What films influenced E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial?

An alien is left behind on Earth and saved by the 10-year-old Elliott who decides to keep him hidden in his home. While a task force hunts for the extra-terrestrial, Elliott, his brother, and his little sister Gertie form an emotional bond with their new friend, and try to help him find his way home.

Year1982

CountryUnited States

DirectorSteven Spielberg

Films with Similar Energy

Cinematic Threads

Steven Spielberg named Vittorio De Sica's Miracle in Milan as the direct visual ancestor of E.T.'s bicycle-across-the-moon shot. De Sica's film ends with the poor taking flight on flying broomsticks. Spielberg transforms this into Elliott and his friends cycling through the moon on bikes — a direct quotation, legally approved, of De Sica's image of transcendence through childhood innocence. Miracle in Milan is available on Criterion Channel.

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Films it influenced

The Shape of Water 2017 · Guillermo del Toro

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