E.T.’s Coming to Imax to Celebrate Its 40th Anniversary—How Old Does That Make You Feel?

"We could grow up together, E.T."

By Karly Wood July 27, 2022

If you wiled away your 80’s childhood days watching Drew Barrymore hide in a closet with an alien, this news will make you pretty happy (and feeling old). Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment have announced that E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is heading to IMAX for the first time ever!

To celebrate the film’s 40th anniversary, the movie is headed exclusively to IMAX screens starting Aug. 12. Not only that, Jaws will be following in its footsteps, going to IMAX on Sept. 2.

“Universal is honored to have been a part of so many extraordinary, unforgettable Steven Spielberg films over the past 47 years, including Jaws in 1975, E.T. in 1982 and Jurassic Park in 1993,” said Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution for Universal Pictures. “We couldn’t think of a more perfect way to celebrate the anniversary of E.T. and the first Universal-Spielberg summer blockbuster, Jaws, than to allow audiences to experience these films in a way they’ve never been able to before.”

Soar to new heights when E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial comes to IMAX for the first time ever on August 12. #ET40th pic.twitter.com/G5fpVclWJj
— IMAX (@IMAX) June 14, 2022

E.T. was first released in the summer of 1982 and won four Academy Awards and nine Oscar nominations. Aside from the fact that it became a global blockbuster, no other movie evokes such strong memories for so many millennials. Watching Elliott ride off into the night wearing his red sweatshirt and blanket-covered alien in a basket is peak nostalgia.

For those parents who’ve longed to share the epic 80’s film with their kids, this may be the perfect opportunity. Who could turn down a huge screen with better resolution, surround sound and stadium seating?

You can already start planning your movie night: tickets are already available for purchase for IMAX showings at theaters nationwide for Aug. 12 and beyond.