40 Years of Back to the Future: Michael J. Fox Reflects on a Legendary Ride
It’s hard to believe it’s been forty years since Back to the Future first whisked audiences on a journey through time. Yet even decades later, the film continues to spark fascination—not just for its story,
but for the behind-the-scenes tales, lost memorabilia, and the whirlwind life of its young star, Michael J. Fox. The 40th anniversary offered fans a rare opportunity to glimpse both the past and the present of a cinematic legend.
Celebrating a Milestone
On Sunday, August 10, Michael J. Fox, now 64, appeared at Southampton Playhouse in New York to commemorate the film’s anniversary. The event included an IMAX screening as part of the Playhouse’s ‘80s Blockbuster Essentials series, alongside classics like The Terminator and E.T.. Fans lined up to snap photos with a DeLorean replica before the show and then settled in for a lively conversation between Fox and the theater’s Artistic Director, Eric Kohn.
When the film premiered on July 3, 1985, Fox became instantly synonymous with Marty McFly, the high school student who accidentally travels back in time and changes the course of his own life.
With co-stars Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, and Thomas F. Wilson, the movie was both a commercial and critical triumph, grossing over $380 million worldwide and claiming an Oscar, alongside four additional nominations. The soundtrack, including Huey Lewis and the News’ “The Power of Love,” cemented itself in pop culture history.
Beyond the Screen
The original success led to two sequels—Back to the Future Part II (1989) and Part III (1990)—and a 2023 Broadway adaptation. Earlier this year, Fox announced his forthcoming memoir, Future Boy, which promises to chronicle the chaos of filming Back to the Future while also starring on Family Ties.
Reflecting on that hectic period, Fox told People, “‘The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.’ I didn’t say that—Einstein did—but even he might have struggled to make sense of my life in early 1985. Busy barely scratches the surface.” He added, “Writing this book has become its own time machine—there’s room for anyone who wants to climb in.”
The Mystery of the Missing Guitar
Even decades later, the film continues to hold surprises. One of the most iconic props—the red ES-345 Gibson guitar Fox played at the “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance—has gone missing. This summer, Gibson launched a search to recover it.
Lea Thompson admitted to People in June that she had no clue where it ended up: “Props weren’t tracked as carefully back then. I kept my dress, shoes, and jewelry from the prom scene, but the guitar? I have no idea. It must have ended up somewhere valuable, but I really don’t know.”
Conclusion
Michael J. Fox’s 40th-anniversary celebration isn’t just a walk down memory lane—it’s a testament to a film that continues to inspire and entertain. From Marty McFly’s time-traveling adventures to the enigmatic missing Gibson guitar, Back to the Future remains a cultural touchstone decades after its release. With Future Boy set to hit shelves, Fox invites audiences to revisit the frenzied, magical years that shaped both his career and a movie that generations still hold dear.