Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is a typical 17 year old child. Marty is good friends with Doc Brown, the local crackpot scientist, who recently invented a time machine. When Marty accidently launches himself to the year 1955, he meets his dad and consequently interferes with his parent's first meeting. Marty must find a way to throw his parents together before he leaves, or he may never be born! Beyond this little difficulty, the time machine is out of fuel and Marty must find a way to power the vehicle for his return home.