Guitar from Back to the Future goes missing for decades, Gibson seeks help

In the United States, Gibson announced the production of a documentary titled Lost to the Future on June 3, 2025. This documentary aims to recover a notable prop, a Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 guitar, from the iconic 1985 film Back to the Future. Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and Lea Thompson, who starred in the film, were featured in a video encouraging fans to help locate this significant piece of cinematic history. Despite exhaustive searches during the 1989 sequel, the guitar remains unaccounted for, prompting Gibson to make a public appeal as the film approaches its 40th anniversary. The Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 was prominently displayed when Fox's character, Marty McFly, played at a 1955 high school dance. While his character's performance helped ensure his existence in the timeline, the real-life guitar was not so fortunate, leading to its continued disappearance. Gibson's efforts now also include a dedicated website, www.LosttotheFuture.com, where fans can submit any tips about the instrument's whereabouts. The return of the guitar is not just a quest for memorabilia; it's also about preserving the film's legacy. Moreover, the appearance of Huey Lewis—a renowned musician who contributed to the film's beloved soundtrack—adds a nostalgic touch to the appeal for assistance. Lewis famously interrupts Fox during the video to echo his famous line from the movie, elevating the significance of the search from mere curiosity to a communal effort among fans of the film. The documentary will serve to remind audiences of the cultural impact that Back to the Future continues to have, as well as the memories tied to its music and iconic scenes. As the search for the guitar unfolds, there is a larger conversation about the preservation of film history and the tangible artifacts that contribute to its storytelling. Exploring the intersection of art and nostalgia, this initiative not only aims to retrieve a guitar but also reconnects fans with the magic of yesteryears, approximately four decades past in cinema history. In doing so, Gibson hopes to instill a sense of community among the audience and motivate active participation in retrieving a beloved piece of cinematic memory.