Steven Spielberg Calls This Movie “Pretty Perfect” Among His Films

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Steven Spielberg is known for directing many iconic films, but he considers his 1982 movie, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, his most special work.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a beloved science fiction film about a boy named Elliott who becomes friends with an alien lost on Earth. Featuring Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, and a young Drew Barrymore, the movie won four Academy Awards, including honors for its visual effects and musical score.

During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Spielberg shared his thoughts on his films. He explained that he rarely watches his own movies after finishing them, but occasionally he’ll watch one with his children.

He said he loves experiencing the movie E.T. with his children as they see it for the first time. He wants to be there with them, particularly during the initially frightening scenes, so they don’t watch it without him.

Spielberg explained why E.T. still holds a special place in his heart. He admitted there are a few things he might do differently now, but overall, he considers it a nearly flawless film. It’s one of the few movies he’s made that he genuinely enjoys revisiting time and time again.

Melissa Mathison wrote the screenplay, which came from a story Steven Spielberg had been developing for a previous film idea called Night Skies. The story was actually inspired by an imaginary friend Spielberg made up when his parents got divorced.

The movie was filmed in 1981 with a budget of $10.5 million. To help the young actors deliver realistic performances, the scenes were filmed mostly in the order they appear in the movie. The special effects for E.T., including the animatronic creations, were designed by Carlo Rambaldi.

E.T. first showed at the Cannes Film Festival on May 26, 1982, and was released in the United States on June 11th. It quickly became a huge hit, earning more money than any film before it – including Star Wars – until Jurassic Park came out in 1993. Critics loved the movie, and it received nine nominations for Academy Awards, winning four. It also won several Golden Globes and Saturn Awards.

The movie has been re-released multiple times, including in 1985, 2002, and again in 2022 to celebrate its 40th anniversary, with each release featuring improved visuals and extra footage. In 1994, it was recognized for its cultural and historical importance when the Library of Congress added it to the National Film Registry.

E.T. is still a beloved and influential film, admired by moviegoers and creators alike. Spielberg has often spoken about the movie with deep personal feelings, explaining how it was shaped by his experiences as a father.

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2025-10-28 11:44