E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

Story

Elliott finds and rescues an extra-terrestrial alien who has accidently been left behind and needs to return to his planet. Eliot takes E.T. him home and he and his brother and sister keep him a secret until E.T. becomes ill and the government gets involved. Will Elliott be able to help E.T.?

Why we chose it

ET is a story about friendship and hope – a modern fairy tale. The words ‘E.T. phone home' have passed into every day usage and the image of the bicycle with ET in the basket pedalling across the sky is one of the most iconic film moments of the twentieth century.

Where it came from

The movie was inspired by Spielberg’s own personal experience of creating an imaginary alien friend when his parents divorced in 1960. He worked closely with Melissa Mathison, the scriptwriter, who produced a script in eight weeks titled E.T. and Me which was founded the basis of the plot.

Where it went next

The film was nominated for nine Oscars. In 1982 it was screened at the United Nations where Spielberg received a UN Peace Medal. It surpassed Star Wars to become the highest-grossing film and held this record for 11 years!

The film was later made into a video game by Atari Inc. as well as a theme park ride ‘E.T. Adventure’ at the Universal Studios in 1990. In 2019, Sky UK released an advertisement where E.T. returns for ‘A Holiday Reunion’ and joins Elliot, now an adult, with a family of his own.

Associated stories

E.T. was overtaken as highest grossing film by another Spielberg film Jurassic Park.

Members of E.T.’s species are included in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.

E.T. was featured in the 2016 game Lego Dimensions. The movie was re-released in 1985 and 2002 to celebrate its 20^th anniversary.