E.T. showcases so many of Steven Spielberg’s trademarks: fractured family at its heart, a soaring John Williams score. But what makes it truly enjoyable is just how lean and precise it is. Every scene serves a purpose, delivering simple yet deeply effective visual storytelling, which explains how it became the highest-grossing film of all time for over a decade. Henry Thomas shines as Elliott, a clever and easily likable protagonist whose tender bond with E.T. anchors the movie’s emotional power. Revisiting it now, you might be surprised by how eerie and even melancholy it is at times, especially for a family film. This is Spielberg at his most stripped-down and whimsical, crafting a timeless story full of wonder and heart with only the essential details needed to sweep audiences away. It's when you start delving into the greater lore (as we unfortunately do in this episode) that some of the lustre can be lost.

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