E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, commonly known as E.T., is a 1982 American science fiction film directed and produced by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by Melissa Mathison. The story follows a young boy named Elliott who forms a deep bond with a stranded alien he names E.T. With the help of his family and friends, Elliott sets out to help E.T. return to his home planet. The film stars Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, Robert MacNaughton, and Drew Barrymore. The idea for the film originated from an imaginary friend Spielberg created during his parents’ divorce. In 1980, he collaborated with Mathison to develop a new story inspired by his shelved project Night Skies. Mathison completed the first draft, titled E.T. and Me, in under two months, followed by two revisions. Columbia Pictures passed on the project, doubting its commercial viability, but Universal Pictures acquired the rights for $1 million. Filming ran from September to December 1981 on a $10.5 million budget. Unusua...