Robert Zemeckis

writer, director
Feature Film

Back to the Future I

Back to the Future

Typical skateboarding teenager Marty McFly meets Doc Brown for the first test of his DeLorean time machine, but when Libyan terrorists strike, things go awry, Marty and the DeLorean end up in 1955 where his parents are teens, and the Doc of 1955 must now send Marty back to the future. —Michael Main
Next Saturday night, we’re sending you . . . back to the future!
Michael J. Fox (as Marty McFly) emerges from the open door of the DeLorean onto two flaming tire tracks.
  • Eloi Gold Medal
  • 1986 Hugo
  • Science Fiction
  • Audience: YA and Up
  • Definite Time Travel
Feature Film

Back to the Future II

Back to the Future II

Doc Brown takes Marty and Jennifer from 1985 to 2015 to save their children from a bad fate, but the consequences pile up when Biff also gets in on the time-travel action. —Michael Main
The time-traveling is just too dangerous. Better that I devote myself to study the other great mystery of the universe—women!
Michael J. Fox (as Marty) and Christopher Lloyd (as Doc) check their watches beside the DeLorean in a lightning storm.
  • Science Fiction
  • Definite Time Travel
Feature Film

Back to the Future III

Back to the Future III

Marty and 1955-Doc travel back to the Old West where 1985-Doc is trapped along with various Biff ancestors and a possible love interest for Doc. —Michael Main
Doc: [blowing train whistle] I’ve wanted to do that my whole life!
Michael J. Fox (as Marty), Christopher Lloyd (as Doc), and Mary Steenburger (as Clara) in Western garb beside the DeLorean and a flaming train track.
  • Science Fiction
  • Definite Time Travel
Feature Film

Contact

Jodie Foster creates a convincing Ellie in this big screen release of Sagan’s novel. —Michael Main
You want to classify prime numbers now?
Jodie Foster (as Eleanor Arroway) sits at the feet of Matthew McConaughey (as Palmer Joss) in front of a receeding line of giant radio telescopes.
  • 1998 Hugo
  • Science Fiction
  • Definite Time Travel
Animated Feature Film

The Polar Express

You didn’t think that Robert Zemeckis put that flux capacitor in the engine room for no reason, did you? Then again, maybe he did, because apart from the three Back to the Future Easter eggs, I didn’t spot a lick of time travel in The Polar Express. —Michael Main
Boy: (blowing train whistle) I’ve wanted to do that my whole life!
Out in the nighttime snow, a small boy stares up at an oncoming steam locomotive and its bright headlight.
  • Fantasy
  • Audience: Families
  • Definite Time Travel
Short Film

Back to the Future: Doc Brown Saves The World

Christopher Brown (as Doc Brown) holds a joystick and gives his startled look into an auto-tracking camera.
  • Science Fiction
  • Definite Time Travel