In the 1989 sci-fi sequel, Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly time-traveled forward to Oct. 21, 2015 — and saw prescient visions like self-tying sneakers and the Chicago Cubs in the MLB post-season. How accurately did the film predict the future (at least circa 2015)?
Movie 2015: Power laces make tying your own shoes a thing of the past.
Real 2015: Nike was working to have a model with the same auto-lace-tying technology out by the end of 2015.
Movie 2015: Holograms are prevalent in entertainment, and there are a staggering number of movie sequels (“Jaws 19”).
Real 2015: Holograms of stars like Michael Jackson have brought performers back to life and Hollywood is practically living off of sequels.
Movie 2015: A video game where you have to use your hands is “like a baby’s toy.”
Real 2015: Xbox Kinect provides hands-free video game entertainment, the first of its kind for a mass audience.
Movie 2015: Need to make a quick exit? Just grab the nearest hoverboard and float away.
Real 2015: The Hendo Hoverboard can float an inch off the ground with up to 300 pounds, but we still can’t quite escape psychotic bullies.
Movie 2015: People own portable tablets that can transfer needed funds or provide instant information.
Real 2015: iPads and modern smart phones almost make the film’s prediction look antiquated.
Movie 2015: Not only would Miami have a baseball team, but the Cubs would beat them in the World Series.
Real 2015: Miami now has a team and the Cubs were in the pennant race in 2015, but the two will never face each other as they are both in the National League. The 2016 Cubs did beat the Cleveland Indians to win their first World Series title in 108 years.
Movie 2015: Wall-mounted, flat-screen TVs allow you to watch up to six channels at once.
Real 2015: Once an expensive pipe dream, wall-mounted flat screens are now everywhere, and picture-in-picture viewing allow many cable viewers to watch multiple programs at the same time.
Movie 2015: Voice command allows you to cook food and control household electronics.
Real 2015: While not able to control the entire home, voice command can get you any information you want thanks to Siri technology.
Movie 2015: Kids disappear from their families behind virtual-reality eyewear.
Real 2015: Oculus Rift and Google Glass have helped blur the boundaries between technology and reality more than ever before.
Movie 2015: Flying drones walk our pets for us if we were just too tired.
Real 2015: While not able to take the place of a pet owner yet, drones were everywhere by 2015 and used for a variety of purposes (OK, mostly for spying).
Movie 2015: No more signatures! Just give your thumbprint to pay the cab fare or transfer funds to help save the clock tower.
Real 2015: Biometrics were an integral part of many nations’ top-secret security systems by 2015 and one of the most reliable detection methods.
Movie 2015: Talk to your friends (or conspiring work colleagues) via your own living room television.
Real 2015: Facetime, Skype and multiple other videoconferencing technologies made this prediction spot on.
