inch thick. An 11 by 14 inch aluminum plate was attached to hold the enlarged photograph. ILM used a version of the photo without Marty or his siblings and individually pasted each character into the photo. When this failed, four different photos were used: one containing the background, and one for each McFly sibling. A mechanical camera cycled through each photo and printed it to the film. The enlarged guitar was moved around to add to the realism. The original nuclear explosion ending was considered too complicated and expensive, with an estimated cost of $1million. Art director Andrew Probert storyboarded the scene which would have been created using sets and miniatures. With the ending moved to the clock tower, ILM researched storms to achieve the right aesthetic. Clouds were constructed from polyester fiberfill, suspended in a net and filmed from above while Ralston shone a powerful light from below. He used a rheostat to rapidly change the lights' intensity to imitate lightning. Developed by Wes Takahashi's animation department, the lightning bolt that strikes the clock tower was described as "the largest bolt of lightning in cinematic history". It was intended to originate in the distance and move closer, but the footage was filmed too close to the tower and there was insufficient space between it and the top of the frame. There was also an issue with showing the bolt onscreen for too long as it made it more obviously animated. The frame count was reduced but the bolt did not look chaotic enough. Zemeckis picked out a single frame of the bolt in an "S" formation and asked that the effect focus on that shape and be reduced to 20 frames. The bolt was drawn in black ink on white paper; diffusion effects and a glow were added by the optical department.


The DeLorean time machine

The DeLorean was developed under the supervision of Lawrence Paull, who designed it with artist Ron Cobb and illustrator Andrew Probert. They intended for the vehicle to look fixed together from common parts. The time machine was originally conceived as a stationary device; at one point it was a refrigerator. Spielberg vetoed the idea, concerned child viewers might attempt to climb into one. Zemeckis suggested the DeLorean because it offered mobility and a unique design; the gull-wing doors would appear like an alien UFO to a 1950s family. The
Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company (commonly known as Ford) is an American multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. The company sells automobiles ...
offered $75,000 to use a
Ford Mustang The Ford Mustang is a series of American automobiles manufactured by Ford. In continuous production since 1964, the Mustang is currently the longest-produced Ford car nameplate. Currently in its sixth generation, it is the fifth-best selli ...
instead; Gale responded, "Doc Brown doesn't drive a fucking Mustang". Michael Fink was hired as the art department liaison and tasked with realizing Cobb's sketches and overseeing the car's construction. He was recruited by Paull and Canton, who had worked with him on ''
Blade Runner ''Blade Runner'' is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott, and written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples. Starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, and Edward James Olmos, it is an adaptation of Philip K. Dick ...
'' (1982) and ''Buckaroo Bonzai'', respectively. Fink had a project lined up but agreed to help in the free weeks he had remaining. Three DeLoreans used were purchased from a collector—one for stunts, one for special effects, and a more detailed hero version for close-up shots. They were unreliable and often broke down. was chosen as the time travel speed because it was easy to remember and looked "cool" on the speedometer. The flying DeLorean in the final scene used a combination of live-action footage, animation, and a 1:5 scale (approximately long) model built by Steve Gawley and the model shop crew. The act of the DeLorean traveling through time was called the 'time slice' effect. Zemeckis knew only that he wanted the transition to be violent. He described it like a " Neanderthal sitting on the hood of the DeLorean and chipping away the fabric of time in front of him". The effect is so quick as to be imperceptible. Zemeckis preferred this as he did not want the audience to think too much about how everything worked.


Art direction and makeup

Actual brand names, such as Texaco, were used to make the sets more realistic, and the producers mandated the inclusion of certain brands that had paid to appear in the film. An unidentified gas company offered a large sum to be included, but Paull used Texaco because it reminded him of a joke from ''
The Milton Berle Show ''Texaco Star Theater'' was an American comedy-variety show, broadcast on radio from 1938 to 1949 and telecast from 1948 to 1956. It was one of the first successful examples of American television broadcasting, remembered as the show that gave M ...
''. This choice led to some disputes, such as
Pepsi Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by PepsiCo. Originally created and developed in 1893 by Caleb Bradham and introduced as Brad's Drink, it was renamed as Pepsi-Cola in 1898, and then shortened to Pepsi in 1961. History Pepsi was ...
parent company,
PepsiCo PepsiCo, Inc. is an American multinational food, snack, and beverage corporation headquartered in Harrison, New York, in the hamlet of Purchase. PepsiCo's business encompasses all aspects of the food and beverage market. It oversees the man ...
, wanting to omit a joke about the Tab drink made by its rival
Coca-Cola Coca-Cola, or Coke, is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by the Coca-Cola Company. Originally marketed as a temperance drink and intended as a patent medicine, it was invented in the late 19th century by John Stith Pemberton in Atla ...
. Twenty clock wranglers were needed to synch up the many clocks in the opening scene, and pulleys were used to start them simultaneously. Drew Struzan produced the film's poster. The producers hoped his in-demand poster artwork would generate further interest in the film. The film uses a stylized adaptation of 1950s
aesthetics Aesthetics, or esthetics, is a branch of philosophy Philosophy (from , ) is the systematized study of general and fundamental questions, such as those about existence, reason, Epistemology, knowledge, Ethics, values, Philosophy of ...
closer to television show interpretations than an exact recreation. Modern technologies were used—such as contemporary fabrics—because the designers believed the fashions of the time were not interesting. To represent characters across three decades, the filmmakers did not want to have older actors stand in for the younger ones, believing the change would be obvious and distracting. Special effects artist Ken Chase performed make-up tests on the young actors to age them; initial results were discouraging. He created a prosthetic neck and a bald cap with a receding hairline for Glover, but considered them excessive. Chase found it difficult to balance aging the actors while retaining enough of their natural appearance so they remained recognizable. Casts were made of the actors' faces, from which plaster molds were made. Chase sculpted more subtle effects over the plaster molds using latex. For Lorraine, he crafted jowls and eye bags, plus body padding to reflect her increased weight and alcohol abuse. Instead of a receding hairline, Chase only changed the style of George's hair and used prosthetics to give him a less-defined jawline. Biff's character changed more significantly because Chase wanted him to look "obnoxious"; he was fattened, given sideburns, and a comb over hairstyle to hide a growing bald spot. The prosthetics were combined with makeup and lighting to further age the characters. Chase found the work frustrating compared to his experiences with more fantastical prostheses that made it easier to hide defects. The rubber latex did not reflect light the same way as natural skin, so Chase used a stippling process—creating a pattern with small dots—to variegate the actors' faces to better conceal where the skin and prosthetics met; close-up shots were avoided. Doc's appearance was not altered significantly. Chase painted latex on Lloyd which, when removed, caused crinkles in the skin, onto which other elements, such as liver spots and shadows, were painted.


Release


Context

By June 1985, the theatrical industry had experienced a 14% decline in ticket sales over the previous year's $4billion record sales. The summer period (beginning the final week of May) had 45 films scheduled for release, including '' Rambo: First Blood Part II'', ''The Goonies'', ''
Brewster's Millions ''Brewster's Millions'' is a comedic novel written by George Barr McCutcheon in 1902, originally under the pseudonym of Richard Greaves. The plot concerns a young man whose grandfather leaves him $1 million in a will, but a competing will from an ...
'', '' Fletch'', and the latest
James Bond The ''James Bond'' series focuses on a fictional Secret Intelligence Service, British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short-story collections. Since Fleming's death in 19 ...
film ''
A View to a Kill ''A View to a Kill'' is a 1985 spy film and the fourteenth in the ''James Bond'' series produced by Eon Productions, and is the seventh and final appearance of Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. Although the title is adap ...
''. This 25% increase over the previous year's releases led to concerns among industry professionals the competition would divide audiences and limit financial returns, at a time when the average cost of making and marketing a film had increased to $14.5million and $7million, respectively. A higher budget to secure a popular, and thus profitable, cast was considered a suitable risk. Most films scheduled for release were aimed at younger audiences, focusing on fantasy and the supernatural. Reflecting the times, these fantasy elements often employed a technological source instead of a magical one. Only a few films, like ''Cocoon'' and '' Prizzi's Honor'', targeted adults. Initially, ''Back to the Future'' was scheduled to be released in May 1985, but was pushed back to June21, the earliest Zemeckis could have the film ready. The delay caused by Stoltz's replacement pushed the release back to July19, and later to August. Sheinberg moved the release date forward to July3, giving it an extra 16 days of theatrical screen time during the industry's most profitable period of the year. The move offered about 100,000 extra screenings, together worth an estimated $40million. He said he also wanted to avoid the negative perception of films released later in the summer period; other
blockbuster Blockbuster or Block Buster may refer to: *Blockbuster (entertainment) a term coined for an extremely successful movie, from which most other uses are derived. Corporations * Blockbuster (retailer), a defunct video and game rental chain ** Blo ...
films were usually released early. The change required renegotiations with theater owners to secure screens in an already-crowded marketplace. In some cities, it was legally required that exhibitors be shown a film prior to purchase; an unfinished cut of the film was shown to theater owners and young test audiences. They described it as lesser than ''E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'' or ''
Ghostbusters ''Ghostbusters'' is a 1984 American supernatural comedy film directed and produced by Ivan Reitman, and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. It stars Bill Murray, Aykroyd, and Ramis as Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler, ...
'', but still a guaranteed box office hit. Fox was unavailable for promotional work because he was filming ''
Family Ties Vacation The NBC sitcom ''Family Ties'' aired from September 22, 1982 to May 14, 1989 with a total of 176 episodes produced. Series overview Episodes Season 1 (1982–83) This is the only season where Michael Gross is clean shaven. Season 2 (1983– ...
'' (1985) in London.


Box office

In the United States (U.S.) and Canada, ''Back to the Future'' received a wide release on July3, 1985, ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend. The film earned $3.6million during the opening Wednesday and Thursday, and a further $11.3million during its inaugural weekend from 1,420 theaters—an average of $7,853 per theater. ''Back to the Future'' finished as the number one film of the weekend ahead of Western, '' Pale Rider'' ($7million), in its second weekend, and ''Rambo: First Blood Part II'' ($6.4million) in its seventh. It retained the number one position in its second weekend with a further gross of $10.6million, ahead of the debuting action film '' Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome'' ($7.8million) and ''Cocoon'' ($5million), and in its third weekend, ahead of the re-release of ''E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'' ($8.8million) and ''Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome'' ($5.4million). Although it fell to number two in its fourth weekend, behind the debuting '' National Lampoon's European Vacation'' ($12.3million), ''Back to the Future'' regained the number one position in its fifth weekend and remained there for the following eight weeks. Recalling the opening weeks, Gale said, "our second weekend was higher than our first weekend, which is indicative of great word of mouth." The film remained a steady success, earning $155million by October, surpassing ''Rambo: First Blood Part II''s $149million box office earnings to become the year's highest-grossing film. In total, ''Back to the Future'' was the number one film for 11 of its 12 first weeks of release and remained in the top ten highest-grossing films for a total 24 weeks. By the end of its theatrical run, ''Back to the Future'' earned an approximate box office gross of $210.6million, making it the highest-grossing film of 1985, ahead of ''Rambo: First Blood Part II'' ($150.4million), the sports drama '' Rocky IV'' ($127.9million), and the drama '' The Color Purple'' ($94.2million).
Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo is an American website that tracks box-office revenue in a systematic, algorithmic way. The site was founded in 1998 by Brandon Gray, and was bought in 2008 by IMDb, which itself is owned by Amazon. History Brandon Gray ...
estimated over 59million tickets were sold. Industry experts suggest as of 1997, the box office returns to the studio—minus the theaters' share—was $105.5million. The year was considered an unsuccessful one for film. Despite a record number of film releases, ticket sales were down 17% compared with 1984. Industry executives blamed the problem, in part, on a lack of originality, and a glut of youth-oriented films targeted at those under 18. Only ''Back to the Future'' and ''Rambo: First Blood Part II'' were considered blockbusters, earning more than double the box office of ''Cocoon''. Films offering escapism and pro-America themes also fared well. After years of poor performances, ''Back to the Future'', alongside ''Fletch'', ''Brewster's Millions'', and ''Mask'', reversed Universal Pictures' fortunes. Outside the U.S. and Canada, the film earned a further estimated $170.5million, making it the third-highest-grossing film of the year, behind the romantic drama '' Out of Africa'' ($179.1million) and ''Rocky IV'' ($172.6million). Cumulatively, ''Back to the Future'' earned a worldwide gross of $381.1million, making it the highest-grossing film of 1985, ahead of ''Rocky IV'' ($300.5million) and ''Rambo: First Blood Part II'' ($300.4million). ''Back to the Future'' has received several theatrical re-releases to celebrate anniversaries, including a remastered version screened in 2010. These releases have raised the film's worldwide total to $388.8million.


Reception


Critical response

''Back to the Future'' received generally positive reviews from critics. Most reviewers agreed ''Back to the Future'' was among the year's most entertaining films, partly because of its focus on storytelling instead of pure spectacle. Attansio and Gene Siskel argued that while ''Back to the Future'' appeared to be "everything wrong" with youth-targeted films, it successfully subverted expectations by focusing on a relatable narrative with an emotional core, and employed irreverent, good-natured humor. They, alongside Richard Corliss, agreed that it would endure because it offered something for children and adults. Some reviewers, such as Corliss and
Leonard Maltin Leonard Michael Maltin (born December 18, 1950) is an American film critic and film historian, as well as an author of several mainstream books on cinema, focusing on nostalgic, celebratory narratives. He is perhaps best known for his book of f ...
agreed that the exposition-heavy opening was ''Back to the Future''s weakest part, but led into a stronger half filled with "wit", "wonder", "comic epiphany", and original ideas. Dave Kehr remarked that Gale and Zemeckis were among the first generation of filmmakers openly influenced by growing up on televised entertainment, and their inspirations are evident throughout. ''The Hollywood Reporter'' said that despite Spielberg's producer role, it was clearly Zemeckis' vision, being more subtle, gentler, and "less noisy." Some reviewers compared it favorably to the 1946 fantasy drama '' It's a Wonderful Life'', which offered a similar premise of a central character changing his future.
Roger Ebert Roger Joseph Ebert (; June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013) was an American film critic, film historian, journalist, screenwriter, and author. He was a film critic for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, Ebert beca ...
said the film offered humanity, charm, humor, and many surprises that were among its "greatest pleasures". Sheila Benson was more critical; she found ''Back to the Future'' to be overproduced and underdeveloped, featuring a hollow ending focused on materialistic rewards and lacking tension because Marty's success never seemed in doubt. Siskel countered that the tension came from defying the expectations of a typical time travel film by making the past mutable and the future uncertain. Paul Attanasio criticized some aspects that seemed to be "mechanically" designed to create the broadest audience appeal. The cast performances were generally well received, particularly those of Fox, Lloyd, Thompson, and Glover. Reviewers consistently praised Fox's "appealing" performance, although some believed Lloyd's performance outshone the rest. Kehr and Attanasio considered his uncontrolled performance and unique "intensity" a tribute to mad scientist characters, portrayed by the likes of Sid Caesar and John Belushi, while creating the definitive scientist archetype for modern audiences. In contrast,
Vincent Canby Vincent Canby (July 27, 1924 – October 15, 2000) was an American film and theatre critic who served as the chief film critic for ''The New York Times'' from 1969 until the early 1990s, then its chief theatre critic from 1994 until his death i ...
and ''Variety''s review said that Thompson's "deceptively passionate" performance and Glover's bumbling-to-confident character provided ''Back to the Future''s standout performances. Some reviewers considered the use of Libyan terrorists, an actual fear at the time, to be in poor taste.


Accolades

''Back to the Future'' received four nominations at the
43rd Golden Globe Awards The 43rd Golden Globe Awards, honoring the best in film and television for 1985, were held on January 24, 1986. Winners and nominees Film The following films received multiple nominations: The following films received multiple ...
, for Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) (Fox), Best Original Song ("The Power of Love"), and
Best Screenplay Best or The Best may refer to: People * Best (surname), people with the surname Best * Best (footballer, born 1968), retired Portuguese footballer Companies and organizations * Best & Co., an 1879–1971 clothing chain * Best Lock Corporatio ...
(Gale and Zemeckis). The film was also named Favorite Motion Picture at the 12th People's Choice Awards. At the 1986 Academy Awards, ''Back to the Future'' received one award for Best Sound Effects Editing ( Charles L. Campbell and Robert Rutledge). It received a further three nominations: Best Original Screenplay (Gale and Zemeckis); Best Sound (
Bill Varney Harold William Varney (January 22, 1934 – April 2, 2011) was an American motion picture sound mixer. A two-time Academy Award winner, Varney shared the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing for '' Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Bac ...
, B. Tennyson Sebastian II, Robert Thirlwell, and William B. Kaplan); and Best Original Song ("The Power of Love"). At the
39th British Academy Film Awards The 39th British Film Awards, given by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 1986, honoured the best films of 1985. There are no records showing any nominations, or a winner, for the BAFTA Award for Best Direction at this ceremony. ...
, ''Back to the Future'' received five nominations, including Best Film, Best Original Screenplay (Gale and Zemeckis),
Best Visual Effects This is a list of categories of awards commonly awarded through organizations that bestow film awards, including those presented by various film, festivals, and people's awards. Best Actor/Best Actress *See Best Actor#Film awards, Best Actress# ...
(Pike and Ralston), Best Production Design (Paull), and
Best Editing This is a list of categories of awards commonly awarded through organizations that bestow film awards, including those presented by various film, festivals, and people's awards. Best Actor/Best Actress *See Best Actor#Film awards, Best Actress# ...
(Schmidt and Keramidas). At the 13th Saturn Awards, the film won three awards: Best Science Fiction Film,
Best Actor Best Actor is the name of an award which is presented by various film, television and theatre organizations, festivals, and people's awards to leading actors in a film, television series, television film or play. The term most often refers to th ...
(Fox), and Best Special Effects (Pike). It also won the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation. ''Back to the Future'' performed well internationally: it won Best Foreign Producer (Spielberg) and Best Foreign Screenplay at the
David di Donatello The David di Donatello Awards, named after Donatello's ''David'', a symbolic statue of the Italian Renaissance, are film awards given out each year by the '' Accademia del Cinema Italiano'' (The Academy of Italian Cinema). There are 26 award ca ...
awards (Italy), Outstanding Foreign Film from the Japan Academy, and the Goldene Leinwand (Germany) for selling more than 3million tickets in its first 18 months.


Post-release


Home media

''Back to the Future'' was released on VHS on May22, 1986, priced at $79.95, becoming the first film to sell 450,000 units at that price point, and was also the most-rented cassette of the year. A sequel was not planned until after ''Back to the Future''s theatrical release, and a "To Be Continued..." graphic was appended to the end of the home release to promote awareness of future films. When ''Back to the Future'' was released on DVD in 2002, the graphic was removed because Gale and Zemeckis wanted it to be faithful to an in-theater experience. It debuted on
Blu-ray The Blu-ray Disc (BD), often known simply as Blu-ray, is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 2005 and released on June 20, 2006 worldwide. It is designed to supersede the DVD format, and capable of s ...
in 2010 for the film's 25th anniversary. The release featured a six-part documentary including interviews with the cast and crew, behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, and associated music videos from all three films. The release also included the public debut of footage of Stoltz portraying Marty McFly. For its 35th anniversary in 2020, a remastered 4K Ultra HD version was released on Blu-ray and
Ultra HD Blu-ray Ultra HD Blu-ray (4K Ultra HD, UHD-BD, or 4K Blu-ray) is a digital optical disc data storage format that is an enhanced variant of Blu-ray. Ultra HD Blu-ray discs are incompatible with existing standard Blu-ray players, though a traditional B ...
. Along with extras included in previous releases, this edition included audition footage and an exploration of the film's props hosted by Gale. Limited edition steelbook cases and a display replicate of the levitating hoverboard from ''Back to the Future PartII'' were also available. The ''Back to the Future'' soundtrack was released in July 1985 on cassette tape,
LP record The LP (from "long playing" or "long play") is an analog sound storage medium, a phonograph record format characterized by: a speed of   rpm; a 12- or 10-inch (30- or 25-cm) diameter; use of the "microgroove" groove specification; and ...
, and
Compact disc The compact disc (CD) is a digital optical disc data storage format that was co-developed by Philips and Sony to store and play digital audio recordings. In August 1982, the first compact disc was manufactured. It was then released in Octo ...
(CD). The soundtrack's lead single, "The Power of Love", peaked at number one on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Sales were initially slow, but it eventually peaked at number 12 on the ''Billboard'' 200, in part because of the success of "The Power of Love". Silvestri's score received a limited release in 2009 on CD, containing the film score and unreleased variations. The scores for all three ''Back to the Future'' films were first released on LP record in 2016, individually and as a collection. Silvestri supervised the remaster of the original master recordings, including previously unreleased tracks, and Gale contributed liner notes.


Other media

In 1985, film merchandising was a relatively new concept, popularized by the original ''Star Wars'' film trilogy (1977–1983). As ''Back to the Future'' was not specifically aimed at children, there was no significant merchandising accompanying its release. Although a novelization by George Gipe was released in 1985, one of the earliest items for children, a rideable DeLorean, was not released until 1986. The film and its sequels have since been represented across a wide variety of merchandise including: Playmobil, playing cards, clothing, pottery, posters, board games, sculpted figures, plush toys, Funko POP! figures, action figures, Hot Wheels and die-cast vehicles, books, music albums, and Christmas ornaments. ''Back to the Future'' received several video game adaptations. '' Back to the Future'' was released alongside the film for the Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum. An arcade-adventure game, '' Back to the Future'', was released in 1989 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Gale called it one of the worst games ever made and advised people against purchasing it. '' Back to the Future: The Pinball'' was released in 1990, although Fox refused permission for the game to use his likeness. An
episodic Episodic may refer to: * The nature of television series that are divided into short programs known as episodes * Episodic memory, types of memory that result from specific incidents in a lifetime * In Geology, episodic refers to events that occur ...
graphic adventure game, '' Back to the Future: The Game'', was released in 2010. Gale contributed to the game's narrative, which takes place after the events of the third film. An area in '' Lego Dimensions'' is based on ''Back to the Future'' and features voice work by Lloyd. '' Back to the Future: The Ride'', a simulator ride, ran from 1991 to 2007 at
Universal Studios Hollywood Universal Studios Hollywood is a film studio and theme park in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles County, California. About 70% of the studio lies within the unincorporated county island known as Universal City while the rest lies wi ...
and Universal Studios Florida. The ride's development was supervised by Spielberg and featured Doc Brown (Lloyd) chasing down Biff (Wilson) who has stolen the DeLorean. A version of the ride at Universal Studios Japan ran from 2001 to 2016. A ''Back to the Future''-themed
Monopoly A monopoly (from Greek el, μόνος, mónos, single, alone, label=none and el, πωλεῖν, pōleîn, to sell, label=none), as described by Irving Fisher, is a market with the "absence of competition", creating a situation where a speci ...
board-game was released in 2015. A Funko board game was released in 2020. It casts players as one of the main characters from the films to battle different Tannens across history. There have been several books about the making of the film series. ''We Don't Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy'' is an oral history by those involved in the production. ''Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History''—a book chronicling the development of the entire ''Back to the Future'' franchise—was released in 2015. The
British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves film-making and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...
released ''BFI Film Classics: Back to the Future'' about the film's background. The series also includes comic books detailing Doc's and Marty's adventures before and after the events depicted in the films. A crossover between the ''Back to the Future'' and
Transformers ''Transformers'' is a media franchise produced by American toy company Hasbro and Japanese toy company Tomy, Takara Tomy. It primarily follows the Autobots and the Decepticons, two alien robot factions at war that can transform into other forms ...
franchises included a transforming DeLorean toy and associated comic books.


Thematic analysis


Parental relationships and fate

The main theme of ''Back to the Future'' concerns taking control and personal responsibility over one's own destiny: A situation can be changed even if it seems otherwise impossible to overcome. Thompson said the film represents how one moment can have a significant and lasting impact on a person's life. Gale believed Doc provided the perfect summary of the series' running theme, when in '' Back to the Future Part III'' he said: "Your future is whatever you make it, so make it a good one." At the start of the film, Marty is rejected at Battle of the Bands and admits he fears his ambitions will remain unrealized. He worries he will end up like his parents and sees direct evidence in 1955 of George, also afraid of rejection, being unable to approach Lorraine; his fears risk Marty's future. Marty sets about manipulating the past to ensure his own survival without concern for what impact his presence in 1955 is having on others. On his return to 1985, he is rewarded with wealthier parents and a nicer car, but he has simultaneously damaged Biff's future, reducing him to a valet for the McFlys. Glover criticized the morality of the film's ending, believing Marty's reward should be happy parents in love with each other, and considered it a result of the film serving corporate interests, promoting the accumulation of wealth and purchasing material objects. In 2015, Zemeckis said the ending was perfect for its time but would be different if he made it now, although Gale disagreed and said he did not apologize for the scene. American audiences generally had no issue with this ending, but it was criticized by some international audiences. Despite rejection by film studios for not being raunchy enough, ''Back to the Future'' alludes to sexual assault, racism, and the Oedipus complex—a psychiatric theory suggesting a child holds an unconscious sexual desire for their opposite-sexed parent, as in the relationship between Marty and his future mother Lorraine in 1955. The relationships between parents and children are the basis of many elements of the film. Thompson believed the film had remained relevant to new generations because of its core idea that Marty's and the viewer's parents were once children and had the same dreams and ambitions they do.


Reaganism and American anxieties

Critics Justin Chang and Mark Olsen suggest the film can be seen as promoting
Reaganism Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States (1981–1989). A Republican and former actor and governor of California, he energized the conservative movement in the United States from 1964. His basic foreign policy was to equal and s ...
—the political positions of president Ronald Reagan—which endorses older values of the American dream, initiative, and technological advancement. The Hill Valley of 1985 is depicted as run down and in decay, while in 1955 it is presented as a more simplistic and seemingly safer time, seen through a nostalgic lens. Marty's future is bettered because he goes back to 1955 and teaches George to be more assertive and self-reliant; his initiative leads to more prosperous future for Marty with materialistic rewards. The film uses many brand names of the time, ostensibly to make the setting more realistic—such as Mountain Dew,
Pepsi Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by PepsiCo. Originally created and developed in 1893 by Caleb Bradham and introduced as Brad's Drink, it was renamed as Pepsi-Cola in 1898, and then shortened to Pepsi in 1961. History Pepsi was ...
, and Texaco—but the filmmakers received financial compensation from the brand owners, making their inclusion promotional and commercialistic instead of artistic. Film studies lecturer Sorcha Ní Fhlainn argues that many 1980s films resulted from the American public's desire for escapism from cultural anxieties and fears, including nuclear proliferation, unemployment, crime, growing inequality, and the AIDS crisis. In her view, films like those of the '' Star Wars'' series and ''Back to the Future'' offered a childlike reassurance of safety and comfort, emphasizing idealized American values and the positive effects of instilling power in a patriarchal figure like George McFly or Darth Vader. English professor Susan Jeffords considered Doc Brown to be an analog for Reagan, a man who embraces technological advancement, who is in conflict with Libyan terrorists, and provides the means for a failing family to better themselves. The song "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry is used during the film's final act. Berry initially resisted allowing the song to be used in the film. NPR argued that while Berry's resistance may have been a matter of money, there are underlying racial issues involved in Marty, a
white male White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...
, seemingly rewriting history to invent the
rock and roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, or rock 'n roll) is a genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It originated from African-American music such as jazz, rhythm an ...
music genre, which was heavily influenced by African-American music. The 1955 segment also presents a distorted view of America, showing an African-American band playing at the high school dance, which would have been disallowed. Similarly, the African-American character Goldie Wilson is seemingly inspired to work towards becoming mayor by Marty's intervention, inspiring a Reagan-style initiative and self-reliance.


Influences

As film fans, Gale and Zemeckis' influences are seen throughout ''Back to the Future''. There are references to ''
The Wizard of Oz ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' or ''The Wizard of Oz'' most commonly refers to: *'' The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'', a 1900 American novel by L. Frank Baum often reprinted as ''The Wizard of Oz'' ** Wizard of Oz (character), from the Baum novel serie ...
'' (1939), '' The Shaggy Dog'' (1959), '' Dr. Strangelove'' (1964), ''Close Encounters of the Third Kind'' (1977), the ''Star Wars'' film series, and television shows including '' Mister Peabody'', '' Star Trek: The Original Series'', ''
The Outer Limits ''The Outer Limits'' or ''Outer Limits'' may refer to: Television * ''The Outer Limits'' (1963 TV series), a black-and-white science fiction series that aired from 1963 to 1965 * ''The Outer Limits'' (1995 TV series), a revival of the older series ...
'', and ''The Twilight Zone''. There are also allusions to ''
The Time Machine ''The Time Machine'' is a science fiction novella by H. G. Wells, published in 1895. The work is generally credited with the popularization of the concept of time travel by using a vehicle or device to travel purposely and selectively fo ...
'' (1960)—based on the 1895 novella of the same name by H. G. Wells—and '' A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court'' by
Mark Twain Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has p ...
, in which the central character seemingly moves through time. The DeLorean dashboard chronometer uses the same color scheme as the time device of ''The Time Machine''. Critic Ray Loynd opined that Doc can be seen as a King Arthur–type, with Marty serving as his knight.


Legacy


Cultural influence

Since its release, ''Back to the Future'' has remained an enduring popular culture
touchstone Touchstone may refer to: * Touchstone (assaying tool), a stone used to identify precious metals * Touchstone (metaphor), a means of assaying relative merits of a concept Entertainment * ''Touchstone'' (album), a 1982 album by Chick Corea * T ...
, and in 2007, the United States
Library of Congress The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The librar ...
selected the film for preservation in the
National Film Registry The National Film Registry (NFR) is the United States National Film Preservation Board's (NFPB) collection of films selected for preservation, each selected for its historical, cultural and aesthetic contributions since the NFPB’s inception ...
for being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. The film elevated Fox from financially struggling actor to one of the most in-demand and globally recognized stars in Hollywood, and Gale received fan mail for decades after its release. He said he understood the continuing appreciation for the original film as it was the "purest" and "most complete" in the series. Fox compared it to ''The Wizard of Oz'' (1939), saying it still appeals to children because they do not think of it as an old film. In 2012, Thompson called it the greatest role of her career. Dean Cundey believed it resonated with fans because it offers the fantasy of going back in time to change things and make the present better. Lloyd described being approached by fans from around the world, who have said the film inspired them to become a scientist. Many of the principal cast have reunited since the film's release. Often these reunions are for charity, including The Michael J. Fox Foundation for
Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. The symptoms usually emerge slowly, and as the disease worsens, non-motor symptoms becom ...
(Fox was diagnosed with the disease at age 29), and Project HOPE. A 2019 reunion for the TCM Classic Film Festival featured the 4K restoration premiere of ''Back to the Future''. During the 2020
COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identified ...
, Josh Gad hosted a ''Back to the Future'' retrospective featuring many cast and crew. The cast has also appeared in advertisements only loosely related to ''Back to the Future'', trading on their associated popularity. The film has global popular appeal, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Argentina, the
Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
, and Japan. On October 21, 2015—the day Doc and Marty travel to at the end of ''Back to the Future'', as depicted in ''Back to the FutureII''—an estimated 27million social media users discussed the films; the most active users were in the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Brazil. Ronald Reagan was also a fan, referencing the film during his
1986 State of the Union Address The 1986 State of the Union Address was given by the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, on February 4, 1986, at 9:00 p.m. EST, in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives to the 99th United States Congress. It w ...
to appeal to America's young voters, saying, "Never has there been a more exciting time to be alive, a time of rousing wonder and heroic achievement. As they said in the film ''Back to the Future'', 'Where we're going, we don't need roads. Although Gale has said that Reagan, after enjoying the joke about Doc Brown's incredulous response to him becoming president, ordered the theater's projectionist to stop the film, roll it back, and run it again, this is disputed by Reagan's advisor, Mark Weinberg. ''Back to the Future'' is also seen as responsible for a resurgence of skateboarding in the 1980s. It made skateboarding a mainstream pastime acceptable for all, not just rebellious teenagers. ''Back to the Future'' has been referred to in a variety of media, including television, films, and video games. Doc and Marty, respectively, inspired the eponymous characters of the 2013 animated television show ''
Rick and Morty , creator = Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon , developer = , voices = {{plainlist, * Justin Roiland * Chris Parnell * Spencer Grammer * Sarah Chalke * Kari Wahlgren , composer = Ryan Elder , count ...
''. The British pop rock band
McFly McFly are an English pop rock music, pop rock band formed in London in 2003. The band took their name from the ''Back to the Future (franchise), Back to the Future'' character Marty McFly. The band consists of Tom Fletcher (lead vocals, guita ...
are named for Marty McFly. The 2011 novel '' Ready Player One'' by Ernest Cline and the 2018 film adaptation (directed by Spielberg) both heavily reference the film, including the central character using a DeLorean for transport. Filmmaker J. J. Abrams has also cited it as an inspiration. The 2015 crowdfunded documentary '' Back in Time'' follows various fans of the series and details the impact it has had on their lives, interspersed with interviews from the crew including Fox and Lloyd. The DeLorean is considered one of the most iconic vehicles in film history. DeLorean's creator John DeLorean was a fan of the film and sent personal letters to Gale and Zemeckis, thanking them for using his vehicle. The DeLorean was not a popular vehicle before the film's release. However, in the years since it has become a popular collector's item, and the DeLorean Motor Company issued kits enabling fans to make their vehicle look like the DeLorean time machine. Gale led a restoration of one of the original screen-used DeLoreans in 2011, documented in ''Out of Time: Saving the DeLorean Time Machine''.


Modern reception

''Back to the Future'' is considered a landmark of American cinema, and one of the greatest films ever made. In 2004, ''The New York Times'' listed it as one of the 1,000 Best Movies Ever, and the following year its screenplay was listed as the 56th greatest screenplay of the preceding 75 years by the
Writers Guild of America The Writers Guild of America is the joint efforts of two different US labor unions representing TV and film writers: * The Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), headquartered in New York City and affiliated with the AFL–CIO * The Writers G ...
. Throughout the rest of the 2000s, it appeared on Film4's '' 50 Films to See Before You Die'' (number10), ''
Empire An empire is a "political unit" made up of several territories and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the empire (sometimes referred to as the metropole) ex ...
''s 500 Greatest Movies of All Time (number23), behind the 1977 space opera '' Star Wars'', and the
American Film Institute The American Film Institute (AFI) is an American nonprofit film organization that educates filmmakers and honors the heritage of the motion picture arts in the United States. AFI is supported by private funding and public membership fees. Lead ...
listed it as the number10 best science-fiction film, based on a poll of 1,500people from the creative community. In 2010, '' Total Film'' named it one of the 100 greatest movies ever made, and the following year it was voted by
BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including electronica, dance, ...
and BBC Radio 1Xtra listeners as their fourth favorite film of all time. It is also listed in the film reference book ''
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die ''1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die'' is a film reference book edited by Steven Jay Schneider with original essays on each film contributed by over 70 film critics. It is a part of a series designed and produced by Quintessence Editions, a ...
''. A 2014 poll of 2,120 entertainment-industry members by ''The Hollywood Reporter'' ranked it as the 12th best film of all time, again behind ''Star Wars''. In 2015, the screenplay was listed as the 67th funniest on the WGA's 101 Funniest Screenplays list, and ''Rotten Tomatoes'' also listed the film at number84 on its list of 200 essential movies to watch. Several publications have named it as one of the best science-fiction films ever made, and one of the best films of the 1980s. ''
Popular Mechanics ''Popular Mechanics'' (sometimes PM or PopMech) is a magazine of popular science and technology, featuring automotive, home, outdoor, electronics, science, do-it-yourself, and technology topics. Military topics, aviation and transportation o ...
'' and ''Rolling Stone'' listed it as the numberone and numberfour best time-travel film ever made respectively. ''Entertainment Weekly'' named it the 40th most essential film to be watched by pre-teens and the 28th best high-school movie. Marty McFly appeared at number39 on ''Empire''s 2006 list of its "100 Greatest Movie Characters"; Doc Brown followed at number76. ''Rotten Tomatoes'' assesses approval rating from the aggregated reviews of critics, with an average rating of . The site's consensus reads: "Inventive, funny, and breathlessly constructed, ''Back to the Future'' is a rousing time-travel adventure with an unforgettable spirit." Based on this score, Rotten Tomatoes also listed it as the 87th best Action and Adventure film. The film has a score of 87 out of 100 on
Metacritic Metacritic is a website that aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created by Jason Dietz, Marc ...
based on 15 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". In the United Kingdom, readers of ''Empire'' voted the film as 11th on their 2017 list of "The 100 Greatest Movies".


Sequels and adaptations

A sequel was not initially planned and the teaser ending of Doc, Marty, and Jennifer flying off in the DeLorean suggested their adventures would continue off-screen. Universal Pictures was eager to pursue a sequel based on the significant financial and critical success of ''Back to the Future''. However, Zemeckis and Gale were reluctant to participate, believing sequels often retreaded the best elements of the original film. They were also concerned that a poor follow-up could alienate ''Back to the Future'' passionate fan base, and undermine the pair after their first major joint success. Zemeckis and Gale acquiesced by 1987, once Universal Pictures clarified they would, if necessary, make a sequel without them. The pair's sequel script was so long it was split into two films, ''
Back to the Future Part II ''Back to the Future Part II'' is a 1989 American science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis from a screenplay by Bob Gale and a story by both. It is the sequel to the 1985 film '' Back to the Future'' and the second installment in the ...
'' (1989) and ''Back to the Future Part III'' (1990); the films were shot back to back. ''PartII'' depicts Marty and Doc traveling to 2015, inadvertently enabling the now-elderly Biff Tannen to steal the DeLorean and return to 1955, rewriting history in his favor. Wells and Glover did not return for the sequels. ''PartII'' was a financial success but was criticized for its complex, convoluted narrative. Zemeckis has said it is his least favorite film in the series. The final film, ''PartIII'' follows Marty as he travels to 1885 to rescue a time-stranded Doc. While the film fared less well financially than the two earlier films, it was more critically well-received than ''PartII''. A 2018 poll by ''The Hollywood Reporter'' of 2,200 people found 71% wanted a ''Back to the Future'' sequel, ahead of another '' Toy Story'' or '' Indiana Jones'' film. Gale has said there will never be a fourth film, likening it to "selling your kids into prostitution". He added a ''Back to the Future'' film could never happen without Fox, who could not participate because of the effects of his Parkinson's disease. An animated television series, '' Back to the Future'', aired on CBS between 1991 and 1992. It follows Doc's and Marty's adventures through various historical periods, intercut with live-action segments featuring Doc (Lloyd), performing science experiments alongside Bill Nye. A short film, ''Doc Brown Saves the World'' (2015), celebrated the film's 30th anniversary. Lloyd reprised his role as Doc, who must travel to the future to prevent a nuclear holocaust in 2045. A musical theater production, '' Back to the Future'', debuted in February 2020 at the
Manchester Opera House The Opera House in Quay Street, Manchester, England, is a 1,920-seater commercial touring theatre that plays host to touring musicals, ballet, concerts and a Christmas pantomime. It is a Grade II listed building. The Opera House is one of the m ...
, England, to positive reviews. The musical was written by Gale and Zemeckis, with music written by Silvestri and
Glen Ballard Basil Glen Ballard Jr. (born May 1, 1953) is an American songwriter, lyricist, and record producer. He is best known for co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's 1995 album ''Jagged Little Pill'', which won Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album ...
. Gale described it as the best way to give fans more ''Back to the Future'' without adding to the film series. Overall, the '' Back to the Future'' franchise is considered one of the most successful film franchises.


References


Notes


Citations

{{Reflist, refs= {{cite web, title=The 80 Greatest Movies Of The '80s , url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/07/the-80-greatest-movies-of-the-80s/full-post/c , website=
Consequence of Sound ''Consequence'' (previously ''Consequence of Sound'') is an independently owned New York-based online magazine featuring news, editorials, and reviews of music, movies, and television. In addition, the website also features the Festival Outl ...
, date=July 2, 2019 , access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007191505/https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/07/the-80-greatest-movies-of-the-80s/full-post/c/ , archive-date= October 7, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Leah Marilla , last=Thomas , title= These '80s Movies Are Here to Inject Some Nostalgia Into Your Movie Night , url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/a32433081/best-80s-movies/ , website= Cosmopolitan , date=May 11, 2020 , access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722220422/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/a32433081/best-80s-movies/ , archive-date=July 22, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web, first=Olivia , last=Blair , title=The Best 80s Movies To Give You All The Nostalgic Feels , url=https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/g33215910/best-80s-movies/ , website= Elle , date=August 8, 2020 , access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200822001220/https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/g33215910/best-80s-movies/ , archive-date=August 22, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web, first1=Phil , last1=de Semlyen , first2=John , last2=Nugent , first3=Emma , last3=Thrower , first4=James , last4=White , first5=Owen , last5=Williams , first6=Dan , last6=Jolin , title=The 80 Best '80s Movies: 39-1 , url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-films-80s-part-2/ , website=
Empire An empire is a "political unit" made up of several territories and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the empire (sometimes referred to as the metropole) ex ...
, date= May 11, 2016 , access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706231119/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-films-80s-part-2/ , archive-date=July 6, 2019 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Emma , last=Carey , title=The Best '80s Movies To Pair With An Ice-Cold New Coke , url= https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/g33605684/best-80s-movies-of-all-time/ , website=
Esquire Esquire (, ; abbreviated Esq.) is usually a courtesy title. In the United Kingdom, ''esquire'' historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman ...
, date=September 6, 2020 , access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917155401/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/g33605684/best-80s-movies-of-all-time/ , archive-date=September 17, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Richard , last=Edwards , title= The 25 Best 80s Movies, From ''Back To The Future'' To ''Blade Runner'' And Beyond, url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/best-80s-movies/ , website=
GamesRadar+ ''GamesRadar+'' (formerly ''GamesRadar'') is an entertainment website for video game-related news, previews, and reviews. It is owned by Future plc. In late 2014, Future Publishing-owned sites '' Total Film'', ''SFX'', '' Edge'' and '' Compute ...
, date=July 1, 2019 , access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007192834/https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/best-80s-movies/ , archive-date=October 7, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Deanna , last=Janes , title= 25 Totally '80s Movies We All Need Right Now , url= https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/g32224914/best-80s-movies/?slide=9 , website= Harper's Bazaar , date=April 21, 2020 , access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007193043/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/g32224914/best-80s-movies/?slide=9 , archive-date=October 7, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web , first=Alec , last=Banks , title=68 Classic '80s Movies Every Highsnobiety Reader Should See , url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/best-80s-movies/ , website= Highsnobiety , date=2020 , access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://archive.today/20201007193702/https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/best-80s-movies/ , archive-date=October 7, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web, first1=Ruby , last1=Buddemeyer , first2=Kayleigh , last2=Roberts , title=The 68 Best '80s Movies Ever Made , url=https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/g5032/best-80s-movies/?slide=65 , website=
Marie Claire ''Marie Claire'' is a French international monthly magazine first published in France in 1937, followed by the United Kingdom in 1941. Since then various editions are published in many countries and languages. The feature editions focus on w ...
, date=March 20, 2020 , access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007194414/https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/g5032/best-80s-movies/?slide=65 , archive-date=October 7, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Gwynne , last=Watkins , title=The 80 Best Movies Of The '80s – From ''The Breakfast Club'' To ''The Princess Bride'' , url=https://parade.com/1047441/gwynnewatkins/best-80s-movies/ , website= Parade , date=August 16, 2020 , access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727225742/https://parade.com/1047441/gwynnewatkins/best-80s-movies/ , archive-date=July 27, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web , title=140 Essential '80s Movies , url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/140-essential-80s-movies/4/ , website=
Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wan ...
, access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200718133544/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/140-essential-80s-movies/4/ , archive-date=July 18, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=Marc , last=Chacksfield , title=Best '80s Movies: The Greatest Films Of The 1980S , url=https://www.shortlist.com/lists/greatest-films-of-the-1980s-400064 , website= ShortList , date=September 9, 2020 , access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705215055/https://www.shortlist.com/lists/greatest-films-of-the-1980s-400064 , archive-date=July 5, 2019 , url-status=live {{cite web, first=Joshua , last=Rothkpf , title=The 30 Best '80s Movies , url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/movies/best-80s-movies , website=
Time Out Time-out, Time Out, or timeout may refer to: Time * Time-out (sport), in various sports, a break in play, called by a team * Television timeout, a break in sporting action so that a commercial break may be taken * Timeout (computing), an enginee ...
, date=June 11, 2020 , access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526215242/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/movies/best-80s-movies , archive-date=May 26, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Adam , last=Rathe , title=54 Of The Best Movies From The 1980's , url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/g26078094/best-80s-movies/?slide=38 , website= Town & Country , date=June 12, 2020 , access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007195813/https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/g26078094/best-80s-movies/?slide=38 , archive-date=October 7, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web, first=Charles , last=Stockdale , title=The 75 Best Movie Comedies Of The '80s , url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2018/04/20/75-best-movie-comedies-80-s/534907002/ , website=
USA Today ''USA Today'' (stylized in all uppercase) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth on September 15, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headquarters in Tysons, Virg ...
, access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://archive.today/20200714210405/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2018/04/20/75-best-movie-comedies-80-s/534907002/ , archive-date=July 14, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , url=http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=55763 , title=''Back To The Future'' , website=
American Film Institute The American Film Institute (AFI) is an American nonprofit film organization that educates filmmakers and honors the heritage of the motion picture arts in the United States. AFI is supported by private funding and public membership fees. Lead ...
, access-date=October 9, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624111537/http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=55763 , archive-date=June 24, 2017 , url-status=dead
{{cite web, title=''Ghostbusters'' (1984) , url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/57089, website=
American Film Institute The American Film Institute (AFI) is an American nonprofit film organization that educates filmmakers and honors the heritage of the motion picture arts in the United States. AFI is supported by private funding and public membership fees. Lead ...
, access-date=January 12, 2019, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113003857/https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/57089, archive-date=January 13, 2019, url-status=live
{{cite web , first= George E., last= Turner , url=https://ascmag.com/articles/back-to-the-future-wheels-on-fire , title=''Back To The Future'': Wheels On Fire , website= American Cinematographer , date=March 20, 2020 , access-date= September 18, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328155516/https://ascmag.com/articles/back-to-the-future-wheels-on-fire , archive-date=March 28, 2020 , url-status= live {{cite web , first= Tasha , last= Robinson , url=https://film.avclub.com/crispin-glover-1798229277 , title=Crispin Glover , website= The A.V. Club , date= January 13, 2012 , access-date= September 13, 2020 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200625153304/https://film.avclub.com/crispin-glover-1798229277 , archive-date= June 25, 2020 , url-status= live {{cite web , first= Will , last= Harris , url= https://www.avclub.com/articles/lea-thompson,69639/ , title= Random Roles: Lea Thompson , website= The A.V. Club , date= February 21, 2012 , access-date= September 10, 2020 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131207142131/http://www.avclub.com/article/lea-thompson-69639 , archive-date= December 7, 2013 , url-status= live {{cite web, first=Mark , last=Shaffer , title=About Schmidt , url=http://www.lcweekly.com/film/3419-about-schmidt , website=Low Country Weekly , date=February 10, 2014 , access-date=September 29, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806111054/http://www.lcweekly.com/film/3419-about-schmidt , archive-date=August 6, 2016 , url-status=live {{cite web, title = AFI Crowns Top 10 Films In 10 Classic Genres , website= ComingSoon.net, date =June 17, 2008 , url = https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=46072 , access-date=June 18, 2008 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080619034738/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=46072, archive-date= June 19, 2008 , url-status = live {{cite web, last=Sims, first=David, url=https://www.avclub.com/review/dan-harmons-new-series-is-a-warped-take-on-the-doc-106087, title=Dan Harmon's New Series Is A Warped Take On The Doc Brown/Marty Mcfly Dynamic, date=December 2, 2013, website= The A.V. Club, access-date=December 3, 2013, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203134639/http://www.avclub.com/review/dan-harmons-new-series-is-a-warped-take-on-the-doc-106087, archive-date=December 3, 2013, url-status=live {{cite web , url = http://awards.bafta.org/award/1986/film , title = Film In 1986 , website=
British Academy of Film and Television Arts British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...
, access-date = September 20, 2020, archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200817120033/http://awards.bafta.org/award/1986/film , archive-date = August 17, 2020 , url-status = live
{{cite web , title=''Back to the Future'' (1985) , url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/10/05/back_to_the_future_1985_review.shtml , website=
BBC Online BBC Online, formerly known as BBCi, is the BBC's online service. It is a large network of websites including such high-profile sites as BBC News and Sport, the on-demand video and radio services branded BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, the childr ...
, access-date=October 5, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225015917/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/10/05/back_to_the_future_1985_review.shtml , archive-date=February 25, 2012 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=Producer , last=Chris , url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio1movies/ , title=Your Favourite Movies! , website=
BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including electronica, dance, ...
, date=March 10, 2011 , access-date=November 27, 2017 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424023704/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio1movies/ , archive-date=April 24, 2011 , url-status=live
{{cite web , url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/back-future-4 , title=''Back to the Future'' (PG) , website=
British Board of Film Classification The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC, previously the British Board of Film Censors) is a non-governmental organisation founded by the British film industry in 1912 and responsible for the national classification and censorship of f ...
, date=July 8, 1985 , access-date=June 21, 2015 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622131746/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/back-future-4 , archive-date=June 22, 2015 , url-status=live
{{cite web , title= Top 100 Action & Adventure Movies , url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/top/bestofrt/top_100_action__adventure_movies/ , website=
Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wan ...
, access-date=October 5, 2020 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200807023950/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/top/bestofrt/top_100_action__adventure_movies/, archive-date=August 7, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , title=The 55 Essential Movies Your Child Must See (Before Turning 13) , url=https://ew.com/article/2014/06/23/55-essential-movies-your-child-must-see-before-they-turn-13/ , website=
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cult ...
, date=June 23, 2014 , access-date=October 5, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212152917/https://ew.com/article/2014/06/23/55-essential-movies-your-child-must-see-before-they-turn-13/ , archive-date=February 12, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=Hillary , last=Busis , title=All Your ''Back To The Future'' Questions Answered , url=https://ew.com/article/2012/05/11/back-to-the-future-postcard/ , website=
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cult ...
, date=August 3, 2020 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619195834/https://ew.com/article/2012/05/11/back-to-the-future-postcard/, archive-date= June 19, 2020, url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Gavin , last=Edwards , title=Future Tense: The 20 Best Time-Travel Movies , url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-lists/best-time-travel-movies-14354/back-to-the-future-1985-57733/ , website=
Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its co ...
, date=June 29, 2020 , access-date=October 5, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817182255/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-lists/best-time-travel-movies-14354/ , archive-date=August 17, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Darren , last=Orf , title= The 30 Best Time Travel Movies, url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/movies/g3086/best-time-travel-movies/?slide=30 , website=
Popular Mechanics ''Popular Mechanics'' (sometimes PM or PopMech) is a magazine of popular science and technology, featuring automotive, home, outdoor, electronics, science, do-it-yourself, and technology topics. Military topics, aviation and transportation o ...
, date= November 19, 2019, access-date=October 5, 2020 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201005170623/https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/movies/g3086/best-time-travel-movies/?slide=30, archive-date= October 5, 2020, url-status=live
{{cite web, first=John , last=Lynch , title=The 100 Best Science Fiction Movies Of All Time, According To Critics , url=https://www.businessinsider.com/best-science-fiction-movies-all-time-critics-reviews-2018-8?r=US&IR=T#20-back-to-the-future-1985-81 , website=
Business Insider ''Insider'', previously named ''Business Insider'' (''BI''), is an American financial and business news website founded in 2007. Since 2015, a majority stake in ''Business Insider''s parent company Insider Inc. has been owned by the German pub ...
, access-date=October 1, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001112635/https://www.businessinsider.com/best-science-fiction-movies-all-time-critics-reviews-2018-8?r=US&IR=T , archive-date=October 1, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first1=Ben , last1=Travis , first2=James , last2=White , title= The 50 Greatest Sci-Fi Movies, url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/empire-movies-features-best-sci-fi-movies/ , website=
Empire An empire is a "political unit" made up of several territories and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the empire (sometimes referred to as the metropole) ex ...
, date=May 27, 2020 , access-date=October 1, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727062650/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/empire-movies-features-best-sci-fi-movies/ , archive-date=July 27, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first1= Will , last1=Hersey , first2=Tom , last2=Nicholson , title=The 23 Best Sci-Fi Movies Of All Time , url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/film/a32643057/best-sci-fi-movies/ , website=
Esquire Esquire (, ; abbreviated Esq.) is usually a courtesy title. In the United Kingdom, ''esquire'' historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman ...
, date=September 23, 2020 , access-date=October 1, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830173045/https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/film/a32643057/best-sci-fi-movies/ , archive-date=August 30, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Jack , last=Shepherd , title=The 30 Best Sci-fi Movies Of All Time , url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/best-sci-fi-movies/ , website=
GamesRadar+ ''GamesRadar+'' (formerly ''GamesRadar'') is an entertainment website for video game-related news, previews, and reviews. It is owned by Future plc. In late 2014, Future Publishing-owned sites '' Total Film'', ''SFX'', '' Edge'' and '' Compute ...
, date=2020 , access-date=October 1, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925055733/https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/best-sci-fi-movies/ , archive-date=September 25, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , title=The Best Sci-fi And Fantasy Films: In Pictures , url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/gallery/2010/oct/21/25-science-fiction-fantasy , website=
The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper A newspaper is a periodical publication containing written information about current events and is often typed in black ink with a white or gray background. Newspapers can cover a wide ...
, date=October 21, 2010 , access-date=October 1, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331195403/https://www.theguardian.com/film/gallery/2010/oct/21/25-science-fiction-fantasy , archive-date=March 31, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , title=Top 100 Sci-Fi Movies , url=https://www.ign.com/lists/best-science-fiction-movies/17 , website= IGN , access-date=October 1, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411030122/https://www.ign.com/lists/best-science-fiction-movies/17 , archive-date=April 11, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web, first=Michael , last=Burgin , title=The 100 Best Sci-Fi Movies of All Time , url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/sci-fi-movies/the-100-best-sci-fi-movies-of-all-time/#14-back-to-the-future , website=
Paste Paste is a term for any very thick viscous fluid. It may refer to: Science and technology * Adhesive or paste ** Wallpaper paste ** Wheatpaste, A liquid adhesive made from vegetable starch and water * Paste (rheology), a substance that behaves a ...
, date=November 13, 2018 , access-date=October 1, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430193727/https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/sci-fi-movies/the-100-best-sci-fi-movies-of-all-time/ , archive-date=April 30, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , title=150 Essential Sci-Fi Movies To Watch Now , url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-sci-fi-movies-of-all-time/ , website=
Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wan ...
, access-date=October 1, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926195854/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-sci-fi-movies-of-all-time/ , archive-date=September 26, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , title=The Top 10 Science Fiction Films Of All Time , url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-top-10-science-fiction-films-of-all-time , website= SyFy , access-date=October 1, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815192438/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-top-10-science-fiction-films-of-all-time , archive-date=August 15, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web, first=Russ , last=Fischer , title=The 50 Greatest Sci-Fi Films Of All Time , url=https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/best-sci-fi-movies-of-all-time-ranked , website= Thrillist , date=April 1, 2018 , access-date=October 1, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706060719/https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/best-sci-fi-movies-of-all-time-ranked , archive-date=July 6, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web, first1=Alex , last1=Plim, first2=Tom , last2=Huddleston, first3=Geoff , last3=Andrew, first4=Catherine , last4=Bray, first5=Dave , last5=Calhoun, first6=Cath , last6=Clarke, first7=Alex , last7=Dudok de Wit, first8=Eddy , last8=Frankel , first9=Trevor , last9=Johnston, first10=Alim , last10=Kheraj, first11=Joshua , last11=Rothkopf, first12=Phil , last12=de Semlyen , first13=Anna , last13=Smith , first14=Keith , last14=Uhlich , title=The 100 Best Sci-fi Movies , url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/the-100-best-sci-fi-movies , website=
Time Out Time-out, Time Out, or timeout may refer to: Time * Time-out (sport), in various sports, a break in play, called by a team * Television timeout, a break in sporting action so that a commercial break may be taken * Timeout (computing), an enginee ...
, date=February 20, 2020 , access-date=October 1, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728100848/https://www.timeout.com/london/film/the-100-best-sci-fi-movies , archive-date= July 28, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , title=The Best Sci-fi Movies Everyone Should Watch Once , url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/best-sci-fi-movies-of-all-time , website= Wired , date=September 4, 2020 , access-date=September 29, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402185041/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/best-sci-fi-movies-of-all-time , archive-date=April 2, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web , first= Scott , last=Holleran , title = Brain Storm: An Interview With Bob Gale , url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/features/?id=1258&pagenum=all&p=.htm , website =
Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo is an American website that tracks box-office revenue in a systematic, algorithmic way. The site was founded in 1998 by Brandon Gray, and was bought in 2008 by IMDb, which itself is owned by Amazon. History Brandon Gray ...
, date = November 18, 2003 , access-date = September 8, 2020 , archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081206113659/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/features/?id=1258&pagenum=all&p=.htm , archive-date = December 6, 2008 , url-status = dead
{{cite web, access-date=May 31, 2016, url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=backtothefuture.htm&adjust_yr=1&p=.htm, title=''Back To The Future'' (1985), website=
Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo is an American website that tracks box-office revenue in a systematic, algorithmic way. The site was founded in 1998 by Brandon Gray, and was bought in 2008 by IMDb, which itself is owned by Amazon. History Brandon Gray ...
, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804220000/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=backtothefuture.htm&adjust_yr=1&p=.htm, archive-date=August 4, 2016, url-status=dead
{{cite web, title=''Back to the Future'' , url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2974385665/?ref_=bo_we_table_1 , website=
Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo is an American website that tracks box-office revenue in a systematic, algorithmic way. The site was founded in 1998 by Brandon Gray, and was bought in 2008 by IMDb, which itself is owned by Amazon. History Brandon Gray ...
, access-date=September 29, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929134501/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2974385665/?ref_=bo_we_table_1 , archive-date=September 29, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, title=Domestic Box Office For 1985 , url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/1985/ , website=
Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo is an American website that tracks box-office revenue in a systematic, algorithmic way. The site was founded in 1998 by Brandon Gray, and was bought in 2008 by IMDb, which itself is owned by Amazon. History Brandon Gray ...
, access-date=September 29, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803090741/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/1985/ , archive-date=August 3, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, title= Back to the Future – Domestic Weekend , url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2974385665/weekend/?ref_=bo_rl_tab#tabs , website=
Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo is an American website that tracks box-office revenue in a systematic, algorithmic way. The site was founded in 1998 by Brandon Gray, and was bought in 2008 by IMDb, which itself is owned by Amazon. History Brandon Gray ...
, access-date=September 29, 2020, archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200929134905/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2974385665/weekend/?ref_=bo_rl_tab , archive-date=September 29, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, title=1985 Worldwide Box Office , url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/1985/ , website=
Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo is an American website that tracks box-office revenue in a systematic, algorithmic way. The site was founded in 1998 by Brandon Gray, and was bought in 2008 by IMDb, which itself is owned by Amazon. History Brandon Gray ...
, access-date=September 29, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929135206/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/1985/ , archive-date=September 29, 2020 , url-status=dead
{{cite Box Office Mojo , title=Back to the Future , id=0088763 , access-date=September 29, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929135355/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0088763/?ref_=bo_gr_ti , archive-date= September 29, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web, title=Domestic 1985 Weekend 27 – July 5–7, 1985 , url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/1985W27/?ref_=bo_rl_table_1 , website=
Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo is an American website that tracks box-office revenue in a systematic, algorithmic way. The site was founded in 1998 by Brandon Gray, and was bought in 2008 by IMDb, which itself is owned by Amazon. History Brandon Gray ...
, access-date=September 29, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929135535/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/1985W27/?ref_=bo_rl_table_1 , archive-date= September 29, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, title=Domestic 1985 Weekend 28 – July 12–14, 1985 , url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/1985W28/?ref_=bo_rl_table_2 , website=
Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo is an American website that tracks box-office revenue in a systematic, algorithmic way. The site was founded in 1998 by Brandon Gray, and was bought in 2008 by IMDb, which itself is owned by Amazon. History Brandon Gray ...
, access-date=September 29, 2020 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200929135713/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/1985W28/?ref_=bo_rl_table_2 , archive-date= September 29, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, title=Domestic 1985 Weekend 29 – July 19–21, 1985 , url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/1985W29/?ref_=bo_rl_table_3 , website=
Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo is an American website that tracks box-office revenue in a systematic, algorithmic way. The site was founded in 1998 by Brandon Gray, and was bought in 2008 by IMDb, which itself is owned by Amazon. History Brandon Gray ...
, access-date=September 29, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929135731/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/1985W29/?ref_=bo_rl_table_3 , archive-date= September 29, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , title=''Back To The Future'' , url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2974385665/?ref_=bo_gr_rls , website=
Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo is an American website that tracks box-office revenue in a systematic, algorithmic way. The site was founded in 1998 by Brandon Gray, and was bought in 2008 by IMDb, which itself is owned by Amazon. History Brandon Gray ...
, access-date=September 29, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929135838/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2974385665/?ref_=bo_gr_rls , archive-date= September 29, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , title=Interview: Special Effects Consultant Michael Fink , url=https://www.backtothefuture.com/news/2018/12/27/an-interview-with-back-to-the-future-special-effects-consultant-michael-fink , website=BacktotheFuture.com , access-date=September 20, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807035434/https://www.backtothefuture.com/news/2018/12/27/an-interview-with-back-to-the-future-special-effects-consultant-michael-fink , archive-date=August 7, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web , first=Tom , last=Silknitter , title=Restored ''Back To The Future'' Hero Delorean Time Machine Now On Display At Universal Studios , url=http://www.bttf.com/restored-a-car-.php , website=BacktotheFuture.com , date=February 18, 2013 , access-date=September 29, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815165841/http://www.bttf.com/restored-a-car-.php, archive-date=August 15, 2013 , url-status=dead {{cite web , title=Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack , url=https://www.backtothefuture.com/movies/music-from-the-motion-picture-soundtrack , website=BacktotheFuture.com , access-date=September 29, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914200607/https://www.backtothefuture.com/movies/music-from-the-motion-picture-soundtrack , archive-date=September 14, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web , first=Brian , last=Cronin , title=Did Tony Hawk Choreograph The Skateboarding In ''Back To The Future''? , url=https://www.cbr.com/back-to-the-future-tony-hawk-skateboarding/, website=
Comic Book Resources ''Comic Book Resources'', also known by the initialism CBR, is a website dedicated to the coverage of comic book–related news and discussion. History Comic Book Resources was founded by Jonah Weiland in 1995 as a development of the Kingdom ...
, date=February 9, 2019 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021112233/https://www.cbr.com/back-to-the-future-tony-hawk-skateboarding/ , archive-date=October 21, 2019 , url-status=live
{{cite web , title=''Back To The Future'' , url=http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/43913/Back-to-the-Future/ , website=ComputingHistory.org.uk , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113170722/http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/43913/Back-to-the-Future/ , archive-date=January 13, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web , url = https://collider.com/back-to-the-future-original-ending-bob-gale/ , title = How the Original ''Back To The Future'' Ending Inspired ''Indiana Jones 4'' , first = Adam , last = Chitwood , date= October 19, 2020 , access-date = October 19, 2020 , website= Collider , archive-date = October 20, 2020 , archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201020202056/https://collider.com/back-to-the-future-original-ending-bob-gale/ , url-status = live {{cite web , first=Germain , last=Lussier , url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/jon-cryer-and-ben-stiller-auditioned-for-a-very-differe-1844544821 , title=Jon Cryer And Ben Stiller Auditioned For A Very Different ''Back To The Future'' , website= io9 , date=July 29, 2020 , access-date= September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803101144/https://io9.gizmodo.com/jon-cryer-and-ben-stiller-auditioned-for-a-very-differe-1844544821 , archive-date=August 3, 2020 , url-status= live {{cite web, first=Henry , last=Hanks, title=Going ''Back To The Future'', 25 Years Later, url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/20/bttf.anniversary.go/index.html, website= CNN , date=October 26, 2010 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222230003/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/20/bttf.anniversary.go/index.html, archive-date=February 22, 2014, url-status=live {{cite web, last=Rudolph , first=Christopher , title=The Surprising History Of The ''Back To The Future'' Clock Tower , url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/12/back-to-the-future-clock-tower_n_4242145.html , website=
The Huffington Post ''HuffPost'' (formerly ''The Huffington Post'' until 2017 and sometimes abbreviated ''HuffPo'') is an American progressive news website, with localized and international editions. The site offers news, satire, blogs, and original content, and ...
, date=November 12, 2013, access-date=September 16, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112160308/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/12/back-to-the-future-clock-tower_n_4242145.html , archive-date=November 12, 2013 , url-status=live
{{cite web, title=President Ronald Reagan's Address Before A Joint Session Of Congress On The State Of The Union , url=http://www.c-span.org/executive/transcript.asp?cat=current_event&code=bush_admin&year=1986 , website=
C-SPAN Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN ) is an American cable and satellite television network that was created in 1979 by the cable television industry as a nonprofit public service. It televises many proceedings of the United Stat ...
, date=February 4, 1986, access-date=November 26, 2006 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928205251/http://www.c-span.org/executive/transcript.asp?cat=current_event&code=bush_admin&year=1986 , archive-date=September 28, 2006 , url-status = dead
{{cite web, last1=Chiland , first1=Elijah , title=The Ultimate ''Back To The Future'' Filming Locations Map , url=https://la.curbed.com/maps/back-to-the-future-filming-locations , website= Curbed , date=March 31, 2020 , access-date=September 16, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617223117/https://la.curbed.com/maps/back-to-the-future-filming-locations , archive-date=June 17, 2020, url-status=live {{cite web, last=Fleming , first=Mike , title=Blast From The Past On ''Back To The Future'': How Frank Price Rescued Robert Zemeckis' Classic From Obscurity , url=https://deadline.com/2015/10/back-to-the-future-frank-price-rescued-robert-zemeckis-classic-1201590119/ , date=October 21, 2015, access-date=October 22, 2015 , website=
Deadline Hollywood ''Deadline Hollywood'', commonly known as ''Deadline'' and also referred to as ''Deadline.com'', is an online news site founded as the news blog ''Deadline Hollywood Daily'' by Nikki Finke in 2006. The site is updated several times a day, w ...
, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022204947/http://deadline.com/2015/10/back-to-the-future-frank-price-rescued-robert-zemeckis-classic-1201590119/ , archive-date=October 22, 2015 , url-status=live
{{cite web, last=Anderton , first=Joe , title=''Back To The Future'' Writer Responds To Marty Mcfly Fan Theory, url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a33213136/back-to-the-future-marty-mcfly-fan-theory/ , website=
Digital Spy Digital Spy (DS) is a British-based entertainment, television and film website and brand and is the largest digital property at Hearst UK. Since its launch in 1999, Digital Spy has focused on entertainment news related to television programmes, ...
, date=June 7, 2020, access-date=September 17, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821031751/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a33213136/back-to-the-future-marty-mcfly-fan-theory/, archive-date=August 21, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Chris , last=Edwards , title=''Back To The Future''{{'s New Board Game Will Let You Battle Biff Just Like Marty Mcfly, url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a32783719/back-to-the-future-new-board-game/ , website=
Digital Spy Digital Spy (DS) is a British-based entertainment, television and film website and brand and is the largest digital property at Hearst UK. Since its launch in 1999, Digital Spy has focused on entertainment news related to television programmes, ...
, date=June 21, 2020 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715112701/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a32783719/back-to-the-future-new-board-game/ , archive-date=July 15, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=Aaron , last=Birch , title=The ''Back To The Future'' Game You've Probably Never Played , url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/the-back-to-the-future-game-youve-probably-never-played/ , website=
Den of Geek ''Den of Geek'' is a US and UK-based website covering entertainment with a focus on pop culture. The website also issues a bi-annual magazine. History ''Den of Geek'' was founded in 2007 by Simon Brew in London. In 2012, DoG Tech LLC licensed ...
, date=July 30, 2015 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930161736/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/the-back-to-the-future-game-youve-probably-never-played/ , archive-date=September 30, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=Simon , last=Brew , title=Giving ''Back To The Future Part II'' Its Due , url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/giving-back-to-the-future-part-ii-its-due/ , website=
Den of Geek ''Den of Geek'' is a US and UK-based website covering entertainment with a focus on pop culture. The website also issues a bi-annual magazine. History ''Den of Geek'' was founded in 2007 by Simon Brew in London. In 2012, DoG Tech LLC licensed ...
, date=October 21, 2015 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805165722/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/giving-back-to-the-future-part-ii-its-due/ , archive-date=August 5, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=Seb , last=Patrick , title=''Back To The Future'': 88 Things You Missed In The Trilogy , url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/back-to-the-future-trilogy-things-you-missed/ , website=
Den of Geek ''Den of Geek'' is a US and UK-based website covering entertainment with a focus on pop culture. The website also issues a bi-annual magazine. History ''Den of Geek'' was founded in 2007 by Simon Brew in London. In 2012, DoG Tech LLC licensed ...
, date=November 22, 2019 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704233320/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/back-to-the-future-trilogy-things-you-missed/ , archive-date=July 4, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=Simon , last=Brew , title=Looking Back At ''Back To The Future Part III'' , url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/looking-back-at-back-to-the-future-part-iii/ , website=
Den of Geek ''Den of Geek'' is a US and UK-based website covering entertainment with a focus on pop culture. The website also issues a bi-annual magazine. History ''Den of Geek'' was founded in 2007 by Simon Brew in London. In 2012, DoG Tech LLC licensed ...
, date=October 20, 2010 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705004242/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/looking-back-at-back-to-the-future-part-iii/ , archive-date=July 5, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=David , last=McComb , url=https://www.empireonline.com/gaming/reviews/back-future-game-review/ , title=''Back to the Future'': The Game Review , website=
Empire An empire is a "political unit" made up of several territories and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the empire (sometimes referred to as the metropole) ex ...
, date=May 15, 2012 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006150219/https://www.empireonline.com/gaming/reviews/back-future-game-review/ , archive-date=October 6, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , title=The 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time , date=October 3, 2008 , website=
Empire An empire is a "political unit" made up of several territories and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the empire (sometimes referred to as the metropole) ex ...
, url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/500-greatest-movies/ , access-date=May 2, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106021352/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/500-greatest-movies/ , archive-date=November 6, 2016 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=Ben , last=Travis , url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/back-to-the-future-michael-j-fox-interview-johnny-b-goode-scene/ , title=''Back To The Future'': Michael J. Fox On Shooting The Iconic Johnny B. Goode Scene , website=
Empire An empire is a "political unit" made up of several territories and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the empire (sometimes referred to as the metropole) ex ...
, date=July 9, 2020 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929151803/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/back-to-the-future-michael-j-fox-interview-johnny-b-goode-scene/ , archive-date=September 29, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=James , last=White , url=https://www.empireonline.com/shopping/movies/best-back-to-the-future-merchandise/ , title=The Best ''Back To The Future'' Merchandise , website=
Empire An empire is a "political unit" made up of several territories and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the empire (sometimes referred to as the metropole) ex ...
, date=June 10, 2020 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002203816/https://www.empireonline.com/shopping/movies/best-back-to-the-future-merchandise/ , archive-date=October 2, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-movies/ , title=The 100 Greatest Movies , website=
Empire An empire is a "political unit" made up of several territories and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the empire (sometimes referred to as the metropole) ex ...
, date=June 23, 2017 , access-date=November 29, 2017 , archive-url=https://archive.today/20171129203213/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-movies/ , archive-date=November 29, 2017 , url-status=dead
{{cite web, url=http://www.empireonline.com/100-greatest-movie-characters/default.asp?c=39 , title=The 100 Greatest Movie Characters – 39. Marty McFly , website=
Empire An empire is a "political unit" made up of several territories and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the empire (sometimes referred to as the metropole) ex ...
, access-date=June 17, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107044931/http://www.empireonline.com/100-greatest-movie-characters/default.asp?c=39 , archive-date=November 7, 2011 , url-status=dead
{{cite web, url=http://www.empireonline.com/100-greatest-movie-characters/default.asp?c=76, title=The 100 Greatest Movie Characters – 76. Dr. Emmett Brown , website=
Empire An empire is a "political unit" made up of several territories and peoples, "usually created by conquest, and divided between a dominant center and subordinate peripheries". The center of the empire (sometimes referred to as the metropole) ex ...
, access-date=June 17, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107045143/http://www.empireonline.com/100-greatest-movie-characters/default.asp?c=76 , archive-date=November 7, 2011 , url-status=dead
{{cite web, last=Koknow, first=David, title=How ''Back To The Future'' Almost Didn't Get Made, url=http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a35559/back-to-the-future-production/, website=
Esquire Esquire (, ; abbreviated Esq.) is usually a courtesy title. In the United Kingdom, ''esquire'' historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman ...
, date=June 9, 2015 , access-date=July 14, 2016, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160726055320/http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a35559/back-to-the-future-production/, archive-date=July 26, 2016, url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Jonathon , last=Dornbush , title=Rocket League Adds ''Back To The Future'' DeLorean , url=https://ew.com/article/2015/10/12/back-to-the-future-delorean-rocket-league/ , website=
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cult ...
, date=October 12, 2015 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619201935/https://ew.com/article/2015/10/12/back-to-the-future-delorean-rocket-league/ , archive-date=June 19, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Amber , last=Ray , title=See Doc Brown's Cameo In ''A Million Ways to Die in the West'' , url= https://ew.com/article/2014/05/24/doc-brown-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-trailer-video/ , website=
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cult ...
, date=May 24, 2014 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200603100813/https://ew.com/article/2014/05/24/doc-brown-a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west-trailer-video/ , archive-date=June 3, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Maureen Lee , last=Lenker , title=''Back To The Future'' Cast To Reunite For 35Th Anniversary At Tcm Classic Film Festival , url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/12/11/back-to-the-future-reunion-35th-anniversary-tcm-classic-film-festival/ , website=
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cult ...
, date=December 11, 2019 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003173845/https://ew.com/movies/2019/12/11/back-to-the-future-reunion-35th-anniversary-tcm-classic-film-festival/ , archive-date=October 3, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Oliver , last=Gettell , title=''Back to the Future'': Michael J. Fox On Film's Timeless Nature , url=https://ew.com/article/2016/10/20/michael-j-fox-back-future-timeless-nature/ , website=
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cult ...
, date=December 24, 2016 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619202839/https://ew.com/article/2016/10/20/michael-j-fox-back-future-timeless-nature/ , archive-date=June 19, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Lauren , last=Huff , title= Great Scott! Michael J. Fox And Christopher Lloyd Have A ''Back To The Future'' Reunion , url=https://ew.com/movies/michael-j-fox-christopher-lloyd-back-to-the-future-reunion-poker-night/ , website=
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cult ...
, date=March 5, 2020 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619202203/https://ew.com/movies/michael-j-fox-christopher-lloyd-back-to-the-future-reunion-poker-night/ , archive-date=June 19, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Rosy , last=Cordero , title=Great Scott! Watch ''Back To The Future'' Cast Have Virtual Reunion Hosted By Josh Gad , url=https://ew.com/movies/back-to-the-future-cast-reunion/ , website=
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cult ...
, date=May 11, 2020 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200619213543/https://ew.com/movies/back-to-the-future-cast-reunion/ , archive-date= June 19, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Marla , last=Pasquini , title=''Back To The Future'' Stars Reunite At Fan Convention: 'This Was Special' , url=https://ew.com/movies/2018/08/12/back-to-the-future-stars-reunite-fan-convention/ , website=
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cult ...
, date=August 12, 2018 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619194646/https://ew.com/movies/2018/08/12/back-to-the-future-stars-reunite-fan-convention/ , archive-date=June 19, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Evan , last=Slead , title=''Back To The Future'': Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson Talk About The Iconic Delorean , url=https://ew.com/article/2016/10/20/michael-j-fox-lea-thompson-back-future-delorean-ew-reunites/ , website=
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cult ...
, date=October 20, 2016 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619203036/https://ew.com/article/2016/10/20/michael-j-fox-lea-thompson-back-future-delorean-ew-reunites/ , archive-date=June 19, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Oliver , last=Gettell , title= ''Back To The Future'' Day: 27 Million Facebook Users Went On A Nostalgia Trip, url=https://ew.com/article/2015/10/22/back-future-day-facebook/ , website=
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cult ...
, date=October 22, 2015 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200619201632/https://ew.com/article/2015/10/22/back-future-day-facebook/ , archive-date=June 19, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Jonathon , last=Dornbush , title=Doc Brown Saves The World ''Back To The Future'' Teaser , url=https://ew.com/article/2015/09/29/doc-brown-saves-world-back-future-teaser/ , website=
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cult ...
, date=September 29, 2015 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619202247/https://ew.com/article/2015/09/29/doc-brown-saves-world-back-future-teaser/ , archive-date= June 19, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Isabella , last=Bledenharn , title=''Back To The Future'' Anniversary: What Critics Thought 30 Years Ago , url=https://ew.com/article/2015/07/02/back-to-the-future-anniversary-reviews/ , website=
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cult ...
, date=July 2, 2015 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619202515/https://ew.com/article/2015/07/02/back-to-the-future-anniversary-reviews/ , archive-date=June 19, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, title=50 Best High School Movies , url=https://ew.com/gallery/50-best-high-school-movies-0/?slide=383508#383508 , website=
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cult ...
, date=August 28, 2015 , access-date=September 22, 2020 , archive-url=https://archive.today/20200922173647/https://ew.com/gallery/50-best-high-school-movies-0/?slide=383487%23383487 , archive-date=September 22, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , title= Film4's 50 Films To See Before You Die , url= http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/feature.jsp?id=161521&page=4#comments , website= Film4, date=August 28, 2015, access-date=February 10, 2009, archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090215041733/http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/feature.jsp?id=161521&page=5 , archive-date= February 15, 2009 , url-status = live {{cite web , first=Christian , last=Clemmensen , url=https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/back_future.html , title=''Back To The Future'' , website= Filmtracks.com , date=April 11, 2016 , access-date=August 11, 2021 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130133540/https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/back_future.html, archive-date=November 30, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web , first=Michael , last=Gingold , url=http://fangoria.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4772:jill-schoelens-spielberg-memories&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=167 , title=Jill's Spielberg Memories , website= Fangoria , date=June 13, 2011 , access-date=September 10, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619213401/http://fangoria.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4772:jill-schoelens-spielberg-memories&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=167 , archive-date=June 19, 2013 , url-status=dead {{cite web , first=Ian, last=Failes , title=The Future Is Today: How ILM Made Time Travel Possible , url=https://www.fxguide.com/featured/the-future-is-today-how-ilm-made-time-travel-possible-frame-by-frame/ , website= Fxguide , date=October 21, 2015 , access-date=June 12, 2016 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701211801/https://www.fxguide.com/featured/the-future-is-today-how-ilm-made-time-travel-possible-frame-by-frame/ , archive-date=July 1, 2016 , url-status=live {{cite web , first=Robert , last=Workman , title=The Bumpy History Of ''Back To The Future'' Video Games , url=https://nerdist.com/article/up-to-88-mph-the-bumpy-history-of-back-to-the-future-video-games/ , website= Nerdist , date=October 21, 2015 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107015356/https://geekandsundry.com/up-to-88-mph-the-bumpy-history-of-back-to-the-future-video-games/ , archive-date=November 7, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web , url =https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/1986/all , title = Winners & Nominees 1986 , website=
Hollywood Foreign Press Association The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) is a nonprofit organization of journalists and photographers who report on the entertainment industry activity and interests in the United States for media (newspaper, magazine and book publication ...
, access-date =September 20, 2020 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081206041829/http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/film/23660, archive-date= December 6, 2008 , url-status = live
{{cite web , url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Back-Future-George-Gipe/dp/0552127744 , title=''Back to the Future'' Paperback – 15 Nov. 1985 , website=
Amazon Amazon most often refers to: * Amazons, a tribe of female warriors in Greek mythology * Amazon rainforest, a rainforest covering most of the Amazon basin * Amazon River, in South America * Amazon (company), an American multinational technolog ...
, access-date= September 29, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315215209/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Back-Future-George-Gipe/dp/0552127744 , archive-date=March 15, 2016 , url-status= live
{{cite web , first=Charlie Jane , last=Anders , url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/10-incredible-secrets-about-the-making-of-back-to-the-f-1711997750 , title=11 Incredible Secrets About The Making Of ''Back To The Future'' , website= io9 , date= June 17, 2015 , access-date= September 15, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229231657/https://io9.gizmodo.com/10-incredible-secrets-about-the-making-of-back-to-the-f-1711997750 , archive-date=February 29, 2020 , url-status= live {{cite web , first1=Samuel , last1=Roberts , first2=Tom , last2=Senior , url=https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/flying-cars-are-rad-as-hell-in-gta-onlines-doomsday-heist/ , title=Flying Cars Are Rad As Hell In GTA Online's Doomsday Heist , website= PC Gamer , date=December 21, 2017 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006221357/https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/flying-cars-are-rad-as-hell-in-gta-onlines-doomsday-heist/ , archive-date=October 6, 2020 , url-status= live {{cite web , first=Brian , last=Cronin , title=Did ''Back To The Future'' Originally Not End With 'To Be Continued'? , url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/did-back-to-the-future-or_b_8344288 , website=
HuffPost ''HuffPost'' (formerly ''The Huffington Post'' until 2017 and sometimes abbreviated ''HuffPo'') is an American progressive news website, with localized and international editions. The site offers news, satire, blogs, and original content, and ...
, date=October 21, 2015 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424114654/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/did-back-to-the-future-or_b_8344288 , archive-date=April 24, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=Richard , last=Lawler , title=''Back To The Future''{{'s 25th Anniversary Celebrated By A Blu-ray Box Set October 26 , url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-06-28-back-to-the-futures-25th-anniversary-celebrated-by-a-blu-ray-bo.html , website=
Engadget ''Engadget'' ( ) is a multilingual technology blog network with daily coverage of gadgets and consumer electronics. ''Engadget'' manages ten blogs four of which are written in English and six have international versions with independent editor ...
, date=June 28, 2010 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008130351/https://www.engadget.com/2010-06-28-back-to-the-futures-25th-anniversary-celebrated-by-a-blu-ray-bo.html , archive-date=October 8, 2020 , url-status=dead
{{cite web, first=Jeremy , last=Conrad , title=''Back To The Future'' Trilogy DVD Box Set Review , url= https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/12/19/back-to-the-future-trilogy, website= IGN , date= April 25, 2020 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://archive.today/20200930180817/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/12/19/back-to-the-future-trilogy , archive-date=September 30, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web , url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/back-to-the-future-25-years-later-2092687.html , title=''Back To The Future'' 25 Years Later, website=
The Independent ''The Independent'' is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the ''Indy'', it began as a broadsheet and changed to tabloid format in 2003. The last printed edition was publishe ...
, date=September 29, 2010 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410005032/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/back-to-the-future-25-years-later-2092687.html , archive-date=April 10, 2020 , url-status=dead
{{cite web , url = http://www.thehugoawards.org/?page_id=34 , title = 1986 Hugo Awards , website= World Science Fiction Society, access-date = September 30, 2020, archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080928150653/http://www.thehugoawards.org/?page_id=34, archive-date= September 28, 2008 , url-status = live {{cite web , first=Matt , last=Goldberg , url=https://collider.com/back-to-the-future-trilogy-4k-release-date-details-bonus-features/ , title=''Back To The Future'' Trilogy Coming To 4K With New Bonus Features , website= Collider , date=July 27, 2020 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://archive.today/20200930164401/https://collider.com/back-to-the-future-trilogy-4k-release-date-details-bonus-features/ , archive-date=September 30, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web, first=Ana Maria , last=Bahiana , title=An Oral History Of ''Back To The Future'', By Robert Zemeckis, url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/exclusives/oral-history-back-future-robert-zemeckis-31870 , website=
Hollywood Foreign Press Association The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) is a nonprofit organization of journalists and photographers who report on the entertainment industry activity and interests in the United States for media (newspaper, magazine and book publication ...
, date=October 21, 2015 , access-date=September 1, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624203603/https://www.goldenglobes.com/exclusives/oral-history-back-future-robert-zemeckis-31870 , archive-date=June 24, 2019 , url-status=live
{{cite web , last=Banks , first=Alec , title=Why Crispin Glover Refused To Do the ''Back to the Future'' Sequels , url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/back-to-the-future-crispin-glover/ , date=October 22, 2015 , website= Highsnobiety , access-date=September 13, 2020 , archive-url=https://archive.today/20200913213436/https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/back-to-the-future-crispin-glover/ , archive-date=September 13, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web , first=Charlie Jane , last=Anders , url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/is-the-novelization-of-back-to-the-future-a-literary-ma-5894664 , title=Is The Novelization Of ''Back To The Future'' A Literary Masterpiece? Shockingly, No. , website= io9 , date= June 17, 2015 , access-date= September 29, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929162115/https://io9.gizmodo.com/is-the-novelization-of-back-to-the-future-a-literary-ma-5894664 , archive-date=September 29, 2020 , url-status= live {{cite web , first=Jacob , last=Stolworthy, url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/matthew-modine-interview-wrong-turn-stranger-things-b1804216.html , title=Matthew Modine: 'America Has Never Dealt Honestly With What Its History Is' , website=
The Independent ''The Independent'' is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the ''Indy'', it began as a broadsheet and changed to tabloid format in 2003. The last printed edition was publishe ...
, date= February 21, 2021 , access-date=June 15, 2022 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223221029/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/matthew-modine-interview-wrong-turn-stranger-things-b1804216.html , archive-date=February 23, 2021 , url-status= live
{{cite web , first=Nancy , last=Burns-Fusaro , url=https://www.thewesterlysun.com/lifestyle/entertainment/back-to-the-futures-j-j-cohen-to-make-appearance-at-misquamicut-drive-in/article_80b5e286-c504-11ea-a67e-e7d4f7017951.html , title=''Back To The Future''{{'s J.J. Cohen To Make Appearance At Misquamicut Drive-in , website= The Westerly Sun , date= July 15, 2020 , access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717003116/https://www.thewesterlysun.com/lifestyle/entertainment/back-to-the-futures-j-j-cohen-to-make-appearance-at-misquamicut-drive-in/article_80b5e286-c504-11ea-a67e-e7d4f7017951.html , archive-date=July 17, 2020 , url-status= live {{cite web , first=Nathan , last=Sharp , url=https://screenrant.com/10-thilittle-known-facts-behind-scenes-making-of-back-to-the-future-movie/ , title=10 Things You Didn't Know About The Making Of ''Back To The Future'' , website=
Screen Rant ''Screen Rant'' is an entertainment website that offers news in the fields of television, films, video games, and film theories. ''Screen Rant'' was launched by Vic Holtreman in 2003, and originally had its primary office in Ogden, Utah. ''Scr ...
, date= June 17, 2015 , access-date=October 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929162115/https://io9.gizmodo.com/is-the-novelization-of-back-to-the-future-a-literary-ma-5894664 , archive-date=September 29, 2020 , url-status= live
{{cite web, first=Sheila , last=Benson , author-link=Sheila Benson , title=Movie Review : An Underpowered Trip ''Back To The Future'', url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-03-ca-10392-story.html , website=
Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the ...
, date=July 3, 1985 , access-date=September 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906210107/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-03-ca-10392-story.html, archive-date=September 6, 2020 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web , first1=Justin , last1=Chang , first2=Mark , last2=Olsen , author-link1=Justin Chang , title=Has ''Back To The Future'' Aged Well? Our Critics Take A Closer Look At A Summer Fave , url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-07-16/back-to-the-future-ultimate-summer-movie-showdown , website=
Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the ...
, date=July 16, 2020 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001032254/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-07-16/back-to-the-future-ultimate-summer-movie-showdown , archive-date=October 1, 2020 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web , first=Emanuel , last=Levy, author-link=Emanuel Levy , title=''Back To The Future'': Revisiting 1985's Most Popular Film, Directed By Robert Zemeckis And Starring Michael J. Fox , url=https://emanuellevy.com/review/featured-review/back-to-the-future-revisiting-the-most-popular-film-of-1985/ , website=
Emanuellevy.com Emanuel Levy is an American film critic and professor who has taught at Columbia University, New School for Social Research, Wellesley College, Arizona State University and UCLA Film School. Levy currently teaches in the department of cinem ...
, date=October 2, 2015 , access-date=June 23, 2022 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510195621/https://emanuellevy.com/review/featured-review/back-to-the-future-revisiting-the-most-popular-film-of-1985/ , archive-date=May 10, 2021 , url-status=live
{{cite web, url=https://www.loc.gov/film/nfr2007.html , title=National Film Registry 2007, Films Selected For The 2007 National Film Registry, website=
loc.gov The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The library ...
, access-date=February 4, 2008 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131121632/http://www.loc.gov/film/nfr2007.html , archive-date=January 31, 2008 , url-status = dead
{{cite web, first=Casey , last=Cipriani , title=Marty McFly's Entire Backstory Explained , url=https://www.looper.com/229580/marty-mcflys-entire-backstory-explained/ , website=
Looper.com 7Hops.com Inc., doing business as Static Media, is an American internet company established in 2012 based in Indianapolis. It operates ZergNet, a content recommendation business. ZergNet Established around 2011, ZergNet has been compared to Ou ...
, date=July 23, 2020 , access-date=October 9, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009131959/https://www.looper.com/229580/marty-mcflys-entire-backstory-explained/ , archive-date=October 9, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25976383 , title=''Back To The Future'' Musical Announced , website=
BBC News Online BBC News Online is the website of BBC News, the division of the BBC responsible for newsgathering and production. It is one of the most popular news websites, with 1.2 billion website visits in April 2021, as well as being used by 60% of the ...
, date=January 31, 2014 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131151527/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25976383 , archive-date=January 31, 2014 , url-status=live
{{cite web, url=https://www.contactmusic.com/mcfly/, title=McFly Biography, website= Contactmusic.com, access-date=August 25, 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113122043/https://www.contactmusic.com/mcfly , archive-date=January 13, 2020, url-status=live {{cite web , first= Caitlin , last=Schneider , url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/70108/see-list-all-actors-who-could-have-played-doc-brown , title=See A List Of All The Actors Who Could Have Played Doc Brown , website=
Mental Floss ''Mental Floss'' (stylized as ''mental_floss'') is an online magazine and its related American digital, print, and e-commerce media company focused on millennials. It is owned by Minute Media and based in New York City, United States. mentalfloss ...
, date=October 20, 2015 , access-date=October 1, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019140053/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/70108/see-list-all-actors-who-could-have-played-doc-brown , archive-date= October 19, 2019 , url-status= live
{{cite web, first=Michael , last=Walsh , title=Transformers Unveils ''Back To The Future'' Bot , url=https://nerdist.com/article/back-to-the-future-transformer-delorean/, website=
Nerdist.com Nerdist Industries, LLC is part of the digital division of Legendary Entertainment. Nerdist Industries was founded as a sole podcast (The Nerdist Podcast) created by Chris Hardwick but later spread to include a network of podcasts, a premium conte ...
, date=July 22, 2020 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924085555/https://nerdist.com/article/back-to-the-future-transformer-delorean/ , archive-date=September 24, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , title=''Back To The Future'' Reviews , url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/back-to-the-future, access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217004447/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/back-to-the-future, archive-date=February 17, 2015, url-status=live , website=
Metacritic Metacritic is a website that aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created by Jason Dietz, Marc ...
{{cite web , first=Lizzie , last=Edmonds , title=''Back To The Future'' Musical Heading To London's West End Next Year , url=https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/back-to-the-future-musical-london-west-end-a4542296.html , website=
Evening Standard The ''Evening Standard'', formerly ''The Standard'' (1827–1904), also known as the ''London Evening Standard'', is a local free daily newspaper in London, England, published Monday to Friday in tabloid format. In October 2009, after be ...
, date=September 8, 2020 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908144918/https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/back-to-the-future-musical-london-west-end-a4542296.html , archive-date=September 8, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Lucy , last=Campbell , title='This Is The New Standard For Spectacle': Fans React To The ''Back To The Future'' Musical , url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/feb/23/fans-react-back-to-the-future-musical-manchester-opera-house , website=
The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper A newspaper is a periodical publication containing written information about current events and is often typed in black ink with a white or gray background. Newspapers can cover a wide ...
, date=February 23, 2020 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://archive.today/20200513040433/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/feb/23/fans-react-back-to-the-future-musical-manchester-opera-house , archive-date=May 13, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=Michael , last=Walsh , title=Mondo Goes ''Back To The Future'' For 35th Anniversary , url=https://nerdist.com/article/mondo-back-to-the-future-35th-anniversary-merchandise/ , website=
Nerdist.com Nerdist Industries, LLC is part of the digital division of Legendary Entertainment. Nerdist Industries was founded as a sole podcast (The Nerdist Podcast) created by Chris Hardwick but later spread to include a network of podcasts, a premium conte ...
, date=June 29, 2020 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929155340/https://nerdist.com/article/mondo-back-to-the-future-35th-anniversary-merchandise/ , archive-date=September 29, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=Rocco , last=Marrongelli , title=''Back To The Future'' 35th Anniversary Blasts Off With New Toys From Funko, Playmobil & More , url=https://www.newsweek.com/back-future-anniversary-funko-playmobil-collectibles-delorean-marty-mcfly-2020-1509929 , website=
Newsweek ''Newsweek'' is an American weekly online news magazine co-owned 50 percent each by Dev Pragad, its president and CEO, and Johnathan Davis, who has no operational role at ''Newsweek''. Founded as a weekly print magazine in 1933, it was widely ...
, date=October 6, 2020 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930005924/https://www.newsweek.com/back-future-anniversary-funko-playmobil-collectibles-delorean-marty-mcfly-2020-1509929 , archive-date=September 30, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Stephen , last=Holden , title=The Pop Life; 1986, A Musically Conservative Year , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/31/arts/the-pop-life-1986-a-musically-conservative-year.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=December 31, 1986 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316042037/http://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/31/arts/the-pop-life-1986-a-musically-conservative-year.html , archive-date=March 16, 2022 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web , title=The Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made, url=https://www.nytimes.com/ref/movies/1000best.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=April 29, 2003 , access-date=May 22, 2010 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722141147/https://www.nytimes.com/ref/movies/1000best.html , archive-date=July 22, 2016 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web , first=Jack , last=Mathews, title=Universal Speeds Up Release Of ''Back To Future'' , url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-06-14-ca-2602-story.html , website=
Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the ...
, date=June 14, 1985 , access-date=September 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906142224/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-06-14-ca-2602-story.html , archive-date=September 6, 2020 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web , first=David T., last=Friendly , title=Zemeckis' ''Future'' In High Gear, url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-06-27-ca-10977-story.html , website=
Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the ...
, date=June 27, 1985 , access-date=September 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906145146/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-06-27-ca-10977-story.html , archive-date=September 6, 2020 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, first=Genevieve , last=Valentine , title=For This Nostalgia Trip, 'We Don't Need Roads' , url=https://www.npr.org/2015/07/01/418597031/for-this-nostalgia-trip-we-dont-need-roads , website= NPR , date=July 1, 2015 , access-date=September 5, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107095606/https://www.npr.org/2015/07/01/418597031/for-this-nostalgia-trip-we-dont-need-roads , archive-date=November 7, 2015 , url-status=live {{cite web, first=Janet , last=Maslin , author-link=Janet Maslin , title=The Screen: In ''Future'', Boy Returns To The Past, url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/03/movies/the-screen-in-future-boy-returns-to-the-past.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=July 3, 1985 , access-date=August 27, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121220239/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/03/movies/the-screen-in-future-boy-returns-to-the-past.html , archive-date=November 21, 2017 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, first=Aljean , last=Harmetz , author-link=Aljean Harmetz , title=''Pale Rider'' Heads List In Theaters , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/03/movies/pale-rider-heads-list-in-theaters.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=July 3, 1985 , access-date=August 27, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810124746/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/03/movies/pale-rider-heads-list-in-theaters.html , archive-date=August 10, 2020, url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, first=Aljean , last=Harmetz , author-link=Aljean Harmetz , title=Industry Fears A Summer Film Glut , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/11/movies/industry-fears-a-summer-film-glut.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=June 11, 1985 , access-date=August 27, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124212752/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/11/movies/industry-fears-a-summer-film-glut.html , archive-date=November 24, 2017 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, first=Vincent , last=Canby , author-link=Vincent Canby , title=Film: Season Preview; Even Wands Can't Create Magic At The Box Office , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/09/08/arts/film-season-preview-even-wands-can-t-create-magic-at-the-box-office.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=September 8, 1985 , access-date=August 28, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122061209/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/09/08/arts/film-season-preview-even-wands-can-t-create-magic-at-the-box-office.html , archive-date=November 22, 2017 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, title=''Back To The Future'' Leads Box Office Sales , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/07/movies/back-to-the-future-leads-box-office-sales.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, agency=
Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American non-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. It produces news reports that are distributed to its members, U.S. n ...
, date=August 7, 1985 , access-date=August 28, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121155424/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/07/movies/back-to-the-future-leads-box-office-sales.html , archive-date=November 21, 2017 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, first=Esther B., last=Fein , title=New Face: Michael J. Fox; Conversation With A Time Traveler , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/26/movies/new-face-michael-j-fox-conversation-with-a-time-traveler.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=July 26, 1985 , access-date=August 28, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122191221/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/26/movies/new-face-michael-j-fox-conversation-with-a-time-traveler.html , archive-date=November 22, 2017 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/14/movies/movie-merchandise-the-rush-is-on.html , title=Movie Merchandise: The Rush Is On , first =Aljean , last=Harmetz, website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=June 14, 1989 , access-date=August 23, 2019 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416185851/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/14/movies/movie-merchandise-the-rush-is-on.html , archive-date=April 16, 2019 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, first=Esther B., last=Fein , title=Three New Films: From Vision To Reality , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/21/movies/three-new-films-from-vision-to-reality.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=July 21, 1985 , access-date=August 27, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125233205/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/21/movies/three-new-films-from-vision-to-reality.html , archive-date=November 25, 2017 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, first=Janet , last=Maslin , author-link=Janet Maslin , title=At The Movies , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/28/movies/at-the-movies.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=June 28, 1985 , access-date=August 27, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122012955/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/28/movies/at-the-movies.html , archive-date=November 22, 2017 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, first=Janet , last=Maslin , author-link=Janet Maslin , title=Film View; Maverick Tales Add Spice To Summer , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/21/movies/film-view-maverick-tales-add-spice-to-summer.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=July 21, 1985 , access-date=August 27, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125170510/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/21/movies/film-view-maverick-tales-add-spice-to-summer.html, archive-date=November 25, 2017 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, first=Aljean , last=Harmetz , author-link=Aljean Harmetz , title=At The Movies , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/10/04/movies/at-the-movies.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=October 4, 1985 , access-date=August 28, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124151008/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/10/04/movies/at-the-movies.html , archive-date=November 24, 2017 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, first=Geraldine , last=Fabrikant , title=A Movie Giant's Unfinished Script , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/10/20/business/a-movie-giant-s-unfinished-script.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=October 20, 1985 , access-date=August 28, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121012857/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/10/20/business/a-movie-giant-s-unfinished-script.html , archive-date=November 21, 2017 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, first=Aljean , last=Harmetz , author-link=Aljean Harmetz , title=A Bleak Summer For Movie Makers , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/09/02/movies/a-bleak-summer-for-movie-makers.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=September 2, 1985 , access-date=August 28, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123173351/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/09/02/movies/a-bleak-summer-for-movie-makers.html , archive-date=November 23, 2017 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, first=Vincent , last=Canby , author-link=Vincent Canby , title=Film View; Vivid Joys Among The Vast Array Of Failures , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/29/movies/film-view-vivid-joys-among-the-vast-array-of-failures.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=December 29, 1985 , access-date=August 28, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126221002/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/29/movies/film-view-vivid-joys-among-the-vast-array-of-failures.html , archive-date=November 26, 2017 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, first=Aljean , last=Harmetz , author-link=Aljean Harmetz , title=Christmas Film Sales Set Record , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/15/movies/christmas-film-sales-set-record.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=January 15, 1986 , access-date=August 28, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524190656/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/15/movies/christmas-film-sales-set-record.html , archive-date=May 24, 2015 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, first=Stephen , last=Holden , title=At The Movies , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/08/movies/at-the-movies.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=August 8, 1986 , access-date=September 5, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203062249/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/08/movies/at-the-movies.html , archive-date=February 3, 2018 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web, first=Jack , last=Cavanaugh , title=Towns Cite Safety Cares As Skateboarding Gains , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/05/10/nyregion/towns-cite-safety-cares-as-skateboarding-gains.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=May 10, 1987 , access-date=September 5, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110232556/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/05/10/nyregion/towns-cite-safety-cares-as-skateboarding-gains.html , archive-date=November 10, 2017 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web , title=In Brief: Recent Films , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/29/movies/in-brief-recent-films.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=June 29, 1986 , access-date=September 5, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203191840/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/29/movies/in-brief-recent-films.html , archive-date=February 3, 2018 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web , first=Aljean , last=Harmetz , author-link=Aljean Harmetz, title=State Of The Union: Reagan Reports To The Nation; President Reagan's Speech Before Joint Session Of Congress , url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/05/us/state-union-reagan-reports-nation-president-reagan-s-speech-before-joint-session.html , website=
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
, date=February 5, 1986 , access-date=September 5, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326185448/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/05/us/state-union-reagan-reports-nation-president-reagan-s-speech-before-joint-session.html , archive-date=March 26, 2016 , url-status=live , url-access=limited
{{cite web , url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1986 , title=The 58th Academy Awards (1986) Nominees and Winners , access-date=October 16, 2011 , website=
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS, often pronounced ; also known as simply the Academy or the Motion Picture Academy) is a professional honorary organization with the stated goal of advancing the arts and sciences of motion ...
, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816141040/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1986 , archive-date=August 16, 2016 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=K. Thor , last=Jensen , url=https://uk.pcmag.com/electronics/72331/10-must-have-gifts-for-back-to-the-future-superfans , title=10 Must-Have Gifts For ''Back To The Future'' Superfans , access-date=October 19, 2015 , website= PCMag , archive-url=https://archive.today/20200930193026/https://uk.pcmag.com/electronics/72331/10-must-have-gifts-for-back-to-the-future-superfans , archive-date=September 30, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web , first=John Connor , last=Coulston , title=Cultural Legacy: ''Back to the Future'' , url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/back-to-the-future/cultural-legacy-back-to-the-future/ , website=
Paste Paste is a term for any very thick viscous fluid. It may refer to: Science and technology * Adhesive or paste ** Wallpaper paste ** Wheatpaste, A liquid adhesive made from vegetable starch and water * Paste (rheology), a substance that behaves a ...
, date=July 6, 2015 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001211301/https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/back-to-the-future/cultural-legacy-back-to-the-future/ , archive-date=October 1, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Alexia , last= Fernández, title= See A Young Kyra Sedgwick Audition For ''Back To The Future'' As Movie Turns 35, url=https://people.com/movies/see-kyra-sedgwick-audition-back-to-the-future/ , website=
People A person ( : people) is a being that has certain capacities or attributes such as reason, morality, consciousness or self-consciousness, and being a part of a culturally established form of social relations such as kinship, ownership of proper ...
, date=October 16, 2020 , access-date=December 13, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102143521/https://people.com/movies/see-kyra-sedgwick-audition-back-to-the-future/ , archive-date= November 2, 2020, url-status=live
{{cite web , last1=Weinberg , first1=Mark , title=What I Learned Watching ''Back to the Future'' With Ronald Reagan , url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/02/27/ronald-reagan-press-aide-movie-nights-with-reagan-217095/ , website=
Politico ''Politico'' (stylized in all caps), known originally as ''The Politico'', is an American, German-owned political journalism newspaper company based in Arlington County, Virginia, that covers politics and policy in the United States and intern ...
, date=February 27, 2018 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220821171433/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/02/27/ronald-reagan-press-aide-movie-nights-with-reagan-217095/, archive-date=August 21, 2022 , url-status=live, language=en
{{cite web, last= Harrison , first= Ellie , title= ''Back To The Future'' Almost Had A Really Bad Title: Here's A Memo To Prove It... , url= http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-08-30/back-to-the-future-almost-had-a-really-bad-title , date= August 30, 2016 , website=
Radio Times ''Radio Times'' (currently styled as ''RadioTimes'') is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in May 1923 by J ...
, access-date=September 1, 2016 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160902014900/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-08-30/back-to-the-future-almost-had-a-really-bad-title , archive-date= September 2, 2016 , url-status= live
{{cite web , first=Ray, last=Loynd , title=Film Review: ''Back To The Future'' , url=https://variety.com/1985/film/news/film-review-back-to-the-future-1201344694/ , website= Variety , date=June 25, 1985 , access-date=September 10, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025022133/https://variety.com/1985/film/news/film-review-back-to-the-future-1201344694/ , archive-date=October 25, 2015 , url-status=live {{cite web, first=Patrick , last=Cremona , title=''Back To The Future'' Creator Explains Why Franchise Will Never Get A Fourth Film , url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/film/2020-02-19/back-to-the-future-wont-get-reboot/ , website=
Radio Times ''Radio Times'' (currently styled as ''RadioTimes'') is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in May 1923 by J ...
, date=February 18, 2020 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://archive.today/20200930193616/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/film/2020-02-19/back-to-the-future-wont-get-reboot/ , archive-date= September 30, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Roger , last=Ebert , author-link=Roger Ebert , title=''Back To The Future'' , url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/back-to-the-future-1985 , website=
RogerEbert.com ''RogerEbert.com'' is an American film review website that archives reviews written by film critic Roger Ebert for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' and also shares other critics' reviews and essays. The website, underwritten by the ''Chicago Sun-Times' ...
, date=July 3, 1985 , access-date=October 5, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506053730/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/back-to-the-future-1985 , archive-date=May 6, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Dave , last=Kehr , author-link=Dave Kehr , title= ''Back To The Future'' , url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/back-to-the-future/Film?oid=1629194 , website=
Chicago Reader The ''Chicago Reader'', or ''Reader'' (stylized as ЯEADER), is an American alternative weekly newspaper in Chicago, Illinois, noted for its literary style of journalism and coverage of the arts, particularly film and theater. It was founded by ...
, date=October 26, 1985, access-date=October 5, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730093019/https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/back-to-the-future/Film?oid=1629194 , archive-date=July 30, 2019 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Gene , last=Siskel , author-link=Gene Siskel , title=''Future''{{'s Sci-fi Twist A Warm Look At Family , url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-07-03-8502130086-story.html , website=
Chicago Tribune The ''Chicago Tribune'' is a daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, owned by Tribune Publishing. Founded in 1847, and formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" (a slogan for which WGN radio and television a ...
, date=July 3, 1985 , access-date=October 5, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925002440/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-07-03-8502130086-story.html , archive-date=September 25, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Paul , last=Attanasio , author-link=Paul Attanasio , title=''The Future'' Is Wow! Comedy With A Story To Tell , url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1985/07/03/the-future-is-wowcomedy-with-a-story-to-tell/3c8f1b62-c55a-46c9-ada7-4b2fc6aa496d/ , website=
The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large n ...
, date=July 3, 1985 , access-date=October 5, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803165535/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1985/07/03/the-future-is-wowcomedy-with-a-story-to-tell/3c8f1b62-c55a-46c9-ada7-4b2fc6aa496d/ , archive-date=August 3, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Kirk , last=Ellis , title=''Back To The Future'': THR's 1985 Review , url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/back-future-review-1985-movie-801103 , website=
The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Hollywood film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade paper, and in 2010 switched to a weekly large ...
, date=July 3, 1985 , access-date=October 5, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606154213/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/back-future-review-1985-movie-801103 , archive-date= June 6, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Richard , last=Corliss , author-link=Richard Corliss , title=Cinema: This Way To The Children's Crusade , url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,959559-2,00.html , website=
Time Out Time-out, Time Out, or timeout may refer to: Time * Time-out (sport), in various sports, a break in play, called by a team * Television timeout, a break in sporting action so that a commercial break may be taken * Timeout (computing), an enginee ...
, date=July 1, 1985 , access-date=October 5, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412074929/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,959559-2,00.html , archive-date=April 12, 2011 , url-status=dead
{{cite web , url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/back-to-the-future-cast-reunion-michael-j-fox-christopher-lloyd-997957/ , title = Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd Lead ''Back To The Future'' Reunion On Josh Gad's 'Reunited Apart', first = Jon , last = Blistein , date = May 12, 2020 , access-date = October 19, 2020 , website=
Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its co ...
, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031074902/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/back-to-the-future-cast-reunion-michael-j-fox-christopher-lloyd-997957/ , archive-date=October 31, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite RT, id=back_to_the_future , title=Back to the Future , type=m , access-date={{RT data, access date, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122173600/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/back_to_the_future/, archive-date=November 22, 2012, url-status=live{{RT data, edit {{cite web, last=Gilsdorf, first=Ethan , url=https://www.wired.com/2012/06/ready-player-one-author-to-give-away-delorean/, title=''Ready Player One'' Author To Give Away DeLorean, date=June 5, 2012 , website= Wired, access-date=August 1, 2019, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801135802/https://www.wired.com/2012/06/ready-player-one-author-to-give-away-delorean/, archive-date=August 1, 2019, url-status=live {{cite web, last=Power, first=Ed , url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/ready-player-one-guide-legal-nightmare-spielbergs-pop-culture/, title=''Ready Player One'': A Guide To The Legal Nightmare Of Spielberg's Pop Culture References , date=March 29, 2018, website =
The Daily Telegraph ''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a national British daily broadsheet newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed across the United Kingdom and internationally. It was f ...
, access-date=February 6, 2020, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206134718/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/ready-player-one-guide-legal-nightmare-spielbergs-pop-culture/, archive-date=February 6, 2020, url-status=live, url-access=limited
{{cite web , title=200 Essential Movies To Watch Now , website=
Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wan ...
, url=http://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/200-essential-movies-to-watch-now/ , access-date=May 2, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216115104/http://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/200-essential-movies-to-watch-now/ , archive-date=December 16, 2019 , url-status=live
{{cite web, url=http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html , title=Past Saturn Awards , website= SaturnAwards.org, access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914184217/http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html , archive-date=September 14, 2008 , url-status = dead {{cite web, first=Joe , last=Gross , title='Ain't It Cool' TV Show Jumps To New Markets , url=https://eu.statesman.com/story/news/2016/09/04/aint-it-cool-tv-show-jumps-to-new-markets/10119165007/ , website=
Austin American-Statesman The ''Austin American-Statesman'' is the major daily newspaper for Austin, the capital city of Texas. It is owned by Gannett. The paper prints Associated Press, ''New York Times'', ''The Washington Post'', and ''Los Angeles Times'' internation ...
, date=September 4, 2016 , access-date=June 13, 2022 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613213103/https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2016/09/04/aint-it-cool-tv-show-jumps-to-new-markets/10119165007/ , archive-date=June 13, 2022 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first= Dan , last=Girolamo , url=https://screenrant.com/back-future-movie-doc-brown-actor-almost-cast/ , title=''Back To The Future'': The Actor Who Almost Played Doc Brown , website=
Screen Rant ''Screen Rant'' is an entertainment website that offers news in the fields of television, films, video games, and film theories. ''Screen Rant'' was launched by Vic Holtreman in 2003, and originally had its primary office in Ogden, Utah. ''Scr ...
, date=February 22, 2020 , access-date=October 1, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223142247/https://screenrant.com/back-future-movie-doc-brown-actor-almost-cast/, archive-date=February 23, 2020 , url-status= live
{{cite web , first= Padraig , last=Cotter , url=https://screenrant.com/doc-brown-saves-world-short-back-future-4/ , title=Doc Brown Saves The World Isn't ''Back To The Future'' 4 (But It's Great) , website=
Screen Rant ''Screen Rant'' is an entertainment website that offers news in the fields of television, films, video games, and film theories. ''Screen Rant'' was launched by Vic Holtreman in 2003, and originally had its primary office in Ogden, Utah. ''Scr ...
, date=August 15, 2019 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130212709/https://screenrant.com/doc-brown-saves-world-short-back-future-4/ , archive-date=November 30, 2019 , url-status= live
{{cite web , title=''Back To The Future'' Tops Poll Of Most Wanted Film Sequels – But Which Movie Series Should Return? , url=https://news.sky.com/story/back-to-the-future-tops-poll-of-most-wanted-film-sequels-but-which-movie-series-should-return-11561026 , website= Sky News , date=November 23, 2018 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824150357/https://news.sky.com/story/back-to-the-future-tops-poll-of-most-wanted-film-sequels-but-which-movie-series-should-return-11561026 , archive-date=August 24, 2019 , url-status=live {{cite web, first=Ernie, last=Estrella , title=Exclusive: ''Back In Time'' Director Jason Aron On Making The Definitive ''Back To The Future'' Documentary , url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-back-time-director-jason-aron-making-definitive-back-future-documentary , website= Syfy , date=April 23, 2015 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006215026/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-back-time-director-jason-aron-making-definitive-back-future-documentary , archive-date=October 6, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web , first=Loryn , last=Stone , title=''Back To The Future''{{'s 35th Anniversary Shows Just How Far Toy Collecting Has Come , url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/back-to-the-future-35th-anniversary-toys-collectibles-history , website= Syfy , date=July 2, 2020 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101042149/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/back-to-the-future-35th-anniversary-toys-collectibles-history , archive-date=November 1, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web , first=Matt , last=Gouras , title=Lloyd: ''Back To The Future'' Still Gratifying , url= http://seattletimes.com/html/entertainment/2009324069_apuspeoplechristopherlloyd.html , date=June 12, 2009 , website=
The Seattle Times ''The Seattle Times'' is a daily newspaper serving Seattle, Washington, United States. It was founded in 1891 and has been owned by the Blethen family since 1896. ''The Seattle Times'' has the largest circulation of any newspaper in Washington s ...
, access-date=August 8, 2013 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927190527/http://seattletimes.com/html/entertainment/2009324069_apuspeoplechristopherlloyd.html , archive-date=September 27, 2013 , url-status = dead
{{cite web, first=Marc , last=Chacksfield , title="''Back To The Future'' Wouldn't Have Been The Same Without Spielberg" , url=https://www.shortlist.com/news/back-to-the-future-wouldnt-have-been-the-same-without-spielberg, website= ShortList , date=October 20, 2014 , access-date=September 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514222327/https://www.shortlist.com/news/back-to-the-future-wouldnt-have-been-the-same-without-spielberg , archive-date=May 14, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web, first=Marc , last=Chacksfield , title=''Back To The Future'' facts: 20 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know , url=https://www.shortlist.com/news/20-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-back-to-the-future , website= ShortList , date=May 10, 2020 , access-date=September 7, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622081621/https://www.shortlist.com/news/20-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-back-to-the-future , archive-date=June 22, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web , first=Peter , last=Sciretta, url=https://www.slashfilm.com/back-to-the-future-monopoly/ , title=Cool Stuff: ''Back to the Future'' Monopoly , date=August 6, 2015, website= Slashfilm, access-date=October 15, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828045251/https://www.slashfilm.com/back-to-the-future-monopoly/ , archive-date=August 28, 2019 , url-status=live {{cite web , first=Peter , last=Sciretta, url=https://www.slashfilm.com/how-back-to-the-future-almost-nuked-the-fridge/, title=How ''Back To The Future'' Almost Nuked The Fridge, date=July 15, 2009, website= Slashfilm, access-date=September 10, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804233245/http://www.slashfilm.com/how-back-to-the-future-almost-nuked-the-fridge/, archive-date=August 4, 2012, url-status=live {{cite web , url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/back-to-the-future/facts-trivia-anniversary/ , title=''Back To The Future'': 13 Things You May Not Know , website=
The Daily Telegraph ''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a national British daily broadsheet newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed across the United Kingdom and internationally. It was f ...
, date= October 21, 2015 , access-date= September 15, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206140408/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/back-to-the-future/facts-trivia-anniversary/ , archive-date=February 6, 2020 , url-status= live , url-access=limited
{{cite web , title=Top 1985 Movies At The Worldwide Box Office , url=https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-records/worldwide/all-movies/cumulative/released-in-1985 , website= The Numbers , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721121617/https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-records/worldwide/all-movies/cumulative/released-in-1985 , archive-date=July 21, 2019 , url-status=live {{cite web , title=Top 1985 Movies At The Domestic Box Office , url=https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-records/domestic/all-movies/cumulative/released-in-1985 , website= The Numbers , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721121619/https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-records/domestic/all-movies/cumulative/released-in-1985 , archive-date=July 21, 2019 , url-status=live {{cite web, first=Graeme , last=McMillan , title=''Back To The Future'' Writer Finally Addresses The Last Line Of ''Part III'' , url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/back-future-writer-finally-addresses-last-line-part-iii-1045298 , website=
The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Hollywood film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade paper, and in 2010 switched to a weekly large ...
, date=October 4, 2017 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528222303/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/back-future-writer-finally-addresses-last-line-part-iii-1045298 , archive-date=May 28, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=Ryan , last=Parker , title=''Back To The Future'' At 35: It's Time To Decipher An Eric Stoltz Fan Theory , url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/back-future-at-35-time-decipher-an-eric-stoltz-fan-theory-1301621 , website=
The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Hollywood film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade paper, and in 2010 switched to a weekly large ...
, date=July 3, 2020 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001171642/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/back-future-at-35-time-decipher-an-eric-stoltz-fan-theory-1301621 , archive-date=October 1, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Ryan , last=Parker , title=''Back To The Future'' Writer "Delighted" By Those ''Avengers: Endgame'' References , url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/back-future-writer-likes-avengers-endgame-references-1209653 , website=
The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Hollywood film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade paper, and in 2010 switched to a weekly large ...
, date=May 10, 2019 , access-date=October 5, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806015713/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/back-future-writer-likes-avengers-endgame-references-1209653 , archive-date=August 6, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , first=Phil , last=Pirello , title=How ''Back To The Future III'' Got Better With Age , url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/how-back-future-iii-got-better-age-1295798 , website=
The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Hollywood film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade paper, and in 2010 switched to a weekly large ...
, date=May 25, 2020 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625011350/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/how-back-future-iii-got-better-age-1295798 , archive-date=June 25, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web , last=Gilbey , first=Ryan , title=How We Made ''Back To The Future'' , url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/aug/25/back-to-the-future-michael-j-fox-christopher-lloyd-how-we-made , access-date=July 14, 2016 , website=
The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper A newspaper is a periodical publication containing written information about current events and is often typed in black ink with a white or gray background. Newspapers can cover a wide ...
, date=August 25, 2014 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515074629/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/aug/25/back-to-the-future-michael-j-fox-christopher-lloyd-how-we-made , archive-date=May 15, 2016 , url-status=live
{{cite web, title=Hollywood's 100 Favorite Films , url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/100-best-films-ever-hollywood-favorites-818512/item/amelie-hollywoods-100-favorite-films-818437 , date=June 25, 2014 , website=
The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Hollywood film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade paper, and in 2010 switched to a weekly large ...
, access-date=July 5, 2019 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705214119/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/100-best-films-ever-hollywood-favorites-818512/item/ghostbusters-hollywoods-100-favorite-films-818454 , archive-date=July 5, 2019 , url-status=live
{{cite web, url=http://www.totalfilm.com/features/100-greatest-movies-of-all-time/page:2 , title=Total Film features: 100 Greatest Movies Of All Time , website= Total Film, date=January 25, 2010 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209232621/http://www.totalfilm.com/features/100-greatest-movies-of-all-time/page%3A2 , archive-date=February 9, 2010 , url-status = dead {{cite web , first=Vince , last=Mancini , title=''Back To The Future'' At 35: Looking Back On The Movie That Made America Great Again , url=https://uproxx.com/entertainment/back-to-the-future-35-year-retrospective/ , website= Uproxx , date=July 2, 2020 , access-date=September 30, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101032204/https://uproxx.com/entertainment/back-to-the-future-35-year-retrospective/ , archive-date=November 1, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web, first=Emily , last=Rome , title=''Back To The Future'': What The Critics Said In 1985 , url=https://uproxx.com/hitfix/back-to-the-future-what-the-critics-said-in-1985/ , website= Uproxx , date=July 3, 2015 , access-date=October 5, 2020 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170427063459/https://uproxx.com/hitfix/back-to-the-future-what-the-critics-said-in-1985/ , archive-date=April 27, 2017 , url-status=live {{cite web, first=Emily , last=Rome , title=Exclusive: Your First Look At ''Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History'' , url=https://uproxx.com/hitfix/exclusive-your-first-look-at-back-to-the-future-the-ultimate-visual-history/ , website= Uproxx , date=June 25, 2015 , access-date=October 6, 2020 , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190723063321/https://uproxx.com/hitfix/exclusive-your-first-look-at-back-to-the-future-the-ultimate-visual-history/ , archive-date=July 23, 2019 , url-status=live {{cite web , first = Marco , last = della Cava , url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2015/10/20/huey-lewis-almost-passed-on-going-back-to-the-future/74017944/ , title = Huey Lewis Almost Passed On Going ''Back To The Future'' , date = October 20, 2015 , website =
USA Today ''USA Today'' (stylized in all uppercase) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth on September 15, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headquarters in Tysons, Virg ...
, access-date = September 7, 2020 , archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200726125153/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2015/10/20/huey-lewis-almost-passed-on-going-back-to-the-future/74017944/ , archive-date = July 26, 2020 , url-status = live
{{cite web , first =Hoai-Tran , last =Bui , url =https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2015/10/21/15-things-you-probably-didnt-know-back-future/74312182/ , title =15 Things You Probably Didn't Know About ''Back To The Future'' , date =October 21, 2015 , website =
USA Today ''USA Today'' (stylized in all uppercase) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth on September 15, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headquarters in Tysons, Virg ...
, access-date =September 16, 2020 , archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20201107015359/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2015/10/21/15-things-you-probably-didnt-know-back-future/74312182/ , archive-date =November 7, 2020 , url-status =live
{{cite web, last=Ellison , first=Sarah , title=Meet The Most Powerful Woman In Hollywood , url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/02/kathleen-kennedy-hollywood-producer, website= Vanity Fair , date=February 8, 2016 , access-date=September 10, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516162649/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/02/kathleen-kennedy-hollywood-producer , archive-date=May 16, 2018 , url-status=live {{cite web , title=Rental Champs: Rate Of Return , url=https://variety.com/1997/digital/features/rental-champs-rate-of-return-1116680329/ , date=December 15, 1997 , website= Variety , access-date=April 29, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607025242/https://variety.com/1997/digital/features/rental-champs-rate-of-return-1116680329/ , archive-date=June 7, 2019 , url-status=live {{cite web, last=Toor , first=Amar, title=Restoring The Delorean Time Machine To Its Original Glory , url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/2/19/4004022/back-to-the-future-delorean-restored-universal-studios , website=
The Verge ''The Verge'' is an American technology news website operated by Vox Media, publishing news, feature stories, guidebooks, product reviews, consumer electronics news, and podcasts. The website launched on November 1, 2011, and uses Vox Media' ...
, date=February 19, 2013 , access-date=June 23, 2022 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909130655/https://www.theverge.com/2013/2/19/4004022/back-to-the-future-delorean-restored-universal-studios , archive-date=September 9, 2020 , url-status=live
{{cite web, first=Caseen, last=Gaines , title=How The ''Back To The Future'' Cast And Crew Knew Eric Stoltz Would Be Fired , url=https://www.vulture.com/2015/06/how-back-to-the-future-replaced-eric-stoltz.html , website=
Vulture A vulture is a bird of prey that scavenges on carrion. There are 23 extant species of vulture (including Condors). Old World vultures include 16 living species native to Europe, Africa, and Asia; New World vultures are restricted to North a ...
, date=October 1, 2015 , access-date=September 1, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823005444/https://www.vulture.com/2015/06/how-back-to-the-future-replaced-eric-stoltz.html , archive-date=August 23, 2020 , url-status=live, ref=none
{{Cite web , url=https://www.vulture.com/amp/2012/09/the-lost-roles-of-back-to-the-future.html , title=The Lost Roles Of ''Back To The Future'' , website=
Vulture A vulture is a bird of prey that scavenges on carrion. There are 23 extant species of vulture (including Condors). Old World vultures include 16 living species native to Europe, Africa, and Asia; New World vultures are restricted to North a ...
, access-date=December 28, 2019 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228031136/https://www.vulture.com/amp/2012/09/the-lost-roles-of-back-to-the-future.html , archive-date=December 28, 2019 , url-status=live
{{cite web, last=Chaney, first=Jen , url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/07/stranger-things-back-to-the-future-homage-easter-eggs-time-travel.html, title=''Stranger Things'' 3 Is Basically One Big ''Back To The Future'' Homage, date=July 19, 2019, website=
Vulture A vulture is a bird of prey that scavenges on carrion. There are 23 extant species of vulture (including Condors). Old World vultures include 16 living species native to Europe, Africa, and Asia; New World vultures are restricted to North a ...
, access-date=July 31, 2019, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731140647/https://www.vulture.com/2019/07/stranger-things-back-to-the-future-homage-easter-eggs-time-travel.html, archive-date=July 31, 2019, url-status=live
{{cite web, title=101 Funniest Screenplays List, url=http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=5949, website= WGA.org , date=November 11, 2015 , access-date=May 2, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202091302/http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=5949, archive-date=February 2, 2016, url-status=dead {{cite web, title=Writers Choose 101 Funniest Screenplays , url=https://www.wga.org/news-events/news/press/2015/writers-choose-101-funniest-screenplays , website= WGA.org , date=November 11, 2015 , access-date=May 2, 2020 , archive-url=https://archive.today/20200502131401/https://www.wga.org/news-events/news/press/2015/writers-choose-101-funniest-screenplays , archive-date=May 2, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web, title=101 Greatest Screenplays , url=https://www.wga.org/writers-room/101-best-lists/101-greatest-screenplays , website= WGA.org , date=2005 , access-date=May 2, 2020 , archive-url=https://archive.today/20200502131453/https://www.wga.org/writers-room/101-best-lists/101-greatest-screenplays, archive-date=May 2, 2020 , url-status=live {{cite web, title=101 Greatest Screenplays , url=https://www.wga.org/writers-room/101-best-lists/101-greatest-screenplays/list , website= WGA.org , date=2005 , access-date=May 2, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130130322/https://www.wga.org/writers-room/101-best-lists/101-greatest-screenplays/list , archive-date=November 30, 2019 , url-status=live {{cite web , first=Nathan , last=Mattise , url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/12/melora-hardin-back-to-future/ , title=Marty McFly's Original Girlfriend Goes ''Back To The Future'' , website= Wired , date=December 8, 2011 , access-date=September 13, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720092613/http://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/12/melora-hardin-back-to-future , archive-date=July 20, 2012 , url-status=live {{cite web , first=Kevin , last=Polowy , url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/back-to-the-future-billy-zane-audition-biff-tannen-150027145.html , title=Watch Billy Zane Audition For Marty McFly-Tormenting Biff Tannen In Never-released ''Back To The Future'' Footage (Exclusive), website=
Yahoo! Yahoo! (, styled yahoo''!'' in its logo) is an American web services provider. It is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California and operated by the namesake company Yahoo! Inc. (2017–present), Yahoo Inc., which is 90% owned by investment funds ma ...
, date=October 19, 2020 , access-date=December 13, 2020 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117174454/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/back-to-the-future-billy-zane-audition-biff-tannen-150027145.html , archive-date=November 17, 2020 , url-status=live


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Future plc Future plc is an international multimedia company established in the United Kingdom in 1985. The company has over 220 brands that span magazines, newsletters, websites, and events in fields such as video games, technology, films, music, photogr ...
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McFarland & Company McFarland & Company, Inc., is an American independent book publisher based in Jefferson, North Carolina, that specializes in academic and reference works, as well as general-interest adult nonfiction. Its president is Rhonda Herman. Its forme ...
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Oxford University Press Oxford University Press (OUP) is the university press of the University of Oxford. It is the largest university press in the world, and its printing history dates back to the 1480s. Having been officially granted the legal right to print book ...
, doi = 10.1093/adaptation/apv028, doi-access = free , location=
Oxford Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the Un ...
* {{cite magazine, last=Pourro , first=Janine , title=Backyard Adventures – Spielberg Style , magazine= Cinefex, location=United States , issue=24 , date=November 1985 , issn=0198-1056 * {{cite book, last=Schneider, first=Steven Jay, title=
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die ''1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die'' is a film reference book edited by Steven Jay Schneider with original essays on each film contributed by over 70 film critics. It is a part of a series designed and produced by Quintessence Editions, a ...
, chapter=1980s , date=2013, publisher= Murdoch Books Pty Limited, location=Boston, Massachusetts , isbn=978-0-7641-6613-6 * {{cite book , last1=Weinberg , first1=Mark , title=Movie Nights With The Reagans , date=2019 , publisher=
Simon & Schuster Simon & Schuster () is an American publishing company and a subsidiary of Paramount Global. It was founded in New York City on January 2, 1924 by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster. As of 2016, Simon & Schuster was the third largest pub ...
, location=New York City , isbn=978-1-5011-3400-5 , oclc=1039384951 , language=English


External links

* {{Official website, http://www.backtothefuture.com/ * {{AFI film, 55763 * {{IMDb title, 0088763 * {{Tcmdb title, 16306 * {{mojo title, backtothefuture {{Back to the Future {{Robert Zemeckis {{Navboxes , title= Other articles and topics related to Back to the Future , state=collapsed , list1= {{Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation 1981–2002 {{Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film 1972–1990 {{Yearly highest-grossing US films {{Subject bar, portal1=1980s, portal2=Film , portal3=United States, portal4=Science fiction, commons=yes, n=yes, wikt=yes, q=yes, d=yes, voy=yes, d-search=Q91540 {{Authority control {{bots, deny=Citation bot 1980s English-language films 1980s science fiction comedy films American science fiction comedy films American science fiction adventure films American high school films American teen comedy films Back to the Future (franchise) films Films adapted into television shows Films set in 1955 Films set in 1985 Films set in California Films shot in Los Angeles Films that won the Best Sound Editing Academy Award Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation winning works Films about bullying Films about time travel Films about teenagers United States National Film Registry films Amblin Entertainment films Universal Pictures films Films directed by Robert Zemeckis Films scored by Alan Silvestri Films with screenplays by Bob Gale Films with screenplays by Robert Zemeckis 1985 comedy films Films about father–son relationships 1980s American films