Back to the Future, released in 1985, is an American science fiction film helmed by Robert Zemeckis and co-written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale. The movie features a stellar cast including Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, and Thomas F. Wilson. Set in 1985, the plot revolves around Marty McFly (Fox), a teenager accidentally transported back to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean automobile invented by his eccentric scientist friend Emmett “Doc” Brown (Lloyd). 

In the past, Marty inadvertently interfered with his future parents’ love story, jeopardizing his own existence. He must then reconcile them and find a way to return to his own time.

Gale and Zemeckis conceived the concept for Back to the Future in 1980, driven by a desire for a successful film following several collaborative failures. Despite their enthusiasm, the project faced rejection from over forty studios due to its perceived lack of raunchiness compared to popular comedies of the era. However, Universal Pictures eventually offered a development deal after Zemeckis’s success with Romancing the Stone (1984). Although Fox was initially unavailable, he became the first choice to play Marty. Eric Stoltz was initially cast but was replaced by Fox after filming had commenced. This decision required reshooting scenes and a significant budget increase. Principal photography took place in California and on sets at Universal Studios, concluding in April 1985.

Back to the Future was scheduled for release on July 3, 1985, after highly successful test screenings. It became the highest-grossing film of 1985, earning $381.1 million worldwide. The film received critical acclaim for its storyline, humor, and performances, particularly from Fox, Lloyd, Thompson, and Glover. It won multiple awards, including an Academy Award, three Saturn Awards, and a Hugo Award. The theme song, “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News, also achieved success.

Over time, Back to the Future has attained cult status, widely regarded as one of the greatest science fiction films and among the best ever made. In 2007, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. The film spawned two sequels, Back to the Future Part II (1989) and Back to the Future Part III (1990), as well as a multimedia franchise including video games, theme park attractions, an animated TV series, and a stage musical. Its enduring popularity has led to numerous books, documentaries, and commercials exploring its production and impact on popular culture.