Back to the Future might be the ultimate feel-good sci-fi movie. A rip-roaring adventure that’s guaranteed to have you laughing, cheering, and glued to the edge of your seat, the movie remains the gold standard for time travel entertainment. Given its profound impact on pop culture, with theme parks, musical spin-offs, and video games all following in the DeLorean’s fiery wake, it’s easy to forget just how special the original film is. In 2024, it’s clear that Back to the Future is not just a great 80s movie, but a true timeless classic in every sense of the word.

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. In 1955, he meets his parents when they were his age, and must step in to make sure they wind up together before he gets back to 1985.Director Robert Zemeckis Release Date July 3, 1985 Cast Claudia Wells , Christopher Lloyd , James Tolkan , Thomas F. Wilson , Michael J. Fox , Wendie Jo Sperber , Crispin Glover , Marc McClure , Lea Thompson Runtime 116 minutes Writers Robert Zemeckis , Bob Gale Budget $19 million Expand

As any self-respecting film fan knows, Back to the Future follows the misadventures of Marty McFly – a 17-year-old rebel who struggles to reconcile his self-confidence and creativity with his unambitious and uninspiring family. His dweeby father is still tormented by a high school bully, his mother is a downtrodden alcoholic, and his siblings are seemingly incapable of leaving the nest. His only respite comes from his relationship with his girlfriend, and friendship with the enigmatic scientist, Emmett “Doc” Brown.

Marty’s humdrum existence is turned upside down when he becomes entangled in one of Doc’s unpredictable experiments. The scientist reveals that he has managed to successfully create a time machine, fueled by plutonium and utilizing brand-new flux capacitor technology to transport the user to any point in history. Unfortunately, after explaining his device, Marty is sent 30 years back into the past, where his presence has profound implications for both his parents’ lives and his own existence. So begins an adventure for the ages.

Back To The Future Is The Perfect Blend Of Adventure & Comedy

Like the decrepit DeLorean building to 88 miles-per-hour, Back to the Future only gathers momentum as the story develops. As Marty, Michael J. Fox is the ultimate teenage hero – courageous, intrepid, and vulnerable when the narrative requires. He is immediately likable and easy to root for, allowing us to immediately empathize with what, on paper at least, is hardly a relatable plight. Much of the magic comes from the fact that a movie ostensibly about something as intangible as time travel also perfectly articulates all the awkwardness and emotion of youth.

Equally compelling are Crispin Glover and Lea Thompson as Marty’s parents, George and Lorraine. In many ways, Glover is the real hero of the story, transforming from a downtrodden dork to a confident and charismatic winner – thanks to a little help from Marty. Thompson, meanwhile, expertly carries off what could in lesser hands be an uncomfortably oedipal subplot about a mother falling in love with her son, mining comedy gold out of potentially awkward territory.

Thomas F. Wilson is perhaps the ultimate pantomime villain, becoming one of the most punchable characters in cinema history – making his ending all the more satisfying.

Great performances run throughout the film. Christopher Lloyd’s eyebrows deserve their own special place in the science fiction hall of fame, as does the singularly emphatic way he declares “Great Scott!” whenever something threatens to go wrong. Thomas F. Wilson is perhaps the ultimate pantomime villain, becoming one of the most punchable characters in cinema history – making his ending all the more satisfying. Setting these characters within a truly original sci-fi story is a recipe for success and deservedly makes Back to the Future one of the best-loved movies ever made.

Back To The Future Is Surprisingly Heavy For A Sci-Fi Comedy

One of the things that’s most impressive about watching Back to the Future four decades on is how the movie refuses to pull any punches. It would be easy for a lighthearted comedy caper about the consequences of time travel to strive for softness and mainstream digestibility. Yet throughout its story, Back to the Future has an edge that, ultimately, makes the movie much more than a run-of-the-mill teenage melodrama.

…for all the narrative’s boisterous energy, there remains real darkness in the world that director Robert Zemeckis creates.

Biff’s bullying, cartoonish and comical for much of the story, takes on genuine menace when he tries to assault Lorraine. Likewise, his gang’s racist abuse of the hired band proves that, for all the narrative’s boisterous energy, there remains real darkness in the world director Robert Zemeckis creates. Arguably, this is the key to making the film feel so profound. Despite its determination to pursue archetypal lessons of good vs. evil, redemption, and romance, Back to the Future always feels grounded in reality. Its themes are instantly relatable to viewers of any age, whether they’re watching in 1985 or 2024.

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Very few movies can successfully combine no-holds-barred entertainment with real emotional resonance. With its iconic characters, unforgettable contributions to the cultural lexicon, and kick-ass soundtrack that will keep you singing long after the credits roll, Back to the Future is a rare gem that still burns as brightly as the tire tracks left in the time machine’s wake.

ProsFantastic performances, particularly from Fox and LloydA rip-roaring story that still holds upSurprisingly heavy themes that keep the movie grounded ConsSome aspects, such as the Libyans, don’t hold up