A teenager is accidentally sent thirty years into the past and must ensure his parents fall in love to secure his own existence. With the help of a quirky scientist, he navigates the challenges of 1955 while trying to repair the timeline and return to his own time. His actions inadvertently threaten to erase him from history, leading to a race against time to restore the past and find a way back to the future.
Does Back to the Future have end credit scenes?
No!
Back to the Future does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
Explore the complete cast of Back to the Future, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.
Discover where to watch Back to the Future online, including streaming platforms, rental options, and official sources. Compare reviews, ratings, and in-depth movie information across sites like IMDb, TMDb, Wikipedia or Rotten Tomatoes.
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87
Metascore
9.0
User Score
83
%
User Score
Challenge your knowledge of Back to the Future with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.
What year does Marty McFly initially travel back to?
1950
1955
1960
1985
Show hint
Discover all the awards and nominations received by Back to the Future, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Back to the Future and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.
The 58th Academy Awards 1986
Music (Original Song)
Sound
Sound Effects Editing
Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen)
39th British Academy Film Awards 1986
Best Editing
Best Production Design
Best Special Visual Effects
43rd Golden Globe Awards 1986
Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Best Screenplay
13th Saturn Awards 1986
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Music
Best Costumes
Best Make-up
Read the complete plot summary of Back to the Future, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.
In 1985, a teenager named Marty McFly finds himself grappling with common teenage struggles in Hill Valley, California. Living with his deeply troubled mother, Lorraine, who is plagued by depression and alcohol, and his siblings who have seen their ambitions fade, Marty’s reality often feels disappointing. His father, George, constantly bullied by the menacing Biff Tannen, adds to the gloom. After a disheartening audition with his band, Marty shares his fears with his girlfriend, Jennifer Parker, admitting his worries about becoming like his parents, despite his innate ambition.
One pivotal evening, Marty’s life takes a turn when he meets his quirky scientist friend, Doc Brown, in the parking lot of Twin Pines mall. Doc unveils his latest invention: a time machine constructed from a DeLorean, powered by plutonium stolen from Libyan terrorists. However, their night takes a dark turn when they are confronted by armed terrorists, forcing Marty to escape in the DeLorean, accidentally triggering the time travel mechanism at 88 miles per hour.
Transported back to 1955, Marty finds himself stranded, having left the plutonium behind, making a return to 1985 impossible. As he navigates the lively atmosphere of his youthful Hill Valley, Marty meets a younger version of his father, George, distressed to witness the bullying he endures from Biff. In a particularly surprising moment, George becomes entangled in a near-accident while spying on Lorraine, who is changing clothes. In an effort to save him, Marty gets knocked out and wakes up to find Lorraine nurturing him, her infatuation for him blooming unexpectedly.
In search of a return path to his own time, Marty seeks out the younger Doc Brown, convincing him of his origins from the future. Doc reveals that the only means to harness the required energy for time travel in 1955 is a lightning bolt. Determined, Marty finds a flyer about an imminent lightning strike at the town courthouse, which could facilitate his return. However, he soon realizes that his meddling is altering the future: his siblings begin to fade from a photograph he carries, and it becomes evident that Lorraine was supposed to tend to George after his accident, not Marty himself. Despite their efforts, the attempts to rekindle the romance between his parents falter, with Lorraine growing strangely attached to her future son.
As Lorraine invites Marty to the school dance, he devises a plan to create a distraction that would give George a chance to save her. Unfortunately, things take a turn when Biff’s gang locks Marty in the band’s car trunk, allowing Biff to make unwelcome advances towards Lorraine. Just as George arrives and sees Biff engulfing Lorraine in abuse, he explodes with anger, knocking Biff out cold and leading Lorraine to the dance. In the meantime, Marty breaks free thanks to the lead guitarist, although he suffers a severe hand injury in the process. Undeterred, he steps onto the stage in Biff’s place, performing with extraordinary talent, while George finally shares a moment of affection with Lorraine. With his family’s future now secure, Marty rushes to meet Doc at the courthouse.
Upon arrival, Doc discovers the letter Marty had sent, warning him of impending danger, but unfortunately rips it to shreds out of concern. In a last-ditch effort, Marty recalibrates the DeLorean to return ten minutes earlier than his departure from the future. The anticipated lightning strikes, allowing him to journey back to 1985, but not without a glitch – the DeLorean breaks down, prompting Marty to race back to the mall. Arriving just in time, he witnesses Doc getting shot, overcome with despair. Yet, he soon realizes that Doc had deciphered Marty’s message and was wearing a bulletproof vest, ensuring his survival. After reviving, Doc brings Marty back home before vanishing into the future in the DeLorean once again.
The next day, Marty awakens to discover an astonishing transformation in his family’s dynamics. His father is now a confident science fiction novelist, his mother is healthy and glowing, his siblings flourish, and even Biff has been reduced to a meek servant in George’s employ. Just as Marty reunites with Jennifer, Doc Brown returns in the DeLorean, urging them to embark on a new adventure to rescue their children from an outdated disaster.
Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!
Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Back to the Future. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.
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