“It is filled with innocence, hope, and good cheer. It is also wickedly funny and exciting as hell. E.T.: THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL is a movie like THE WIZARD OF OZ that you can grow up with and grow old with, and it won't let you down.” - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
No take on creature features would be complete without the work of Carlo Rambaldi—the designer behind Ridley Scott’s ALIEN, John Guillermin’s KING KONG, and maybe the movies’ most beloved extra-terrestrial. The life-like charm of the animatronic E.T. earned Rimbaldi his second Best Visual Effects Oscar and grounded a film friendship for the ages. When young Elliott discovers a stranded short alien in the backyard garden shed, he and his siblings respond with child-like curiosity and care. Reportedly inspired by an imaginary friend Spielberg created when his parents divorced, E.T. and Elliott’s extraordinary relationship is a gentle respite in a world where grown-ups can be disappointing and dangerous. Steeped in Halloween ambiance, E.T. is a truly thrilling and magical adventure.
Awards & Nominations
Winner - Best Visual Effects, Best Original Score, 1983 Academy Awards
Nominee - Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, 1983 Academy Awards
Creature Features
October 2–November 1, 2026
The movies have always loved a monster. From early cinema’s demons to Universal’s classic creatures to Toho’s city-destroying kaiju to countless contemporary permutations of all of the above, Creature Features showcase cinema’s incredible ability to transform a character into an irresistible other. The eight films in this series trace creature-making craftsmanship from in-camera practical effects to digitally-enhanced creature augmentation and offer a slate of scary and sweet strangers to match every spooky season mood.
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu