Back to the Future (1985)
Kernel Score: 95% · 21,454 ratings · Rated PG
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Science Fiction
Released: 1985-07-03
Runtime: 116 minutes
Is Back to the Future worth watching?
Must-watch. A time-travel comedy that is clever, warm and perfectly paced. It's still a model of how to build a blockbuster from a simple idea and a lovable cast.
Watch it if you
- want a fun, clever adventure
- enjoy time-travel stories
- are watching with the whole family
Skip it if you
- dislike 1980s styling
- want a serious sci-fi story
Best for: Family movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Back to the Future
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
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.
Back to the Future parents' guide: ages 8+
Parents need to know that Back to the Future is a beloved PG sci-fi comedy with light action, some suggestive humor, and mild language.
- Violence & scariness: Some — There is comic action and peril, including gun-toting terrorists who shoot at characters, but it stays PG-level.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Some — A running gag has Marty's teenage mother develop a romantic crush on him (not knowing who he is), plus mild teen-romance content.
- Language: Some — Occasional mild profanity typical of a 1980s PG film.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Back to the Future
If you liked Back to the Future, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Back to the Future Part II (1989) — 88%: The sequel, which goes further into the future and the past.
- Back to the Future Part III (1990) — 86%: The final chapter, set in the Old West.
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) — 86%: Zemeckis's blend of comedy and mystery.
- Forrest Gump (1994) — 97%: Zemeckis's warm, funny trip through history.
- Galaxy Quest (1999) — 80%: Affectionate comedy adventure in space.
- Free Guy (2021) — 84%: A newer comedy adventure with a clever hook.
Director
Cast
- Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly
- Christopher Lloyd as Emmett Brown
- Crispin Glover as George McFly
- Lea Thompson as Lorraine Baines
- Claudia Wells as Jennifer Parker
- Thomas F. Wilson as Biff Tannen
- Marc McClure as Dave McFly
- Wendie Jo Sperber as Linda McFly
- George DiCenzo as Sam Baines
- Frances Lee McCain as Stella Baines
Back to the Future FAQ
Is Back to the Future worth watching?
Must-watch. A time-travel comedy that is clever, warm and perfectly paced. It's still a model of how to build a blockbuster from a simple idea and a lovable cast.
Where can I watch Back to the Future?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Back to the Future OK for kids?
Back to the Future is rated PG. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 8+. Parents need to know that Back to the Future is a beloved PG sci-fi comedy with light action, some suggestive humor, and mild language.
What movies are like Back to the Future?
If you liked Back to the Future, try Back to the Future Part II, Back to the Future Part III, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Forrest Gump.