E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jason S

  
  classic

• Christopher H

  
  Steven Spielberg's ultimate masterpiece. The film manages to convey the importance of friendship, family, and love in a way that is touching without getting overly-sentimental. Everybody from the child actors to the adults give great performances. The special effects work for… More
  Steven Spielberg's ultimate masterpiece. The film manages to convey the importance of friendship, family, and love in a way that is touching without getting overly-sentimental. Everybody from the child actors to the adults give great performances. The special effects work for the character E.T. are so fantastic that at one point I forgot that E.T. was a special effect. I doubt the movie would have felt complete without the fantastic music score by John Williams. Despite taking place in a suburban town, Williams makes the film feel epic nonetheless. E.T. is a timeless classic that can be appreciated by people of all ages.

• Dan S

  
  A wonderfully constructed sci-fi gem of a film concerning an alien who lands on earth and is accidentally left behind, and takes shelter with a young, isolated boy (Henry Thomas). The biggest thing this film has going for it is its timelessness, being that it shares universal values,… More
  A wonderfully constructed sci-fi gem of a film concerning an alien who lands on earth and is accidentally left behind, and takes shelter with a young, isolated boy (Henry Thomas). The biggest thing this film has going for it is its timelessness, being that it shares universal values, and taps into human's rebellious tendencies, desire for companionship, and nostalgic hey-days of youth so very well. There are a few scenes that probably could have been cut, as well as a little hokey-ness once in a while, but for the most part this is stellar film-making, with a tear-jerking, intense conclusion that would not be as special without John Williams musical score which packs in own emotional wallop. Just a fine all-around movie that will never get old.

• Directors C

  
  E.T is an example of what movies were made to be. I guarantee that this charming adorable film will entertain generations of people for many years to come. Absolutley touching but a bit creepy for its own taste.

• Eric A

  
  It's a shame this film currently has a 65% rating for the audience. I feel that most of these ratings have come from 2005+ which are obviously going to be very different to a review from 1982. This film is nearly 30 years old and it still delivers a strong message to young and… More
  It's a shame this film currently has a 65% rating for the audience. I feel that most of these ratings have come from 2005+ which are obviously going to be very different to a review from 1982. This film is nearly 30 years old and it still delivers a strong message to young and old, but mainly on the younger audience. It displays a remarkable portrait of childhood and growing up. Sure the film is slow at times and it may be a bit predictable, but that is what's special. Films today aren't like they were in 1982, and films will be different in another 30 years from now. It's important to take date into consideration, and not let that skew your judgement. It was an instant hit at release, and will forever be a classic with audiences young and old.

• Joshua W

  
  Greatest film ever. Period. I disagree with every list that doesnt list this with best film. This was made a decade before I was born but I had an emotional connection I cant put into words. When I was a child I wore out a copy my parents owned and they had to get another.… More
  Greatest film ever. Period. I disagree with every list that doesnt list this with best film. This was made a decade before I was born but I had an emotional connection I cant put into words. When I was a child I wore out a copy my parents owned and they had to get another. Because of this film, CGI will always seem fake to me, no matter how realistic they try to make it. P.S.- films around the time this came out have been remade in recent years. Personally I will protest any attempt of remakeing this film with CGI or any format

• Alexander D

  
  If Steven Spielberg took his late-'70s sci-fi flick CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, and allowed the aliens to create a more humane, less mysterious, less eerie relationship with the little boy (and more than just making him constantly recite the film's theme, which in… More
  If Steven Spielberg took his late-'70s sci-fi flick CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, and allowed the aliens to create a more humane, less mysterious, less eerie relationship with the little boy (and more than just making him constantly recite the film's theme, which in both films is composed by John Williams), the result would be a fantastic, touching family movie called E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL. When I first saw this, I was about five, and like most seven-year-olds, my thought for even an ever-so-slightly dated film like this was, "Okay, this is stupid. Let me watch something that's actually EXCITING, Mom and Dad." But when I began to appreciate the art of film more, I rented this once more to watch it and see if my view changed. I loved it so much that I forced myself to watch it again the next day. Even if you think you have grown out of family movies, you will never, never grow out of this Spielberg classic.

• Jens S

  
  Charming, magical sci-fi-fairy tale, and a true 80s classic. The excellent child actors carry this film (there is only one adult's face visible for the first 90 minutes), and the E.T. was wonderfully convincing for that time. The message of tolerance and friendship may be naive… More
  Charming, magical sci-fi-fairy tale, and a true 80s classic. The excellent child actors carry this film (there is only one adult's face visible for the first 90 minutes), and the E.T. was wonderfully convincing for that time. The message of tolerance and friendship may be naive and predictable, and the melodrama a bit over the top, but it's hard not to lose your heart to this adorable story. A bit slow at times, the magical, exciting showdown speeds things up really well, leading to a heart-warming solution. Adults may grow out of being fascinated by this film, but it will forever be a movie that brings a glow into children's eyes.

• Ken S

  
  So I finally saw ET. It was probably the biggest film on my "ashamed I haven't seen it list" Really solid film, but why is Elliot's room so smokey in the beginning? Does he smoke cigars? and also the light in the shed is insane bright and always on. Who keeps a… More
  So I finally saw ET. It was probably the biggest film on my "ashamed I haven't seen it list" Really solid film, but why is Elliot's room so smokey in the beginning? Does he smoke cigars? and also the light in the shed is insane bright and always on. Who keeps a 10k in their tool shed?

• Sergio G

  
  I had a huge poster like this in my bedroom. I had also one of those little rubber ETs and some other toys. I cried like Mery Streep. For a 8 year old kid is a very strong movie and teach you to say good bye and let go. That's what I remember. Now 30 years later is definatelly a… More
  I had a huge poster like this in my bedroom. I had also one of those little rubber ETs and some other toys. I cried like Mery Streep. For a 8 year old kid is a very strong movie and teach you to say good bye and let go. That's what I remember. Now 30 years later is definatelly a great story and Spielberg knows how to work with kids in the best way. Introducing Drew Barrymore and the fantastic John Williams song that until now, still gives me the goosebumps.

• Brad W

  
  E.T. is one of the greatest movie ever made. It has intense and amazing scenes and (other than Jaws) Stephen Spielbergs debut masterpiece. Whenever you watch this you cant help but feel the masterful genius behind, that what your watching is quite possibly the king of Close… More
  E.T. is one of the greatest movie ever made. It has intense and amazing scenes and (other than Jaws) Stephen Spielbergs debut masterpiece. Whenever you watch this you cant help but feel the masterful genius behind, that what your watching is quite possibly the king of Close Encounter films. The young actors were tremendous and you could tell Spielberg spent a lot of time with them. The character for ET was great and funny which made him very likeable. The music made this movie even more intense because it mystical composing and great theme, I loved the music. The effects were well done and even if there wasn't much effects when there was it was great. E.T. is Americas history along with Jaws, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Batman, Rocky, and many others, and its not hard to see why.

• Michael E

  
  entertaining, heartwarming, and touching

• Dean M

  
  This is my childhood favourite friendship of alien-human film I ever like it - more emotional and family fantasy classic. A winner, not for the special effects but the extraordinary performances from the kids. Henry Thomas is delightful and the middle child, Elliott who find and… More
  This is my childhood favourite friendship of alien-human film I ever like it - more emotional and family fantasy classic. A winner, not for the special effects but the extraordinary performances from the kids. Henry Thomas is delightful and the middle child, Elliott who find and befriends ET. He is not "too cute", but gives a terrific performance, especially when ET telepathically makes him drunk. Drew Barrymoore is so cute as Elliott's little sister throughout the whole film and she captures the audience every time she appears on screen. Peter Coyote does great with the minimal screen time they chose to give him. The relationship between E.T. and Elliot can be marked as one of the greatest friendships in Hollywood history and in the farewell scene that tears me up.

• Wahida K

  
  InTheBasketProgram Beautiful Movie I have seen it so many times and every time enjoyed it like the first time. Any Movie Buff should have atleast watched it once in their lives. If there is one thing I had chance to say to Steven Spielberg, it would be THANK YOU FOR E.T Mr Spielberg!

• AJ V

  
  The number one kids sci-fi movie of all time! I love this movie, and if you haven't seen it yet, go rent it.

• Nadira I

  
  One of the best childhood classics, every children have to watch it at least once in their lifetime. Heart breaking and touch us from the bottom of our heart. E.T is one of the biggest achievement of Steven Spielberg. Watch it with your family and feel the experience of watching this… More
  One of the best childhood classics, every children have to watch it at least once in their lifetime. Heart breaking and touch us from the bottom of our heart. E.T is one of the biggest achievement of Steven Spielberg. Watch it with your family and feel the experience of watching this outstanding sci-fi movie.

• Bently L

  
  Elliot is a troubeled kid. He can't get along with his family and always gets picked on. One night, he encounters an alien who he calls E.T. and they become the best of friends. Elliot with the help of his brother, Michael, and his little sister, Gertie, played by the cute, young… More
  Elliot is a troubeled kid. He can't get along with his family and always gets picked on. One night, he encounters an alien who he calls E.T. and they become the best of friends. Elliot with the help of his brother, Michael, and his little sister, Gertie, played by the cute, young Drew Barrymore, must keep E.T away from the government, who want to experiment him. E.T. is a well acted, well-written, and amazing film. The special effect are great and Stephen Speilberg's direction is amazing. The children actors in this movie are great. Henry Thomas is great as Elliot and Drew Barrymore as Gertie is so cute! I wonder why child actors these days can't act like them. Whoever did the performance of the alien was good too. Now before I wrap up this review, I'd like to tell you a funny story. When I was younger, I owned this movie on VHS and watch it all the time. When I saw the preview for the 20th Anniversary Edition that was hitting the theatres, I thought I was luckiest guy on Earth. I didn't know it was a re-release so I thought the movie was barely going to the theatre and I was the first to own the movie on video. Funny, ain't it? Anyways, E.T is a good film. I reccomend it for kids 7 and older since there is a lot of frequent language. Great film! "I don't know. Something scary." www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bgEO8URrKk

• Jeff "

  
  E.T was a childhood favorite of mine. Steven Spielberg's classic of a homesick alien is a masterpiece of cinema. In my youth I must have watched this film more than thirty times. The appeal of this film like no other family film. This is one of the best films that you can watch… More
  E.T was a childhood favorite of mine. Steven Spielberg's classic of a homesick alien is a masterpiece of cinema. In my youth I must have watched this film more than thirty times. The appeal of this film like no other family film. This is one of the best films that you can watch with your family and truly experience something special. This is a classic, and E.T has stood the test of time. I re watched this film a couple of months back, and the film still appealed to me after all these years. This is a special film with a terrific young cast. Spielberg delivers another splendid Alien film. Just when you thought that Close Encounters Of The Third Kind was great, he managed to equal the greatness of that film with E.T. This is the type of film that will appeal to people of all ages because it's simply a terrific story. The film is not really your typical family film, sure it has all the common elements, but what separates this film from the rest is that the film doesn't treat kids like kids, or adults like kids. Steven Spielberg gives us a fine film with an ambitious, yet simple story. Whats great about E.T is that it's the type of film you watch to revisit your childhood. I know re watching it, it brought back a lot of great memories from childhood. This is a superb film, one Spielberg's best. Everything about the film is masterful, the directing, the story, the music score, the cast is perfect. All of them shine and they're incredible to see on screen. The film will definitely make you feel good, make you laugh, cry or other emotions. E.T is one fine film and is a classic of the Sci Fi genre as well as the family genre. This film is a must watch for the entire family, it is the perfect family film and is one of the best genre has to offer. As an adult, this film brings back memories and when watched it didn't feel childish in any way. Thats the beauty of E.T it will definitely appeal to anyone. A must see classic that has stood the test of time and hasn't aged a bit, it's film now as it was when I was a kid. If you haven't seen this timeless masterpiece, then stop reading this review and go rent it, you won't regret it.

• Richard C

  
  B-

• Mike S

  
  They just don't make movies like this anymore. Spielberg's directing, John Williams music score...there's nothing that even gets close to that perfect combination of talent. But above all, it holds a wonderful story that still touches the heart. One I think everyone… More
  They just don't make movies like this anymore. Spielberg's directing, John Williams music score...there's nothing that even gets close to that perfect combination of talent. But above all, it holds a wonderful story that still touches the heart. One I think everyone should take part of at least once in their lifetime. Because as far as family films go, this one ranks as one of the best ever made. A childhood favourite of mine and the very definition of movie magic.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings