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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

PG  |   |  Family, Sci-Fi  |  11 June 1982 (USA)
7.9
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Ratings: 7.9/10 from 260,832 users   Metascore: 94/100
Reviews: 495 user | 210 critic | 26 from Metacritic.com

A troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape Earth and return to his home-world.

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Title: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) on IMDb 7.9/10

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Won 4 Oscars. Another 46 wins & 32 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
Michael (as Robert Macnaughton)
...
K.C. Martel ...
...
...
Tyler (as Tom Howell)
...
David M. O'Dell ...
Schoolboy (as David O'Dell)
Richard Swingler ...
Frank Toth ...
Policeman
Robert Barton ...
Michael Darrell ...
David Berkson ...
Medical Unit (as David Berkson M.D.)
Edit

Storyline

While visiting the Earth at Night, a group of alien botanists is discovered and disturbed by an approaching human task force. Because of the more than hasty take-off, one of the visitors is left behind. The little alien finds himself all alone on a very strange planet. Fortunately, the extra-terrestrial soon finds a friend and emotional companion in 10-year-old Elliot, a lonely boy whose parents have separated. While E.T. slowly gets acquainted with Elliot's older brother Michael, his sister Gertie and the customs of Earth, members of the task force work day and night to track down the whereabouts of Earth's first visitor from outer space. The wish to go home again is strong in E.T., and after being able to communicate with Elliot and the others, E.T. starts building an improvised device to send a message home for his people to come and pick him up. But before long, E.T. gets seriously sick, and because of his special connection to Elliot, the young boy suffers, too. The situation ... Written by Julian Reischl <julianreischl@mac.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

He is afraid. He is alone. He is three million light years from home. See more »

Genres:

Family | Sci-Fi

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and mild thematic elements | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

11 June 1982 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

A Boy's Life  »

Box Office

Budget:

$10,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$11,911,430 (USA) (11 June 1982)

Gross:

£1,737,374 (UK) (12 April 2002)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (extended)

Sound Mix:

(35 mm prints)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Steven Spielberg stated in an interview that E.T. was a plant-like creature, and neither male or female. See more »

Goofs

One of the boys moves his lips in sync with Elliot's line, "Nobody go out there." See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Steve: [reading dice] Five.
Michael: Oh, great.
Steve: So you got an arrow right in your chest.
See more »

Crazy Credits

The Universal logo is run backwards in the original 1982 cut. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Big Fat Liar (2002) See more »

Soundtracks

Accidents Will Happen
Composed by Elvis Costello
Courtesy of Plangent Visions Music Inc., © 1978
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Powerful and unique
16 June 1999 | by (Chicago, IL) – See all my reviews

Spielberg's powerful and remarkable film about a boy and his unusual befriendment of an extra terrestrial. Possibly his finest film, E.T. captures a piece of childhood, and reminds the rest of us of a time long since past. It excites a story adults often forget, and a powerful remembrance of a childhood friendship during difficult periods of development. Adult criticism of the movie loses its youthful bond, and fails to appreciate growing up in the 80's. This is the pinnacle of Spielberg's childhood movies. Few other films capture as powerful a message of childhood emotion. Other films which attempt to do so dive so deep into childhood memories they lose their connection with adults, and degrade to brief interludes of "dumb" comic relief to keep grown ups from falling asleep. The closest runner up is likely Goonies (a film written by Spielberg). A very personal film for Spielberg; as he explores atypical friendships after the separation of his father; he should be commended for achieving such a remarkable success and for sharing it with the rest of us. I was five when I first saw the movie, and although it frightened me at the time, it still makes me cry. An unparalleled film in its class, it is easy to see why it remains the fourth all time grossing film (adjusted for inflation, third otherwise) seventeen years after its release. Cheers to Spielberg for not ruining the movie by attempting a sequel.


54 of 78 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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