Great Scott - Hill Valley is busy again. The first UK tour of Back to the Future: The Musical opened at the Bristol Hippodrome on 8 October 2026, and on 21 October Universal brings the 1985 film back to US cinemas for one day only, including 4DX screenings.
That date is the day Marty travels to in Part II, now celebrated as Back to the Future Day. Here is the story of the trilogy. Find more film tributes in our movies collection.
Back to the Future Fact File
| Films | Back to the Future (1985), Part II (1989), Part III (1990) |
| Director | Robert Zemeckis |
| Writers | Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale |
| Producers | Bob Gale and Neil Canton; executive producers Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall |
| Studio | Amblin Entertainment, distributed by Universal Pictures |
| Main cast | Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, Thomas F. Wilson, Claudia Wells |
| Runtime | 116 minutes (first film) |
| Filming locations | Universal Studios lot, Whittier High School, Pasadena and Griffith Park, California |
Key Films
| Year | Film | Time periods | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Back to the Future | 1985 and 1955 | Released 3 July 1985 - about $381 million worldwide on first release |
| 1989 | Back to the Future Part II | 2015, 1985 and 1955 | Released 22 November 1989 - about $332 million worldwide |
| 1990 | Back to the Future Part III | 1885, 1955 and 1985 | Released 25 May 1990 - about $244 million worldwide |
Release dates are for the US and box office figures are worldwide totals for the original runs. Parts II and III were shot back to back.
Origins: Zemeckis, Gale and a Time Machine
Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale wrote the script together, with Steven Spielberg's Amblin backing it. The idea is wonderfully simple - a teenager is sent back 30 years and meets his own parents at high school.
Show off the original with our Back To The Future Movie Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
Behind the Scenes: The Recast
Eric Stoltz was first cast as Marty McFly and filming began on 26 November 1984. After watching the footage, Zemeckis and the producers decided he was not right for the part. Michael J. Fox agreed to step in, and his first day on set was 15 January 1985.
The switch cost 34 days of filming and roughly $4 million. Filming wrapped on 26 April 1985.
Wear the legend with our Back to the Future Men's T-Shirt.
A Summer Smash and Two Sequels
Back to the Future opened on 3 July 1985 and became a phenomenon, with The Power of Love by Huey Lewis and the News a huge hit alongside it.
Part II took the story to 21 October 2015, while Part III sent Doc and Marty to the Old West of 1885, where Mary Steenburgen joined as Clara Clayton. Elisabeth Shue took over as Jennifer in both sequels.
Join the ride with our Back To The Future Men's Hoodie.
The Musical and the Fan Community Today
Bob Gale wrote the book for the stage musical, with music by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard. It premiered in Manchester in 2020, opened at London's Adelphi Theatre in September 2021 and won the Olivier for Best New Musical in 2022. The West End run closed on 12 April 2026 after 1,913 performances, and it also played Broadway from 2023 to 2025.
Awards and Honours
Academy Awards
- Won Best Sound Effects Editing (1986)
- Also nominated for Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Song (The Power of Love) and Best Sound
Other Honours
- Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation
- Three Saturn Awards
- Selected for the US National Film Registry in 2007
- Back to the Future: The Musical - Olivier Award for Best New Musical (2022)
Legacy
The franchise grew to include an animated series that ran for two seasons on CBS from 1991 to 1992 and a Universal theme park ride from 1991.
FAQs
How many Back to the Future films are there?
There are three: Back to the Future (1985), Back to the Future Part II (1989) and Back to the Future Part III (1990), all directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Where was Back to the Future filmed?
Mostly on the Universal Studios lot, plus Whittier High School, Pasadena and Griffith Park in California.
What date did Marty travel to in Back to the Future Part II?
Marty and Doc arrive in the future on 21 October 2015, which is why 21 October is celebrated as Back to the Future Day.
Will there be a Back to the Future 4?
No. Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale have said another film is not going to happen.
Is Back to the Future: The Musical touring the UK?
Yes. Its first UK tour opened in Bristol on 8 October 2026 and is scheduled to run until November 2027, finishing in Cardiff.
Shop the Back to the Future Collection
Pick your favourite fan tribute design below.
Explore more in our movies collection, or put your own name on a custom name hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Rocky: The Story of the Films, the Cast and the Oscars and Knight Rider: Seasons, Cast, KITT and the Universal Film.
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