AFI (1998) • AFI-025
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
1982 • Steven Spielberg
AVAILABLE EDITIONS
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ABOUT THIS FILM
RUNTIME
114 minutes
FAMOUS QUOTE
“E.T. phone home.”
Steven Spielberg’s beloved science fiction fantasy tells the story of Elliott, a lonely suburban boy who befriends a gentle alien accidentally left behind on Earth. As Elliott and his siblings help E.T. hide from government agents while searching for a way to return home, a deep emotional bond forms between the boy and his otherworldly friend. Spielberg balances wonder, humor, and heartfelt emotion, creating a story about childhood imagination and empathy. John Williams’s soaring musical score and the iconic bicycle flight sequence became instantly recognizable cinematic moments. With its themes of friendship and belonging, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial remains one of the most cherished family films ever made.
Why it matters
- It endures because its core tensions (farewell; space marine; operation) still feel modern, and the emotional turns land hard.
- It’s a masterclass in Science Fiction, Adventure storytelling—efficient scene work, memorable set-pieces, and choices that keep the tone confident.
- As a time-capsule and an influence engine, it’s a key snapshot of 1982—and you can feel its DNA in countless films that followed.
Watch for
- Recurring motifs and touchpoints (farewell, space marine, operation, flying saucer, nasa, homesickness)—notice how they show up, evolve, or get subverted scene-to-scene.
- How information is revealed (or withheld): pay attention to what you learn first, and what you only understand in hindsight.
- Performance details in close-ups—pauses, glances, and timing often do more than the lines.
- Transitions and visual rhymes: watch how the film connects scenes through matching images, sound bridges, or repeated blocking.
Vibe
Sci-Fi FamilyChildhood WonderFriendship Across WorldsSuburban FantasyLoneliness & BelongingEmotional AdventureHome & FarewellAmblin MagicHeartfelt ClassicInnocence & Awe
AFI RANK
1998: #25
2007: #24
▲Moved up 1 spot