Michael J. Fox has shared that he thinks Back To The Future still resonates with audiences 40 years after its release because of its message about bullies.
Fox gave his take on the 1985 film’s enduring popularity during an interview with ABC News. "It’s about bullies," he said (around the 3:40 mark). "It's about standing up to bullies. We live in a really bully culture right now. And I think there's something about that. There's something about seeing the little guy stick up to bullies that people love."
Though Fox didn’t mention current US president Donald Trump, many references to the current political climate have included the word "bullying" to describe how he’s treated other politicians, members of the entertainment industry, and anyone who opposes him.
In September, Jimmy Kimmel called out Trump for "bullying" after the former returned from a six-day suspension from his show due to comments he made about Charlie Kirk’s death.
"I don’t like bullies. I played the clarinet in high school, okay? I just don’t like it," joked Kimmel. "Donald Trump is an old-fashioned ’80s movie-style bully, taking your lunch and money."
"Rooting for this bully, I don’t care what side you’re on, it’s like rooting for Biff from Back to the Future," continued the talk show host. "Literally, Donald Trump was the model for Biff in Back to the Future, and this is who people are cheering for. I don’t know about you, I’m with Marty McFly."
Elsewhere in Fox’s interview with ABC News, the legendary actor explained how he feels when he meets fans who tell him how much the film means to them.
"They're giving me something," he said. "They've been giving me something for 30, 40 years. They've given me my life. They've given me my joy in the work that I do and I'm forever grateful to people for that."
ComplexCon returns to Las Vegas on October 25–26, 2025, with over 300 brands and live performances by Young Thug, YEAT & Friends, Peso Pluma, Central Cee, Ken Carson, and more. Get your tickets now.
