Summary
The feel-good, sci-fi aesthetic ofBack to the Futuremade it one of the most iconic movies ever made and has left plenty of viewers craving something similar to check out next. From the incredible chemistry between Doc Brown and Marty McFly to its mind-bending adventure that traversed space and time,Back to the Futurehad a unique style and a powerful influence whose legacy can be felt in plenty of subsequent sci-fi movies. However, it’s also true that several great sci-fi films with aBack to the Futurefeel predated it.
Part ofBack to the Future’senduring appeal was its ability to mix genres. It could be enjoyed as a coming-of-age story, an intense action adventure, or even a lesson about generational experiences and the changing perspectives of the past.Back to the Futurewas endlessly quotable, and although there were two incredible sequels, audiences have still been left craving more of this type of feel-good sci-fi movie. While there was truly only oneBack to the Future, severalsimilar movies would appeal to lovers of Robert Zemeckis' classic story.
10Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
Directed by Stephen Herek
WhileBack to the Futureused its time travel story to take viewers on a journey to an idyllic representation of 1950s America,Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventurewas a whirlwind escapade throughout all history. With two underachieving protagonists leading the way, Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) were tasked with traveling through time to gather historical figures who could assist them in their high school history presentation. This hilarious concept led to encounters with a variety of notable names, including Socrates in ancient Greece and President Abraham Lincoln.
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventurewas goofy and a little bit over-the-top, but that feel-good energy was also part of its innate charm. Winter and Reeves gave excellent performances as two dim-witted high school students who were destined to be the saviors of tomorrow in a utopian future. The story ofBill & Tedwas one of friendship and adventure as these two bodacious buddies traversed time and space in a death-defying quest that saw them witness Napoleon Bonaparte leading battle, Billy the Kid shooting out in the Wild West, and even Ludwig van Beethoven rocking out in a modern mall music store.
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Cast
Starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure follows the titular heroes, two high school students in 1980s California who must go on a time-traveling quest assembling historical figures in order to pass a history test and in doing so ensure a utopian future that they play a large part in. George Carlin stars alongside Reeves and Winter as Rufus.
9Ghostbusters (1984)
Directed by Ivan Reitman
Just one year before Marty McFly was accidentally sent back to 1955 inBack to the Future, another feel-good sci-fi all-time classic hit theaters with the release ofGhostbusters. WhileGhostbustersleaned into the supernatural side of sci-fi as the three eccentric parapsychologists used their proton packs to start a ghost-catching business, both films were full of futuristic gadgetry, hilarious characters, and iconic moments. With Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis in starring roles,Ghostbustershad all the makings of a comedy classic, and, similarly toBack to the Future, its popularity has endured.
A major contributor to the legacy ofGhostbusterswas its strong performances, incredible concept, and infectious sense of feel-good fun. However, much in the same wayBack to the Futurewas propped up by its ingenious use of music, likeMarty McFly’s rendition of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode,”the theme tune toGhostbustershas also become an enduring part of popular culture. As two major feel-good sci-fi releases of the mid-1980s, those looking for something similar toBack to the Futurewould surely be pleased withGhostbusters.
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters is a 1984 fantasy sci-fi movie from director Ivan Reitman. The movie stars Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson as Raymond Stantz, Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler, and Winston Zeddemore, paranormal investigators who travel New York hunting and capturing ghosts. The movie eventually became one of the most iconic films of the ’80s, spawning a multimedia franchise including a sequel, spinoffs, books, and video games.
8Blast From The Past (1999)
Directed by Hugh Wilson
With a story about a modern man whose sheltered life in a bomb bunker meant he was raised on 1950s pop culture,Blast from the Pastwas an inversion of the idyllic nostalgia seen inBack to the Future. Brendan Fraser starred as the clueless Adam Webber, a man in his 30s who, after leaving his shelter, was confronted not by the nuclear apocalypse but by mainstream 1990s society. In what felt like a clever mix of the feel-good aesthetic ofBack to the Futureand the survivalist qualities ofFallout,Blast from the Pastwas a unique parody of sci-fi tropes.
Marty McFly was seen as an oddity in 1955 due to his modern ways inBack to the Future, but the same was true for Adam, who lacked any understanding of popular culture from the previous several decades.Blast from the Pastfailed to make much of an impact at the box office and has not had the staying power of a movie likeBack to the Future, but revisiting it today, it more than held up. With plenty of feel-good fun, lots of laughs, and a great performance from Fraser,Blast from the Pastdeserved a larger audience.
Blast from the Past
Blast from the Past is a romantic comedy directed by Hugh Wilson. The film stars Brendan Fraser as Adam Webber, a man who emerges into the modern world after being raised in a fallout shelter for 35 years. Co-starring Alicia Silverstone as Eve, the story explores Adam’s attempts to navigate a new and unfamiliar society while seeking a partner, highlighting the contrast between old-fashioned morals and contemporary culture.
7The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
Directed by Garth Jennings
For those looking for a wild adventure that recaptured the same magic asBack to the Future, then look no further thanThe Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Based on the iconic works of Douglas Adams, this wild adventure through space was full of feel-good, sci-fi energy and featured hilarious performances from the likes of Martin Freeman, Sam Rockwell, and Zooey Deschanel. As a frantic film adaptation,The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxymaintained Adams’s unique sense of humor and powerfully transferred his story to the big screen.
Just like Marty McFly found himself transported back to 1955,Arthur Dent unwittingly became embroiled in an epic adventure that traversed the length and breadth of the known galaxy. However, while the success ofBack to the Futureled to an acclaimed trilogy of films, there was only oneHitchhiker’s Guide,despite a wealth of sequel novels to adapt. The film’s co-star, Zooey Deschanel, opened up aboutpotentialHitchhiker’s Guidesequelsand expressed disappointment that they did not make more.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a sci-fi comedy film directed by Garth Jennings. It follows Arthur Dent, played by Martin Freeman, who is unwittingly swept into an intergalactic adventure after Earth is destroyed. Arthur, along with Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox, and Trillian, explores space while consulting the titular guidebook. Sam Rockwell, Zooey Deschanel, and Mos Def co-star in this adaptation of Douglas Adams' beloved novel.
6Men in Black (1997)
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld
WhileBack to the Futurewas among the greatest feel-good sci-fi movies of the 1980s, in the following decade, that honor belonged toMen in Black. With a unique story about a secretive government agency that monitored and protected society from extraterrestrial forces, this Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones action sci-fi had exciting action sequences, incredible chemistry between its two leads, and a fantastic screenplay bursting with energy.Men in Blackwas a major box office success and a smart and satisfying summer blockbuster.
Much likeBack to the Futureacted as the starting point for a major sci-fi series, theMen in Blackfranchise included two direct sequels and a stand-alone spin-off film. Full of fascinating gadgetry and awe-inspiring special effects,Men in Blackwas an ambitious, family-friendly adventure that appealed to all kinds of viewers. Although they were very different characters,Smith and Jones’ infectious chemistry inMen in Blackmimicked Doc and Marty’s onscreen appeal inBack to the Future.
Men In Black
James, an NYC cop, is hired by Agent K of a secret government agency that monitors extraterrestrial life on Earth. Together, they must recover an item that has been stolen by an intergalactic villain.
5Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
Directed by Joe Johnston
Many comparisons can be made between the genius inventor Doc Brown inBack to the Futureand wacky scientist Wayne Szalinski fromHoney, I Shrunk the Kids. Both films dealt with awe-inspiring inventions and the fallout of their misuse, as Doc’s DeLorean time machine sent Marty McFly back to 1955 andWayne’s shrinking ray gun unwittingly turned his kids and the neighbor’s kids into a quarter-inch in size. The subsequent adventure involved undoing these scientific inventions' misuse and returning to the status quo with everybody’s lives intact.
With so many narrative similarities toBack to the Future, part of the appeal ofHoney, I Shrunk the Kidswas in how it also mimicked that film’s feel-good, sci-fi atmosphere. Rick Moranis gave an exceptional performance as the wayward eccentric scientist father and the shrunken kids brought real energy to its inspired story. As the highest-grossing live-action Disney movie at the time of at its release,Honey, I Shrunk the Kidswas a major hit that led to two sequels, a television series, and apotentialHoney, I Shrunk the Kidsrebootthat’s currently on hold.
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Joe Johnston’s Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is a 1989 comedy where a scientist creates a functioning shrinking ray at home. Unfortunately for him, his experiment ends up shrinking his family and neighbors, who struggle to get back home and reverse the process. The first movie’s success spawned a franchise that includes two sequels and a reboot.
4Time After Time (1979)
Directed by Nicholas Meyer
Those with a love for the entireBack to the Futurefranchise would surely enjoy the excellent sci-fi adventureTime After Time. With a story that involved the real writer H. G. Wells in a fictional time travel adventure,Time After Timealso featured Mary Steenburgen as Amy Robbins, a character whose story arc was almost identical to the part she played inBack to the Future Part III. Both as Amy Robbins and as Clara Clayton, Steenburgen found herself in a romance between herself and a man from another time.
In both movies, Steenburgen throws caution to the wind to travel to a new time period, first with Welles and later with Doc Brown. These similarities createdinteresting parallels between theBack to the Futurefranchise andTime After Time, which made them interesting movies to watch together. Adding to this,Time After Timewas a fun-filled, sci-fi adventure with plenty to offer outside of itsBack to the Futureconnections.
Time After Time
H.G. Wells pursues Jack the Ripper to the 20th Century when the serial murderer uses the future writer’s time machine to escape his time period.
3Batteries Not Included (1987)
Directed by Matthew Robbins
Much in the same way that director Steven Spielberg helped getBack to the Futuremade, he also took on executive production duties on the alien storyBatteries Not Included. With a story that involved extraterrestrials helping an elderly couple fight against ruthless land developers trying to evict them,Batteries Not Includedwas a fun-filled comedy-drama that maintained the laughs, special effects, and innate heart ofBack to the Future. WhileBatteries Not Includedreceived mixed reviews from critics, it was a heartwarming story and one of the most underrated Spielberg-associated projects of the 1980s.
Batteries Not Includedwas the screenwriting debut of Brad Bird, who would later become a major figure at Pixar and write and directThe IncrediblesandRatatouille. The charm ofBatteries Not Includedhinted at Bird’s skill at crafting family-friendly stories that resonated with all audiences, but it was not as polished here as it would later become. As a film full of light-hearted sci-fi energy and an engaging story of overcoming adversaries,Batteries Not Includedwas well worth checking out by those looking to fill aBack to the Future-sized hole in their lives.
2Short Circuit (1986)
Directed by John Badham
Another excellent 1980s sci-fi adventure that would be perfect for those looking to reexperience the magic ofBack to the FuturewasShort Circuit. Similar to the way Doc Brown tested the limits of scientific knowledge with the development of the DeLorean time machine, inShort Circuit, an experimental military robot gained human-like intelligence after being struck by lightning. With this newfound intelligence, the robot known asJohnny 5 escaped his facility and went out into the world in search of knowledge.
Short Circuitwas a fun, feel-good sci-fi adventure that captured the same wonder of technology and excitement toward the untapped potential of science asBack to the Future. With Brat Pack star Ally Sheedy in a leading role, she brought the same youthful excitement and up-and-coming Hollywood star status to her part as Michael J. Fox did for Marty McFly.Short Circuitwas a fun-filled adventure for all viewers that, although a box office success at the time of its release, has not had the same staying power as other 1980s classics likeBack to the Future.
Short Circuit
Short Circuit revolves around a robot named Number 5, who is able to form intelligence and escape a military facility after being struck by lightning. The 1986 comedy sci-fi film Short Circuit stars Ally Sheedy and Steve Guttenberg and was directed by John Badham. Short Circuit led to a sequel in 1988 called Short Circuit 2.
1E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
With the central themes of an unlikely friendship and an incredible adventure, Steven Speilberg’sE.T. the Extra-Terrestrialcaptured the same extraordinary excitement as inBack to the Future. While Marty McFly forged a strong friendship with the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, so did Elliott Taylor with an extraterrestrial who found themselves stranded on Earth and needing protection. As two coming-of-age stories that brought together the importance of friendship and family in a suburban setting,E.T.captured the same kind of feel-good sci-fi energy of McFly’s time travel journey.
It made sense thatE.T.mimicked the same aesthetics ofBack to the Future, as that later film was executive produced by Speilberg, and he mentored its director, Robert Zemeckis, as he assisted him in getting the film made. The similarities betweenE.T.andBack to the Futurehighlighted just how instrumental Spielberg was in shaping mainstream pop culture in the 1980s. Because of this, the legacy ofE.T.seeped into all family entertainment that came after it and can certainly be felt inBack to the Future.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, directed by Steven Spielberg, follows a young boy named Elliot who befriends an alien accidentally left on Earth. As the task force searches for the extraterrestrial, Elliot, his siblings, and their newfound friend form a deep connection while attempting to return the visitor home.
