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Back to the Future

1985·Movie
1h 56min·PG

Where to watch

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Back to the Future fingerprint

High energy, big heart.

Energy

Thrilling and fast-paced

Fast from start to finish.

  • Adrenaline8
  • Fast Pace8
  • Spectacle7

Heart

Uplifting and nostalgic

  • Hopefulness9
  • Nostalgia9
  • Catharsis8

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay6
  • Situational Comedy4
  • Physical Comedy4

World

Pop culture and technology

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • Rewatchability10
  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7

Craft

Standout direction, storytelling, and performances

  • Direction9
  • Narrative Structure9
  • Acting8

Style

Standout editing, score, and cinematography

  • Editing9
  • Music Composition9
  • Cinematography8

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

Skip it if

You want something quiet and calm

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

He was never in time for his classes... He wasn't in time for his dinner... Then one day... he wasn't in his time at all.

Eighties teenager Marty McFly is accidentally sent back in time to 1955, inadvertently disrupting his parents' first meeting and attracting his mother's romantic interest. Marty must repair the damage to history by rekindling his parents' romance and - with the help of his eccentric inventor friend Doc Brown - return to 1985.
Classic Sci-Fi AdventureTime Travel Paradox80s NostalgiaHeartwarming Family DramaHigh-Octane ThrillsIconic SoundtrackPerfect Narrative PacingGenerational BondingOptimistic Fun

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

Media

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Questions about Back to the Future

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Back to the Future legally?

Back to the Future is included with a subscription to Netflix in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Back to the Future worth watching?

89
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 89/100 (IMDb 8.5, Rotten Tomatoes 93%, and Metacritic 88). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Back to the Future rated?

PG

It's rated PG in the United States.

How long is Back to the Future?

1 h 56 min

Back to the Future runs 1 h 56 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Back to the Future?

Critics91
Audiences90

Yes. Critics average 91 and audiences 90 out of 100, so both groups see Back to the Future much the same way.

Was Back to the Future a box office hit?

Budget$19 million
Box office$392 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $19 million to make and earned $392 million worldwide, 20.6 times its budget.

What language is Back to the Future in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Back to the Future?

137ADAEAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBFBG+123

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Back to the Future in 137 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Back to the Future use?

Hero Stole My BikeChekhov's Time TravelLactose over LiquorArtistic License – ChemistryPercussive MaintenancePlaying PossumForgot the CookingAtomic F-BombHypocritical HumorMy God, What Have I Done?Relative-ly Flimsy ExcuseInformed Povertyand 387 more

TV Tropes lists 399 storytelling tropes for Back to the Future, including Hero Stole My Bike, Chekhov's Time Travel, Lactose over Liquor.