TL;DR
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is the gold standard for movies that actually respect the inner lives of children. It’s perfect for ages 7+, though younger kids might need a hand to hold during the "government invasion" scenes. It deals with divorce, empathy, and the specific kind of magic that happens when kids are left to their own devices.
Quick Recommendations for the Sci-Fi Kid:
- The Iron Giant – For more "boy and his robot/alien" tears.
- Super 8 – A modern homage that captures the same "kids on bikes" energy.
- Stranger Things – For the older kids (12+) who want the 80s vibe with more horror.
- Mac and Me – Avoid this. It’s a 90-minute McDonald's commercial masquerading as an E.T. rip-off. It's truly unwatchable.
Released in 1982, Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece follows Elliott, a lonely 10-year-old dealing with his parents' recent split, who discovers a stranded alien in his backyard tool shed. Instead of calling the authorities (who are depicted as faceless, jingling keys of doom), Elliott hides "E.T." in his closet.
The two form a literal telepathic bond—Elliott feels what E.T. feels, drinks what E.T. drinks (leading to a hilarious school scene involving Coors Light), and eventually, they nearly die together before a miraculous "phone home" escape. It’s a story about the transition from the innocence of childhood to the harsh realities of the adult world.
In 2026, we live in an era of "AirTag parenting." We know where our kids are at every second. We monitor their Roblox chats and get notifications if they wander three blocks away.
E.T. represents a different kind of childhood—one defined by independence and agency. The kids in this movie solve a problem of intergalactic proportions while their mom is busy just trying to keep the house from falling apart. It reminds us that kids are often more capable, empathetic, and observant than we give them credit for.
While your kids might be obsessed with Skibidi Toilet or think everything is "Ohio," E.T. taps into a universal truth: the feeling that adults just don't get it. That feeling hasn't changed in forty years.
Despite being "old" (which to a ten-year-old is basically the Jurassic period), E.T. still lands for a few specific reasons:
- The Secret World: Every kid dreams of having a secret that adults don't know about. The "closet sanctuary" is a peak childhood fantasy.
- The Humor: From E.T. dressing up as a ghost for Halloween to the "penis breath" insult (yes, that’s in there), the movie speaks the language of actual kids, not some sanitized version of them.
- The Emotional Stakes: Kids aren't afraid of big feelings. They lean into the sadness of E.T. getting sick because the payoff of the "flying bike" scene is so earned.
Ask our chatbot about other classic movies that hold up for Gen Alpha
If your family loves the vibe of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, here are the next logical steps for your movie nights:
If E.T. is the emotional side of childhood independence, The Goonies is the chaotic, loud, and adventurous side. It’s about a group of kids trying to save their homes from foreclosure by finding pirate treasure. It’s slightly more "PG-13" in spirit (lots of yelling and mild peril), but it captures that same "adults are the enemy/obstacle" theme perfectly.
This is arguably the best animated film about the bond between a child and an outsider. Set during the Cold War, it mirrors E.T.’s themes of government paranoia and the power of choosing who you want to be ("You are who you choose to be"). It’s a tear-jerker, so keep the tissues handy.
For a more modern, artistic take on the "forbidden friendship" trope, this Apple TV+ film is stunning. It deals with colonization and environmentalism, but at its heart, it’s about two girls from different worlds forming a bond that their parents don't understand.
Another 80s gem. A boy disappears and returns eight years later, having not aged a day, because he was on a spaceship. It’s heavy on the "scary NASA scientists" trope but very fun.
Ages 5-6: Use caution. The scene where E.T. is found gray and dying in a ditch is genuinely traumatizing for some little ones. Also, the hazmat-suited government agents invading the house can feel like a horror movie to a kindergartner.
Ages 7-10: The sweet spot. They’re old enough to handle the tension and will deeply relate to Elliott’s desire to protect his friend.
Ages 11+: Might act like they’re "too cool" for a puppet movie, but the themes of the broken family and the "Keys" character (the adult who never lost his sense of wonder) usually get to them.
Check out our guide on managing movie-induced anxiety in younger kids
There are a few things that might surprise you if you haven't seen this since you were a kid:
- The Language: It’s a "hard PG." You’ll hear "s**t," "hell," and the infamous "penis breath." It’s how kids actually talked in the 80s, but if you’re in a strict "no-swearing" household, be prepared.
- The Divorce: This isn't a "Disney divorce" where everyone is friends. The mom, Mary, is clearly overwhelmed and hurting. The dad is in Mexico with a woman named Sally. It’s a very grounded, honest look at a family in transition.
- The "Death" Scene: The medical intervention scene is intense. There are defibrillators, doctors in space suits, and a lot of beeping monitors. It’s clinical and scary.
- Substance Use: E.T. drinks a few beers while Elliott is at school. Because of their telepathic link, Elliott gets tipsy at school and lets the frogs out of their jars in biology class. It’s played for laughs, but it’s a talking point.
E.T. is a great "bridge" movie to talk about real-life stuff without it feeling like a lecture.
- On Empathy: "Elliott felt what E.T. felt. Have you ever felt someone else's sadness or joy so strongly it felt like it was yours?"
- On Secrets: "Elliott kept E.T. a secret to protect him. When is it okay to keep a secret from adults, and when is it dangerous?" (This is a great opening to talk about digital safety, too).
- On the Adults: "Why were the 'men in suits' so scary? Were they actually evil, or were they just curious in the wrong way?"
- On Family: "How was Elliott's family doing at the start of the movie? How did taking care of E.T. help Elliott, Gertie, and Michael get closer?"
Learn more about using movies to build emotional intelligence
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial isn't just a movie about a space alien; it’s a movie about the sanctity of childhood. In a world where our kids are constantly being pushed to grow up faster—whether through social media algorithms or the pressure to turn their Minecraft hobbies into "entrepreneurship"—E.T. celebrates the simple, quiet, and often messy reality of being a kid.
It’s worth the watch. It’s worth the cry. Just maybe skip Mac and Me afterward.
- Watch it: It’s usually available to rent on all major platforms or streaming on Peacock.
- Compare and Contrast: After watching, ask your kids if they think Elliott could have hidden E.T. today. (Spoiler: Probably not, someone would have posted a TikTok of him in five minutes).
- Explore: If they loved the "tech" side of E.T. phoning home, check out some basic electronics kits for kids.