Relive the magic of the 80s with E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the heartwarming sci-fi adventure that defined a decade.
Okay, let’s just time-travel for a sec—back to the 80s. Yeah, that neon-soaked, synth-heavy, big-haired, pizza-on-a-VHS-tape kind of decade. Back when every kid wanted a BMX, every basement had a glowing arcade cabinet, and every movie had the power to make you believe in aliens, ghosts, or time travel. And in the middle of it all? E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Not just a movie. Not even just a sci-fi movie. It was a moment. One of those rare, cosmic explosions of story and emotion that stuck to your soul like peanut butter to the roof of your mouth.
Seriously, if you grew up during the 80s (keyword alert—boom), chances are E.T. is baked somewhere into your emotional wiring. This wasn’t just about an alien. It was about friendship, loneliness, wonder, and Reese’s Pieces (I mean… who didn’t try them because of this movie?). It was this magical blend of suburban mundanity and galactic mystery that somehow made a wrinkly, big-eyed alien feel like your best friend. Spielberg pulled off a miracle here.
Why was it such a big deal? Because it felt real. It wasn’t set on a spaceship or in a dystopian future—it was literally in someone’s backyard. The magic of E.T. was that it didn’t feel like science fiction. It felt like maybe, just maybe, this could happen. Maybe there’s an alien hiding in your toolshed right now. And if you feed him some candy, he might just save your life.
Basic Information: What You Need to Know
- Title: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
- Release Date: June 11, 1982
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Main Cast:
- Henry Thomas as Elliott
- Drew Barrymore as Gertie
- Dee Wallace as Mary (Mom!)
- Peter Coyote as Keys
- Oh, and E.T., played by a combo of puppetry, animatronics, and movie magic
- Genre: Science Fiction / Family / Adventure
- Runtime: 115 minutes
- Box Office: $792 million worldwide (that’s 80s blockbuster legend status)
- Home Release: VHS in 1988 (six years later!), DVD in 2002, streaming in the 2010s
Plot Summary: A Boy and His Alien
Alright, let’s not spoil it, but here’s the gist.
Elliott is just your average kid—dealing with divorce, hanging with his siblings, playing Dungeons & Dragons (because of course). One night, he hears something strange in the backyard. That “something strange”? A stranded alien who’s been left behind by his spaceship crew like some kind of cosmic Home Alone scenario.
Instead of calling the army or freaking out, Elliott does what every emotionally intelligent 10-year-old would do—he hides the alien in his room and becomes his best friend. He names him E.T., teaches him to speak, and shares snacks with him (hello again, Reese’s Pieces). But of course, the government wants to poke and prod this gentle creature, and E.T. just wants to go home. What unfolds is this beautiful, funny, tearjerking adventure that’s as much about human connection as it is about outer space.
Think Stand by Me meets Close Encounters, with a sprinkle of My Pet Monster and a John Williams score that’ll melt your heart.
Cultural Impact: An 80s Movie That Landed Like a Meteor
Let’s not beat around the bush—E.T. was the 80s. I mean, it captured so many things we loved: adventure, BMX bike chases, sibling bonding, and that unspoken feeling of being different but still deserving love. It became a shorthand for wonder. Heck, even Spielberg said it was the most personal film he’d ever made—and you can feel it in every frame.
The Bike Scene. You Know the One.
Raise your hand if you ever tried to fly on your bike after watching E.T.. That moonlit shot of Elliott and E.T. soaring over the trees with John Williams’ music swelling in the background? That’s not just cinema. That’s magic. It became the logo for Spielberg’s company (Amblin Entertainment), and it’s still one of the most iconic movie moments ever.
It Was for Everyone
This wasn’t just for sci-fi nerds. This movie hit the hearts of moms, dads, kids, and weird uncles. Families saw it together. Teens saw it with their friends. It was the kind of movie you watched with people, then talked about for days. And it made everyone cry. Even the tough kids with denim jackets and mullets.
80s Merch Madness
The marketing explosion? Wild. Lunchboxes, stuffed E.T.s, board games, E.T. cereal, even a (now infamous) Atari video game that was so bad they literally buried unsold copies in a desert. No joke. It became a myth. And then they actually found them years later. Only in the 80s, man.
Behind the Scenes: Lights, Puppets, and Heartstrings
So, how did this strange little alien movie come to life?
First off, it almost didn’t. Spielberg originally wanted to do a horror film about alien abductions called Night Skies. But after filming Close Encounters, he realized he was more interested in the idea of a kind alien—a peaceful visitor, not a predator. And just like that, E.T. was born from the emotional aftermath of Spielberg’s own parents’ divorce.
Creating E.T.
This part’s wild. The E.T. puppet was a mechanical marvel at the time. It took a team of puppeteers to bring him to life, and sometimes there was literally a person in the suit (a guy under 3 feet tall named Pat Bilon). His eyes? Designed by a guy who made eyes for real-life seeing-eye dogs. That’s why they look so expressive and—yes, I’ll say it—soulful.
Music to Melt Your Face Off
John Williams won an Oscar for the score. And rightly so. That final scene? The way the music swells when E.T. points to Elliott’s heart and says, “I’ll be right here”? I mean… if you didn’t cry, you might be a robot.
Fun Fact
Drew Barrymore thought E.T. was real. Like, actually alive. Spielberg encouraged it. She was only 7 and gave him hugs between takes. Honestly? Same.
Reception and Legacy: An 80s Movie That Aged Like Fine Wine
When E.T. dropped in 1982, it dominated. Critics called it a masterpiece. Kids dragged their parents back to the theaters. And it became the highest-grossing movie of all time—for over a decade—until Spielberg beat his own record with Jurassic Park.
Awards & Honors
- 4 Oscars (Best Score, Best Visual Effects, Sound, and Sound Editing)
- 9 Oscar Nominations
- Named the #24 movie on AFI’s Top 100 of All Time
And today? It still holds up. Like, really holds up. Even modern audiences love it. Because despite the chunky phones and tube TVs, the emotions are timeless. It inspired everything from Stranger Things to Super 8. It’s still being shown in theaters for special anniversaries. And yes—still making people cry.
Was it perfect? Not entirely. Some folks thought it was too sentimental, too sweet. But honestly? That’s like saying your grandma gives too many hugs. That’s kind of the point.
FAQ: E.T. Questions You Were Totally Gonna Google
Q: Is E.T. based on a true story?
A: Nope, but Spielberg did say it was inspired by his childhood imaginary friend. Adorable, right?
Q: What species is E.T.?
A: Never officially named! Some expanded universe stuff calls them “Asogians” but the movie keeps it vague.
Q: Where was E.T. filmed?
A: Mostly in California—specifically the San Fernando Valley. That forest scene? Shot in the redwoods near Crescent City, CA.
Q: Why did they use Reese’s Pieces?
A: Fun fact—M&M’s said no to product placement. Reese’s said yes. Smartest marketing move ever.
Q: Was there ever a sequel?
A: Nope! Spielberg said it would ruin the magic. (There was a weird holiday commercial in 2019, though.)
Key Takeaways: Why E.T. Still Matters
Here’s the deal: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial isn’t just one of the best 80s movies—it is the beating heart of 80s movie magic. It’s the perfect mix of wonder and warmth, suburban normalcy and galactic strangeness. It reminds us that connection matters. That being different isn’t bad. That home isn’t always a place—it’s people. Or, uh, aliens.
For me? Watching E.T. as a kid felt like discovering a secret. Like maybe the world was a little bigger, a little kinder, and way more magical than I thought. And honestly, every time I rewatch it, I feel that same lump in my throat when Elliott says goodbye. It’s a movie about love—pure and simple.
So if you’ve never seen it, do yourself a favor. Make some popcorn, dim the lights, and just believe for two hours. Believe in bikes that fly. In aliens who heal with a touch. In the 80s, baby.
And remember—he’ll be right here.
