As 2020 marked the 35th anniversary of Back to the Future, many people took the opportunity to examine how accurately the film predicted futuristic technologies.
While hoverboards and self-tying shoes haven’t yet become a reality, the franchise did get several things right, such as the increasing popularity of holograms and wearable devices.
Nevertheless, Back to the Future is far from the only science fiction work that foresaw future innovations. Several TV shows and films made surprisingly accurate predictions about technology.
Star Trek predicted the touchscreen revolution decades before it arrived (Photo: Shutterstock)
Below are some known instances where science fiction got it right when it came to predicting the tech we now use in our daily lives.
Star Trek: The Next Generation – Touchscreen Computers
When Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered in 1987, the majority of people were still using computers like the Commodore 64, paired with bulky mouses. As a result, the sight of the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise using touchscreen computers was groundbreaking.
However, the visionary Gene Roddenberry and his writing team accurately predicted that touchscreen devices would become integral to modern-day technology, a trend that has since become commonplace. The series also showcased how quickly people would adapt to touchscreen technology, as shown by characters like Data and Geordi La Forge.
Minority Report – Targeted Advertising
The 2002 film Minority Report introduced the concept of targeted advertising, where John Anderton (played by Tom Cruise) is bombarded with ads that are tailored to his personal preferences.
This concept has since become a reality in today’s marketing world. While ads haven’t quite reached the intensity seen in the movie, companies now focus on delivering personalized content based on consumers’ browsing history, purchases, and online behavior.
2001: A Space Odyssey – Tablet Computer
2001: A Space Odyssey, directed by Stanley Kubrick, featured numerous futuristic gadgets, but one of the most accurate predictions was the tablet computer. The astronauts aboard the Discovery One used Newspads, which were essentially tablet computers used to watch television.
Interestingly, the film predicted the rise of tablet technology long before the iPad was introduced in 2010. This foresight even played a role in a legal dispute between Apple and Samsung, with 2001: A Space Odyssey being cited as “prior art” in the case over the iPad design patent.
Total Recall – The Driverless Car
In Total Recall (1990), Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character rides in a self-driving taxi, a concept that felt far-fetched at the time. Fast forward a few decades, and several car manufacturers around the world are testing self-driving vehicles.
Though full-scale production of these autonomous cars remains uncertain, the rapid development of computer technology and GPS systems is making what once seemed impossible a reality.
Blade Runner – Video Calls
Blade Runner (1982) featured characters communicating via videophones, a technology that now mirrors modern video call platforms like Skype, Messenger, and FaceTime. Back then, the idea was innovative and futuristic, but today it’s a common method of communication.
The Truman Show – Reality Television
Upon its release in 1998, The Truman Show presented an idea that seemed rather absurd: a reality TV series focused on the life of an ordinary person.
Today, such shows are wildly popular, with audiences tuning in to watch people’s daily activities, from mundane routines to personal drama. Reality television has since become a staple of modern entertainment.
The Terminator – Military Drones
In The Terminator (1984), the story featured advanced drones and robots capable of executing military operations. At the time, this seemed like an improbable future.
Minority Report’s targeted ads now reflect the marketing world of today (Photo: Getty Images)
Today, however, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a critical part of military operations worldwide, used for surveillance, bombing missions, and more. Ground robots are also utilized for tasks such as disarming bombs and delivering supplies to troops.
Enemy of the State – Government Surveillance
Enemy of the State (1998) portrayed a future where the government could track citizens through satellites, cell phones, and GPS. While the film exaggerated certain aspects, many of its predictions have come true in the post-9/11 era.
Surveillance by government agencies like the CIA and NSA has become a daily occurrence, with communications being intercepted regularly, raising questions about privacy in the digital age.
Star Trek: The Original Series – Cell Phone/Wireless Communications
The “communicator” device from Star Trek (1966) is essentially a flip phone, years ahead of its time. The device was used for wireless communication, a concept that later materialized as mobile phones.
The show accurately predicted the widespread use of mobile devices, as well as the ability to send location data and emergency messages, long before these technologies became commonplace.
These examples from science fiction not only entertained but also foresaw technological advancements that have since become integral parts of our lives. Whether through mobile phones, tablet computers, or driverless cars, these films and shows captured a future that has now arrived.
