After a tender alien becomes stranded in the world, the being befriended and is discovered by a boy named Elliott. Obtaining the extra terrestrial into his suburban California house, Elliott introduces E.T., since the alien is dubbed, into his brother along with his small sister, Gertie, and the youngsters decide to continue to keep its existence a secret. Soon, however, E.T. drops ill, resulting in government intervention and also a dire situation for both Elliott and the alien.