Back to the Future Part III (1990)
79%RT Audience Score: 78%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 1 Oscar
9 wins & 9 nominations total
Back to the Future Part III draws the trilogy to a satisfying close with a simpler, sweeter round of time-travel antics
Back to the Future Part III is the perfect conclusion to the trilogy, and it’s a wild ride through the Old West. The film ties up all the loose ends from the previous installments, and it’s a blast to see Marty McFly and Doc Brown in a new setting. The romance between Christopher Lloyd and Mary Steenburgen is surprisingly sweet, and Michael J. Fox is as charming as ever. Plus, the repetition of certain jokes and gags is absolutely hilarious. It’s a silly movie, but it’s a lot of fun. Yeehaw!
Production Company(ies)
Warner Bros.,
Distributor
Universal Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
3793 Oakhurst St., El Monte, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
PG
Year of Release
1990
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 58m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): May 25, 1990 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 17, 2010
Genre(s)
Comedy/Western
Keyword(s)
starring Michael J Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen, Tom Wilson, Lea Thompson, Elisabeth Shue, directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Bob Gale, comedy, western, fantasy, adventure, PG rating, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Peter Rainer, Owen Gleiberman, Kim Newman, Variety Staff, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Vincent Canby, Danielle Solzman, Mike Massie, Hal Lipper, John Ferguson, Rachel Wagner, Sebastian Zavala Kahn, produced by Neil Canton, Bob Gale
Worldwide gross: $332,500,002
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $810,226,692
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 141
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 88,356,237
US/Canada gross: $119,000,002
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $289,975,872
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 203
US/Canada opening weekend: $27,835,125
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $67,827,853
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 141
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $40,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $97,470,880
Production budget ranking: 421
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $52,488,069
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $660,267,743
ROI to date (est.): 440%
ROI ranking: 299
Christopher Lloyd – Dr. Emmett Brown
Mary Steenburgen – Clara Clayton
Tom Wilson – Buford ‘Mad Dog’ Tannen, Biff Tannen
Lea Thompson – Maggie McFly, Lorraine McFly
Elisabeth Shue – Jennifer Parker
Director(s)
Robert Zemeckis
Writer(s)
Bob Gale
Producer(s)
Neil Canton, Bob Gale
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 1 Oscar
9 wins & 9 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (46) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (37) | Rotten (9)
It satisfyingly ties up the various plot strands that were flapping in the breeze from the last installment.
October 21, 2015
Peter Rainer
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
The only true surprise of this movie is how lazy it is.
September 7, 2011 | Rating: D+
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
A clever and enjoyable wrapping-up of the time-travelling adventures.
May 5, 2008 | Rating: 4/5
Kim Newman
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
The simplicity of plot, and the wide expansiveness of its use of space, are a refreshing change from the convoluted, visually cramped and cluttered second part.
May 5, 2008
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
This is a good deal more likable than part two because the product plugs have been held back, and Zemeckis is clearly having fun alluding to his favorite westerns; there’s also a certain sweetness and charm in the Lloyd-Steenburgen romance.
February 26, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Except for Mr. Lloyd, the film is so sweet-natured and bland that it is almost instantly forgettable.
May 20, 2003 | Rating: 2.5/5
Vincent Canby
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
Back to the Future Part III is a return to form for a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy and a fun time in the Old West.
June 3, 2022 | Rating: 4/5
Danielle Solzman
Solzy at the Movies
Repetition might be drab in any other franchise, but here it’s absolutely hysterical.
September 9, 2020 | Rating: 6/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
Back to the Future Part III is an infinitely better picture than its predecessor. It’s more coherent and streamlined. That’s surprising, since parts II and III were filmed at the same time.
April 2, 2020
Hal Lipper
Tampa Bay Times
The inimitable Fox is again on cracking form as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd’s romance with Mary Steenburgen is surprisingly touching.
October 8, 2019 | Rating: 4/5
John Ferguson
Radio Times
It is a silly movie but I enjoy it and find it entertaining.
April 18, 2019 | Rating: B
Rachel Wagner
rachelsreviews.net
A good conclution for the famous trilogy, fun but not as good as the other two entries. [Full review in Spanish]
November 4, 2015 | Rating: 3/4
Sebastian Zavala Kahn
Cinencuentro…
Plot
Marty McFly has only just gotten back from the past, when he is once again picked up by Dr. Emmett Brown and sent through time to the future. Marty’s job in the future is to pose as his own son to prevent him from being thrown in prison. Unfortunately, things get worse when the future changes the present.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
No goofy or funny or odd comments were found in the Fresh Kernels database for Back to the Future Part III.
Robert-Zemeckis.jpg
