After storming Spielberg's office with his short film in hand, Zemeckis found a mentor and his first Hollywood gig...writing an epic war comedy from a John Millius idea that would be Spielberg's next project after Close Encounters of the Third Kind. While 1941 is the rare black mark on Spielberg's career, the lessons he learned led directly to Raiders of the Lost Ark. 

You've heard it, hell you've probably even said it...Back to the Future is a perfect movie. And we're not here to argue, but there is so much to see beyond the impeccable 'notecard' screenplay. 

After the performances of I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Used Cars, and the Zemeckis-penned Spielberg flop 1941, Romancing the Stone was the hit Bob Z needed. Hired by Michael Douglas who wanted that Used Cars energy, Zemeckis takes a big swing on the story of the harlequin romance novelist who finds herself caught up in the plot of a romance novel.

Released with poor advanced marketing just a week before the 1980's iconic comedy Airplane!. Like I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Used Cars was poorly distributed and a box office disappointment despite being well received critically: It's packed with great gags, jaw dropping stunt work, and a charming irreverence that won over the audiences that actually saw it. Turns out Michael Douglas was a huge fan of the film, which led to Zemeckis taking the reins of Romancing the Stone, his first box office hit. 

Set over the course of 48 hours or so, four teenage girls set out to catch a glimpse of the Beatles before their iconic performance on the Ed Sullivan show. Big American Graffiti vibes with Zemeckis' particular brand of humor lacing the entire film, earning it a Criterion release. Be forewarned. After watching I Wanna Hold Your Hand, you will see Zemeckis in a new light.