E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, directed by Steven Spielberg, is celebrating its 40th anniversary by being released on 4K Ultra HD on October 18 with 45 minutes of new, never-before-seen extra footage, after a limited theatrical re-release in IMAX and select theatres earlier this summer. There will be three special limited versions of the film for its 40th anniversary, each available from a different store (including an Amazon exclusive) and include extras like a collectable tin bag, a thermos, a brochure, and a certificate of authenticity. In addition to the regular Blu-ray and DVD release, Wal-Mart will also sell a special version of the gift package that includes a BendyFigs figurine and the film.
Finally, Target will sell three special edition steelbooks of the film to its customers. Bonus features include “TCM Iconic Picture Festival: An Evening With Steven Spielberg,” in which the director comments on the creation of the film, and “40 Years of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” a retrospective look back at the classic film and its ongoing influence with moviegoers. Besides the main game, E.T. also has a number of extras. Among the various extras included with the film’s release are “The E.T. Journals,” a cast reunion, “The Evolution and Creation of E.T.,” deleted sequences, trailers, and promotional materials.
There is also an insider’s look at the picture with interviews with the actors and crew, as well as a conversation with the film’s composer, John Williams, regarding the score. The film’s 20th-anniversary premiere is also featured, providing a glimpse into the preparations for Williams’ live performance of the film’s soundtrack at the Shrine Auditorium. When it was released in 1982, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial was an instant hit with audiences and critics alike, eventually overtaking Star Wars to become the highest-grossing picture of all time. It held that title until the release of Spielberg’s next film, Jurassic Park.
After 40 years, the film’s popularity persists because of the character’s ubiquity in media (theme park attractions, ads, and many theatrical re-releases, including a contentious special edition from 2002). This year, in celebration of the film’s 40th anniversary, saw its most recent rerelease, an IMAX presentation of the original picture. Fans of Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking masterpiece will have a fresh incentive to see it again this October, as the film will be released in 4K as part of a special 40th-anniversary edition.
The film E.T., The Extra-Terrestrial, has recently been released in limited venues.