E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial stands as a monumental achievement in both critical acclaim and box office performance. Released in 1982, it not only left a significant mark on pop culture but also shattered records, ultimately becoming the highest-grossing film of its time. Its impressive global earnings reached an astounding $797,307,407, a milestone verified by Box Office Mojo.
However, this title would later be claimed by another one of Steven Spielberg’s masterpieces in 1993. Spielberg, a towering figure in the film industry, is poised to release a new film on May 15, 2026. His illustrious career boasts iconic blockbusters, including Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, and Jaws. It is no surprise that his films often break box office records, notwithstanding, these particular titles would eventually be surpassed by a film directed by none other than James Cameron.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: The Box Office King of 1982
E.T. Outshines Jaws as Spielberg’s Biggest Hit
Before the phenomenal success of E.T., Spielberg had already set the stage for summer blockbusters with Jaws in 1975. By 1982, he raised the bar even higher with E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which he described as a “pretty perfect”film during a conversation with Stephen Colbert.
To understand the sheer impact of E.T.’s earnings, consider this: when Star Wars: A New Hope premiered in 1977, it grossed $307,263,857. In comparison, E.T. achieved initial earnings of $359,200,799 (according to Box Office Mojo), and even after its 1982 re-release grossing an additional $15,476,785, A New Hope still couldn’t match E.T.‘s financial triumphs.
Jurassic Park Surpasses E.T.’s Record After 11 Years
E.T. Retains Higher Domestic Box Office Earnings
Despite the indomitable success of E.T., a new contender emerged in 1993—Jurassic Park. Achieving over $600 million worldwide, this Spielberg-directed film not only topped E.T. but also birthed an enduring franchise that continues to thrive. Spielberg intentionally opted not to create a sequel for E.T. to preserve the film’s original essence.
|
Movie |
Worldwide Box Office – Original Release |
|---|---|
|
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial |
$359,200,799 |
|
Jurassic Park |
$978,167,947 |
The original Jurassic Park trilogy has since given rise to the bustling Jurassic World franchise, with several upcoming movies, including Jurassic World: Rebirth. Notably, Jurassic World has become a top-tier blockbuster, grossing $1,018,130,819.
When examining the global box office which extends beyond the top 10 films, the subsequent movies in the Jurassic franchise—Fallen Kingdom and Dominion—land at numbers 22 and 55, respectively. Remarkably, the original Jurassic Park remains a classic fixture, currently at 38th place with a total of $1,104,379,926.
Jurassic Park’s Reign Lasted Only Four Years for Spielberg
Titanic Claims the Throne from Jurassic Park
While E.T. held the title for 11 years, Jurassic Park managed to hold its spot for just four. In 1994, it was dethroned by Titanic, directed by James Cameron. To date, Titanic boasts a staggering $2,264,750,694 at the global box office, nearly $1 billion more than Jurassic Park (source: Box Office Mojo).
Furthermore, Titanic remains one of the highest-grossing films domestically, holding the ninth position among films released before the 21st century, comfortably above Jurassic World, which has an estimated $20 million less in domestic earnings. This classic would continue to dominate until the release of Avatar in 2009, which took the top spot from Cameron, following a familiar trajectory to Spielberg’s own box office history.
Jurassic Park & E.T.: Spielberg’s Biggest Box Office Triumphs
Jurassic Park Remains a Dominant Force in Worldwide Box Office
Although neither Jurassic Park nor E.T. holds a position in the current top ten worldwide box office, both remain foundational contributions to cinema. E.T. garnered nominations for both Best Director and Best Picture, marking Spielberg’s first-ever Best Picture nomination. Meanwhile, the Jurassic Park franchise is a phenomenal success that continues to thrive even today.
Currently, Jurassic Park leads in box office revenue, having grossed more than $1 billion over its lifespan, significantly outperforming Spielberg’s other works. Notably, E.T. outperformed some of his other films by a mere $6 million, while Jurassic Park completely eclipsed the earnings of the rest.
|
Steven Spielberg’s 10 Highest-Grossing Films |
All Time Grosses |
|---|---|
|
Raiders of the Lost Ark |
$389.9 Million |
|
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade |
$474.3 Million |
|
Jaws |
$482.9 Million |
|
Saving Private Ryan |
$485 Million |
|
Ready Player One |
$592.2 Million |
|
War of the Worlds |
$606.8 Million |
|
The Lost World: Jurassic Park |
$618.6 Million |
|
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull |
$786.6 Million |
|
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial |
$792.9 Million |
|
Jurassic Park |
$1.04 Billion |
According to Collider, Spielberg ranks as Hollywood’s highest-grossing director, with a collective box office total exceeding $10.7 billion across his 33 films. This figure places him ahead of James Cameron, who surpassed Jurassic Park’s peak earnings with Titanic by approximately $2 billion.
The indelible influence of Spielberg and his cinematic contributions cannot be overstated. While numbers won’t fully capture his significance, they certainly highlight the widespread popularity and demand for his films. Both Jurassic Park and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial undeniably reflect Spielberg’s stature as a preeminent figure in filmmaking.
Source: Box Office Mojo, Collider
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