10 Popular Shows That Reference Back To The Future

Back to the Future is an iconic sci-fi movie that became a pop-culture staple. Many of the most popular TV shows ever have referenced it over time.

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When thinking about the ultimate science fiction movie in history, Back to the Future is often seen as number one. The 1985 film and franchise became classics. A small-town teen, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is transported back to the ’50s in order to help his scientist friend, Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) when his experiment goes wrong.

Many elements of the movie became classics in the genre and pop cultures like the famed modified DeLorean car or Marty’s futuristic Nike shoes. The movie and following sequels became so popular that they’re often referenced in other hit shows or movies. Rick and Morty’s entire premise is inspired by the two main characters. It’s far from alone in paying homage to the film though.

10 American Dad!

Anyone who has watched the movie or is a die-hard fan understands the deep desire to own a DeLorean. It was the coolest car to exist in the sci-fi genre. The animated show American Dad! created an entire episode based around it, as in “DeLorean Story-an,” Steve feels neglected by Stan once again.

He has high hopes when he discovers that his father is almost done building his dream car – a DeLorean. In an attempt to bond with Stan, they go on a road trip to get the final piece Stan needs to finish the job. Their trip goes awry when they go on a mad dash to get the piece in a “first come, first served,” situation with others drivers.

9 The Big Bang Theory

Seeing as the main characters of The Big Bang Theory have an infinite love for comics, sci-fi, and everything in between, it’s no surprise that they reference Back to the Future often. The show actually makes references to the movies in five episodes.

In “The Focus Attenuation,” they discuss how science fiction movies have impacted scientific inventions. They bring up Back to the Future and how inventions from the sequel haven’t been invented. The characters then watch the opening scene of the movie and discuss how old Biff returned to the future despite changing the timeline of the past.

8 Bob’s Burgers

The animated show Bob’s Burgers has made many small references to pop culture throughout its seasons. In “Paraders of the Lost Float,” Jimmy Pesto and the Belchers enter a parade float contest for the grand prize. Jimmy being his snobby self, tries to ruin the Belcher’s chances.

As Jimmy tries to ruin their float, Gene says the line, “get your damn hands off her, Biff!” That is in reference to the scene where Biff tries to have his way with Lorraine in his car during the school dance only for George to interrupt and say the line.

7 Doctor Who

The famed British television show, Doctor Who has made a number of references to the movie. Some episodes don’t have the characters reference the movie, instead, the story elements mimic that of Back to the Future. In “Blink Blink,” Sally Sparrow receives a letter telling her she’s been transported back to 1920. The scene is similar to what happens to Marty in the sequel.

In the episode, “The Shakespeare Code,” the Doctor tries to explain to Martha that not stopping a certain event in 1599 could lead to the end of the world. He then says that it’s similar to what happens in Back to the Future. Martha is a bit confused and asks if he’s talking about the movie.

6 The Fairly Oddparents

The Fairly Oddparents is one of the Nickelodeon shows from the 2000s that was incredibly successful amongst audiences. The animated series made references to the sci-fi movie many times in subtle ways. Some episodes show the DeLorean in front of Timmy’s school or showed images of the layout of the Flux Capacitor.

In “The Secret Origin of Denzel Crocker,” Timmy travels to the 1980s. It just so happens that Timmy uses a time machine that looks exactly like the DeLorean. In the same episode, Mr. Crocker laments the worst day of his life was when he loses his godparents. The date on which this occurs happens to be one year before Biff shot George McFly in the sequel.

5 The Flash

That’s right, Back to the Future even exists in The Flash universe. Seeing as Barry has the ability to travel back in time with his speed, there are many references made when the characters discuss time travel. Cisco, Joe, and Wells talk about the movie being a good example of time travel that could possibly work. In another episode, Cisco makes a joke to Barry saying, “hang on, McFly” when vibing him back to the future.

When Barry is set to return from a trip to the future in ” The Once and Future Flash,” Cisco jokes that the whole ordeal felt like Back to the Future. Cisco even references himself as Doc in that particular scenario. Barry plays along and jokes if Cisco will give him a letter like Doc did to Marty.

4 The Office

NBC’s The Office made slight nods to the franchise here and there. Certain characters mention the movie or lines from it are heard. In the “Company Picnic” episode, the characters talk about movies that can be used for their upcoming presentation. Holly then uses Back to the Future as a possible idea.

Holly even mentions that Dunder and Mifflin can travel back in time to fix their parents. The reference rounded out with Michael raising the question if they could possibly get a DeLorean as well.

3 Once Upon A Time

ABC’s Once Upon a Time may be a show that twists Disney and fairytale characters but it also makes some good pop culture references. “Snow Drifts” makes a fun reference to the film but its storyline also mimics what’s seen with Marty. Hook and Emma are pulled through a time portal and Hook wonders if Emma knows how to go back.

Emma says the line, “How would I know how to get back to the future? Who do I look like, Marty McFly?” There’s one problem, Hook has no idea what she’s talking about, much less when Emma tries to explain the DeLorean, the lightning, and going back in time. It just so happens that in the episode, the two characters jeopardize Emma’s future existence just like in the movie.

2 Family Guy

Fox’s Family Guy takes the cake for making the most references to the sci-fi movie. Some are small but others play a bigger role in the episode’s story. In “The Perfect Castaway,” Petter manages to build a time machine exactly like the DeLorean. Peter being the type of character that he is, crashes into a wall and believes he actually succeeded in time travel.

Another episode that mimicked the movie’s storyline was, “Road to Germany.” Stewie and Bryan travel to the start of World War II and the lightning that occurs in the original movie also appears in the scene. Later on, the episode also shows a similar skateboard chase that Marty goes on in the movie.

1 Supernatural

Fans of Supernatural not only came to love the show for Dean and Sam but also the subtle hints to pop culture. In the show’s run, it made six references to the movie franchise. In season 4, Dean is transported back in time and can’t help but question if the angels have DeLoreans. Dean also encounters a younger version of himself at a cafe that parallels George’s scene when someone calls, “Hey, McFly!”

In “Time After Time” of season 7, Dean is transported to 1944 by the god of time, Chronos. While there, Dean notices that Chronos is taking note of the winners of certain races. Dean refers to it as the “Biff Strategy.” Later on, Dean also finds a bunch of letters like Doc wrote to Marty in the third movie.

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