Seven years after “Jaws” and five years after “Star Wars,” Steven Spielberg came up with the gentlest summer blockbuster ever. It’s called “E.T.—the Extra-Terrestrial” and for 11 years, until the arrival of Spielberg’s own “Jurassic Park,” it beat both those winners and ranked as the all-time box-office champ. No fantasy film, with the possible exception of “The Wizard of Oz,” ever deserved its success more. Neither film won the best picture Oscar, which I still resent, especially “E.T.” losing to “Gandhi.” Which one sits more snugly in your book of movie memories?
"E.T.: The Extraterrestrial"
The gentlest and most touching summer blockbuster has so far resisted cashing in with a sequel or reboot. Our thanks to Steven Spielberg for that.