Where was E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial filmed? Shooting location of Steven Spielberg’s hit sci-fi film, revisited

Many aliens have arrived on Earth, and many of them have become our favorites, and one of them was brought to us by Steven Spielberg over four decades ago, named E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which also happens to be the film's name. To this date, it remains one of the most influential films ever made. Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, and more starred in it.

The film was a box office behemoth with $797 million in earnings. It is also the case with its critical success, as it's one of the few movies having a 99% critics' approval on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience score is a bit lower than that, which is 72% on its Popcornmeter.

Its story is set in California and interestingly, it was filmed in the US state only. Several locations were used from the region and we will now see which of them were featured in the movie.

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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial filming locations

Redwood National Park

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial begins with the arrival of aliens on the earth who are looking for specimens of a range of fauna there. This is where the conflict of the film begins, as an alien is left behind as the mothership carrying them leaves as they are compromised. The production here lasted for six days.

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Culver Studios

The production here lasted for 42 days and interiors of Elliot's home were shot here. While it is known as Culver Studios today, the film studio has operated under a range of names, including Ince Studio (1918–1925), De Mille Studios (1925–1928), Pathé Studios (1928–1931), and more. Several blockbusters, including Rocky (1976), Raging Bull (1980), Kill Bill (2002), and more, were shot here.

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Tujunga

There's a scene in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial where Elliot (Wallace) fakes his sickness in the film. It was shot at 7121 Lonzo Street in Tujunga. We know the place today as Sunland-Tujunga in Los Angeles. Both were two different settlements once but are now linked. Other popular movies shot here include Ben-Hur (1959), Meet John Doe (1941), River's Edge (1986), and more.

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Culver City High School

This has perhaps become one of the most interesting scenes today. At one point in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Elliot and the alien have bonded with each other, and when the former is in school, he releases these frogs from his Biology class where they were put for Vivisection. It was shot at Culver City High School.

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Porter Ranch

This scene includes one scenic sunset in the film. Porter Ranch's Granada Circle was featured in the movie during this Halloween scene. E.T. is roaming in the open disguised as a ghost and watching him take those little steps is just adorable.

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Porter Ridge

A scene where Elliot and his friends escape federal agents was shot at Porter Ridge. Interestingly, the playground featured here is today known as 'E.T. Park.'

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