E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Movie, 1982, The '80s, Set in A California suburb
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is #7 of 35 in release order and #7 of 35 in chronological order in the Steven Spielberg.
The story
An alien is left behind on Earth and saved by the 10-year-old Elliott who decides to keep him hidden in his home. While a task force hunts for the extra-terrestrial, Elliott, his brother, and his little sister Gertie form an emotional bond with their new friend, and try to help him find his way home.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial recap
A group of alien botanists collecting plants in a California forest are chased off by government agents, and one of them is left behind. Ten-year-old Elliott, whose father has left the family, finds the creature in the garden shed, lures it inside with candy and hides it in his closet. He shows it to his older brother Michael and little sister Gertie, keeping it secret from their mother Mary. The alien, E.T., learns words from Gertie and television, and Elliott starts to feel what E.T. feels, getting drunk at school when E.T. drinks beer at home. E.T. builds a radio from a Speak and Spell and an umbrella to phone home, and on Halloween Elliott takes him into the woods to send the signal, the bicycle lifting into the air on the way. E.T. falls ill, and so does Elliott. Government scientists seal the house, and E.T. appears to die.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial ending explained
E.T. comes back to life as his ship returns. Elliott, Michael and their friends smuggle him out in a van and escape the agents on bicycles, which E.T. lifts into the sky. In the forest, the ship lands; E.T. says goodbye to the family, tells Elliott he will be right here, touching his forehead, and flies home, leaving a rainbow across the sky.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is streaming on Philo and Starz in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.9/10, Rotten Tomatoes 99%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Raiders of the Lost Ark, before Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
- Chronological order: after Raiders of the Lost Ark, before Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Cast
- Henry Thomas as Elliott
- Drew Barrymore as Gertie
- Robert MacNaughton as Michael
- Peter Coyote as Keys
- Dee Wallace as Mary
- Erika Eleniak as Pretty Girl
- K.C. Martel as Greg
- C. Thomas Howell as Tyler
- Sean Frye as Steve
- David M. O'Dell as Schoolboy
- Richard Swingler as Science Teacher
- Frank Toth as Policeman
Directed by Steven Spielberg.