E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial/Tear Jerker

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.


  • This Troper hasn't cried at the ending since she was a kid, no, what reduces her to a sobbing pitiful and pathetic MESS is when the scientists are trying to give CPR to E.T. All you want to do is jump in the TV and push them away.
    • Spielberg deliberately filmed the scene so it looks like they're hurting ET rather than trying to save him, since that's what any kid like Elliot would naturally think.
    • Then there's Elliott screaming for the scientists to leave E.T. alone... then just crying when it looks like he's actually dead...
  • Michael, a mature teenager, curling up among the stuffed animals in the closet to cope with his overwhelming concern for his younger brother.
  • The ending, as the Extra-Terrestrial, about to depart, says goodbye to Elliot.

E.T.: I'll...be...right...here.

    • And the way they both say "Ouch".
  • Also E.T. dying on the operating table while Eliot gets better. "Stay... "
  • Elliot and Michael's moment when the former returns home. At that point Elliot was out too late and Mary called the police to look for him. He returns Mary is understandably upset and angry at first berating him, but when she sees he's sick and feverish she orders Gertie to turn on a bath for him, calming down. When she leaves the room, Elliot tearfully begs Mike to find E.T.

Elliot: Is he here?
Michael: No.
Elliot: You gotta find him Mike.
Michael: Where is he?
Elliot: In the forest. At The Bald Spot.

  • Following that scene Michael desperately tries to find E.T. nearly risking having the FBI follow him. When he finds the forest, he desperately shouts E.T.'s name. He finds to his horror, E.T. is laying unconscious at a ravine and scares off a Raccoon inspecting him before taking him back.