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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

E.T.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a 1982 American science fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Melissa Mathison. It follows a young boy, Elliott, who befriends a stranded alien known as E.T. and tries to help him return home. The film became one of the highest-grossing and most culturally influential films of the 1980s.

Plot

The film follows Elliott and his family after they discover and hide a gentle alien stranded on Earth. Elliott and his siblings try to protect E.T. from government agents while helping him contact his home planet.

Production

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was written by Melissa Mathison and directed by Steven Spielberg. It is an American science fiction film with notable special-effects work credited in secondary sources to Carlo Rambaldi and Dennis Muren.

Reception and box office

The film was a major commercial success and was among the highest-grossing films of its era. Sources describe it as one of the top-grossing films of the 1980s and note its strong opening and worldwide earnings. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Original Score.

Cultural impact

The film became one of Spielberg’s best-known works and had a lasting cultural presence. Secondary sources note its influence on popular culture, including public recognition of its imagery and marketing impact. It is widely associated with themes of friendship, family, and the return home.

Key facts

  • The film was released in 1982 and directed by Steven Spielberg.
  • Its story centres on Elliott, a boy who befriends a stranded alien named E.T.
  • The film stars Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote, and Robert MacNaughton.
  • It was a major box-office success and became one of the defining films of the 1980s.
  • The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Original Score.
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Canadian context

The film was widely distributed and became part of international popular culture, including among Canadian audiences; it is frequently discussed in film studies and classic cinema coverage in Canada as a landmark 1980s blockbuster.

Frequently asked questions

What is E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial about?
It is about a boy named Elliott who befriends a stranded alien and helps him avoid capture while trying to get him home.
Who directed E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial?
Steven Spielberg directed the film.
Who wrote E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial?
Melissa Mathison wrote the screenplay.
When was E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial released?
It was released in 1982.
Who stars in the film?
The credited cast includes Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote, and Robert MacNaughton.
Is E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial the same as E.T.?
Yes. E.T. is the common shortened title used for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.T._the_Extra-Terrestrial
    Supports: Basic identification, release year, director, writer, cast, and plot overview.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/ET-The-Extra-Terrestrial
    Supports: Film description, release year, director, plot, and box-office significance.
  3. AllMovie — https://www.allmovie.com/movie/et-the-extra-terrestrial-am6588
    Supports: Production details, plot summary, director, writer, and cast.
  4. Turner Classic Movies — https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/73791/et-the-extra-terrestrial
    Supports: Box-office statement and film identification.
  5. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/film/et-extra-terrestrial-film
    Supports: Release year, director, writer, cast, awards, and cultural impact.