Back to the Future
Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis · Adventure · Comedy · Sci-Fi · 116 min · 1985
Trailer
Director
Robert Zemeckis
Writer
Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale
Studio
N/A
Release
03 Jul 1985
Runtime
116 min
Genres
Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Full Plot
Marty McFly, a typical American teenager of the Eighties, is accidentally sent back to 1955 in a plutonium-powered DeLorean "time machine" invented by a slightly mad scientist. During his often hysterical, always amazing trip back in time, Marty must make sure his teenage parents-to-be meet and fall in love to get back to the future.
Cast & Characters
Marty McFly, a high school student and aspiring musician
Michael J. Fox
Emmett "Doc" Brown, an eccentric scientist experimenting with time travel
Christopher Lloyd
Lorraine Baines McFly, a 1955 teenager who grows into Marty's unhappy, alcoholic mother
Lea Thompson
George McFly, a nerdy 1955 high schooler who grows into Marty's cowardly, submissive father
Crispin Glover
Biff Tannen, a 1955 high school bully turned George's 1985 boss
Thomas F. Wilson
Did You Know?
Made on an estimated budget of $19.0M, Back to the Future has grossed $381.1M worldwide — about 20.1x its budget.
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
Back to the Future is part of TMDb's "Back to the Future Collection."
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
) and Canada, Back to the Future received a wide release on July 3, 1985, ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-03
Critical Assessment
Back to the Future holds 8.5/10 on IMDb (1,450,794 votes), 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 88/100 on Metacritic.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of August 11, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on aggregated scores (8.5/10 on IMDb (1,450,794 votes), 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 88/100 on Metacritic), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Back to the Future's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
Back to the Future holds a 93% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is Back to the Future's IMDb rating?+
Back to the Future has a 8.5/10 rating on IMDb from 1,450,794 votes.
What is Back to the Future's Metacritic score?+
Back to the Future has a Metascore of 88/100 on Metacritic.
Is Back to the Future good? What are critics saying?+
Back to the Future holds 8.5/10 on IMDb (1,450,794 votes), 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 88/100 on Metacritic.
How long is Back to the Future?+
Back to the Future has a runtime of 116 min.
Who directed Back to the Future?+
Back to the Future was directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Where can I watch Back to the Future?+
Back to the Future is available to stream, rent, or buy on Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV Channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Rakuten TV, Sky Store, JioHotstar.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The movie "Back to the Future" has received positive reviews for its entertaining storyline, impressive production values, and nostalgic value. Many critics have praised the film's ability to balance action, humor, and sci-fi elements, with some noting that it holds up well even after multiple viewings. The trilogy as a whole has been celebrated for its iconic characters, memorable quotes ("This is heavy"), and timeless appeal.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
**Entertaining** A man goes back in time to save his mother - or something like that anyway - I was too entertained to fully grasp what was going on. Seriously, this film moves so fast that you will find yourself having to try your hardest to keep up with it. Great movie. Great s…
Ian Beale · 8/10Earth Angel And The Nuclear DeLorean. It's 1984 and director Robert Zemeckis, fresh from the success of Romancing The Stone, is trying to film Back To the Future - a film about a young teenager called Marty McFly who is accidentally sent back in time to 1955 and inadvertently ris…
John Chard · 10/10"Robert Zemeckis remains the beating heart of modern science-fiction films" The first time I have ever redacted a critic was down in 2015, since then, I learned how impressive productions could change lives and start movements throughout the world. Back To The Future represents o…
The Peruvian Post · 9/10Not sure how many times I've seen this (first time was on VHS ~1986 or 87 I think) but still an incredibly fun sci-fi comedy with Fox and Lloyd working perfectly off one another. Holds up so well each and every time I re-visit. **4.5/5**
JPV852 · 9/10Everyone who's ever seen this movie loves it. We all wish we could go back in time. I know I do.
Andre Gonzales · 6/10A quintasential '80s movie. A time-jumping rollercoaster ride everyone will enjoy getting on board.
Rob · 8/10The first time I saw this movie I was 6 or 7 years old and my friend had it on VHS and since then I can't count the number of times I have seen it. Such a fun time travel adventure movie.
hamfaceman · 9/10
From the trailer's comments
Literally perfect. This trilogy is literally. Perfect.
@BorbArt · 669 likesOne of my favourite movies ever
@satibacc · 188 likesA perfect trilogy of films that tell a complete story, I love all 3. I hope we NEVER get a prequel, more sequels or a remake/reboot. People need to leave it alone and appreciate older films.
@Karma_Kay · 227 likesThe best trilogy ever made. No matter how many times You watch it, it will never get old. Truly a timeless classic.
@ThunderWolf9 · 504 likesHappy 40th Anniversary, Back to the Future! It's a film that's absolutely timeless, and gets better every time I watch it, over 50 times and counting!
@trinaq · 199 likesMarty: "This is heavy"
@marcusyates3044 · 129 likesBack to the Theaters!
@animalisticpictures · 91 likesThis timeless classic is *Back To The Future* .
@EvenChief · 66 likes
