Back to the Future Celebrates 40th Anniversary With 4K Trilogy Gift Set and Theater Re-Release

Universal unveils Back to the Future 40th Anniversary 4K gift set, steelbooks, and Theater Return.

Universal Pictures is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future, the Academy Award–winning sci-fi classic from director Robert Zemeckis and executive producer Steven Spielberg, with a nationwide slate of special releases and events.

On October 31, the beloved 1985 film returns to theaters nationwide for a limited engagement in premium large formats, including Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and D-Box. For the first time, audiences will be able to experience Back to the Future on the largest screens available, with the scope and spectacle fully amplified for modern formats.

The anniversary celebration kicks off earlier on October 14, when Universal Pictures Home Entertainment unveils the Back to the Future Trilogy – 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Gift Set. This deluxe collection includes all three films in 4K Ultra HD. It also comes with with a Blu-ray disc and a digital copy, plus a collectible Flux Capacitor SteelBook, a Gibson Mini Guitar replica, an OUTATIME license plate, a Back to the Future: A Visual History booklet, and replica props from the Universal archives. Fans can also purchase individual Steelbooks for each film or the standard 4K Trilogy edition. Order Here.

A Cinematic Milestone

Released on July 3, 1985, Back to the Future starred Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly. He is a teenager who is accidentally sent back to 1955 in a plutonium-powered DeLorean invented by eccentric scientist Doc Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd. Stranded in the past, Marty must ensure his parents (Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover) fall in love to secure his own existence.

The film became the highest-grossing movie of 1985. It would go on to earn over $385 million worldwide. The film received four Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Sound Effects Editing. Its legacy cemented it as one of the most beloved and enduring films of the last century.

“Back to the Future is one of the most iconic films of the last half-century,” said Jim Orr, President of Domestic Theatrical Distribution for Universal Pictures. “The film’s wit, wonder and wildly original storytelling continue to captivate audiences of all ages. This 40th anniversary celebration gives fans the chance to experience the film’s timeless magic on the biggest, most immersive screens available today.”

Anniversary Bonus Features

The 4K anniversary editions will include both legacy and newly produced bonus content, among them:

• 40 Years Later: Reflecting on the Future – Bob Gale looks back on the franchise’s cultural impact.
• Back to Hill Valley – Gale and Donald Fullilove revisit key filming locations.
• Untold Stories of Back to the Future – Crew members share set memories.
• A Mystery in History – Exploring the missing Gibson guitar from the Enchantment Under the Sea dance.
• TCM Classic Film Festival Panel – Gale, cinematographer Dean Cundey, and stunt double Charlie Croughwell reunite.

Also included are fan-favorite features, such as Tales from the Future, deleted scenes, lost audition tapes, OUTATIME: Restoring the DeLorean, music videos from Huey Lewis and ZZ Top. Fans will also get two episodes of Back to the Future: The Animated Series, and much more.

The Legacy of Robert Zemeckis

Director Robert Zemeckis went on to helm classics like Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Death Becomes Her, Forrest Gump Cast Away and Here, yet Back to the Future remains his most defining achievement. With its blend of comedy, heart, and groundbreaking effects, the trilogy remains a benchmark for adventure storytelling.

The new 40th anniversary lineup is set to transport audiences back in time, featuring Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, which ensure the films look and sound better than ever. For longtime fans and new generations alike, the celebration promises the most definitive Back to the Future experience yet.

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