E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) Contains a Message We Still Need
Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a film that somehow eluded me for decades. Despite being a lifelong movie lover—and someone who talks about films on the internet for a living—I had never sat down to watch this beloved 1982 classic from start to finish. I'd seen clips, cultural references, and iconic moments, but never the full emotional journey. That changed this week, and I’m honestly moved that it finally did. Released the year I was born, E.T. became the highest-grossing film of its time, dethroning Star Wars until Spielberg’s own Jurassic Park took the crown in 1993. It’s incredible to think this film was made for just $11 million and went on to gross over $700 million worldwide. The legacy it left behind speaks for itself, but watching it now, in 2025, reveals just how timeless its emotional core truly is. Written by Melissa Mathison and inspired by Spielberg’s own imaginary childhood friend following his parents' divorce, E.T. is often framed as a ...