Michael J. Fox stepped back in time for a special celebration of one of his most iconic roles. On August 10, the 64-year-old actor attended the 40th anniversary screening of Back to the Future at Southampton Playhouse in New York. Fans were treated to a rare IMAX showing of the 1985 classic, followed by a conversation with Fox moderated by Artistic Director Eric Kohn.
The screening was part of the Playhouse’s ’80s Blockbuster Essentials series, which also featured The Terminator and E.T. Outside the theater, a DeLorean awaited photo-happy attendees, giving them a chance to experience a bit of Back to the Future magic before the movie began.
Celebrating a Time-Travel Classic
Michael J. Fox makes rare appearance to celebrate ‘Back to the Future’ 40th anniversary https://t.co/1Id8fluqnb
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) August 13, 2025
When Back to the Future first hit theaters on July 3, 1985, it became an instant cultural phenomenon. Fox’s portrayal of Marty McFly, alongside Christopher Lloyd’s eccentric Doc Brown, captivated audiences and grossed over $380 million worldwide. The film went on to earn four Oscar nominations, winning one, and cemented its place as a timeless sci-fi adventure.
The movie also gave fans memorable moments like Marty rocking out with “Johnny B. Goode” on a red Gibson ES-345 at the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance. That very guitar has since gone missing, prompting Gibson to launch a search this summer. Co-star Lea Thompson admitted she has no idea where it went, noting that in 1985, no one thought to keep props for posterity.
Michael J. Fox Reflects on the Journey
Fox recently shared that his upcoming memoir, Future Boy, will dive into the whirlwind months of 1985, when he was filming Back to the Future and his sitcom Family Ties at the same time. He described that period as “busy” and compared the memoir to a time machine that anyone can climb into.
“As we approach the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future, my thoughts turn to my adventures as a younger man,” Fox said. “This book has basically become a time machine for me.” Fans can expect heartfelt stories, behind-the-scenes details, and new insights into the making of a movie that continues to inspire decades later.