Editing Back to the Future (section)

==Sequels and adaptations==
{{Main|Back to the Future (franchise)|l1=''Back to the Future'' (franchise)|Back to the Future Part II|l2=''Back to the Future Part II''|Back to the Future Part III|l3=''Back to the Future Part III''}}

A sequel was not initially planned, and the teaser ending of Doc, Marty, and Jennifer flying off in the DeLorean suggested their adventures would continue off-screen.<ref name="DOG88things" /> Universal Pictures was eager to pursue a sequel based on the significant financial and critical success of ''Back to the Future''. However, Zemeckis and Gale were reluctant to participate, believing sequels often retreaded the best elements of the original film. They were also concerned that a poor follow-up could alienate ''Back to the Future''{{'s}} passionate fan base, and undermine the pair after their first major joint success. Zemeckis and Gale acquiesced by 1987, once Universal Pictures clarified they would, if necessary, make a sequel without them.{{sfn|Gaines|2015|pp=117–118, 128}} The pair's sequel script was so long it was split into two films, ''Back to the Future Part{{spaces}}II'' (1989) and ''Back to the Future Part{{spaces}}III'' (1990); the films were shot back to back.<ref name="TheGuardianHowWeMade" /><ref name="DOGBTTF2" />

''Part II'' depicts Marty and Doc traveling to 2015, inadvertently enabling the now-elderly Biff Tannen to steal the DeLorean and return to 1955, rewriting history in his favor.<ref name="DOGBTTF2" /> Wells and Glover did not return for the sequels.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="ShortlistDudley" /><ref name="AVClubGlover" /><ref name="NPRPopCulture" /><ref name="HighSnobiety" />}} ''Part{{spaces}}II'' was a financial success but was criticized for its complex, convoluted narrative.<ref name="THRSequels" /> Zemeckis has said it is his least favorite film in the series.<ref name="DOGBTTF2" /> The final film, ''Part{{spaces}}III'' follows Marty as he travels to 1885 to rescue a time-stranded Doc.<ref name="DOGBTTF3" /> While the film fared less well financially than the two earlier films, it was more critically well-received than ''Part{{spaces}}II''.<ref name="THRSequels" /> A 2018 poll by ''The Hollywood Reporter'' of 2,200 people found 71% wanted a ''Back to the Future'' sequel, ahead of another ''[[Toy Story (franchise)|Toy Story]]'' or ''[[Indiana Jones]]'' film.<ref name="SkyTHRMostWanted" /> Gale has said there will never be a fourth film, likening it to "selling your kids into prostitution". He added a ''Back to the Future'' film could never happen without Fox, who could not participate because of the effects of his Parkinson's disease.<ref name="RadioTimes4thFilm" /><ref name="EmpireParkinsons" /> 

An animated television series, ''[[Back to the Future (TV series)|Back to the Future]]'', aired on [[CBS]] between 1991 and 1992. It follows Doc's and Marty's adventures through various historical periods, intercut with live-action segments featuring Doc (Lloyd), performing science experiments alongside [[Bill Nye]].<ref name="PasteMagLegacy" /> A short film, ''Doc Brown Saves the World'' (2015), celebrated the film's 30th anniversary. Lloyd reprised his role as Doc, who must travel to the future to prevent a nuclear holocaust in 2045.<ref name="ScreenRantSavestheWorld" /> A [[Musical theatre|musical theater]] production, ''[[Back to the Future (musical)|Back to the Future]]'', debuted in February 2020 at the [[Manchester Opera House]], England, to positive reviews. The musical was written by Gale and Zemeckis, with music written by Silvestri and [[Glen Ballard]].<ref name="MusicalBBC" /><ref name="MusicalStandard" /><ref name="MusicalGuardian" /> Gale described it as the best way to give fans more ''Back to the Future'' without adding to the film series.<ref name="RadioTimes4thFilm" /> In 2024, Zemeckis said he was interested in adapting the musical into a movie.<ref name="IGNMovieMusical"/> Overall, the [[Back to the Future (franchise)|''Back to the Future'' franchise]] is considered one of the most successful film franchises in history.<ref name="CNNGaleInterview" /><ref name="THRComicBooks" />