E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: 7 Reasons Spielberg’s 1982 Masterpiece Still Rules
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is the 1982 Steven Spielberg masterpiece that redefined what a summer blockbuster could be — equal parts adventure, heartbreak, and pure childhood wonder. It made $359 million domestically in its original run and held the record as the highest-grossing film of all time for eleven years.
If you grew up in the early ’80s, you didn’t just see E.T. — you felt it. You probably cried, you absolutely wanted a Reese’s Pieces trail in your backyard, and there’s a solid chance you spent the next six months trying to make your bike fly. Few movies ever hit that hard, and four decades later, it still does.
The Retro Almanac
A monthly roundup of "on this day" highlights from that month, decades back — plus first dibs on new retro merch drops. No spam, just the good stuff.
How E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Came to Life
The origin of E.T. is deeply personal. After his parents’ divorce in 1960, a young Steven Spielberg invented an imaginary alien friend — “a friend who could be the brother I never had and a father that I didn’t feel I had anymore,” as he later described it. That lonely kid’s fantasy eventually became one of the most beloved films ever made.
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The Retro Almanac
A monthly roundup of "on this day" highlights from that month, decades back — plus first dibs on new retro merch drops. No spam, just the good stuff.
