E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) is a classic science fiction family film directed by Steven Spielberg, centering on the extraordinary friendship between a lonely young boy named Elliott and a gentle alien, E.T., who is stranded on Earth. The narrative follows Elliott, his older brother Michael, and younger sister Gertie as they endeavor to keep E.T. a secret from the adult world, particularly from government agents who are attempting to capture him, all while trying to help the alien return to his home planet. The movie explores universal themes of friendship, empathy, and belonging, capturing the wonder and challenges of childhood. It is widely recognized for its emotional depth, memorable score by John Williams, and iconic imagery, such as the bicycle flight across the moon.
Things to Consider
Scary & Intense Content
The movie contains several intense and potentially frightening scenes, particularly for younger viewers. These include the initial separation and fear of E.T., the pursuit by government agents, and E.T.'s severe illness and apparent death.
1. The opening sequence involves E.T.'s species being frightened by approaching men, with aliens running screaming back to their spaceship, leaving E.T. behind. E.T. himself appears somewhat scary with bulging eyes when first encountered by Elliott, and eerie music plays throughout. 2. E.T. suffers a severe illness, appearing discolored and near death in a stream, and later seemingly passes away in an examination tent. This scene is depicted as quite traumatic for Elliott, who screams and begs E.T. to live. Government agents wearing space suits and breathing apparatus invade the house, surrounding it with the army, soldiers, and police.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
Parental Guidance for children under 8, suitable for children aged 8 and older. The film is rated PG for some intense emotional scenes, mild thematic elements, and infrequent coarse language. Younger children may find E.T.'s illness and the government pursuit frightening, while older children and pre-teens will likely appreciate the themes of friendship and protecting the vulnerable.
Good to Know
The 2002 Special Edition of the film made some content changes, most notably replacing government agents' guns with walkie-talkies and adding CGI enhancements, which were met with mixed reception. However, the original theatrical version with guns was restored for the 40th-anniversary release in 2022. Parents should be aware of these differences if selecting a specific version for viewing. The film's depiction of a broken nuclear family (Elliott's parents are divorced) is also a significant thematic element that some parents might wish to discuss with their children.
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