As one of the most beloved movie trilogies of all time, Back to the Future has no shortage of iconic scenes. High school student Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doctor Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) are one of the most well-known duos in cinematic history as they travel to the past and future via a DeLorean time machine. Back to the Future‘s various timelines spanning from 1885 to 2015 allow the story to continue for three movies and keep the trilogy engaging.
The movies’ iconic nature is largely grounded in Back to the Future‘s best quotes, ranging from Doc Brown’s “Great Scott!” to Marty saying, “Nobody calls me chicken!” Many of the quotes and scenes from the first Back to the Future movie made such a strong impact that they are repeated, albeit in different ways, during the second and third films. As such, the first Back to the Future movie inevitably has the most iconic scenes, although the sequels have their fair share of famous and culturally significant scenes as well.
10
Biff Gets His First Taste Of Manure
Back to the Future (1985)
One of Back to the Future‘s best running jokes is the villainous Tannen family getting covered in manure. The joke is most impactful when it occurs in the first Back to the Future movie. When Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson) drives after Marty in 1955, he crashes his car into the back of a manure truck and is buried in fertilizer. It is satisfying to see the bullying Biff stopped in such ignominious fashion and for him to get a literal taste of the type of person he is.
While it is never as memorable as it was the first time, the scene is further elevated when Biff is buried under manure again in Back to the Future Part II and when his ancestor, Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen (also played by Wilson), faces the same fate in Back to the Future Part III. Regardless of the century, it is a constant for the Tannens to shout, “I hate manure!” when outwitted by a member of the McFly family. It is an amusing scene that sets a precedent, even if it is not quite as iconic as some other scenes.
9
George Knocks Out Biff
Back to the Future (1985)
Marty spends much of the first Back to the Future movie trying to convince the 1955 version of his father, George McFly (Crispin Glover), to stand up for himself and to fall in love with Lorraine Baines (Lea Thompson). It is frustrating to see George struggling to do this, especially when being taunted by the cruel Biff. That makes it all the more satisfying when George finally stands up for her and for himself when he knocks out Biff.
It is a triumphant moment and a reminder of the underdog being brave, overcoming the odds, and doing the right thing when it matters most. This is the moment where Lorraine first sees George for who he is and that is the foundation of their marriage and the family they will create together. It is iconic enough to warrant being seen again in Back to the Future Part II. It is not as iconic as many scenes more focused on Marty or Doc, but it is the most defining moment in the trilogy for George.
8
Hoverboard Chase
Back to the Future Part II (1989)
When Marty travels to 2015 in Back to the Future Part II, there are many clever takes on what the future holds, with one of the best being the hoverboard. Marty riding a hoverboard while being chased by Biff is a clever reimagining of Marty being chased while riding a skateboard in the previous movie. Seeing the boards fly truly makes the movie feel as if it is taking place in the future, more so than many of the other future elements.
The hoverboards became so iconic that real-world versions have been developed in order to capture the magic of the scene.
The scene is even more thrilling and effective than the chase in the first movie, enabling this chase to surpᴀss the original scene that inspired it. The hoverboards became so iconic that real-world versions have been developed in order to capture the magic of the scene. It is worth noting that the hoverboard itself is arguably more iconic than the scene, but they are intertwined, and the chase remains one of the best parts in Back to the Future Part II.
7
Marty Outsmarts Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen
Back to the Future Part III (1990)
Whether it’s the Wild West or the suburbs, it is not a Back to the Future movie without Marty outsmarting a member of the Tannen family. When Buford and Mary confront each other in the streets while the townsfolk watch, Buford shoots Marty in the chest. Buford laughs and believes he has won, only to have Marty kick the gun out of his hand, and to injure his hand by punching Marty’s chest, not knowing of the metal plate hidden under his clothes.
Marty knocks Buford down with the makeshift bulletproof vest and then takes the villain down with several old-fashioned punches. No matter how intimidating Buford can be, he is unable to foresee Marty’s use of the metal plate. No matter the time period, Marty does not let himself or others be pushed around by bullies like the Tannen family. It is not Marty’s most iconic moment, but it is a pivotal one as his story nears its conclusion.
6
“We Don’t Need Roads”
Back to the Future (1985)
The first Back to the Future movie has a satisfying ending that also leaves the door open for more time-traveling adventures. This is cemented by one of Doc Brown’s best quotes, which is, “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” Doc says this as he starts the DeLorean and as the time-traveling car flies for the first time. It is a moment filled with anticipation and the sense that only the tip of the time-traveling iceberg has been revealed so far.
|
Movie |
Tomatometer Score |
Popcornmeter Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Back to the Future (1985) |
93% |
95% |
|
Back to the Future Part II (1989) |
63% |
86% |
|
Back to the Future Part III (1990) |
79% |
78% |
Doc is a pioneer of scientific innovation and his “we don’t need roads” line is a moment where that innovation comes to life with the flying DeLorean. It also sets the stage well for Back to the Future Part II, with 2015 being filled with flying cars and hoverboards. When the DeLorean is depicted or referenced in popular culture, this is one of the first scenes that comes to mind because of how iconic it is, although there are some DeLorean moments that are even more iconic.
5
Marty Receives Doc’s Letter From 1885
Back to the Future Part II (1989)
One of the most thrilling moments in the Back to the Future trilogy is Marty receiving a letter from a Western Union courier revealing that Doc Brown is alive and has been transported to 1885. There are few moments as hopeful as Marty shouting “He’s alive! The Doc’s alive!” The scope of Back to the Future‘s time travel opens up more than ever before, as the first two movies take place between 1955 and 2015, but the Wild West of 1885 is on another level entirely.
Some beloved movies get sequels for the wrong reasons, but this cliffhanger makes Back to the Future Part III completely justifiable. It sets up the stakes of Marty having to travel back to 1885 to find and save Doc. The DeLorean being struck by lightning when Doc is inside it, quickly followed by the arrival of the Western Union courier and the letter, is the kind of sequence only made possible by Back to the Future‘s unique brand of time travel. It is a strong ending for the middle installment, although it is surpᴀssed by the third movie’s ending.
4
Johnny B. Goode Scene
Back to the Future (1985)
When thinking of Marty, one of the first scenes that inevitably comes to mind is him playing the song “Johnny B. Goode” at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance. Marty puts all his energy into singing “Johnny B. Goode,” a song that heightens the energy of the dance as the attendees move to a piece of music that has not been written yet in 1955. While the song resonates with the crowd at first, it becomes a bit much for them as Marty continues to play.
This scene leads to Marty saying, “I guess you guys aren’t ready for that yet. But your kids are gonna love it.” It is a classic moment in which cultural elements from the trilogy’s different time periods transcend generations and make an impact. As iconic as the scene is, it is somewhat overshadowed by the problematic suggestion that Marty, and not Chuck Berry, is the individual responsible for the creation of “Johnny B. Goode,” at least in Back to the Future‘s universe.
3
Doc And Marty’s Final Scene Together
Back to the Future Part III (1990)
Many time travel movies are rooted in the idea that the future has already been written, and no matter what the characters do, they are bound by fate and have no free will. The Back to the Future trilogy does not follow this system of time travel, as the characters are able to change the past, present, and future through their actions. Back to the Future Part III doubles down on this and offers a more liberating perspective.
Doc tells Marty and Jennifer Parker (Elisabeth Shue) that “Your future hasn’t been written yet. No one’s has. Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one.” This emphasis on free will, and that no one’s future is set in stone, sends an incredibly hopeful and refreshing way. It is part of what has allowed the Back to the Future movies to stand the test of time, and it is the perfect culmination of Marty and Doc’s story together, which makes it the most iconic moment in the sequels.
2
Lightning Strikes The Clock Tower
Back to the Future (1985)
Few moments in movie history are as exciting as the lightning striking the clock tower in the first Back to the Future film. The many visual and spoken references to the clock tower ensure that the entire movie foreshadows and builds to this moment. Between Doc dealing with the cable and Marty getting the DeLorean’s speed to 88 miles per hour as midnight approaches, there is plenty going on in the scene, and the stakes feel high for both of the main characters.
It is an instance of enormous payoff and satisfaction for the characters and for the audience, much of which is owed to Fox and Lloyd’s performances in the scene.
Everything clicks into place at the right moment as the lightning strikes the clock tower, Doc connects the cable, and the DeLorean transports Marty back to 1985. It is an instance of enormous payoff and satisfaction for the characters and for the audience, much of which is owed to Fox and Lloyd’s performances in the scene. As iconic as it is, there is one other scene that can be considered even more timeless.
1
The DeLorean First Travels Through Time
Back to the Future (1985)
Just as the manure scene is most effective the first time, the most effective DeLorean scene is the first time it is shown in action. While standing in a parking lot, Doc demonstrates to Marty how the DeLorean works as it reaches 88 miles per hour and time travels with his dog, Einstein, instead of it. The DeLorean makes a strong impression that captures the imagination as lights flash around the vehicle, and it disappears, leaving a trail of fire underneath Doc and Marty.
This is the quintessential image of the DeLorean that has lived on the most in popular culture, even compared to when the car flies later on. Doc’s joy is palpable as he revels in the knowledge that his experiment works as he explains to Marty how he made time travel possible. The scene is made complete by the reemergence of the DeLorean, with Einstein safely inside. No other Back to the Future scene manages to be quite as iconic as this one.
