In the fast-paced comedy Back to the Future, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is transported backwards in time to 1955 in a time machine invented by his friend Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd). He accidentally interrupts the first meeting of his parents (Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover), creating a paradox that endangers his existence. The task of playing Cupid to his parents is complicated because his future mother develops a crush on him. Critics were impressed by this Oedipal theme, and audiences responded to the common fantasy of discovering what one's parents were like as teens. Back to the Future (1985) was followed by two sequels—Back to the Future Part II (1989) and Back to the Future Part III (1990)—and an animated TV series (1991-1993).

Michael J. Fox (left) and Christopher Lloyd in a scene from Back to the Future.