View source for Back to the Future

{{Short description|1985 film by Robert Zemeckis}}
{{About|the 1985 film|other uses|Back to the Future (disambiguation)}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2025}}
{{Use list-defined references|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| image                = Back to the Future.jpg
| alt                  = The poster shows a teenage boy coming out from a nearly invisible DeLorean with lines of fire trailing behind. The boy looks astonishedly at his wristwatch. The title of the film and the tagline "He was never in time for his classes ... He wasn't in time for his dinner ... Then one day ... he wasn't in his time at all" appear at the extreme left of the poster, while the rating and the production credits appear at the bottom of the poster.
| caption              = Theatrical release poster by [[Drew Struzan]]
| director             = [[Robert Zemeckis]]
| writer               = {{Plainlist|
* Robert Zemeckis
* [[Bob Gale]]
}}
| producer             = {{Plainlist|
* Bob Gale
* [[Neil Canton]]
}}
| starring             = {{Plainlist|<!--Per poster billing-->
* [[Michael J. Fox]]
* [[Christopher Lloyd]]
* [[Lea Thompson]]
* [[Crispin Glover]]
}}
| cinematography       = [[Dean Cundey]]
| editing              = {{Plainlist|
* [[Arthur Schmidt (film editor)|Arthur Schmidt]]
* [[Harry Keramidas]]
}}
| music                = [[Alan Silvestri]]
| production_companies = [[Amblin Entertainment]]
| distributor          = [[Universal Pictures]]
| released             = {{Film date|1985|07|03}}
| runtime              = 116 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 115:51-->
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| budget               = $19 million
| gross                = $398 million<ref name="NUM">{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Back-to-the-Future-(1985)#tab=box-office|title=Back to the Future (1985)|publisher=The Numbers.com|accessdate=November 9, 2025}}</ref>
}}

'''''Back to the Future''''' is a 1985 American [[science fiction film]]<!--Per [[WP:FILMLEAD]] only primary genre in lead. See also recent talk page discussions.--> directed by [[Robert Zemeckis]] and written by Zemeckis and [[Bob Gale]]. It stars [[Michael J.&nbsp;Fox]], [[Christopher Lloyd]], [[Lea Thompson]], [[Crispin Glover]], and [[Thomas F. Wilson]]. Set in 1985, it follows [[Marty McFly]] (Fox), a teenager accidentally sent back to 1955 in a [[DeLorean time machine|time-traveling DeLorean automobile]] built by his eccentric scientist friend [[Emmett Brown|Emmett "Doc" Brown]] (Lloyd), where he inadvertently prevents his future parents from falling in love{{snd}}threatening his own existence{{snd}}and is forced to reconcile them 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 more than forty 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]] following Zemeckis's success directing ''[[Romancing the Stone]]'' (1984). Fox was the first choice to portray Marty but was unavailable; [[Eric Stoltz]] was cast instead. Shortly after [[principal photography]] 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 $4{{spaces}}million to the budget. ''Back to the Future'' was filmed in and around California and on sets at [[Universal Studios Lot|Universal Studios]], and concluded the following April.

After highly successful test screenings, the release date was brought forward to July{{spaces}}3, 1985, giving the film 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. Nevertheless, ''Back to the Future'' was a critical and commercial success, earning $398{{spaces}}million to become the [[1985 in film|highest-grossing film of 1985]] worldwide. Critics praised the story, humor, and the cast, particularly Fox, Lloyd, Thompson, and Glover. It received multiple award nominations and won an [[58th Academy Awards|Academy Award]], three [[13th Saturn Awards|Saturn Awards]], and a [[Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation|Hugo Award]]. Its theme song, "[[The Power of Love (Huey Lewis and the News 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 [[List of films voted the best|best films ever made]]. In 2007, the United States [[Library of Congress]] selected it for preservation in the [[National Film Registry]]. The film was followed by two sequels, ''[[Back to the Future Part&nbsp;II]]'' (1989) and ''[[Back to the Future Part&nbsp;III]]'' (1990). Spurred by the film's dedicated fan following and effect on popular culture, Universal Studios launched [[Back to the Future (franchise)|a multimedia franchise]], which now includes [[List of Back to the Future video games|video games]], [[Back to the Future: The Ride|theme park rides]], [[Back to the Future (TV series)|an animated television series]], and [[Back to the Future: The Musical|a stage musical]]. Its enduring popularity has prompted numerous books about its production, documentaries, and commercials.

==Plot==
<!--Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 and 700 words.-->
In 1985, teenager [[Marty McFly]] lives in [[Hill Valley (Back to the Future)|Hill Valley, California]], with his depressed alcoholic mother, [[Lorraine Baines-McFly|Lorraine]]; his older siblings, who are professional and social failures; and his meek father, [[George McFly|George]], who is bullied by his supervisor, [[Biff Tannen]]. After Marty's band fails 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 Brown|Emmett "Doc" Brown]], in the [[Twin Pines Mall|Twin Pines mall]] parking lot. Doc unveils a [[DeLorean time machine|time machine built from a modified DeLorean]], powered by [[plutonium]] he swindled from Libyan terrorists. After Doc inputs a destination time of November 5, 1955 (the day he conceived his time travel invention), the terrorists arrive unexpectedly and gun him down. Marty flees in the DeLorean, inadvertently activating time travel when reaching {{convert|88|mph|abbr=off|sp=us}}.

Arriving in 1955, Marty discovers he has no plutonium, so he cannot return to 1985. While exploring a burgeoning Hill Valley, Marty encounters his teenage father, discovering Biff was bullying George even then. George falls into the path of an oncoming car while [[Voyeurism|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. Doc explains the only source available in 1955 capable of generating the 1.21 gigawatts of 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 carries with him, Doc realizes Marty's actions are [[Temporal paradox#Grandfather paradox|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 hurries to the courthouse to meet Doc.

Doc discovers a letter from Marty warning him about his future and rips it up, worried about the consequences. To save Doc, Marty recalibrates the DeLorean to return ten minutes before he had 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 had pieced Marty's note back together and is wearing a bulletproof vest. He takes Marty home and departs to 2015 in the DeLorean. Marty wakes the next morning, discovering his father is now a confident and successful [[science fiction]] 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.{{efn|As depicted in ''[[Back to the Future Part&nbsp;II]]'' (1989)}}

==Cast==
{{See also|List of Back to the Future characters|l1=List of ''Back to the Future'' characters}}

{{multiple image|
| total_width = 300
  | direction = horizontal
  | footer = [[Michael J. Fox]] in 1985 (left) and [[Christopher Lloyd]] in 2010
  | image1 = Michael J. Fox 1985 (cropped).jpg
  | alt1 = A photograph of Michael J Fox
  | image2 = ChristopherLloydOct10.jpg
  | alt2 = A photograph of Christopher Lloyd
 }}
<!--DO NOT LINK CHARACTERS! THEY ARE ALREADY LINKED ABOVE AND A SEPARATE LINK TO THE CHARACTER LIST IS AT THE TOP OF THIS SECTION. Cast list as shown in the same order as after the cut-to-black at the end of the film.-->
* [[Michael J. Fox]] as Marty McFly, a high school student and aspiring musician<ref name="LevyRevisit"/>
* [[Christopher Lloyd]] as Emmett "Doc" Brown, an eccentric scientist experimenting with time travel<ref name="ASCILM"/>
* [[Lea Thompson]] as Lorraine Baines McFly, a 1955 teenager who grows into Marty's unhappy, alcoholic mother<ref name="RevVariety"/>
* [[Crispin Glover]] as George McFly, a nerdy 1955 high schooler who grows into Marty's cowardly, submissive father<ref name="RevVariety"/>
* [[Thomas F. Wilson]] as Biff Tannen, a 1955 high school bully turned George's 1985 boss<ref name="LooperBiff"/>

The 1985 portion of the film features a cast including [[Claudia Wells]] as Marty's girlfriend Jennifer Parker, and [[Marc McClure]] and [[Wendie&nbsp;Jo Sperber]] as Marty's siblings [[List of Back to the Future characters#Dave McFly|Dave McFly]] and [[Linda McFly]].<ref name="NYTimes1985July3Maslin" /> [[Elsa Raven]] plays the Clocktower Lady. Singer [[Huey Lewis]] has a cameo role as a judge for the Battle of the Bands contest.<ref name="USATodayLewis" /><ref name="ShortlistDudley" /> Richard{{spaces}}L. Duran and Jeff O'Haco portray the Libyan terrorists.<ref name="AFI" />

Cast appearing in the 1955 portion includes [[George DiCenzo]] and [[Frances Lee McCain]] as Lorraine's parents, Sam and Stella Baines,<ref name="NYTimes1985July3Maslin" /> and [[Jason Hervey]] as Lorraine's younger brother Milton. Biff's gang includes [[J. J. Cohen|Jeffrey Jay Cohen]] as Skinhead, [[Casey Siemaszko]] as {{nowrap|3-D}}, and [[Billy Zane]] as Match. [[Norman Alden]] plays cafe owner Lou, and [[Donald Fullilove]] appears as his employee (and future mayor) Goldie Wilson. [[Harry Waters&nbsp;Jr.]] portrays [[Chuck Berry]]'s cousin Marvin Berry; [[Will Hare]] appears as Pa{{spaces}}Peabody; and [[Courtney Gains]] portrays Dixon, the youth who interrupts George's and Lorraine's dance.<ref name="AFI" /> [[James Tolkan]] portrays Hill Valley high school principal [[List of Back to the Future characters#Gerald Strickland|Strickland]] in both 1955 and 1985.<ref name="NYTimes1985July3Maslin" />

==Production==
===Conception and writing===
[[File:Robert Zemeckis by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|alt=Robert Zemeckis|Director [[Robert Zemeckis]] in 2010, who developed ''Back to the Future'' with his long-time friend Bob Gale]]

Long-time collaborators [[Bob Gale]] and [[Robert Zemeckis]] conceived ''Back to the Future'' in 1980.<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" /><ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /><ref name="HFPAOralHistory" /> They wanted to develop a film about time travel but struggled to create a satisfying narrative, and were desperate for a successful project after the critical or commercial failures of their recent efforts in collaboration with Zemeckis's mentor, [[Steven Spielberg]].<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" /><ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /><ref name="HFPAOralHistory" />

Following the release of their comedy ''[[Used Cars]]'' (1980), Gale visited his parents and came across his father's high school [[yearbook]].<ref name="HFPAOralHistory" /><ref name="NYTimesGaleJul85" /> He wondered if 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.<ref name="NYTimesGaleJul85" /> He shared the idea with Zemeckis, who recalled his mother's childhood stories were often contradictory.<ref name="HFPAOralHistory" />

Gale and Zemeckis began a draft in late 1980. They sketched and acted out each scene to help develop the dialogue and actions.<ref name="NYTimesGaleJul85" /> They believed many time-travel films focused on the past being immutable and wanted to show the past being altered and the effect those changes would have on the future.<ref name="HFPAOralHistory" /> In the draft, [[Copyright infringement|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.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=12}} In September 1980, Gale and Zemeckis pitched their idea to [[Columbia Pictures]] president [[Frank Price]], who had liked ''Used Cars'' and was keen to work with the pair. Gale recalled having to rein in Zemeckis's enthusiastic pitch before Price had time to change his mind.<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /> Gale and Zemeckis completed the first draft for Price on February{{spaces}}21, 1981, but Price believed it needed significant refinement.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=12}}

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.<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" /><ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /> Marty's father also became a boxer, a result of his knockout punch on Biff.<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /> The time machine was a stationary object moved around on the back of a truck.<ref name="ShortlistDudley" /><ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /><ref name="SlashFilmFridge" /> 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]].{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /><ref name="SlashFilmFridge" /><ref name="Cryer" /><ref name="ColliderDifferences2020" />}} 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.<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" /> 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.<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" />

Gale and Zemeckis drew humor from the cultural contrasts between 1955 and 1985, such as Marty entering a 1955 soda shop in 1985 clothing; the  shop owner asks Marty if he is a sailor because his down vest resembles a [[Personal flotation device#Life jacket|life preserver]]. They also identified conveniences of 1985 that Marty had taken for granted, but would be denied in 1955. Gale and Zemeckis struggled with the writing, as they were in their 30s and did not particularly identify with either era.<ref name="NYTimesGaleJul85" /> They were inspired by the [[All-American]] aesthetic of films by [[Frank Capra]] featuring [[Picket fence|white picket fences]] and exaggerated characters similar to Biff,<ref name="ShortList" /> ''[[The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'', science fiction films, and books by [[Robert Silverberg]] and [[Robert Heinlein]].<ref name="CNNGaleInterview" /> The romantic relationship between 1955 Lorraine and her future son was one of the more difficult writing challenges.<ref name="NYTimesJun1985AttheMovies" /> 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.<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /> The second draft was completed by April{{spaces}}7, 1981.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=12}}

===Development===
[[File:Steven Spielberg - GianAngelo Pistoia 1 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|alt=Steven Spielberg shown talking into a microphone|[[Steven Spielberg]] in 1993. He mentored Zemeckis and lent his experience and Hollywood studio clout to support the production of ''Back to the Future''.]]

Price opted not to [[green-light]] the second draft; although he liked it, he did not believe it would appeal to anyone else.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=12, 13}} 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.<ref name="NYTimesRushedPostPro" /><ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /> Columbia put the project into [[Turnaround (filmmaking)|turnaround]] (a process allowing other studios to purchase the idea).<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=13}} The script was rejected some forty times, sometimes multiple times by the same studios.<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" /> Reasons given included the concept being unappealing to contemporary rebellious youth{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=13}} and the failures of other time travel films, such as ''[[The Final Countdown (film)|The Final Countdown]]'' (1980) and ''[[Time Bandits]]'' (1981).<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /><ref name="Gizmodo11things" /> [[Walt Disney Pictures|Walt Disney Productions]] turned it down because they considered Marty's fighting off his future mother's advances too risqué for their brand.<ref name="NYTimesRushedPostPro" /> 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 get work only through being friends with Spielberg.<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" /><ref name="NYTimesRushedPostPro" />

Zemeckis accepted the next project offered to him, ''[[Romancing the Stone]]'' (1984).<ref name="HFPAOralHistory" /><ref name="NYTimesRushedPostPro" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=14}} Against expectations, the film was a significant success and gave Zemeckis enough credibility to return to ''Back to the Future''.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" /><ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /><ref name="NYTimesRushedPostPro" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=15–16}}}} 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]], at [[Universal Pictures]], where Price now worked.<ref name="ShortList" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=16}} Spielberg disliked Price because he had rejected ''[[E.T.&nbsp;the Extra-Terrestrial]]'' (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.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=17}} Amblin executives [[Kathleen Kennedy (producer)|Kathleen Kennedy]] and [[Frank Marshall (filmmaker)|Frank Marshall]] joined Spielberg as the film's [[executive producers]].<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /><ref name="VanityFairPowerful" />

However, rights to ''Back to the Future'' remained with Columbia Pictures. Price's successor at Columbia, [[Guy McElwaine]], was developing a satire of the Universal-owned noir film ''[[Double Indemnity]]'' (1944) called ''[[Big Trouble (1986 film)|Big Trouble]]'' (1986). Its similarities to ''Double Indemnity'' meant the studio would violate Universal's copyright. With production imminent, McElwaine asked for the rights from Price; in exchange, Price obtained the rights to ''Back to the Future''.<ref name="DeadlinePrice" />

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.<ref name="CNNGaleInterview" /><ref name="Radio Times 30 August 2016" /> 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.<ref name="ShortList" /><ref name="Radio Times 30 August 2016" /> Sheinberg later claimed the story was "bullshit".{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=111}} 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.<ref name="CNNGaleInterview" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=18}} The third draft was completed by July 1984.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=18}} The lengthy development allowed Gale and Zemeckis to refine the script's jokes, especially ones that had become dated since 1980.<ref name="NYTimesGaleJul85" /> The joke about former actor [[Ronald Reagan]] becoming [[President of the United States]] remained following his re-election in [[1984 United States presidential election|1984]].<ref name="NYTimesGaleJul85" />

===Casting===
[[File: Eric Stoltz-2009 cropped.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|alt=portrait of Eric Stoltz|[[Eric Stoltz]] (pictured in 2009) was cast as Marty McFly and spent several weeks filming ''Back to the Future'' before the role was re-cast.]]

[[Michael J. Fox]] was the first choice to portray Marty McFly. Gale and Zemeckis believed his acting timing in the [[NBC]] sitcom ''[[Family Ties]]'' (1982–1989) as the sophisticated [[Alex P. Keaton]] could be translated to Marty's clumsiness.<ref name="HFPAOralHistory" /><ref name="NYTimesFoxInterview" /> 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 [[Parental leave|maternity leave]], Goldberg did not give Fox the script.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=4–5}} Other young stars were considered, including: [[John Cusack]], [[C.&nbsp;Thomas Howell]], [[Johnny Depp]], [[Ralph Macchio]], [[Charlie Sheen]], [[Jon Cryer]], [[Ben Stiller]], [[Peter DeLuise]], [[Billy Zane]], [[George Newbern]], [[Robert Downey&nbsp;Jr.]], [[Christopher Collet]], [[Matthew Modine]], and [[Corey Hart (singer)|Corey Hart]] (who declined to audition).{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="ShortlistDudley" /><ref name="Cryer" /><ref name="Gizmodo11things" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=18}}{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=2, 3}}{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=19}}<ref name="VultureLostRoles" /><ref name="IndependentModine" />}} Howell was the frontrunner,{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=19}} but Sheinberg preferred [[Eric Stoltz]], who had impressed with his portrayal of [[Roy L. Dennis|Rocky Dennis]] in an early screening of the drama film ''[[Mask (1985 film)|Mask]]'' (1985).{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=20}}<ref name="VultureLostRoles" /> With the filming date approaching, Zemeckis opted for Stoltz.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=20}} Sheinberg promised that if Stoltz did not work out, they could reshoot the film.<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /> The character's name was derived from ''Used Cars'' production assistant Marty Casella. Zemeckis suggested McFly because it sounded "All-American".<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" />

Among others, [[Jeff Goldblum]], [[John Lithgow]], [[Dudley Moore]], [[Ron Silver]], [[Robin Williams]], [[John Cleese]], [[Mandy Patinkin]], [[Gene Hackman]], [[James Woods]], and [[Mark Mothersbaugh]]<!--DO NOT ADD MORE ACTORS WITHOUT FURTHER SOURCES, THE CASTING LIST IS A WIDE NET AND FOR FAIRNESS ONLY THOSE WITH TICKS ARE INCLUDED--> were considered for the role of Doc Brown.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="ShortlistDudley" /><ref name="VultureLostRoles" /><ref name="MentalFlossDocB" /><ref name="WrapMothers"/>}} Producer [[Neil Canton]] suggested Lithgow, having worked with him and [[Christopher Lloyd]] on ''[[The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension|Buckaroo Banzai]]'' (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.<ref name="ScreenRangDocB" /> [[Albert Einstein]] and conductor [[Leopold Stokowski]] inspired Lloyd's wild, white hair.<ref name="Seattle times" /> Lloyd affected a hunched posture to lower his {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} height closer to the {{convert|5|ft|5|in|m}} tall Fox.<ref name="VultureLostRoles" />

The filmmakers became aware of [[Lea Thompson]] while researching Stoltz in the comedy-drama ''[[The Wild Life (film)|The Wild Life]]'' (1984).<ref name="AVClubThompson" /> [[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.<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /><ref name="AVClubGlover" /> Glover lost his voice during filming and later dubbed in some lines.<ref name="ShortlistDudley" /> According to Fox, Glover refused to follow blocking—preferring to move freely on whim regardless of camera placement—to the frustration of the crew.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2025/10/michael-j-fox-crispin-glover-friction-back-to-the-future-1236587761/ Michael J. Fox Recalls How Crispin Glover “Created Friction” On ‘Back to the Future’ Set: “No Way To Prepare”]</ref>

DeLuise, Zane, [[Tim Robbins]], and [[J. J. Cohen]] were considered to play Biff Tannen.<ref name="ShortlistDudley" /><ref name="JJCohen" /><ref name="YahoOCast" /> Cohen was not considered intimidating enough against Stoltz, and the role went to [[Thomas F. Wilson|Thomas{{spaces}}F. Wilson]], his first feature starring role.<ref name="VultureStoltz" /><ref name="JJCohen2" /> Zane and Cohen were cast as Biff's minions Match and Skinhead instead.<ref name="JJCohen" /><ref name="USATodayThings" /> Tannen's name was taken from Universal Studios executive [[Ned Tanen]], who had been unpleasant with Gale and Zemeckis.<ref name="ShortlistDudley" />

[[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.<ref name="VultureLostRoles" /><ref name="WiredHardin" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=42–43}} 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]]'' (1984).<ref name="VultureLostRoles" /><ref name="WiredHardin" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=43}} Actresses [[Kyra Sedgwick]] and [[Jill Schoelen]] were also considered; Schoelen was told she looked too "exotic" and not sufficiently All-American.<ref name="FangoriaSchoelen" /><ref name="PeopleSedgwick" /> Doc Brown's pet, a dog named Einstein, was originally scripted as a [[chimpanzee]] named Shemp. Sheinberg insisted films featuring chimps never did well.<ref name="ShortlistDudley" /><ref name="Gizmodo11things" /> [[James Tolkan]] was the first choice for Principal Strickland after Zemeckis saw him in the crime drama ''[[Prince of the City]]'' (1981).{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=84, 85}} 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.<ref name="USATodayLewis" /> Gale cameos as the hand in the radiation suit tapping the DeLorean time display.<ref name="THRGaleCameo" />

===Filming with Stoltz===
[[File:The house of MсFly family 02.jpg|thumb|alt=bungalow with an attached garage, with a tower and power lines in the background|A house in [[Arleta, Los Angeles]], served as the McFlys' home.]]

[[Principal photography]] began on November{{spaces}}26, 1984, on a 14-week schedule set to conclude on February{{spaces}}28, 1985, with an estimated $14{{spaces}}million budget.{{sfn|Klastorin|Atamaniuk|2015|pp=47, 61}}{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=2, 32}} Filming took place mainly at the [[Universal Studios Lot]] and on location in [[California]].<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /> [[Dean Cundey]] served as the cinematographer; he and Zemeckis had collaborated on ''Romancing the Stone''.<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /> Editor [[Arthur Schmidt (film editor)|Arthur Schmidt]] was hired after Zemeckis saw his work on ''[[Firstborn (1984 film)|Firstborn]]'' (1984); Schmidt recommended hiring [[Harry Keramidas]] as co-editor.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=2–3, 23}} Frank Marshall also served as a second unit director.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=87}}

Owing to the tight schedule, editing occurred concurrently with filming.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=1–2}} On December{{spaces}}30, 1984, Zemeckis reviewed the existing scenes with Schmidt and Keramidas.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=21–22, 27}} Zemeckis was reluctant to review the footage because he would be self-critical,{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=21, 22}} but he believed Stoltz's acting was not working and had already listed several scenes he wanted to reshoot.<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" /><ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=21, 22}} Zemeckis called in Gale and the producers to show them the footage; they agreed Stoltz was not right for the part.<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" /> Stoltz was performing the role with an intense and serious tone, not the "[[Screwball comedy|screwball]]" energy they desired.<ref name="NYTimesFoxInterview" /><ref name="VultureStoltz" /> Gale characterized Stoltz as a good actor in the wrong role.<ref name="NYTDateMovedUp" />

Stoltz used [[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.<ref name="VultureStoltz"/> Spielberg said Zemeckis needed a replacement in place before firing Stoltz, or he risked the production being canceled.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=28–29}} Zemeckis and the producers asked Sheinberg for permission to do whatever was necessary to accommodate Fox's participation;<ref name="VultureStoltz"/> Spielberg made another call to Goldberg. On January{{spaces}}3, 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.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=31–33}} The transition could not take place immediately and filming continued with Stoltz in the lead role, unaware he was to be replaced.<ref name="VultureStoltz"/>

On January 10, 1985, Zemeckis informed Stoltz that he was being fired.<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /><ref name="VultureStoltz" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=35–36}} Zemeckis described it as "the hardest meeting I've ever had in my life and it was all my fault. I broke [Stoltz's] heart."<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /> Stoltz was reported to have told his makeup artist he was not a [[comedian]] and did not understand why he was cast.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=25–26}} The producers informed the principal cast and the rest of the crew much of the film would be re-shot.<ref name="VultureStoltz" />{{sfn|Klastorin|Atamaniuk|2015|pp=61, 66}} Cundey said most of the crew saw Stoltz's removal as "good news".<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /> 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 showing only Doc.<ref name="VultureStoltz" /> Stoltz had shot numerous key scenes including Marty traveling to 1955 in the DeLorean, its breaking down as he prepares to return to 1985, and his final scene was Marty's return to 1985.<ref name="AVClubGlover" /><ref name="VultureStoltz" /> Filming fell behind schedule, with 34{{spaces}}days of filming lost and an additional cost of $3.5–$4.0{{spaces}}million, including Stoltz receiving his salary in full.<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /><ref name="NYTDateMovedUp" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=33, 52}} Universal's marketing team was tasked with mitigating the negative publicity from a project replacing its main star.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=52}}

===Filming with Fox===
[[File:Court house from Back to the Future films.jpg|thumb|left|alt=the courthouse with its clock tower|The [[Courthouse Square|Hill Valley town square]] and clock tower were a set built on the [[Universal Studios Hollywood|Universal Studios]]' [[backlot]].]]
Fox's first day on set was January{{spaces}}15, 1985.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=41, 43–44}} The first scene he filmed was with Lea Thompson, when their characters first meet in Lorraine's bedroom in 1955.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Edel |first1=Victoria |title=Michael J. Fox Reveals Joke That Won Over Lea Thompson After Rocky Start to Filming Back to the Future |url=https://people.com/michael-j-fox-wrote-joke-win-over-lea-thompson-back-to-the-future-11829379 |access-date=October 16, 2025 |publisher=People |date=October 15, 2025}}</ref> Fox 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.<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade"/><ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade"/><ref name="NYTimesFoxInterview"/> The [[teamster]] drivers entrusted with dropping off Fox at home often had to carry the actor to bed.<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade"/> This continued until April, when ''Family Ties'' finished filming.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=103–104}} Gale said Fox's youth meant he could cope with less sleep than usual;<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade"/> Fox described it as exhausting, but worth the effort.<ref name="NYTimesFoxInterview"/> 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 dialogue,<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade"/>{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=114}} and recalled looking for a camcorder on the ''Family Ties'' set, before realizing it was a prop on ''Back to the Future''.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=114}} He also had to learn to mimic playing the guitar and choreographed skateboarding routines taught by [[Per Welinder]] and Bob Schmelzer.<ref name="CBRSkateboard"/>

To compensate for his conflicting schedules and reduce production costs, some scenes involving Marty were shot without Fox, who filmed his part separately.<ref name="HFPAOralHistory"/><ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade"/> Re-shooting scenes allowed the filmmakers 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.<ref name="ColliderDifferences2020"/>{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=50}} 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.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=51}} According to Gale, once Fox replaced Stoltz, the atmosphere on set improved.<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade"/> Thompson anecdotally said while Stoltz ate lunch alone in his trailer, Fox ate lunch with the cast and crew.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=47}}

The production used many locations in and around [[Los Angeles]]. The [[Courthouse Square|clock tower and town square]] are structures on the [[Universal Studios Lot]] in [[Universal City, California]].<ref name="ClockTower" /><ref name="Curbed" /> When filmed from below, Lloyd was positioned on a recreation of the clock tower closer to the ground, but when filmed from above, Lloyd stood atop the tower itself.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=64}} Production designer [[Lawrence&nbsp;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.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=143}} [[Whittier High School]] in the city of [[Whittier, California|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 (Pasadena, California)|Gamble House]]; interiors were shot at the historic [[Blacker House]].)<ref name="Curbed"/> [[Puente Hills Mall]] in [[City of Industry, California]] serves as the Twin Pines mall, which later becomes the Lone Pine mall after Marty knocks over one of the trees at Twin Pines ranch in 1955, which was filmed at Disney's [[Golden Oak Ranch]] in [[Newhall, Santa Clarita, California]].<ref name="VultureStoltz" /><ref name="Curbed" /> Other locations include the basement of the [[Hollywood United Methodist Church]] where the school dance was filmed, and [[Griffith Park]], where Marty begins his drive to the courthouse to return to 1985, passing by a lamp post outside the [[Greek Theatre (Los Angeles)|Greek Theatre]].<ref name="Curbed" />

Filming [[Wrap (filmmaking)|concluded]] after 107 days on April{{spaces}}26, 1985. The final day of filming included [[Pick-up (filmmaking)|pick-up]] shots of Marty and Einstein the dog in the DeLorean.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=103–104}}

===Post-production===
[[File:Century Domes, San Jose (2773755882).jpg|thumb|alt=the Century 22 Theater in San Jose where the film was test screened|A rough cut of the film was test screened for audiences at [[Century Theatres|Century 22]] theater in [[San Jose, California]], only three weeks after filming concluded.]]

Arthur F. Repola served as the post-production supervisor, but he became responsible for many aspects outside his role, including budgets, storyboarding, and general problem-solving. Those roles belonged to Kennedy and Marshall, but both were occupied on other films.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=40}} 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.<ref name="ABoutSchmidt" />

A [[Workprint|rough version of the movie]] was cut together for a [[test screening]] at the [[Century Theatres|Century 22]] theater in [[San Jose, California]], 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.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=104, 106–107}} At a test screening in [[Long Beach, California]], 94% of the audience responded they would recommend the film; 99% rated it very good or excellent.<ref name="NYTimesRushedPostPro" /> Gale said there was some concern when Doc's dog Einstein was sent through time, as the audience believed he had been killed.<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /> But Gale said when they came to the cafe scene where Marty sees his father, the audience "got it". The film was re-cut and screened again at the [[Alfred Hitchcock]] Theater at the Universal lot for executives, including Sheinberg.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=108–109}} He was so impressed he moved the scheduled release date forward to July{{spaces}}3, 1985, to give it more time in theaters during the peak summer season.<ref name="NYTDateMovedUp" /> The new date reduced the post-production schedule to just nine weeks for special effects and editing.<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /><ref name="NYTDateMovedUp" /> Zemeckis spent much of June rushing to finish the film.<ref name="NYTimesRushedPostPro" />

Deleted scenes include: Doc looking at an issue of ''[[Playboy]]'', remarking the future looks better; a scene of 1985 George being coerced into buying a large amount of peanut brittle from a young girl;<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" /><ref name="DOG88things" /> a scene of young George trapped in a phone booth by the man who interrupts his dance with Lorraine;{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=108}} and the scene of Marty pretending to be "Darth Vader", which was shortened.<ref name="DOG88things" /> Zemeckis considered cutting the "[[Johnny B. Goode|Johnny{{spaces}}B. Goode]]" performance because it did not advance the story, but test audiences reacted well to it.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=107–108}} 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.<ref name="USATodayThings" /><ref name="DigitalSpyHand" /> The final 116{{nbh}}minute cut was completed on June 23, 1985.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=109}}<ref name="BBFC" /> Universal took out a full-page advertisement in ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' magazine, thanking the post-production crew for completing their work on time.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=109}} The final budget was $19{{spaces}}million.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=132}}<ref name="BomBOSummary" />

===Music===
{{Main|Back to the Future (soundtrack)|l1=''Back to the Future'' (soundtrack)}}

{{Listen|filename=Back to the Future Theme by Alan Silvestri.mp3|pos=left|title=''Alan Silvestri – Back to the Future''|description=Alan Silvestri wanted to create a "heroic" theme that could be recognizable from only a few notes.|format=[[Ogg]]}}

[[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.<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" />

Huey Lewis was approached to write a theme song for the film; he was coming off the success of his recent album ''[[Sports (Huey Lewis and the News album)|Sports]]''. 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 (Huey Lewis and the News song)|The Power of Love]]".<ref name="USATodayLewis" /> Lewis maintains "Power of Love" was his first submission, but Zemeckis recalled a different first song that was rejected.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=96}}<ref name="AFIGB" /> Lewis later acquiesced to Zemeckis's request for a second song, "[[Back in Time (Huey Lewis and the News song)|Back in Time]]".<ref name="USATodayLewis" />

Musician [[Eddie Van Halen]] performed the guitar riff Marty (dressed as "Darth Vader") uses to wake George. The filmmakers wanted to use [[Van Halen]]'s music, but the band refused to take part, so Eddie took part on his own. [[Jack Mack and the Heart Attack|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.<ref name="DOG88things" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=88}} [[Paul Hanson (guitarist)|Paul Hanson]] taught Fox how to use a guitar to play "[[Johnny&nbsp;B. Goode]]", and choreographer Brad Jeffries spent four weeks teaching Fox to replicate various rock star moves popularized by artists like [[Pete Townshend]], [[Jimi Hendrix]], and Chuck Berry.<ref name="EmpireGuitar" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=90}} Berry withheld permission to use "Johnny B. Goode" until the day before filming, receiving $50,000 for the rights.<ref name="TelegraphThings" /> Harry Waters{{spaces}}Jr. provided the vocals on "[[Earth Angel]]".{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=92–93}}

==Design==
===Special effects===
[[Industrial Light & Magic]] (ILM) developed the film's special effects under the supervision of [[Ken Ralston]] and [[Kevin Pike]].<ref name="ASCILM" /><ref name="BTTFWebsite" /> It contains approximately 27–32 special effects shots, compared to the 300 such shots typical in contemporaneous higher-budget films.<ref name="ASCILM" /><ref name="ShortlistDudley" />{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=40}} Despite working simultaneously on ''[[The Goonies]]'' and ''[[Cocoon (film)|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.<ref name="ASCILM" />{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=40}} The team had a nine-and-a-half-week schedule, reduced to less than nine once Universal 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.<ref name="ASCILM"/>{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|pp=40, 59}}

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 [[Compositing|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.<ref name="ASCILM" />{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=63}} 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 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.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=63}} The enlarged guitar was moved around to add to the realism.<ref name="ASCILM"/>

The original nuclear explosion ending was considered too complicated and expensive, with an estimated cost of $1{{spaces}}million.<ref name="ASCILM"/><ref name="SlashFilmFridge"/><ref name="ColliderDifferences2020"/> Art director [[Andrew Probert]] storyboarded the scene, which would have been created using sets and [[Scale model|miniatures]].<ref name="SlashFilmFridge"/>{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=63}} With the ending moved to the clock tower, ILM researched storms to achieve the right aesthetic.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=63}} Clouds were constructed from [[Polyester Fiberfill|polyester fiberfill]], suspended in a net, and filmed from above while Ralston shone a powerful light from below.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=64}} He used a [[Potentiometer#Rheostat|rheostat]] to rapidly change the lights' intensity to imitate lightning.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=64}}

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.<ref name="FXGuide" /> There was also an issue with showing the bolt onscreen for too long as it made it more obviously animated.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=64}}<ref name="FXGuide" /> The frame count was reduced, but the bolt did not look chaotic enough.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=64}} Zemeckis picked out a single frame of the bolt in an "S"{{spaces}}formation and asked that the effect focus on that shape and be reduced to twenty frames.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=64}}<ref name="FXGuide" /> The bolt was drawn in black ink on white paper; diffusion effects and a glow were added by the optical department.<ref name="FXGuide" />

===The DeLorean time machine===
{{Main|DeLorean time machine}}

[[File:Front Side Wings Aloft.jpg|thumb|alt=refer to caption|A replica of the [[DeLorean time machine]] on display in 2021]]
The DeLorean was developed under the supervision of Lawrence Paull,<ref name="BTTFWebsite" /> who designed it with artist [[Ron Cobb]] and illustrator [[Andrew Probert]].<ref name="Gizmodo11things" />{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=56}} They intended for the vehicle to look fixed together from common parts.<ref name="BTTFWebsite" /> 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.<ref name="SlashFilmFridge" /> Zemeckis suggested the DeLorean because it offered mobility and a unique design; the gull-wing doors would appear like an alien [[Unidentified flying object|UFO]] to a 1950s family.<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" /><ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /><ref name="HFPAOralHistory" /> The [[Ford Motor Company]] offered $75,000 to use a [[Ford Mustang]] instead; Gale responded, "Doc Brown doesn't drive a fucking Mustang".<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /> 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]]'' (1982) and ''Buckaroo Banzai'', respectively. Fink had a project lined up but agreed to help in the free weeks he had remaining.<ref name="BTTFWebsite" /> Three DeLoreans used were purchased from a collector: one for stunts, one for special effects, and a more detailed [[Prop#Hero|hero version]] for close-up shots.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=56}}{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=63}} They were unreliable and often broke down.<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /> {{convert|88|mph|km/h|abbr=off|sp=us}} was chosen as the time travel speed because it was easy to remember and looked "cool" on the speedometer.<ref name="TelegraphThings" />

The flying DeLorean in the final scene used a combination of live-action footage, animation, and a 1:5 scale (approximately {{convert|33|in|mm|abbr=off|sp=us}} long) model built by [[Steve Gawley]] and the model shop crew.<ref name="ASCILM" />{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|pp=66, 67}} 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 as a "[[Neanderthal]] sitting on the hood of the DeLorean and chipping away the fabric of time in front of him".<ref name="FXGuide" /> 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.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=62}}

===Art direction and makeup===
[[File:Drew Struzan (2012).jpg|thumb|upright|left|alt=refer to caption|Artist [[Drew Struzan]] in 2012. He designed the ''Back to the Future'' theatrical release poster.]]

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]]''.<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=143–144}} This choice led to some disputes, such as [[Pepsi]] parent company, [[PepsiCo]], wanting to omit a joke about the [[Tab (drink)|Tab]] drink made by its rival [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola]].<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" /> Twenty clock wranglers were needed to synch up the many clocks in the opening scene, and [[pulleys]] were used to start them simultaneously.<ref name="TelegraphThings" /> [[Drew Struzan]] produced the film's poster.<ref name="Nerdistmerch" /> The producers hoped his in-demand poster artwork would generate further interest in the film.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=53}}

The film uses a stylized adaptation of the 1950s [[aesthetics]], closer to television show interpretations than an exact recreation. Modern technologies such as contemporary fabrics were used because the designers believed the fashions of the time were not interesting.<ref name="NYTimesJun1985AttheMovies" /> 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 (make-up artist)|Ken Chase]] performed makeup 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 and retaining enough of their natural appearance to remain recognizable.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=56}}

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.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|pp=56, 59}} Instead of a receding hairline, Chase changed the style of George's hair; he used prosthetics only to give him a less-defined jawline.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=59}} 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.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=59}} The prosthetics were combined with makeup and lighting to further age the characters.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=56}}

Chase found the work frustrating compared to his experiences with more fantastical prostheses that made it easier to hide defects.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=56}} 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;{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=59}} close-up shots were avoided.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=59}} 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 spot]]s and shadows, were painted.{{sfn|Pourroy|1985|p=59}}
{{Clear}}

==Release==
===Context===
{{See also|1985 in film}}
[[File:Back-to-the-future-logo.svg|thumb|alt=refer to caption|The logo for ''Back to the Future'']]

By June 1985, the theatrical industry had experienced a 14% decline in ticket sales over the previous year's $4{{spaces}}billion record sales. The summer period (beginning the final week of May) had 45{{spaces}}films scheduled for release, including ''[[Rambo: First Blood Part&nbsp;II]]'', ''The Goonies'', ''[[Brewster's Millions (1985 film)|Brewster's Millions]]'', ''[[Fletch (film)|Fletch]]'', and the latest [[James Bond]] film ''[[A View to a Kill]]''.<ref name="NYTimes1985June11" /> 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 $14.5{{spaces}}million and $7{{spaces}}million, respectively.<ref name="NYTimes1985June11" /> A higher budget to secure a popular, and thus profitable, cast was considered a suitable risk.<ref name="NYTimes1985June11" /> 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.<ref name="NYTimes1985PostMortemCanby" /> Only a few films, like ''Cocoon'' and ''[[Prizzi's Honor]]'', targeted adults.<ref name="NYTimesSeptBOOverview" />

Initially, ''Back to the Future'' was scheduled to be released in May 1985,{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=2}} but was pushed back to June{{spaces}}21, the earliest Zemeckis could have the film ready. The delay caused by Stoltz's replacement pushed the release back to July{{spaces}}19, and later to August.<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /> Sheinberg moved the release date forward to July{{spaces}}3, giving it an extra sixteen 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 $40{{spaces}}million. He said he also wanted to avoid the negative perception of films released later in the summer period; other [[blockbuster (entertainment)|blockbuster]] films were usually released early.<ref name="NYTDateMovedUp" /> 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 before purchase; an unfinished cut of the film was shown to theater owners and young test audiences. They described it as lesser than ''E.T.{{spaces}}the Extra-Terrestrial'' or ''[[Ghostbusters]]'', but still a guaranteed box office hit.<ref name="NYTDateMovedUp" /> Fox was unavailable for promotional work because he was filming ''[[List of Family Ties episodes#Film (1985)|Family Ties Vacation]]'' (1985) in London.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=113}}

===Box office===
In the United States (U.S.) and Canada, ''Back to the Future'' received a wide release on July{{spaces}}3, 1985, ahead of the [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] holiday weekend.<ref name="NYTimes1985July3Maslin" /><ref name="BOMDaily" /> The film earned $3.6{{spaces}}million during the opening Wednesday and Thursday,<ref name="BOMDaily" /> and a further $11.3{{spaces}}million during its inaugural weekend from 1,420 theaters{{snd}}an average of $7,853 per theater.<ref name="BOMWeekends" /> ''Back to the Future'' finished as the number one film of the weekend ahead of Western ''[[Pale Rider]]'' ($7{{spaces}}million), in its second weekend, and ''Rambo: First Blood Part{{spaces}}II'' ($6.4{{spaces}}million) in its seventh.<ref name="BOMNAWeekendJul5to7" /> It retained the number one position in its second weekend with a further gross of $10.6{{spaces}}million, ahead of the debuting action film ''[[Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome]]'' ($7.8{{spaces}}million) and ''Cocoon'' ($5{{spaces}}million),<ref name="BOMNAWeekendJul12to14" /> and in its third weekend, ahead of the re-release of ''E.T.{{spaces}}the Extra-Terrestrial'' ($8.8{{spaces}}million) and ''Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome'' ($5.4{{spaces}}million).<ref name="BomNAWeekendJul19to21" /> Although it fell to number two in its fourth weekend, behind the debuting ''[[National Lampoon's European Vacation]]'' ($12.3{{spaces}}million), ''Back to the Future'' regained the number one position in its fifth weekend and remained there for the following eight weeks.<ref name="BOMWeekends" /><ref name="NYTimesBOAug71985" /> Recalling the opening weeks, Gale said, "our second weekend was higher than our first weekend, which is indicative of great [[word of mouth]]."<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" />

The film remained a steady success, earning $155{{spaces}}million by October, surpassing ''Rambo: First Blood Part{{spaces}}II''{{'}}s $149{{spaces}}million box office earnings to become the year's highest-grossing film.<ref name="NYTimesOct4Summ" /><ref name="NYTimesSeptBOOverview" /> In total, ''Back to the Future'' was the number one film for eleven of its twelve first weeks and remained in the top ten highest-grossing films for a total of twenty-four.<ref name="BOMWeekends" /> By the end of its theatrical run, ''Back to the Future'' earned an approximate box office gross of $210.6{{spaces}}million,<ref name="BomBOSummary" />{{efn|The 1985 United States and Canada box office gross of $210.6{{spaces}}million is equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|210600000|1985}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}.}} making it the highest-grossing film of 1985, ahead of ''Rambo: First Blood Part{{spaces}}II'' ($150.4{{spaces}}million), the sports drama ''[[Rocky&nbsp;IV]]'' ($127.9{{spaces}}million), and the drama ''[[The Color Purple (1985 film)|The Color Purple]]'' ($94.2{{spaces}}million).<ref name="TheNumbersNA1985" /><ref name="BOMNA1985" /> [[Box Office Mojo]] estimated more than 59{{spaces}}million tickets were sold.<ref name="BOMTickets" /> Industry experts suggest that as of 1997 the [[Film distribution|box office returns to the studio]] (minus the theaters' share) was $105.5{{spaces}}million.<ref name="VarietyRentals" />{{efn|The estimated returns to the studio from the United States and Canada box office gross is $105.5{{spaces}}million, equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|105500000|1985}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}.}}

The year was considered an unsuccessful one for film. Despite a record number of film releases, ticket sales were down 17% compared with 1984.<ref name="NYTimesSeptBOOverview" /><ref name="NYTimes1985Review" /> Industry executives blamed the problem, in part, on a lack of originality,<ref name="NYTimes1985July3" /> and a glut of youth-oriented films targeted at those under{{spaces}}18.<ref name="NYTimesSeptBOOverview" /><ref name="NYTimes1985Xmas" /> Only ''Back to the Future'' and ''Rambo: First Blood Part{{spaces}}II'' were considered blockbusters, earning more than double the box office of ''Cocoon''.<ref name="NYTimesSeptBOOverview" /> Films offering escapism and pro-America themes also fared well.<ref name="NYTimes1985Xmas" /> After years of poor performances, ''Back to the Future'', alongside ''Fletch'', ''Brewster's Millions'', and ''Mask'', reversed Universal Pictures' fortunes.<ref name="NYTimes1985Xmas" /><ref name="NYTimesOctMovieGiant" />

Outside the United States and Canada, the film earned a further estimated $170.5{{spaces}}million,{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=115}}{{efn|The 1985 worldwide box office gross of $170.5{{spaces}}million is equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|170500000|1985}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}.}} making it the third-highest-grossing film of the year, behind the romantic drama ''[[Out of Africa (film)|Out of Africa]]'' ($179.1{{spaces}}million) and ''Rocky{{spaces}}IV'' ($172.6{{spaces}}million).{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=115}} Cumulatively, ''Back to the Future'' earned a worldwide gross of $381.1{{spaces}}million, making it the highest-grossing film of 1985, ahead of ''Rocky{{spaces}}IV'' ($300.5{{spaces}}million) and ''Rambo: First Blood Part{{spaces}}II'' ($300.4{{spaces}}million).<ref name="BomBOSummary" /><ref name="TheNumbers85Worldwide" /><ref name="Bom85Worldwide" />{{efn|The 1985 worldwide box office gross of $381.1{{spaces}}million is equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|381100000|1985}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}.}} ''Back to the Future'' has received several theatrical re-releases to celebrate anniversaries, including a remastered version screened in 2010 and 2025. These releases have raised the film's worldwide total to $398{{spaces}}million.<ref name="NUM" /><ref name="HomeMediaIndy" /><ref name="BOMAllReleasesSum" />

==Reception==
===Critical response===
{{multiple image
| total_width       = 350
| direction         = horizontal
| footer            = [[Lea Thompson]] in 2008 (left) and [[Crispin Glover]] in 2012. Critics praised the central cast, including Fox, Lloyd, Thompson, and Glover.
| image1            = Lea Thompson by Gregg Bond (2008) (cropped).jpg
| alt1              = A photograph of Lea Thompson
| image2            = Crispin Glover 2012 Shankbone.JPG
| alt2              = A photograph of Crispin Glover
}}

''Back to the Future'' received generally positive reviews from critics.<ref name="Uproxxreception" /><ref name="BBCReception" /><ref name="EWModernRecep" /> 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.<ref name="NYTimesMaslinSpielberg" /><ref name="RevWaPo" /> [[Paul Attanasio]] 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.<ref name="RevWaPo" /><ref name="RevTimeOut" /><ref name="RevSiskel" /> Some reviewers, such as Corliss and [[Leonard Maltin]] 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.<ref name="RevVariety" /><ref name="Uproxxreception" /><ref name="RevTimeOut" />

[[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 Zemeckis's vision, being more subtle, gentler, and "less noisy".<ref name="RevDaveKehr" /><ref name="RevTHR" /> 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]] said the film offered humanity, charm, humor, and many surprises that were among its "greatest pleasures".<ref name="RevVariety" /><ref name="RevTHR" /><ref name="RevRogerEbert" /> [[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.<ref name="RevSiskel" /><ref name="LATimesReview" /> [[Paul Attanasio]] criticized some aspects that seemed to be "mechanically" designed to create the broadest audience appeal.<ref name="NYTimesMaslinSpielberg" /><ref name="RevWaPo" />

The cast performances were generally well received, particularly those of Fox, Lloyd, Thompson, and Glover.<ref name="NYTimes1985PostMortemCanby" /><ref name="RevWaPo" /><ref name="RevTHR" /> Reviewers consistently praised Fox's "appealing" performance, although some believed Lloyd's performance outshone the rest.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="Uproxxreception" /><ref name="RevWaPo" /><ref name="RevSiskel" /><ref name="RevTHR" />}} 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.<ref name="RevWaPo" /><ref name="RevDaveKehr" /><ref name="RevTHR" /> In contrast, [[Vincent Canby]] 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.<ref name="RevVariety" /><ref name="NYTimes1985PostMortemCanby" /> Some reviewers considered the use of Libyan terrorists, an actual fear at the time, to be in poor taste.<ref name="RevTHR" /><ref name="LATimesReview" />

Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=CinemaScore |url=http://www.cinemascore.com/find_a_movie.epl?id=Back_To_The_Future |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010409155946/http://www.cinemascore.com/find_a_movie.epl?id=Back_To_The_Future |archive-date=April 9, 2001 |access-date=March 5, 2025 |website=[[CinemaScore]]}}</ref>

===Accolades===
''Back to the Future'' received four nominations at the [[43rd Golden Globe Awards]], for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy|Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy)]], [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy|Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy)]] (Fox), [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]] ("The Power of Love"), and [[Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] (Gale and Zemeckis).<ref name="HFPAOralHistory" /><ref name="GoldenGlobes86" /> The film was also named Favorite Motion Picture at the [[12th People's Choice Awards]].{{sfn|Ní Fhlainn|2014|p=2}} At the [[58th Academy Awards|1986 Academy Awards]], ''Back to the Future'' received one award for [[Academy Award for Best Sound Editing|Best Sound Effects Editing]] ([[Charles L. Campbell|Charles{{spaces}}L. Campbell]] and [[Robert Rutledge]]). It received a further three nominations: [[Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]] (Gale and Zemeckis); [[Academy Award for Best Sound|Best Sound]] ([[Bill Varney]], [[B.&nbsp;Tennyson Sebastian&nbsp;II]], [[Robert Thirlwell]], and [[William&nbsp;B. Kaplan]]); and [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]] ("The Power of Love").<ref name="Oscars1986" />

At the [[39th British Academy Film Awards]], ''Back to the Future'' received five nominations, including [[BAFTA Award for Best Film|Best Film]], [[BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]] (Gale and Zemeckis), [[BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects|Best Visual Effects]] (Pike and Ralston), [[BAFTA Award for Best Production Design|Best Production Design]] (Paull), and [[BAFTA Award for Best Editing|Best Editing]] (Schmidt and Keramidas).<ref name="BAFTA86" /> At the [[13th&nbsp;Saturn Awards]], the film won three awards: [[Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film|Best Science Fiction Film]], [[Saturn Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] (Fox), and [[Saturn Award for Best Special Effects|Best Special Effects]] (Pike).<ref name="SaturnAward86" /> It also won the [[Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation]].<ref name="HugoAward" /> ''Back to the Future'' performed well internationally: it won Best Foreign Producer (Spielberg) and Best Foreign Screenplay at the [[David di Donatello]] awards (Italy), [[Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Foreign Language Film|Outstanding Foreign Film]] from the [[Japan Academy Film Prize|Japan Academy]], and the [[Goldene Leinwand]] (Germany) for selling more than three million tickets in its first eighteen months.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=116}}

==Post-release==
===Home media===
''Back to the Future'' was released on [[VHS]] on May 22, 1986, priced at $79.95,<ref name="NYTImesVHS" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=122}} becoming the first film to sell 450,000 units at that price point, and was also the most-rented cassette of the year.{{sfn|Bierbaum|1990|p=78}}<ref name="NewYorkTimes1986Casette" /> A sequel was not planned until after ''Back to the Future''{{'}}s theatrical release, and a "To{{spaces}}Be Continued{{spaces}}..." graphic was appended to the end of the home release to promote awareness of future films.<ref name="HuffPoTBC" /> 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.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=122}}<ref name="HuffPoTBC" /><ref name="HomeMediaIGN" /> It debuted on [[Blu-ray]] in 2010 for the film's 25th{{spaces}}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.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="CNNGaleInterview" /><ref name="HomeMediaIndy" /><ref name="HomeMediaEngaget" />}} For its 35th{{spaces}}anniversary in 2020, a remastered [[4K resolution|4K]] [[Ultra-high-definition television|Ultra HD]] version was released on Blu-ray and [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]]. 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 steel bookcases and a display replicate of the levitating hoverboard from ''Back to the Future Part{{spaces}}II'' were also available.<ref name="HomeMedia35thann" />

The [[Back to the Future: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack|''Back to the Future'' soundtrack]] was released in July 1985 on [[cassette tape]], [[LP record]], and [[compact disc]] (CD).<ref name="BTTFcomMusic" /> The soundtrack's lead single, "The Power of Love", peaked at number one on the U.S. [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. Sales were initially slow, but it eventually peaked at number twelve on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], in part because of the success of "The Power of Love".{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=94}} [[Back to the Future: Intrada Special Collection|Silvestri's score]] received a limited release in 2009 on{{spaces}}CD, containing the film score and unreleased variations.<ref name="FilmTracksScore" /> The scores for all three ''Back to the Future'' films were first released on LP{{spaces}}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.<ref name="Score2016LP" />

===Other media===
{{See also|Back to the Future (franchise)#Other media|l1=''Back to the Future'' in other media}}

[[File:Back to the Future The Ride at Universal Studios Japan 1.jpg|thumb|left|alt=refer to caption|''[[Back to the Future: The Ride]]'' at [[Universal Studios Japan]] in 2011]]

In 1985, film merchandising was a relatively new concept, popularized by the [[Star Wars original trilogy|original ''Star Wars'' film trilogy]] (1977–1983).<ref name="NYTimesJun89" /> As ''Back to the Future'' was not specifically aimed at children, there was no significant merchandising accompanying its release.<ref name="SyFyMerch" /> Although a novelization by [[George Gipe]] was released in 1985,<ref name="i09Novel" /> one of the earliest items for children, a rideable DeLorean, was not released until 1986.<ref name="SyFyMerch" /> The film and its sequels have since been represented across a wide variety of merchandise including: [[Playmobil]], playing cards, clothing, pottery, posters,<ref name="EmpireMerch" /> board games,<ref name="EmpireMerch" /><ref name="NewsweekMerch" /> sculpted figures, plush toys,<ref name="NewsweekMerch" /> [[Funko]] POP! figures, action figures,<ref name="SyFyMerch" /> [[Hot Wheels]] and [[Die-cast toy|die-cast]] vehicles,<ref name="SyFyMerch" />{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=232}} books, music albums,<ref name="PCMagMerch" /> and Christmas ornaments.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=232}}

''Back to the Future'' received several video game adaptations. ''[[Back to the Future (1985 video game)|Back to the Future]]'' was released alongside the film for the [[Amstrad&nbsp;CPC]], [[Commodore&nbsp;64]], and [[ZX&nbsp;Spectrum]].<ref name="CGMSpectrum" /><ref name="DOGGames" />{{sfn|AmstradAction|1987|p=13}} An arcade-adventure game, ''[[Back to the Future (1989 video 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.<ref name="DOGGames" /><ref name="GeeksandSundry" /> ''[[Back to the Future: The Pinball]]'' was released in 1990, although Fox refused permission for the game to use his likeness.<ref name="GeeksandSundry" /> An [[Episodic video game|episodic]] [[Graphic adventure game|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.<ref name="GeeksandSundry" /><ref name="PasteMagLegacy" /> An area in ''[[Lego Dimensions]]'' is based on ''Back to the Future'' and features voice work by Lloyd.<ref name="GeeksandSundry" /><ref name="EWGame" />

''[[Back to the Future: The Ride]]'', a [[simulator ride]], ran from 1991 to 2007 at [[Universal Studios Hollywood]] 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.<ref name="PasteMagLegacy" /><ref name="NPRPopCulture" /> A ''Back to the Future''-themed [[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]] board game was released in 2015.<ref name="EmpireMerch" /><ref name="SlashMonopoly" /> 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.<ref name="NewsweekMerch" /><ref name="DigitalSpyFunko" />

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.<ref name="NPRPopCulture" /> ''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.<ref name="UproxxVisualHistory" /> The [[British Film Institute]] released ''BFI Film Classics: Back to the Future'' about the film's background.<ref name="PCMagMerch" /> The series also includes comic books detailing Doc's and Marty's adventures before and after the events depicted in the films.<ref name="THRComicBooks" /> A crossover between the ''Back to the Future'' and ''[[Transformers]]'' franchises included a transforming DeLorean toy and associated comic books.<ref name="MerchTransformers" />

==Thematic analysis==
===Parental relationships and fate===
The main theme of ''Back to the Future'' concerns taking control and personal responsibility over one's destiny: a situation can be changed even if it seems otherwise impossible to overcome.<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" /> Thompson said the film represents how one moment can have a significant and lasting impact on a person's life.<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /><ref name="AVClubThompson" /> Gale believed Doc provided the perfect summary of the series' running theme, when in ''[[Back to the Future Part&nbsp;III]]'' he said: "Your future is whatever you make it, so make it a good one."<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" />

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, and being unable to approach Lorraine; his fears risk Marty's future.<ref name="DOG88things" /><ref name="UproxxAnalysis" /> Marty sets about manipulating the past to ensure his 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.<ref name="AVClubGlover" /><ref name="LATimesHoldUp" /> 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.<ref name="AVClubGlover" /> 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.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=124}}

Despite rejection by film studios for not being raunchy enough,<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /> ''Back to the Future'' alludes to sexual assault, racism, and the [[Oedipus complex]]{{snd}}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.<ref name="NYTimes1985PostMortemCanby" /><ref name="LATimesHoldUp" /> 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.<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /><ref name="CNNGaleInterview" /><ref name="AVClubThompson" />

===Reaganism and American anxieties===
[[File:The Reagans with Michael J. Fox and Nancy McKeon.jpg|thumb|alt=refer to caption|(Left to right) [[Nancy McKeon]], Michael J. Fox, [[Nancy Reagan]], and U.S. President [[Ronald Reagan]] in October 1985. ''Back to the Future'' has been interpreted as an endorsement of Reagan-era policies concerning the American dream, self-reliance, initiative, and technological advancement.]]

Critics [[Justin Chang]] and Mark Olsen suggest the film can be seen as promoting [[Reaganism]]{{snd}}the political positions of president Ronald Reagan{{snd}}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.<ref name="LATimesHoldUp" /> 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 a more prosperous future for Marty with materialistic rewards.<ref name="UproxxAnalysis" /><ref name="LATimesHoldUp" /> The film uses many brand names of the time, ostensibly to make the setting more realistic, e.g. [[Mountain Dew]], [[Pepsi]], and [[Texaco]], but the filmmakers received financial compensation from the brand owners, making their inclusion promotional and commercialistic instead of artistic.<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" /><ref name="UproxxAnalysis" />

Film studies lecturer Sorcha{{spaces}}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.{{sfn|Ní Fhlainn|2014|p=5}} English professor Susan Jeffords considered Doc Brown to be an analog for Reagan, a man who embraces technological advancement, who conflicts with Libyan terrorists and provides the means for a failing family to better themselves.{{sfn|Ní Fhlainn|2014|p=7}}

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 American|white male]], seemingly rewriting history to invent the [[rock and roll]] music genre, which was heavily influenced by African-American music.<ref name="NPRPopCulture" /><ref name="LATimesHoldUp" /> 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.<ref name="LATimesReview" /> 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.<ref name="UproxxAnalysis" />

===Influences===
As film fans, Gale and Zemeckis's influences are seen throughout ''Back to the Future''. There are references to ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)|The Wizard of&nbsp;Oz]]'' (1939), ''[[The Shaggy Dog (1959 film)|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 (1963 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'', and ''The Twilight Zone''.<ref name="CNNGaleInterview" /><ref name="DOG88things" /> There are also allusions to 1960's ''[[The Time Machine (1960 film)|The Time Machine]]'' (based on [[H.&nbsp;G. Wells]]'s 1895 [[The Time Machine|novella of the same name]]) and ''[[A&nbsp;Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court]]'' by [[Mark Twain]], in which the central character seemingly moves through time.{{sfn|Ní Fhlainn|2015|pp=165, 166}} The DeLorean dashboard chronometer uses the same color scheme as the time device of ''The Time Machine''.{{sfn|Ní Fhlainn|2015|p=167}} Critic Ray Loynd opined that Doc can be seen as a [[King Arthur]]-type, with Marty serving as his knight.<ref name="RevVariety" />

==Legacy==
===Cultural influence===
[[File:Tom Wilson photo by Josh Alder.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|alt=refer to caption|[[Thomas F. Wilson]] in 2011. He began carrying cards containing answers to the repetitive questions he was asked by fans about the ''Back to the Future'' series.]]

Since its release, ''Back to the Future'' has remained an enduring popular culture [[touchstone (metaphor)|touchstone]],<ref name="NPRPopCulture" /> and in 2007, the United States [[Library of Congress]] selected the film for preservation in the [[National Film Registry]] for being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.<ref name="LOC" /> The film elevated Fox from a financially struggling actor to one of the most in-demand and globally recognized stars in Hollywood,<ref name="NYTimes1986August8" /><ref name="NYTimesFoxInterview" /> 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.<ref name="BOMGaleInterview" /> Fox compared it to ''The Wizard of{{spaces}}Oz'' (1939), saying it still appeals to children because they do not think of it as an old film.<ref name="EWFoxLasting" /> In 2012, Thompson called it the greatest role of her career.<ref name="AVClubThompson" /> 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.<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /><ref name="EWWilsonCards" /> Lloyd described being approached by fans from around the world, who have said the film inspired them to become a scientist.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=241}}

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]] (Fox was diagnosed with the disease at age{{spaces}}29), and [[Project HOPE]].{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="THRGaleCameo" /><ref name="EWMJFoxFoundation" /><ref name="EWProjectHope" /><ref name="EW2018Reunion" />}} A 2019 reunion for the [[TCM Classic Film Festival#TCM Classic Film Festival|TCM Classic Film Festival]] featured the 4K{{spaces}}restoration premiere of ''Back to the Future''.<ref name="EWTCM" /> During the 2020 [[COVID-19 pandemic]], [[Josh Gad]] hosted a ''Back to the Future'' retrospective featuring many cast and crew.<ref name="RollingStoneReunitedApart" /> The cast has also appeared in advertisements only loosely related to ''Back to the Future'', trading on their associated popularity.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=242}}

The film has global popular appeal, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Argentina, the [[Netherlands]], and Japan.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=240–241}} On October{{spaces}}21, 2015 (the day Doc and Marty travel to at the end of ''Back to the Future'', as depicted in ''Back to the Future{{spaces}}II'') an estimated 27{{spaces}}million social media users discussed the films; the most active users were in the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Brazil.<ref name="NPRPopCulture" /><ref name="EW2015SocialMedia" /> Ronald Reagan was also a fan, referring to the film during his [[1986 State of the Union Address]] 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.{{' "}}<ref name="NPRPopCulture" /><ref name="CSpanReagan" /><ref name="NYTimesReaganSpeech" /> 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.<ref name="UproxxAnalysis" />{{sfn|Weinberg|2018a|pp=147–150}}<ref name="PoliticoReagan" /> ''Back to the Future'' is also seen as responsible for a resurgence of skateboarding in the 1980s.<ref name="NYTimesSkateboard" /><ref name="CNNGaleInterview" /> It made skateboarding a mainstream pastime acceptable for all, not just rebellious teenagers.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|p=236}}

''Back to the Future'' has been referred to in a variety of media, including television,{{sfn|Ní Fhlainn|2014|p=2}}<ref name="VultureStranger" /> films,<ref name="EWMillion" /><ref name="THREndgame" /> and video games.<ref name="GTAV" /><ref name="EWRocketLeague" /> Doc and Marty, respectively, inspired the eponymous characters of the 2013 animated television show ''[[Rick and Morty]]''.<ref name="AVClubRandM" /> The British pop rock band [[McFly]] are named for Marty McFly.<ref name="McFlySite" /> The 2011 novel ''[[Ready Player One]]'' by [[Ernest Cline]] and the [[Ready Player One (film)|2018 film adaptation]] (directed by Spielberg) both heavily refer to the film, including the central character using a DeLorean for transport.<ref name="RPO1" /><ref name="RPO2" /> Filmmaker [[J.&nbsp;J. Abrams]] has also cited it as an inspiration.<ref name="WiredHardin" />

The 2015 [[Crowdfunding|crowdfunded]] documentary ''[[Back in Time (2015 film)|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.<ref name="SyFyBackinTime" /> The DeLorean is considered one of the most iconic vehicles in film history.<ref name="EWDeLorean" /> 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.<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade" /> 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, the [[DeLorean Motor Company]] issued kits enabling fans to make their vehicle look like the DeLorean time machine.<ref name="VultureLostRoles" /><ref name="PasteMagLegacy" /> Gale led a restoration of one of the original screen-used DeLoreans in 2011, documented in ''Out of Time: Saving the DeLorean Time Machine''.<ref name="PasteMagLegacy" /><ref name="BTTFcomDelorean" /><ref name="VergeDelorean" />

===Modern reception===
[[File: Back to the Future Reunion NYCC 8.jpg|thumb|[[Christopher Lloyd]] and [[Michael J. Fox]] discussing the film at the 2022 [[New York Comic Con]].]]

''Back to the Future'' is considered a landmark of American cinema, and one of the greatest films ever made.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="HFPAOralHistory" /><ref name="NPRPopCulture" /><ref name="LATimesHoldUp" /><ref name="Empire500" /><ref name="THRJun14" />}} In 2004, ''The New York Times'' listed it as one of the 1,000 Best Movies Ever,<ref name="NYTimesBest" /> and the following year its screenplay was listed as the 56th greatest screenplay of the preceding 75 years by the [[Writers Guild of America]].<ref name="WGAGreatest1" /><ref name="WGAGreatest2" /> Throughout the rest of the 2000s, it appeared on [[Film4]]'s ''[[50 Films to See Before You Die]]'' (number{{spaces}}10),<ref name="Film4Die" /> ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]''{{'}}s 500 Greatest Movies of All Time (number{{spaces}}23), behind the 1977 space opera ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'',<ref name="Empire500" /> and the [[American Film Institute]] listed it as the number{{spaces}}10 best science fiction film, based on a poll of fifteen hundred people from the creative community.<ref name="AFITop10" /> 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]] and [[BBC Radio 1Xtra]] listeners as their fourth favorite film of all time.<ref name="TotalFilmGreatest" /><ref name="BBCRADIO1" /> It is also listed in the film reference book ''[[1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die]]''.{{sfn|Schneider|2013}} 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''.<ref name="THRJun14" /> In 2015, the screenplay was listed as the 67th funniest on the WGA's 101 Funniest Screenplays list,<ref name="WGAFunniest1" /><ref name="WGAFunniest2" /> and ''Rotten Tomatoes'' also listed the film at number{{spaces}}84 on its list of 200 essential movies to watch.<ref name="RT200" />

Several publications have named it as one of the best science fiction films ever made,{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="BestSciFiRT" /><ref name="BestSciFiSyFy" /><ref name="BestSciFiEmpire" /><ref name="BestSciFiGRadar" /><ref name="BestSciFiPaste" /><ref name="BestSciFiIGN" /><ref name="BestSciFiBI" /><ref name="BestSciFiThrillist" /><ref name="BestSciFiEsquire" /><ref name="BestSciFiGuardian" /><ref name="BestSciFiTimeOut" /><ref name="BestSciFiWired" />}} and one of the best films of the 1980s.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="80sCoS" /><ref name="80sRT" /><ref name="80sShortList" /><ref name="80sElle" /><ref name="80sEmpire" /><ref name="80sParade" /><ref name="80sTimeOut" /><ref name="80sGRadar" /><ref name="80sCosmo" /><ref name="80sEsquire" /><ref name="80sHarpersBazaar" /><ref name="80sHighSnobiety" /><ref name="80sMarieClaire" /><ref name="80sTownandCountry" /><ref name="80sUSATODAYCOMEDY" />}} ''[[Popular Mechanics]]'' and ''Rolling Stone'' listed it as the number{{spaces}}one and number{{spaces}}four best time-travel film ever made respectively.<ref name="BestTimeTravelPopMec" /><ref name="BestTimeTravelRS" /> ''Entertainment Weekly'' named it the 40th most essential film to be watched by pre-teens and the 28th best high-school movie.<ref name="EWHighSchool" /><ref name="BestforKidsEW" /> Marty McFly appeared at number{{spaces}}39 on ''Empire''{{'}}s 2006 list of its "100 Greatest Movie Characters"; Doc Brown followed at number{{spaces}}76.<ref name="Empire100Marty" /><ref name="Empire100Doc" />

''Rotten Tomatoes'' assesses {{a or an|{{RT data|score}}}} approval rating from the aggregated reviews of {{RT data|count}} critics, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's consensus reads: "Inventive, funny, and breathlessly constructed, ''Back to the Future'' is a rousing time-travel adventure with an unforgettable spirit."<ref name="RottenTomatoes" /> Based on this score, Rotten Tomatoes also listed it as the 87th best Action and Adventure film.<ref name="BestActAdvRT" /> The film has a score of 87 out of 100 on [[Metacritic]] based on 15 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref name="Metacritic" /> In the United Kingdom, readers of ''Empire'' voted the film as 11th on their 2017 list of "The 100 Greatest Movies".<ref name="Empire2" />

==Sequels and adaptations==
{{Main|Back to the Future (franchise)|l1 = ''Back to the Future'' (franchise)|Back to the Future Part II|l2 = ''Back to the Future Part II''|Back to the Future Part III|l3 = ''Back to the Future Part III''}}

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.<ref name="DOG88things" /> 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 retread the best elements of the original film. They were also concerned that a poor follow-up could alienate ''Back to the Future''{{'s}} 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.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=117–118, 128}} The pair's sequel script was so long it was split into two films, ''Back to the Future Part{{spaces}}II'' (1989) and ''Back to the Future Part{{spaces}}III'' (1990); the films were shot back to back.<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /><ref name="DOGBTTF2" />

''Part II'' 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.<ref name="DOGBTTF2" /> Wells and Glover did not return for the sequels.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="ShortlistDudley" /><ref name="AVClubGlover" /><ref name="NPRPopCulture" /><ref name="HighSnobiety" />}} ''Part{{spaces}}II'' was a financial success but was criticized for its complex, convoluted narrative.<ref name="THRSequels" /> Zemeckis has said it is his least favorite film in the series.<ref name="DOGBTTF2" /> The final film, ''Part{{spaces}}III'' follows Marty as he travels to 1885 to rescue a time-stranded Doc.<ref name="DOGBTTF3" /> While the film fared less well financially than the two earlier films, it was more critically well-received than ''Part{{spaces}}II''.<ref name="THRSequels" /> 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 (franchise)|Toy Story]]'' or ''[[Indiana Jones]]'' film.<ref name="SkyTHRMostWanted" /> 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.<ref name="RadioTimes4thFilm" /><ref name="EmpireParkinsons" />

An animated television series, ''[[Back to the Future (TV 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]].<ref name="PasteMagLegacy" /> 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.<ref name="ScreenRantSavestheWorld" /> A [[Musical theatre|musical theater]] production, ''[[Back to the Future (musical)|Back to the Future]]'', debuted in February 2020 at the [[Manchester Opera House]], England, to positive reviews. The musical was written by Gale and Zemeckis, with music written by Silvestri and [[Glen Ballard]].<ref name="MusicalBBC" /><ref name="MusicalStandard" /><ref name="MusicalGuardian" /> Gale described it as the best way to give fans more ''Back to the Future'' without adding to the film series.<ref name="RadioTimes4thFilm" /> In 2024, Zemeckis said he was interested in adapting the musical into a movie.<ref name="IGNMovieMusical"/> Overall, the [[Back to the Future (franchise)|''Back to the Future'' franchise]] is considered one of the most successful film franchises in history.<ref name="CNNGaleInterview" /><ref name="THRComicBooks" />

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="80sCoS">{{cite web |title = The 80 Greatest Movies Of The '80s |url = https://consequence.net/2019/07/the-80-greatest-movies-of-the-80s/full-post/c/ |website = [[Consequence of Sound]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="80sCosmo">{{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 (magazine)|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="80sElle">{{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 (magazine)|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="80sEmpire">{{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 (magazine)|Empire]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="80sEsquire">{{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 (magazine)|Esquire]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="80sGRadar">{{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+]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="80sHarpersBazaar">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="80sHighSnobiety">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="80sMarieClaire">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="80sParade">{{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 (magazine)|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="80sRT">{{cite web |title = 140 Essential '80s Movies |url = https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/140-essential-80s-movies/4/ |website = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="80sShortList">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="80sTimeOut">{{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 (magazine)|Time Out]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="80sTownandCountry">{{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 (magazine)|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="80sUSATODAYCOMEDY">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="AFI">{{cite web |url = http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=55763 |title = ''Back To The Future'' |website = [[American Film Institute]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="AFIGB">{{cite web |title = ''Ghostbusters'' (1984) |url = https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/57089 |website = [[American Film Institute]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="ASCILM">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="AVClubGlover">{{cite web |first = Tasha |last = Robinson |url = https://www.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 }}</ref>

<ref name="AVClubThompson">{{cite web |first = Will |last = Harris |url = https://www.avclub.com/lea-thompson-1798230109 |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="ABoutSchmidt">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="AFITop10">{{cite web |title = AFI Crowns Top 10 Films In 10 Classic Genres |website = [[Mandatory (company)|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="AVClubRandM">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BAFTA86">{{cite web |url = http://awards.bafta.org/award/1986/film |title = Film In 1986 |website = [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BBCReception">{{cite web |title = ''Back to the Future'' (1985) |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/10/05/back_to_the_future_1985_review.shtml |website = [[BBC Online]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BBCRADIO1">{{cite web |first = Producer |last = Chris |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio1movies |title = Your Favourite Movies! |website = [[BBC Radio 1]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BBFC">{{cite web |url = https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/back-future-4 |title = ''Back to the Future'' (PG) |website = [[British Board of Film Classification]] |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 = dead }}</ref>

<ref name="BestActAdvRT">{{cite web |title = Top 100 Action & Adventure Movies |url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/top/bestofrt/top_100_action__adventure_movies/ |website = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BestforKidsEW">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EWWilsonCards">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BestTimeTravelRS">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BestTimeTravelPopMec">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BestSciFiBI">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BestSciFiEmpire">{{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 (magazine)|Empire]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BestSciFiEsquire">{{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 (magazine)|Esquire]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BestSciFiGRadar">{{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+]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BestSciFiGuardian">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BestSciFiIGN">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BestSciFiPaste">{{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 (magazine)|Paste]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BestSciFiRT">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BestSciFiSyFy">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BestSciFiThrillist">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BestSciFiTimeOut">{{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 |last7=Dudok de Wit |first7=Alex |author7-link=Alex 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 (magazine)|Time Out]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BestSciFiWired">{{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 (magazine)|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BOMGaleInterview">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BOMTickets">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BomBOSummary">{{cite web |title = ''Back to the Future'' |url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2974385665/?ref_=bo_we_table_1 |website = [[Box Office Mojo]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BOMNA1985">{{cite web |title = Domestic Box Office For 1985 |url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/1985/ |website = [[Box Office Mojo]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BOMWeekends">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Bom85Worldwide">{{cite web |title = 1985 Worldwide Box Office |url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/1985/ |website = [[Box Office Mojo]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BOMAllReleasesSum">{{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}}</ref>

<ref name="BOMNAWeekendJul5to7">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BOMNAWeekendJul12to14">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BomNAWeekendJul19to21">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BOMDaily">{{cite web |title = ''Back To The Future'' |url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2974385665/?ref_=bo_gr_rls |website = [[Box Office Mojo]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BTTFWebsite">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BTTFcomDelorean">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="BTTFcomMusic">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="CBRSkateboard">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="CGMSpectrum">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="ColliderDifferences2020">{{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 (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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Cryer">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="CNNGaleInterview">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="ClockTower">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="CSpanReagan">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Curbed">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="DeadlinePrice">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="DigitalSpyHand">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="DigitalSpyFunko">{{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]] |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}}</ref>

<ref name="DOGGames">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="DOGBTTF2">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="DOG88things">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="DOGBTTF3">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EmpireParkinsons">{{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 (magazine)|Empire]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Empire500">{{cite web |title = The 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time |date = October 3, 2008 |website = [[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EmpireGuitar">{{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 (magazine)|Empire]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EmpireMerch">{{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 (magazine)|Empire]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Empire2">{{cite web |url = https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-movies/ |title = The 100 Greatest Movies |website = [[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Empire100Marty">{{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 (magazine)|Empire]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Empire100Doc">{{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 (magazine)|Empire]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EsquireDidntGetMade">{{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 (magazine)|Esquire]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EWRocketLeague">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EWMillion">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EWTCM">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EWFoxLasting">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EWMJFoxFoundation">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EWProjectHope">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EW2018Reunion">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EWDeLorean">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EW2015SocialMedia">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EWGame">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EWModernRecep">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="EWHighSchool">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Film4Die">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="FilmTracksScore">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="FangoriaSchoelen">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="FXGuide">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="GeeksandSundry">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="GoldenGlobes86">{{cite web |url = https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/1986/all |title = Winners & Nominees 1986 |website = [[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Gizmodo11things">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="GTAV">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="HuffPoTBC">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="HomeMediaEngaget">{{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]] |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}}</ref>

<ref name="HomeMediaIGN">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="HomeMediaIndy">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="HugoAward">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="HomeMedia35thann">{{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 (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 }}</ref>

<ref name="HFPAOralHistory">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="HighSnobiety">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="IGNMovieMusical">{{cite web |first = Alex |last =Stedman |url =https://www.ign.com/articles/universal-keeps-asking-for-back-to-the-future-4-but-its-creator-just-wants-to-make-a-musical |title =Universal Keeps Asking For ''Back To The Future 4'', But Its Creator Just Wants To Make A Musical |website = [[IGN]] |date =November 4, 2024 |access-date = November 5, 2024 }}</ref>

<ref name="i09Novel">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="IndependentModine">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="JJCohen">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="JJCohen2">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="LATimesReview">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="LATimesHoldUp">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="LevyRevisit">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="LOC">{{cite web |url = https://www.loc.gov/film/nfr2007.html |title = National Film Registry 2007, Films Selected For The 2007 National Film Registry |website = [[Library of Congress|loc.gov]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="LooperBiff">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="MusicalBBC">{{cite web |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25976383 |title = ''Back To The Future'' Musical Announced |website = [[BBC News Online]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="McFlySite">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="MentalFlossDocB">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="MerchTransformers">{{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 Industries|Nerdist.com]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Metacritic">{{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]] }}</ref>

<ref name="MusicalStandard">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="MusicalGuardian">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Nerdistmerch">{{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 Industries|Nerdist.com]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NewsweekMerch">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NewYorkTimes1986Casette">{{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]] |series=Vol. 136, no. 47005|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimesBest">{{cite web |title = The Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made |url = https://www.nytimes.com/ref/movies/1000best.html |website = [[The New York Times]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTDateMovedUp">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimesRushedPostPro">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NPRPopCulture">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimes1985July3Maslin">{{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]] |date = July 3, 1985 |series=Vol. 134, no. 46459|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimes1985July3">{{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]] |date = July 3, 1985|series=Vol. 134, no. 46459 |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimes1985June11">{{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]] |date = June 11, 1985 |series=Vol. 134, no. 46437|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimes1985PostMortemCanby">{{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]] |date = September 8, 1985|series=Vol. 134, no. 46526 |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimesBOAug71985">{{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]] |agency = [[Associated Press]] |date = August 7, 1985 |series=Vol. 134, no. 46494|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimesFoxInterview">{{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]] |date = July 26, 1985 |series=Vol. 134, no. 46482|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimesJun89">{{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]] |date = June 14, 1989|series=Vol. 138, no. 47901 |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimesGaleJul85">{{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]] |date = July 21, 1985|series=Vol. 134, no. 46477 |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimesJun1985AttheMovies">{{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]] |date = June 28, 1985 |series=Vol. 134, no. 46454|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimesMaslinSpielberg">{{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]] |date = July 21, 1985 |series=Vol. 134, no. 46477|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimesOct4Summ">{{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]] |date = October 4, 1985|series=Vol. 135, no. 46552 |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimesOctMovieGiant">{{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]] |date = October 20, 1985 |series=Vol. 135, no. 46568|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimesSeptBOOverview">{{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]] |date = September 2, 1985 |series=Vol. 134, no. 46520|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimes1985Review">{{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]] |date = December 29, 1985 |series=Vol. 135, no. 46638|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimes1985Xmas">{{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]] |date = January 15, 1986 |series=Vol. 135, no. 46655|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimes1986August8">{{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]] |date = August 8, 1986 |series=Vol. 135, no. 46860|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimesSkateboard">{{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]] |date = May 10, 1987 |series=Vol. 136, no. 47135|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTImesVHS">{{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]] |date = June 29, 1986|series=Vol. 135, no. 46820 |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="NYTimesReaganSpeech">{{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]] |date = February 5, 1986|series=Vol. 135, no. 46676 |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Oscars1986">{{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]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160816141040/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1986 |archive-date = August 16, 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref>

<ref name="PCMagMerch">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="PasteMagLegacy">{{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 (magazine)|Paste]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="PeopleSedgwick">{{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 (magazine)|People]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="PoliticoReagan">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Radio Times 30 August 2016">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="RevVariety">{{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 (magazine)|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="RadioTimes4thFilm">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="RevRogerEbert">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="RevDaveKehr">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="RevSiskel">{{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]] |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}}</ref>

<ref name="RevWaPo">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="RevTHR">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="RevTimeOut">{{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 (magazine)|Time Out]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="RollingStoneReunitedApart">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="RottenTomatoes">{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|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}}</ref>

<ref name="RPO1">{{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 (magazine)|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="RPO2">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="RT200">{{cite web |title = 200 Essential Movies To Watch Now |website = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="SaturnAward86">{{cite web |url = http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html |title = Past Saturn Awards |website = [[Saturn Award|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Score2016LP">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="ScreenRangDocB">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="ScreenRantSavestheWorld">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="SkyTHRMostWanted">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="SyFyBackinTime">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="SyFyMerch">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Seattle times">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="ShortList">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="ShortlistDudley">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="SlashMonopoly">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="SlashFilmFridge">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="TelegraphThings">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="TheNumbers85Worldwide">{{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 (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 }}</ref>

<ref name="TheNumbersNA1985">{{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 (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 }}</ref>

<ref name="THRComicBooks">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="THRGaleCameo">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="THREndgame">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="THRSequels">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="THRJun14">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="TotalFilmGreatest">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="UproxxAnalysis">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="Uproxxreception">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="UproxxVisualHistory">{{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 }}</ref>

<ref name="USATodayLewis">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="USATodayThings">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="VanityFairPowerful">{{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 (magazine)|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="VarietyRentals">{{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 (magazine)|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="VergeDelorean">{{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]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="VultureStoltz">{{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 (website)|Vulture]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="VultureLostRoles">{{Cite web |url = https://www.vulture.com/2012/09/the-lost-roles-of-back-to-the-future.html |title = The Lost Roles Of ''Back To The Future'' |website = [[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="VultureStranger">{{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 (website)|Vulture]] |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 }}</ref>

<ref name="WGAFunniest1">{{cite web |title = 101 Funniest Screenplays List |url = http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=5949 |website = [[Writers Guild of America West|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="WGAFunniest2">{{cite web |title = Writers Choose 101 Funniest Screenplays |url = https://www.wga.org/news-events/news/press/2015/writers-choose-101-funniest-screenplays |website = [[Writers Guild of America West|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="WGAGreatest1">{{cite web |title = 101 Greatest Screenplays |url = https://www.wga.org/writers-room/101-best-lists/101-greatest-screenplays |website = [[Writers Guild of America West|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="WGAGreatest2">{{cite web |title = 101 Greatest Screenplays |url = https://www.wga.org/writers-room/101-best-lists/101-greatest-screenplays/list |website = [[Writers Guild of America West|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="WiredHardin">{{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 (magazine)|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 }}</ref>

<ref name="WrapMothers">{{cite web|first=Drew |last=Taylor |title=Steven Spielberg Almost Cast ''Back to the Future'' With Devo Frontman Mark Mothersbaugh As Doc Brown |url=https://www.thewrap.com/steven-spielberg-back-to-the-future-cast-devo-mark-mothersbaugh/ |date=January 23, 2024 |website=[[TheWrap]] |access-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903191426/https://www.thewrap.com/steven-spielberg-back-to-the-future-cast-devo-mark-mothersbaugh/ |archive-date=September 3, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="YahoOCast">{{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!]] |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 }}</ref>}}

==Works cited==
* {{cite magazine |date = February 6, 1990 |page = 78 |title = Mixed Reviews |last = Bierbaum |first = Tom |magazine = [[Daily Variety]] |publisher = [[Penske Media Corporation]] |location = Los Angeles }}
* {{cite magazine |title=Compilation Crazy |magazine=[[Amstrad Action]]|publisher=[[Future plc]] |location=Bath, Somerset |issue=21|date=June 1987 |page=13 |url= https://archive.org/details/amstrad-action-021/page/n11/mode/2up?q=%22back+to+the+future%22 |ref={{sfnref|AmstradAction|1987}}}}
* {{cite book|last=Gaines |first=Caseen |title=We Don't Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy |date=2015|publisher=[[Plume (publisher)|Plume]] |location=New York City | isbn=978-0-14-218153-9 |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=WgQbBQAAQBAJ}}}}
* {{cite book|last1=Klastorin |first1=Michael |last2=Atamaniuk |first2=Randal|title=Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History |date=2015|publisher=HarperCollins |location=New York City | isbn=978-0-06-241914-9 |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=dJX0rQEACAAJ}}}}
* {{cite book |first=Sorcha |last=Ní Fhlainn |year=2014 |title=The Worlds of Back to the Future: Critical Essays on the Films. |chapter=Introduction: It's About Time |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |isbn=978-0-7864-4400-7 |author-link=Sorcha Ní Fhlainn |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=H7PLgyEBL3UC}}}}
* {{cite journal |first = Sorcha |last = Ní Fhlainn |year = 2015 |title = 'There's Something Very Familiar About This': Time Machines, Cultural Tangents and Mastering Time in H.G. Wells' The Time Machine and the Back to the Future Trilogy |journal = Adaptation |volume = 9 |issue = 2 |publisher = [[Oxford University Press]] |doi = 10.1093/adaptation/apv028 |doi-access = free |location = [[Oxford]] |issn=1755-0637 |s2cid=191947372 }}
* {{cite magazine |last = Pourroy |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]] |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 | chapter=Back To The Future: The Film That Left Us Speechless|date = 2018a |publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] |location = New York City |isbn = 978-1-5011-3399-2 |oclc = 1021228142 |language = English }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

{{Spoken Wikipedia|date=January 6, 2023|en-Back To The Future -article.ogg}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb title}}
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* {{AFI film}}
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{{Back to the Future}}
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|title=Awards for ''Back to the Future''
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{{Academy Award Best Sound Editing}}
{{The George Pal Memorial Award}}
{{Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation 1981–2002}}
{{Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Foreign Language Film}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film 1972–1990}}
{{Seiun Award - Best Media}}
}}
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[[Category:1980s American films]]
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