Back to the Future Part II (1989)

Last updated:
August 11, 2025

Back to the Future Part II is the second film in Robert Zemeckis’s iconic time-travel trilogy. It takes the foundation of the first film and expands it into a complex, interwoven story that jumps between past, present, and future—often with chaotic consequences. This installment leans more heavily into sci-fi mechanics and the ripple effects of changing history.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Returning to the Future

The film picks up right where the first movie ended. Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), his girlfriend Jennifer (Elisabeth Shue), and Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) head to the year 2015 to prevent Marty’s future son from making a mistake that would ruin the McFly family. Upon arriving, they encounter a neon-soaked, gadget-filled version of Hill Valley with hoverboards, flying cars, and self-drying clothes.

The Sports Almanac and Biff’s Scheme

In 2015, Marty buys a Sports Almanac containing the outcomes of major sporting events between 1950 and 2000, thinking it will be an easy way to make money. Doc disapproves, warning of the dangers of altering the past for personal gain, and throws the almanac in the trash. Unfortunately, old Biff Tannen overhears them, retrieves the almanac, and steals the DeLorean to deliver it to his younger self in 1955.

The Dystopian 1985

When Marty and Doc return to what they think is their own time, they find Hill Valley transformed into a nightmarish dystopia. Biff has used his sports-betting fortune to become rich, powerful, and utterly corrupt. He controls the police, has turned the courthouse into a casino, and even married Lorraine after killing George McFly. Marty and Doc realize the altered timeline was caused by old Biff’s interference.

Back to 1955 (Again)

To fix history, Marty and Doc travel back to 1955—the same day from the first film when the original events were taking place. This leads to a clever overlap of timelines, with Marty having to avoid running into his past self while stealing back the almanac from young Biff. After a series of chases (including another hoverboard-style sequence), Marty successfully destroys the almanac, erasing the dystopian timeline.

Movie Ending

After Marty burns the almanac in 1955, restoring the timeline, a sudden lightning strike hits the DeLorean while Doc is inside. The car disappears instantly. Moments later, a Western Union messenger arrives with a letter addressed to Marty—dated from 1885—written by Doc, explaining he is alive and well in the Old West. Shocked but relieved, Marty realizes he has to travel back to 1885 to rescue him. He runs across town to find the 1955 version of Doc (just after he sent the “first movie” Marty back to 1985) and tells him, “I’m back… I’m back from the future!” The movie ends with Doc fainting in disbelief, setting up Back to the Future Part III.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

There is no traditional post-credits scene. However, the end credits include a teaser trailer for Back to the Future Part III, making it one of the earlier examples of a direct sequel preview being shown in theaters immediately after a film.

Type of Movie

This is a science fiction comedy adventure with strong elements of time travel paradoxes and alternate timelines. It blends humor, action, and sci-fi concepts with a clever, self-referential script.

Cast

Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, Marty Jr., and Marlene McFly
Christopher Lloyd as Dr. Emmett Brown
Thomas F. Wilson as Biff Tannen, Griff Tannen, and Old Biff
Lea Thompson as Lorraine Baines McFly (in multiple timelines)
Elisabeth Shue as Jennifer Parker
James Tolkan as Mr. Strickland

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Alan Silvestri, returning from the first film. The music keeps the adventurous orchestral feel while introducing slightly more futuristic tones to match the 2015 setting.

Filming Locations

Universal Studios Backlot (California, USA) – Hill Valley’s town square scenes
Burbank, California – Certain street and school sequences
Heavy use of sound stages and blue-screen technology to create the 2015 skyline and hoverboard sequences. The production’s technical innovation allowed actors to interact with multiple versions of themselves in the same frame—something groundbreaking at the time.

Awards and Nominations

Nominated for Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards
Won Saturn Awards for Best Special Effects and Best Science Fiction Film

Behind the Scenes Insights

Michael J. Fox had to play multiple versions of himself in the same scene, requiring precise timing and body doubles.
Christopher Lloyd loved the Old West storyline and was excited to continue directly into Part III.
Thomas F. Wilson performed many of his own stunts, especially during the hoverboard chase scenes.
The hoverboards in the movie were practical props suspended on rigs, not real anti-gravity devices (despite many kids believing otherwise).

Inspirations and References

The sequel’s multi-layered time travel structure was inspired by Zemeckis and writer Bob Gale’s desire to revisit the events of the first film from new perspectives. The exaggerated 2015 was not meant as a prediction, but as a comedic, satirical vision of “the future.”

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

A few deleted scenes exist, including an extended moment with young Biff after he gets punched by George in 1955, showing more comedic aftermath. No alternate ending was filmed, as the final setup for Part III was planned from the start.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The novelization expands on background details, including more about 2015’s culture and technology. It also contains longer descriptions of the dystopian 1985 and more dialogue between Marty and old Biff.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Marty’s first encounter with the futuristic 2015 Hill Valley
Hoverboard chase against Griff and his gang
Discovering dystopian 1985 with Biff as a tyrant
The intricate 1955 sequences with two Martys avoiding each other

Iconic Quotes

Doc Brown: “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.”
Biff Tannen: “Hello? Hello? Anybody home? Think, McFly! Think!”
Doc Brown: “Great Scott!”
Marty McFly: “The future isn’t written. It can be changed.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The 2015 clock tower still reads “Save the Clock Tower” on a flyer in the background, referencing the first film.
The Café 80’s includes TV waiters modeled after Ronald Reagan and Michael Jackson.
The number “2015” appears subtly in Biff’s car license plate as a nod to his time travel theft.

Trivia

Crispin Glover did not return as George McFly; his absence was explained by using lookalike actors and prosthetics, leading to a lawsuit that changed Hollywood’s rules on likeness rights.
The DeLorean’s “Mr. Fusion” power source was a direct parody of household appliance designs.
Michael J. Fox admitted filming Part II and Part III back-to-back was exhausting but creatively rewarding.

Why Watch?

This movie is a masterclass in time travel storytelling, showing the cause-and-effect chaos that can unfold when the past, present, and future collide. It’s fun, clever, and packed with hidden jokes for repeat viewing.

Director’s Other Movies

Recommended Films for Fans

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
Time After Time (1979)
The Terminator (1984)
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)

Back to the Future Part II (1989)