Back to the Future fans only now spotting ‘hidden detail’ years later

It’s hailed as a cult classic – yet some Back to the Future enthusiasts are only just noticing a brilliant detail in the film decades after its release. Back to the Future hit cinemas in 1985 and spawned a trilogy, with sequels arriving in 1989 and 1990.

However, as families settle in for Christmas, many have been revisiting beloved films and sharing them with younger generations – their kids. This has sparked conversation online as viewers have highlighted a ‘brilliant detail’ they’ve discovered concerning the shopping mall featured in the plot.

One Reddit user posted: “I just realised that when Marty goes to 1955 and runs over a pine tree it changes the name of Twin Pines Mall when he returns back to 1985.” Early in the film, set in 1985, Marty is shown skateboarding towards Twin Pines Mall, but during his journey back to 1955, he accidentally flattens one of the pine trees.

Upon his return to 1985, he’s spotted heading back to the shopping centre, which has been renamed Lone Pine Mall.

Reacting to this revelation, one viewer commented: “I wore out two VHS copies of this movie from watching it so many times – not sure how many watches it took for me to catch that, but when I did it was so cool – it’s so awesome to think that people are still catching Easter eggs like that 30 years later.”

Another viewer remarked: “Ahh! never caught that!” A third chimed in: “Buy the DVDs, watch then with the pop up trivia track. You will be amazed at all the little things they put in.”

One viewer remarked: “This is well known, but it’s still cool when new people catch these things. There are dozens of Easter eggs like this in the trilogy.”

Another commented: “One of the cutest jokes in the movie.”

Where to watch Back to the Future

The film is available across multiple streaming platforms including Disney+, Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, NOW TV, and Sky Store.

In a review of the original picture, one IMDb user wrote: “A funny sci-fi? Unusual but here it not only works but does so spectacularly. A whimsical but very clever time travel story that bedazzles you leaving you wanting more.

“The charismatic Michael J Fox plays a wonderful bumbling high schooler searching for love, a guitar gig and his existence which he himself threatens to erase.

“Clever and humorous references litter this fun flick; references which are further improved upon in the sequels. Views of the same scenes from different angles, different perspectives and different timelines abound.”

Another viewer shared: “As a child, I used to watch this movie religiously. I loved the chemistry between Doc Brown and Marty McFly, I loved the all too familiar soundtrack and the ridiculous way in which George McFly laughs.

“This movie has become such a nostalgic and feel-good film for me. I had the good fortunate to see all three ‘Back to the Future’ movies in cinema last year and it was such an experience to watch this timeless classic with people who enjoy this film as much as I do.

“Everyone has to see this film at least once in their life! Such an amazing, funny Sci-Fi from the 1980’s. I just can’t get enough of this movie – it will just never get old. Cannot recommend it enough!”.