E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982): Film Notes and Scores

Director:

Cast:

View E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial film page

Poster artwork for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial — Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List

Spoiler-free premise

After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, the being is discovered and befriended by a young boy named Elliott.

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A gentle alien is left behind near a California suburb and hides in a family's garden shed. Ten-year-old Elliott discovers him, brings siblings Michael and Gertie into the secret, and tries to help the visitor contact his distant home.

Why it belongs

In E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, low camera angles, suburban textures, expressive light, and Henry Thomas's openness make Elliott's friendship with E.T. feel intimate before it becomes iconic.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Spielberg keeps much of the camera near the children's height, deploying suburban shadows, practical creature effects, quiet domestic behavior, and John Williams's increasingly expansive score to make Elliott's bond with E.T. intimate before it becomes wondrous.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20

Academy Awards4 wins1983 · official ceremony record ↗

Plus 4 additional wins

No headline-category win to name

Golden Globes2 wins1983 · official film record ↗

Best Motion Picture - Drama1983 · E. T. The Extra-Terrestrialofficial film record ↗

Plus 1 additional win

BAFTA1 win1983 · official BAFTA 1983 Film Awards results ↗

Plus 1 additional win

No headline-category win to name

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.