On 11 June 1982, a film about an alien, known widely as ET, premiered in cinemas. It reached Spain later that year, on December 6, and from that moment it began to carve a lasting place in cinema history, particularly within science fiction. Four decades on, the creature continues to captivate audiences as it seeks to return home.
The core idea sprang from the director’s own childhood memories. Steven Spielberg, affected by his parents’ divorce, imagined an imaginary friend who would become a companion through difficult times.
ET yearns to go home, a journey spanning a galaxy three million light-years away, and strives to connect with others. The refrain about home has entered the cultural lexicon, becoming a famous line that resonates with many viewers who feel their own sense of belonging is missing.
The story unfolds in Crescent City, California. Extraterrestrial scientists collect plant samples to study on their distant world, but government agents intercept them and inadvertently leave one member behind during their escape.
Meanwhile, Elliot, a boy who is watched over by his older brother Michael and their sister, embarks on a discovery that changes his life forever. A neglected alien hides nearby, and the boy befriends this stranded visitor, sharing simple comforts like a treat to ease the alien’s fears.
On the road, Elliot encounters the lost traveler and, sensing safety in friendship, chooses to shelter the alien. The pair share moments of wonder, while Elliot keeps the creature hidden from prying eyes as adventures unfold at home and away.
After a series of daring escapades, Elliot, Michael, and their younger sister Gertie try to protect the alien from scientists and law enforcement who would study or capture him. They work to return the visitor to his home planet before it is too late.
One of the most memorable moments occurs in the film’s finale, when ET speaks through a glowing finger, assuring Elliot with the line I will be right here as the spaceship approaches to take the visitor home. This ending remains among the most emotional and poignant moments in cinema history.
Interestingly, the ET screenplay came together during the filming of another successful Spielberg project, Raiders of the Lost Ark. During breaks, Spielberg collaborated with screenwriter Melissa Mathison on the ET storyline. As their outline sharpened, Mathison drafted the first full version in two weeks, which convinced the director to pursue the project with renewed confidence.
There was a moment when a breakthrough audition was nearly derailed: Thomas, who played Elliot, improvised a scene about the day his dog died to express heartbreak. His performance moved Spielberg so deeply that it prompted a swift, decisive decision about casting, underscoring the film’s reliance on authentic emotion.
Design inspiration for ET’s friendly visage drew from a blend of influences, including the likenesses of scientists and artists. The character’s face fused ideas drawn from Albert Einstein, Carl Sandburg, and Ernest Hemingway to create a distinctive, endearing look that connected with audiences of all ages.
Principal photography took place in California from September to December 1981. With a production budget of about 10.5 million dollars, the film achieved global box office success beyond national borders, becoming a bright spot in international cinema. It even surpassed the then-dominant Star Wars franchise at the time, taking the top spot in the box office before Jurassic Park later claimed the throne in Spielberg’s career arc.
ET earned widespread critical acclaim and earned nine Oscar nominations, winning four. The score, composed by John Williams, became a defining element that drove the emotional journey from the living room to the stars, lifting the film into mythic status for an entire generation. Spielberg, who had previously collaborated with Williams on Jaws, was especially moved by the music and famously urged the composer not to alter a single note after hearing it for the first time.
For many children born in the 1970s, ET represented their first large-screen cinematic experience, with subsequent generations discovering the film on home video, DVD, or television broadcasts over the years.
Why does ET continue to resonate after more than 40 years? A simple answer lies in a universal theme: friendship. The story treats companionship as a powerful force that can bridge worlds, presenting an alien character who is capable of tenderness and trust rather than mere danger. It reshaped the way audiences imagined extraterrestrials, blending wonder with vulnerability and inviting viewers to believe in the possibility of connection across worlds. [Film history notes]