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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Directed by Steven Spielberg · 1982 ·

Short answer

Is E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial worth watching?

Yes. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) earns an 87% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (99%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (72%). See the 4 inputs.

87%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

99% Editorial Rating
72% Audience snapshot · excluded
91 Metascore
★★★½☆ Letterboxd 3.9
7.9 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
1h 55m
Age rating
PG (US) · U (UK) · G (Australia) · 14A (Canada) · ALL (South Korea)
Cast
Henry Thomas , Dee Wallace , Drew Barrymore
Streaming
Starz
Language
English

Also known as E.T. El Extraterrestre E.T. l'extra-terrestre E.T. - Der Außerirdische E.T.: O Extraterrestre E.T. 이티 E.T.外星人 อี.ที. เพื่อนรัก

Where to watch

  • Starz

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Where to watch E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial by country

Country Streaming on
India Disney+ Hotstar, Vi Movies & TV
Japan Prime Video, Hulu
United Kingdom Sky Cinema
United States Starz

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (99/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (72%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (91/100).
  • Celluloid Score 87% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded family, sci-fi pick
  • Critics' darlings — stronger with reviewers than general viewers

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial worth watching?

    Yes — E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial earns an 87% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded family, sci-fi pick. Read our full review (4.5/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    Spielberg's suburban fairy tale remains the gold standard for family science fiction and pure wonder.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics (99%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (72%).

    What is E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial about?

    A lonely boy befriends a stranded alien and helps him contact his home planet while hiding him from government agents in suburban California.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) Review: Suburban Wonder

    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is Steven Spielberg's story of a lonely boy and a stranded alien, a family film whose wonder and heartache have barely aged in over 40 years.

    Yes. It remains the gold standard for family science fiction, ideal for children and adults together, as long as you are ready for a good cry.

    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial production still 1
    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial production still 2
    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial production still 3
    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial production still 4
    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial production still 5
    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: frequently asked questions

    Is E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial worth watching?

    Yes. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) has a Celluloid Score of 87%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial?

    In the United States, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial streams on Starz with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Disney+ Hotstar, Vi Movies & TV in India; Prime Video, Hulu in Japan; Sky Cinema in the United Kingdom. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial?

    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).

    What is E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial rated?

    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is rated PG in the United States, U in the UK, G in Australia, 14A in Canada and ALL in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial?

    E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Drew Barrymore.

    What is the Metascore for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial?

    Metacritic's Metascore for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is 91 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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