Back to the Future Part II
HeartGuard score
How suitable a title is for Christian viewers, from 0 to 100. It weighs the content meters and the worldview.
- 80–100Recommended
- 60–79Watch with careThis film
- 35–59Think it through
- 15–34Strong caution
- 0–14Not recommended
HeartGuard score
How suitable a title is for Christian viewers, from 0 to 100. It weighs the content meters and the worldview.
- 80–100Recommended
- 60–79Watch with careThis film
- 35–59Think it through
- 15–34Strong caution
- 0–14Not recommended
Worldview score
What the story celebrates or condemns.
Why +1 for this film
The story condemns greed, gambling and Biff's abuse of power, and shows how one selfish choice harms a whole family. It also exposes the pride that makes Marty unable to bear being called chicken.
- +2Affirms faithPresents faith in God positively and as true
- +1Positive valuesThis filmHonesty, sacrifice and family win out
- 0Mixed or neutralNo clear stance
- −1AmbivalentShows sin without judging it either way
- −2Glamorises sinMakes sin look attractive and rewarding
Age guide
How suitable this film is for each age group.
Why 10+ for this film
Gun threats, a coercive marriage, frequent mild swearing with some stronger words, and a menacing villain are the main concerns, while the fights and chases are bloodless.
- Under 8Wait
- Ages 8–12With a parent
- Ages 13–15Yes
- Ages 16–17Yes
- AdultsYes
A busy, fun sequel that shows how greed and pride can wreck a family's future. Its darker middle section has guns, a coercive marriage and a fair amount of mild-to-moderate swearing.
Watch guide
What's in it?
LanguageFrequent mild, some strong
Many uses of hell and damn, several of shit and son of a bitch, plus butthead and similar insults. There are no f-words.
BlasphemyA few exclamations
God's name is used as an exclamation several times, and Jesus' name once.
Sex and nudityInnuendo
Biff makes leering remarks to Lorraine. In the dark 1985, Lorraine has had breast enhancement, which is referenced, and Biff is shown with women in his hot tub. There is no nudity.
RelationshipsCoercive marriage
In the alternate 1985, Lorraine is married to Biff, who murdered her husband, and he controls and threatens her and her children. It is shown as a nightmare that must be undone.
ViolenceFights, guns, threats
There are hoverboard chases, fistfights and Biff battering Marty. Biff threatens Marty at gunpoint on a rooftop, with talk of jumping and of the gun that killed George. A car chase ends in a crash, all bloodless.
Frightening scenesDark alternate 1985
The lawless 1985 has gunfire, a grave for Marty's father and a menacing Biff. Marty's anguish at the grave may upset younger children.
Drugs and alcoholDrinking, smoking
Lorraine drinks heavily in the alternate 1985, and Biff's gang drink at the dance. Lorraine smokes as a teenager. Biff's casino and gambling are central to the plot.
AttitudesGreed and bullying, judged
Marty's wish to profit from the almanac starts the disaster, and Doc rebukes it. Biff's greed and corruption are clearly villainous, and Marty's pride about being called chicken is shown as his flaw.
OccultNone
There is no occult content. Time travel is played as science fiction, with a machine and a sports almanac rather than magic, spells or spirits.
- To knowContent to know about
- Skip for kidsSkip for younger viewers
- DiscussWorth discussing
- 0:40:00
Frightening moment
Marty climbs through a window into the wrong house. A frightened girl shouts an alarm, and her armed father chases him out. Played as a mix-up, but the shouted word may alarm younger viewers.
- 0:44:00
Gambling and sexual references
In the darkened alternate 1985, Biff is celebrated as a hero. His casino and gambling wealth are presented as the result of the stolen almanac, and Biff is later seen with women at his party.
- 0:47:00
Controlling marriageSkip if under 10
Biff bullies and threatens Lorraine and her children. Her surgery is referenced, and she drinks. He speaks to her with strong language and abusive control, and she submits to him.
- 0:50:00
Grief and family
Marty learns his father is dead and sees the grave, pleading in anguish. Doc explains that Biff is behind it. Distressing for sensitive children.
- 0:59:00
Gun threat and suicide mentionSkip if under 10
Biff holds Marty at gunpoint on a rooftop, tells him to jump so it looks like suicide, and mentions the gun that killed his father. Doc rescues him.
- 1:18:00
Smoking and alcohol
Teenage Lorraine smokes and Biff and his friends drink at the 1955 dance. Marty reacts with surprise at the smoking, and Mr Strickland smells liquor on Biff.
- 1:28:00
Pride and violence
Biff, his gang and Marty fight and chase through the 1955 town, ending with Biff's car crashing into a manure truck. Marty is also called chicken and cannot let it pass, which is the film's recurring flaw.
How to play
- 1. Draw a cardOne person reads the question out loud.
- 2. Everyone answersThere are no wrong answers. Listen before you reply.
- 3. Pass it onThe next person draws, until the deck is done.
Faith & story
What does it say?
What's it about?The plot, without the ending
Marty McFly and Doc Brown are pulled forward from 1985 to 2015 to stop trouble for Marty's future children. A tempting purchase of a sports almanac, and an old man with his own plans, change time in ways nobody intended. Marty and Doc must go back into the past to repair events they helped set in motion.
Through a faith lensHow it connects to the Bible
The film's central warning is that a shortcut to wealth can wreck a family. Marty wants to profit from a book of future sports results, and Doc rebukes him. Paul warned that those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap. Old Biff turns that trap into a fortune, and the result is a Hill Valley ruled by gambling, fear and a corrupt man. Gambling and greed ruin lives here, so the film echoes the call to be content, and not to chase gain at any cost. Biff also bullies and threatens his wife and her children, which shows what power without love looks like. Marty's flaw is pride. He cannot bear being called chicken, and it repeatedly leads him into danger. Proverbs says pride goes before destruction. Lorraine's loyalty to George and Marty's grief at his grave show what is lost when one man's selfishness harms the vulnerable. Doc's wish to destroy the machine, because it is too dangerous in the wrong hands, reflects a humility that knows its limits. Families might discuss how small choices ripple outward.
Fruit of the SpiritWhich fruit does it show?
4 out of 9 fruits ripe in this film
Ripe grapes are shown in the film, buds are missing
- Joy
- Peace
- Patience
- Kindness
- Gentleness
Faithfulness shows in Doc, who stays loyal to Marty across time, and in Marty, who risks everything to put things right for his family. Goodness appears in Doc's refusal to profit from the future and his insistence that the time machine be destroyed. Love shows in Marty's determination to save his parents and his own children, and in Lorraine's fierce defence of George's memory. Self-control is seen in Doc's rejection of the almanac, though Marty lacks it. Hatred and strife drive Biff, who bullies, threatens and controls everyone around him. Jealousy shows in his obsession with Lorraine, and fits of anger flare whenever he is crossed, and also whenever Marty is called chicken.
The charactersExamples to follow or avoid
Michael J. Fox as Marty McFlyMichael J. FoxA likeable teenager whose pride and quick wish for easy money cause the trouble. He must put things right, and his reaction to being called chicken is his weakness.
Christopher Lloyd as Doctor Emmett BrownChristopher LloydAn eccentric inventor who warns about misusing time travel and feels responsible for the dangers it brings. He is the film's conscience.
Thomas F. Wilson as Biff TannenThomas F. WilsonA bully who becomes rich and powerful through cheating. He shows how greed corrupts, and his abuse of power is plainly condemned.
Lea Thompson as LorraineLea ThompsonMarty's mother, who in the alternate timeline is trapped in a controlling marriage. She is shown as a victim of Biff's wealth and threats.
Elisabeth Shue as JenniferElisabeth ShueMarty's girlfriend, who is put to sleep and left out of events. She gets caught up in the time travel by accident.
How Christians are portrayed
No Christians or churches appear, and faith is barely mentioned. God's name is used mostly as an exclamation, with a few sincere pleas at the grave. The Chapel o' Love is only a passing joke.
Community
What other Christians think
What did you notice?
A sex scene, shown or clearly implied?
Is this appropriate for Christians to watch?
Thinking of children? Add the youngest age you'd show it to.
Review
Helpful reviewer
The star beside a name
Given to members whose reviews 25 or more people have marked Helpful.
It rewards reviews that help other families decide, not how many someone writes. It's a sign others have found their reviews thoughtful, not a verdict on anyone's faith.
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Details
Film details
- In theatres
- Nov 22, 1989
- On streaming
- Sep 30, 2016
- Cast
- Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Thomas F. Wilson
- Director
- Robert Zemeckis
- Studios
- Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment
- Genre
- Adventure, Comedy, Science Fiction
- Run time
- 1h 48m
- Age rating
- US PG · UK PG
How we analysed this
We counted language, blasphemy and other content in the film's dialogue and read it with the plot and film details, then rated each content area against our rubric and worldview scale, using AI models calibrated on reference titles. Not yet reviewed by our team. Confidence: high.
Score = 100 − 16 × content concern (2.60) + 8 × worldview (+1) = 66
This is a guide to help families choose with wisdom, not a verdict on anyone's conscience ().
Updated 2026-10-14