Honestly, if you sit down to watch Marty McFly today, the Back to the Future rating feels a little weird. It’s a PG. By 1985 standards, that made perfect sense, but if you look at the landscape of modern cinema, some of those jokes would have a hard time sliding past a PG-13 rating today. It’s a fascinating time capsule.
Great Scott, right?
Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale managed to craft a movie that feels like the ultimate family adventure, yet it’s peppered with things that would make a modern suburban parent do a double-take. We’re talking about a film where the main plot point involves a mother falling in love with her own son. It’s "incestuous" in theory, even if it’s played for laughs and awkwardness. Then you’ve got Biff Tannen, a character who is essentially a predator in the making. And let's not forget the Libyans and their AK-47s in a mall parking lot.
The Back to the Future rating is more than just a sticker on a DVD case. It is a reflection of a specific moment in Hollywood history where the PG-13 rating was brand new and the industry didn't quite know how to use it yet.
The 1985 Rating Landscape: A Wild West of Censorship
To understand the Back to the Future rating, you have to look at 1984. That was the year of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Gremlins. Those movies were so intense—hearts being ripped out, monsters in blenders—that parents went absolutely nuclear. They complained to the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) that PG was too broad. Steven Spielberg, who was a producer on all these films, actually suggested the creation of a middle ground.
Thus, the PG-13 was born in July 1984. Red Dawn was the first to carry it.
So, when Back to the Future came out in July 1985, the PG-13 was barely a year old. Universal Pictures and the filmmakers were aiming for that sweet spot. They wanted the kids, but they wanted the teens and adults too. Keeping it PG was a strategic move. It kept the doors wide open for every demographic.
If it were rated today? The MPAA (now the MPA) would likely look at the "libations," the language (Marty drops a few "sh-its" and "hells"), and the attempted sexual assault scene in the car, and slap it with a PG-13 immediately. But back then, the "vibe" of the movie—its optimism and its cleverness—pushed it into the family-friendly bracket.
Why the Rating Still Holds Up (Mostly)
Ratings aren't just about counting swear words. It’s about the context.
When you look at the Back to the Future rating through a modern lens, you see a movie that treats its audience like adults. It doesn't talk down to them. There’s a scene where Doc Brown is literally gunned down by terrorists. It’s violent. It’s scary. But because the movie has a heart of gold, we let it slide.
The Language Factor
Marty McFly doesn’t swear like a sailor, but he talks like a real teenager. He says "this is heavy." He gets frustrated. The dialogue feels lived-in. In the 80s, you could get away with a few choice words in a PG movie. Today, one "F-bomb" is an automatic PG-13, and two usually gets you an R.The "Mom" Problem
Lea Thompson’s performance as Lorraine Baines is incredible, but man, is it uncomfortable. The scene where she’s hitting on Marty in the car? It’s high-wire tension. The movie handles it by making Marty visibly disgusted, which keeps the moral compass of the film intact. That's likely why the board didn't push for a harsher rating. The movie knows it's "wrong."Biff’s Aggression
Biff Tannen is a legit villain. He’s not a cartoon. The scene at the "Enchantment Under the Sea" dance where he tries to force himself on Lorraine is the darkest part of the movie. It’s the one moment where the PG rating feels most fragile.
The Impact on Global Ratings
It’s not just the US. The Back to the Future rating varies depending on where you are in the world.
In the UK, the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) originally gave it a PG. Interestingly, they’ve kept that rating for theatrical re-releases, though they sometimes add "contains mild violence and language" as a warning. In Canada, ratings vary by province, but it generally sits in the "General" or "PG" category.
What’s funny is how our sensitivity changes. Some parents today think Back to the Future is "too much" because of the smoking and the drinking in the 1950s scenes. Others think it’s perfectly fine compared to the hyper-violence of modern superhero movies.
Examining the Critical Reception vs. The Rating
Critics in 1985 didn't really care about the PG rating; they cared about the execution. Roger Ebert gave it four stars. He noted that the movie had a "humane" quality. That's the secret sauce. When a movie feels like it has a soul, the "questionable" content feels less like a transgression and more like a character beat.
The rating helped it become the highest-grossing film of 1985. It made $381 million worldwide. If it had been rated R? It would have been a cult classic, sure, but it wouldn't be the cultural touchstone it is now. Every kid in the 80s saw this movie. Every kid wanted a DeLorean.
Why Parents Should (Still) Watch It With Kids
If you’re a parent worried about the Back to the Future rating, don't be.
Yes, there is some smoking. Yes, Biff is a jerk. Yes, there are some guns. But the core of the movie is about a kid realizing his parents were once people just like him. It’s about the idea that if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. It’s one of the few movies from that era that genuinely ages well because the "problematic" stuff is used to show contrast between the eras.
It’s a teaching moment. You can talk about how people used to think it was okay to smoke in a diner. You can talk about how Marty stands up for George.
Specific Scenes That Test the PG Limit
- The Clock Tower Stunt: Doc Brown hanging from the clock tower while lightning strikes is pure adrenaline. It's intense, but it's "adventure" violence.
- The Libyans: This is the big one. Using a real-world political conflict (Libyan nationalists) in a family comedy was a bold move. It adds a layer of "real-world" stakes that you don't often see in PG movies anymore.
- The School Dance: The tension here is palpable. It’s a masterclass in editing.
The Back to the Future rating is a badge of honor for a film that managed to be edgy, funny, and sentimental all at once. It’s a reminder that you don't need a "clean" movie to have a "good" movie. Sometimes, the rough edges are what make it feel real.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Rewatch
If you're planning a movie night, here is how to handle the Back to the Future rating like a pro:
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- Pre-screen if you have toddlers: The Libyan scene and the car scene with Lorraine might be a bit much for kids under 7.
- Contextualize the 50s: If your kids ask why everyone is smoking or why the high school principal is so mean, explain that the movie is making fun of those tropes.
- Look for the "Easter Eggs": Pay attention to the "Twin Pines Mall" changing to "Lone Pine Mall" at the end. It’s a great way to show kids how the timeline changed without needing a heavy explanation.
- Check the sequels: Remember that Back to the Future Part II is significantly darker and more "PG-13" in its energy, even though it also carries a PG rating. It deals with a dystopian future, gambling, and a much more aggressive Biff.
Ultimately, the movie is a masterpiece. The rating is just a guide. Whether you're 8 or 80, the story of Marty and Doc is about as perfect as cinema gets. Just watch out for the manure.
Next time you load up the 4K Blu-ray, keep an eye on those "mild" moments. They are exactly what give the film its bite. Without them, it would just be another forgotten 80s flick instead of the legend it is today.