E.T. the Extraterrestrial and The Thing are two science fiction classics that both made a big splash in 1982 when they premiered. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was directed by the famed Steven Spielberg and written by Melissa Mathison, who was also behind films such as Twilight Zone: The Movie, Kundun, and The BFG. Many are familiar with the story by now, but it tells the tale of a young boy, Elliot, who gains the friendship of an alien who he must help to get home. The movie stars Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, and Peter Coyote. Master of horror John Carpenter directed The Thing with the screenplay coming from Bill Lancaster, who based it on a 1938 novel written by John W. Campbell Jr. The story follows a group of Antarctic researchers whose outpost is invaded by an alien that has the ability to take the form of other living organisms. The monumental horror film stars Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, and Keith David.

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Why Compare the Films?

E.T. and Gerdy saying goodbye
Universal Pictures 

At first glance, it may seem unfair to compare the two very different films. One is an R-rated horror/mystery film while the other is a family-friendly adventure film. The two films may be different, but they do have a lot in common. Both films employed the use of special effects, featured extra-terrestrials, and had a legacy that has continued to live on, 40 years later. Additionally, the two films were under the direction of two incredibly talented and famed directors. These films were also released relatively close to the beginning of both Spielberg's and Carpenter's careers, and followed the success of their respective break-out films — Jaws for Spielberg and Halloween for Carpenter.

Characters

Kurt Russell in The Thing.
Universal Pictures

Although the two films prominently feature aliens, the story is told from the perspective of and progressed by the human characters. In E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial the story follows Elliot, the boy who first finds, and cares for the alien. In The Thing, our main protagonist is Kurt Russell’s character, MacReady. Comparing the proficiency of the acting is a bit unfair since it is the performance of a child versus a tenured Hollywood performer. Henry Thomas, who plays Elliot, does a great job, but Kurt Russell’s on-screen presence is difficult to match. However, when it comes to the empathy the viewer feels towards the characters, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is the clear winner. The characters in The Thing are epic, larger than life, and come close to superheroes in their heroic feats, but the compassion and sentimentality written into the characters of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial make them impossible to forget.

Special Effects, Costuming, and Set Design

E.T. Matthew De Meritt
Universal Pictures

This is the category where both films truly excel. The extraordinary special effects in both films were technological feats and the proficiency in the execution of these effects helps to add a quality of timelessness to the two great movies. The puppet animatronic that was E.T. took three months to make and cost $1.5 million dollars. It was designed by Carlo Rambaldi, who also worked on Close Encounters of the Third Kind. In total, the animatronic puppet included four separate heads, which were used for different facial expressions and affectations. Rob Bottin is responsible for the beautifully grotesque design elements in The Thing. Bottin was 21 years old at the time of production, and completely threw himself into the work of designing and creating a terrifying monster. He was the one who first pitched the idea to Carpenter that the monster should be able to change itself into whatever form it desired. Ultimately, the creature's disturbing aesthetic was created using everyday items such as mayonnaise, creamed corn, microwaved bubblegum, and K-Y Jelly.

The costuming and set design of the two films are also worth noting. The wardrobe in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is realistic and especially believable in the scene with the government biohazard crew. The costumes of the arctic explorers appearing in The Thing are detailed, fitting, and help to anchor the viewer within the world of the story. The set design of the research outpost and the surrounding areas are also beautifully done. The two films are both masterpieces, but there is no doubt that the visuals displayed in The Thing are more striking. The gore, strangeness, and otherworldliness make for a lasting image in the viewers' minds.

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Legacy

The doctor's hands are trapped by the alien
Universal Pictures

The two films have undoubtedly made large cultural impacts in the years following their release. The box-office performances, however, show that the two films were not always on equal footing. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial first premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and saw its theatrical release on June 11th, 1982. The film opened with $11 million at the box office and held the number one spot for six weeks. In 1983, the film moved past Star Wars and became the highest-grossing film of all time. The Thing was released on June 25th of 1982, and grossed $3.1 million on its opening weekend, landing it the eighth spot at the box office. The film slid below the top-ten highest-grossing films after three weeks.

The critical response aimed toward the two films varied quite a lot. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial gained overwhelmingly positive reviews, while The Thing received much criticism for its graphic special effects, cynicism, and hostile tone. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was nominated for five Academy Awards, and won three. The film also had three Golden Globe nominations and two wins. These wins and nominations were in stark contrast to the performance of The Thing, which received only a couple of nominations for Saturn awards and ultimately won nothing.

The two films had massively different debuts, but similar trajectories in their popularity for the years to follow. Both films were influential trailblazers in their respective sub-genres, and serve as great examples of the usage of practical visual effects. The two films accomplished what they set out for, one was an adventurous, family-friendly box office hit, and the other a shockingly visceral display of terror. Choosing a clear winner of the two films is close to impossible and ultimately depends on which flavor of entertainment you enjoy most.