It seems unbelievable that three decades have passed since E.T. phoned home, yet the milestone stands. Steven Spielberg’s beloved film follows ten-year-old Elliot as he navigates friendship, fear, and wonder with a gentle alien who lands in a suburban yard and leaves an indelible mark on popular culture. The story is more than a science fiction adventure; it is a tale about trust, loyalty, and the choices that define a family when danger is close at hand. Over the years, E.T. has continued to resonate with audiences of every generation, inviting repeat viewings that reveal new details and quiet humor on each visit. Its warmth and simplicity, paired with a sense of childlike wonder, ensure the movie remains a touchstone that crosses generations, ages, and tastes. The bicycle ride across the moonlit sky remains one of cinema’s most iconic images, a reminder that belonging can feel just as magical as any alien encounter.
For fans and new viewers alike, the film arrived on Blu-ray as a combo pack for the first time, pairing the feature with a DVD version, a digital copy, and an UltraViolet option. The release includes both the original 1982 version and the remastered 2002 edition, giving audiences a chance to compare the past and the restoration side by side. In addition to the movie, the pack offers behind the scenes material, featurettes with cast and crew, deleted scenes, and a treasure trove of extras that illuminate how the film was born and how it found its way into millions of living rooms. Behind the design of E.T. and the practical effects, the set invites viewers to glimpse the era of hand built puppets and real locations, where imagination and craft intersected to create something that feels suddenly intimate and real. For families and cinephiles, the collection is a reminder of how home entertainment used to be packaged, while still delivering modern clarity and sound that makes Elliott’s night flight feel almost tactile.
To mark the 30th anniversary, here are five facts about the movie you probably did not know:
- It ranks as the fourth highest grossing movie of all time, a distinction that speaks to its broad appeal across generations and its lasting box office legacy.
- E.T.’s face draws from a blend of influences, including Albert Einstein, the poet Carl Sandburg, and a pug dog, creating a warm, expressive look that remains instantly recognizable.
- A wet T-shirt filled with Jello was used to capture the soft, distinctive sound of E.T.’s footsteps as he walked, a practical effect that still feels oddly endearing.
- Originally, M&M candies were planned to lure E.T. in the iconic scene, but political and corporate concerns led to Reese’s Pieces being chosen instead, a choice that shaped a memorable product tie-in.
- E.T.’s speaking voice came from a combination of sources, including an elderly local woman known for a raspy cadence from smoking two packs a day. The sound team also layered in voices and sounds from a burp, a sleeping woman with a cold, raccoons, otters, horses, actress Debra Winger, and even Steven Spielberg himself for certain lines and reactions.