10 Movies Like ‘Back to the Future’

Jul 28, 2023

There really aren't many movies like Back to the Future…which makes crafting this list extra-tricky! However, this time-bending, family adventure is undoubtedly an 80's classic and has stood the test of time for its blend of comedy, adventure and drama.

If you’ve finished watching this one and are looking for alternate picks, we’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top choices for alternate viewing. Oh, and we’ve been sure not to cheat by adding in the sequels for this list either!

As usual, let us know your thoughts about our picks in the comments below!

The Flight of the Navigator sees a 12 year old boy named David go missing, only to reappear eight years later, having not aged a day. He finds himself the subject of a NASA study and discovers that he's been transported by an alien spaceship that he must now pilot.

Much like Back to the Future, this movie involves a protagonist who experiences an unexpected time shift and has to navigate the complexities that come with it. They are both family-oriented sci-fi adventures with comedic elements, and, of course, feature futuristic vehicles as a key plot device!

Pleasantville is a comedic drama about two modern-day teenagers who are transported into the black-and-white world of a 1950's TV show called Pleasantville. Their presence begins to change the town, introducing color and shaking up the status quo.

Both films involve a shift in time and place, leading to humorous and profound consequences. They explore the culture shock between different eras and how the protagonists’ modern perspectives alter the world they’ve entered.

Splash is a romantic comedy about a man who falls in love with a mermaid who has taken human form. The film explores the love story between the two, with a blend of comedy, fantasy, and adventure.

Both films are light-hearted adventures with elements of romance, fantasy, and comedy, whilst also involving a protagonist who is confronted with an unexpected and fantastical change to their reality.

Time After Time follows H.G. Wells as he uses his time machine to pursue Jack the Ripper into the 20th century. Unfortunately, the notorious serial killer escapes justice by using his device.

Much like Back to the Future, both films involve the use of a time machine and the complications that arise from time travel. They splice together elements of adventure, science fiction, and romance, whilst also featuring historical characters or settings in a contemporary context.

In Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, two well-meaning but not very bright teens are told that they need to pass their history exam to prevent a dismal future. As fate would have it, a time traveler provides them with a time machine, and the pair find themselves off on a journey through history, collecting historical figures to help them with their test.

Both films are comedic adventures centered around the use of a time machine, whilst also exploring the potential consequences of altering events in the past and featuring memorable duos as the main characters.

Groundhog Day is about a weatherman who, whilst covering the annual emergence of the groundhog from its hole, gets caught in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over again.

While Groundhog Day doesn't involve active time travel, it shares Back to the Future's theme of time manipulation and its consequences. Both films are also comedic and feature a protagonist who must learn to navigate an altered timeline to resolve the narrative.

Hot Tub Time Machine sees a group of dissatisfied friends transported back to their heyday in the 1980's via a magical hot tub. They’re given a chance to relive a night from their youth, but find that changing the past isn't as easy as it seems.

Like Back to the Future, Hot Tub Time Machine uses time travel to explore comedy and the consequences of trying to change past events. There's a wonderful blend of nostalgia and humor used to navigate the adventures of time travel.

Ghostbusters is an 80's classic, a comedic movie about a group of parapsychologists who start a business to exterminate ghosts in New York City. They face a growing spectral threat that culminates in a city-threatening climax.

While Ghostbusters doesn't involve time travel, it shares Back to the Future's style of comedic and wonderful blend of adventure and sci-fi. Both films also feature a group of unconventional heroes dealing with supernatural phenomena.

Blast From The Past is about a man who has been raised in a nuclear fallout shelter since the 1960's because his parents mistakenly believed a nuclear war occurred. When he emerges into the modern world of the 1990's, he must navigate a completely unfamiliar culture.

Both films involve characters who must navigate a different time period and culture than their own, leading to both comedic and dramatic situations. That clash of old and new values, along with the adjustment to a different era, makes this another solid watch.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is a film about a scientist who accidentally shrinks his and his neighbor's children to a quarter of an inch with his shrinking machine, accidentally throwing them out with the trash. Unfortunately, their journey back to the house is a mission unto itself, leading to various hijinks and hilarious encounters.

Both movies involve the use of a quirky scientist's invention that leads to unexpected adventures. This a rip-roaring family-oriented film, that blends comedy, sci-fi, and adventure together beautifully.

There we have it, our list of best movies that are similar to Back to the Future. What do you think about our picks? Did one of your favourites make the list? Let us know in the comments below!