E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

Steven Spielberg's 1982 science-fiction adventure E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial remains one of the highest grossing films of all time.

Fast Facts

1. Director: Steven Spielberg
2. Producers: Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy
3. Written by Melissa Mathison
4. Starring: Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote
5. Released: June 11, 1982
6. 20th Anniversary Edition released: March 22, 2002
7. Worldwide Revenue: $792.9 million USD

Plot

An alien (E.T.) is stranded on Earth by his ship, and after being pursued by government agents, he hides in the backyard of a suburban home. A boy, Elliott (Henry Thomas), befriends the alien, careful to keep him a secret from any adults, whose faces are mostly unseen throughout the film. With the help of his sister Gertie (Drew Barrymore) and brother Michael (Robert MacNaughton), Elliott decides to help E.T. return home.

The two gradually form a psychic connection, culminating in a series of comedic moments in school, including one where Elliott becomes intoxicated when E.T. drinks beer back at the house.

Following an iconic scene where Elliott and E.T. fly through the forest to make contact with E.T.'s ship, the alien suddenly starts to die, just as the government agents invade Elliott's house. Upon the ship's imminent return, E.T. revives, and Elliott, Michael and some friends fly on their bikes to the forest, where E.T. says his goodbyes and leaves Earth with a rainbow across the sky.

Critical Reception

Nominated for nine Academy Awards, E.T. won four, including one for composer John Williams's score. At the box office, the film grossed over $350 million in its initial run, and that total has reached nearly $800 million through re-releases and VHS/DVD sales.

The film has a 98% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with most critics hailing it as a "magical," "enchanting" and "classic" film.

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