Back to the Future 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Back to the Future 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker October 22, 2025

The first installment of the blockbuster hit trilogy, 'Back to the Future' returns to 4K UHD in this 'Back to the Future 4K Limited Edition SteelBook' courtesy of Universal. The beloved film stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and Lea Thompson, in this time-traveling tale that sees the young Marty McFly (Fox) travel to his parent's high-school years and get mixed-up in a series of events that could have disastrous consequences for his future. This release carries over both discs from the previous 4K release, and includes the second Blu-ray disc of approximately 90 minutes of new extras. Please scroll down to the 'Special Features and Extras' section below for a discussion of the new SteelBook, and the disc of supplemental content. A Digital Code is also included.

For an appreciation of the film, please follow this link.

Back to the Future 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

As the UHD and Blu-ray feature film and legacy extras discs included in this set are identical to those released previously, please follow the links below for an assessment of the video presentation of the film.

• Back to the Future 4K

Back to the Future 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For comments regarding the disc's audio presentation, please follow the link below.

• Back to the Future 4K

Back to the Future 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

All of the legacy features from the previous release are brought forward here, giving viewers a substantial amount of bonus content to explore when/if so moved. The big news here is that this release also features a new Blu-ray disc containing approximately 90 minutes of never-before seen bonus content, as detailed below.

• 40 Years Later: Reflecting on the Future (25.08) - Co-writer/Producer Bob Gale frames the film as not being about time travel, but rather being about a family, believing its resonance stems from the film being populated with with characters not unlike people viewers would have met in their own lives. Gale reflects on the film, it's impact, and also speaks to the various publications, television shows, and films that influenced its creation. The short is mixed with footage from the film, footage of Gale, looks at the exhibit from the Hollywood Museum based on the trilogy, and other video elements.

• Back to Hill Valley (16.41) - Donald Fullilove (Mayor Goldie Wilson), along with Co-writer/Producer Bob Gale, leads viewers on a tour to revisit some of the most memorable and iconic locations from the film, including: Courthouse Square on the Universal backlot, Puente Hills Mall (which stands in for Twin Pines Mall), Whittier High School, the auditorium at the McCambridge Recreational Center in Burbank, The Gamble House, the gymnasium of the Hollywood United Methodist Church, Griffith Park, and the house used for the McFly's home.

• Untold Stories of 'Back to the Future' (37.20) - Crew members share their memories and stories from their time on the set.

• TCM Classic Film Festival Panel (16.07) - Filmed in 2025 and hosted by Alicia Malone, Co-writer/Producer Bob Gale, Cinematographer Dean Cundey, and Stunt Coordinator (and double for Michael J. Fox) Charlie Croughwell, participate in a panel discussion for the 40th Anniversary premier.

• A Mystery in History (9.33) - Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson, and others appear in this plea for information regarding the whereabouts of the red Gibson ES-345 guitar used by Fox's Marty McFly during the "Enchantment Under the Sea" musical performance which has been missing since the filming. The segment includes a brief history of ES guitars, and a discussion of the distinguishing features of the guitar used on-screen.

For a comprehensive listing of the legacy on-disc supplemental material, please follow this link.

Now for the SteelBook. From a design perspective, the Limited Edition SteelBook for Back to the Future 4K shares a common format with the other two newly released SteelBooks in the trilogy. The DeLorean is found at the bottom. Above it, in the bottom of a lightning bordered circle is the film's title. And, above that in the circle is Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox). Around the edges of the cover, are various identifiable characters and/or items from the film. In this instance, the cover has a blue color scheme that is consistent with the poster art for the film. The DeLorean drives toward the circle of energy, with its iconic flaming tire tracks on display. In the main image in the circle, an astonished Marty is the sole focus. The black spine is home to the film's title in it's traditional font, with the Universal logo at the bottom. On the reverse, which carries over the same blue color-scheme, are the images of McFly (Fox) playing the Gibson ES-345, Doc Brown (Lloyd) hanging from the town's clock tower, Biff being a bully to a young George McFly, and Marty with the teenaged version of his mother. Opening the SteelBook, the tabs which would normally hold the Digital Code in place are absent, and it floats freely in the case. On the left side on it's own hub is the Blu-ray disc of new extras. On the right side, the 4K UHD disc and the Blu-ray disc containing the feature film and legacy extras are stagger-stacked, each on its own hub, with the 4K UHD disc on top. Removing the discs and the code reveals a two-panel image several historical documents, including a letter written by Marty to Doc Brown, and a drawing of the Flux Capacitor. The SteelBook does not feature any embossed or debossed elements. It has been given a matte finish that does a good job of resisting fingerprints associated with normal handling. The title is spot-glossed.

Back to the Future 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Back to the Future films are beloved treasures of modern American cinema, as much a product of their time as they are timeless, with the first film being particularly cherished. The inclusion of the second Blu-ray disc with approximately 90 minutes of new supplemental features is undeniably the main draw here for those who already own the films on 4K whether one is into SteelBooks or not. As of this writing, it is the only way in which to acquire this new content without re-purchasing the entire trilogy. However, for fans of the franchise that have yet to matriculate to 4K, or those looking to swap out a more "standard" release for a flashier film-specific SteelBook that easily captures the spirit of the film, the Back to the Future 4K Limited Edition SteelBook comes highly recommended. Existing 4K owners will need to determine just how important the new content is prior to making a purchase.