“Back to the Future” – The musical based on the cult film comes to Hamburg

The legendary journey through time with the DeLorean finds its way to the musical stage: Back to the Future – The Musical celebrates its German premiere in Hamburg in spring 2026. Following its success on London's West End, the fast-paced stage version of the iconic 1980s film comedy will be shown in German-speaking countries for the first time. The production will take place at the Stage Operettenhaus on the Reeperbahn, where the musical will replace the play & JULIA starting in March 2026. Fans of the original and musical lovers can look forward to spectacular effects, thrilling music, and a unique journey through time.

With its theatrical release in 1985 , "Back to the Future" became a worldwide box office hit and quickly became a cult film for an entire generation. Michael J. Fox as the youthful daredevil Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as the eccentric inventor Doc Brown shaped the image of a film series that continues to delight fans today.

The stage adaptation of the film premiered in the UK in 2020 and has been running successfully on London's West End since 2021. The musical was developed by Bob Gale, co-writer of the original film trilogy. The music is by Oscar-nominated composer Alan Silvestri—who also wrote the iconic score—and award-winning songwriter Glen Ballard. The result is a fast-paced, humorous musical with cinematic energy and a soundtrack that blends nostalgia with fresh perspectives.

The story centers on 17-year-old Marty McFly – a typical 1980s teenager with a passion for skateboarding and rock 'n' roll. Things are anything but smooth at home: his parents are arguing, there's trouble at school, and he's also struggling musically. Marty finds solace in his unlikely friendship with the eccentric scientist Emmet "Doc" Brown, who is obsessed with transforming a DeLorean into a functioning time machine.

When Doc succeeds in his experiment one day, Marty is accidentally catapulted to 1955 – the year his parents were young. There, he inadvertently upsets the balance of events: His mother falls in love with him instead of his father. To secure his own existence, Marty must now do everything in his power to make his parents fall in love – and simultaneously find a way back to the present. A race against time begins.

"Back to the Future: The Musical" brings the world of Marty McFly and Doc Brown to the stage with spectacular effects and high speed. The centerpiece of the show is the legendary DeLorean, which races across the stage at 140 kilometers per hour in an elaborately staged scene – lightning included. The sophisticated lighting technology, cinematic illusions, and the detailed set design ensure that the audience is fully immersed in the journey through time.

The production also has a lot to offer musically: In addition to songs written specifically for the musical, the program also includes well-known hits from the classic film. These include "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis & The News, "Earth Angel" by Marvin Berry & The Starlighters, and Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" – all songs that are inextricably linked to the film and provide goosebumps in the theater.

Behind the lavishly produced stage adaptation of "Back to the Future: The Musical" is a multi-award-winning creative team. Tony Award winner John Rando directs, working with a team of internationally renowned theater professionals to bring the film-worthy adaptation to life.

Tim Hatley is responsible for the set and costume design, Tim Lutkin and Hugh Vanstone are responsible for the lighting, and Gareth Owen is responsible for the impressive sound design. Chris Bailey developed the choreography, and Nick Finlow is the musical director. Specialist Chris Fisher is responsible for the eye-catching illusions—including the seemingly flying DeLorean. The collaboration of these creative minds makes the musical version of the blockbuster film a highly recognizable audiovisual spectacle.

The German premiere of "Back to the Future – The Musical" will take place in spring 2026 at the Stage Operettenhaus on Hamburg's Reeperbahn. There, the production will replace the repertoire of & JULIA , which was previously performed at the same venue.

Initial previews are scheduled for March 15, 2026, with the official premiere on March 22. Regular performances will begin on March 24, 2026. Hamburg, already a center of the German-speaking musical scene, will gain a spectacular attraction. Uschi Neuss, Managing Director of Stage Entertainment Germany, also promises this: The show will bring one of the greatest cult films of all time to the stage with impressive effects and a timeless story.