“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” released

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Director Steven Spielberg, then 34, reportedly drew on his own experiences as an imaginative, often-lonely child of divorce for his science-fiction classic "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," released on June 11, 1982.

"E.T." marked a return to familiar territory for Spielberg, who had previously explored alien encounters in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977). In "E.T.," Spielberg created a more endearing vision of alien life with a small, wrinkled creature with a glowing belly. He collaborated with screenwriter Melissa Mathison to bring the story of a wise, kind alien botanist stranded on Earth to life. The alien, E.T., needs the help of a sensitive boy named Elliott (Henry Thomas) to return home. Elliott and his siblings, played by Robert MacNaughton and a young Drew Barrymore, hide E.T. from adults, including their distracted mother. A special bond forms between E.T. and Elliott, who ultimately risks his safety to help E.T. return to his planet.

From its first showing at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival, "E.T." received overwhelmingly positive buzz. Richard Corliss of TIME magazine praised it as a perfect blend of comedy, drama, and powerful friendship. TIME even included E.T. as a candidate for Man of the Year—the first film character to receive this honor. The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards in 1983, including Best Picture and Best Director, and won four Oscars for Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Original Score, and Best Sound.

"E.T." achieved massive box office success, earning around $435 million. It was re-released in 1985, and a special 20th-anniversary edition was issued in 2002.

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