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Back to the Future

Back to the Future is a 1985 American science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Back to the Future is a 1985 American science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale. It stars Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd and follows teenager Marty McFly, who is sent from 1985 to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean and must help restore his own future.

Plot

The film follows Marty McFly, a teenager who is accidentally sent from 1985 to 1955 in a time machine built from a DeLorean by Doc Brown. While in the past, Marty disrupts his parents' meeting and must repair events so he can return to his own time.

Cast

The principal cast includes Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown, Lea Thompson as Lorraine Baines McFly, Crispin Glover as George McFly, and Thomas F. Wilson as Biff Tannen.

Production and release

The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale. It was released in the United States on July 3, 1985.

The DeLorean

The DeLorean DMC-12 serves as the film's time machine and is one of the movie's most recognizable symbols. In the story, Doc Brown modifies it to travel through time.

Key facts

  • Back to the Future was released in 1985.
  • Robert Zemeckis directed the film.
  • Michael J. Fox plays Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd plays Emmett 'Doc' Brown.
  • The story centers on a time-traveling DeLorean automobile.
  • It became the first film in the Back to the Future trilogy.
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Canadian context

Back to the Future is widely known in Canada through theatrical release, home video, television broadcasts, and ongoing pop-culture references. The film has remained popular with Canadian audiences as a major 1980s science fiction comedy.

Frequently asked questions

What year was Back to the Future released?
Back to the Future was released in 1985.
Who directed Back to the Future?
Robert Zemeckis directed Back to the Future.
Who is in the cast of Back to the Future?
The main cast includes Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, and Thomas F. Wilson.
What is the plot of Back to the Future?
A teenager named Marty McFly is sent from 1985 to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean and must help his parents fall in love so he can return to his own time.
What is the DeLorean in Back to the Future?
The DeLorean is the car that Doc Brown converts into a time machine in the film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_to_the_Future
    Supports: 1985 release year, Robert Zemeckis as director, principal cast, and plot involving a DeLorean time machine
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763/
    Supports: 1985 release information and plot summary involving Marty McFly and the DeLorean
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/back_to_the_future
    Supports: Synopsis describing the plot, the DeLorean time machine, and the main characters