Where Was “ET” Filmed?

Have you ever asked yourself: “where was ET filmed”? We hope so, since that’s exactly what we answer for you today! Steven Spielberg’s hit film E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial was released in 1982 and became an instant classic for movie-goers all over the world. It’s no wonder it became such a sensation–besides having such a beautiful and exciting story for all ages, it also has some iconic imagery from some of the most gorgeous locations that California has to offer. 

You’ve probably wondered yourself while watching the movie: where was “ET” filmed? We’re going to take you on a tour of some of the most famous shooting locations that were featured in the film as well as a couple of locations that you could use for yourself, courtesy of Peerspace! So get on your bicycle and get ready to fly through the skies of California on this “ET”-themed tour.

Elliott’s house

Where Was ET Filmed
Source: Peerspace

It’s no secret that ET was filmed in Southern California. Every shot gives you a bit of that charm that only the West Coast can offer. Elliott’s house in particular provides some iconic imagery, with a corner house set in front of a hill.

Perhaps you saw Elliott’s house and wondered, “Where was “ET” filmed?” You might be surprised to find out that the house was found near Burbank, California, pretty far from the other filming locations. According to an article from Beyond the Marquee: “Only one location was used here and that was for Elliott’s house. In actuality, this location is about 20 miles east of the neighborhood that was used for filming most of the movie. Steven Spielberg wanted a corner home set aside with a mountain backdrop … something they could not adequately find in the other neighborhood.” 

Looking for your own shooting location in Tujunga that gives off that “ET house” vibe? This Renaissance Tujunga film-ready property feels like it could’ve been a neighbor to all the adventures from the movie. See what a five-star review had to say: “Fantastic experience, Helena ensured that the music video used every aspect of the space to the fullest. Without her support as host, we would have overlooked key details and scene possibilities. The space was just as pictured, and more impressive in-person!”

Elliott’s school

1930s school in atlanta
Source: Peerspace

One of the very famous scenes in the movie ET is when Elliott is at school while the alien ET is exploring his house. This ends up with a whimsical scene where the school winds up overrun with frogs. Well, this happens to be another scene in nearby Los Angeles, the Culver City High School to be precise.

Here are some fun facts about this shoot from movie-locations.com: “The principal was played by Harrison Ford, whose role ended up on the cutting room floor, though I suppose true fans might be able to recognise the back of his head and shoulder, which are supposedly still in the finished film”. Most Americans are unfamiliar with outdoor lockers and courtyards in their own schools but may remember the image of them fondly thanks to movies like ET.

The Porter Ranch neighborhood

Early 19th Century Downtown Home augusta georgia rental
Source: Peerspace

Now that we’ve covered some of the physical locations that made ET so famous, we can take a look at the bigger picture. Were you watching all of the scenes of the kids trick or treating or on their bikes and wondering, “Where was ‘ET’ filmed?”

The majority of the outdoor scenes were filmed in the Porter Ranch neighborhood near Los Angeles. And according to Top Movie Locations, you’ll likely recognize a lot if you visit there today. “In fact, you can still visit these areas nowadays, which are suburban outskirts of Los Angeles, and the only difference between what they look like nowadays and the film scenes is that 30 years have gone by, so houses might look a little different, and trees will likely be a little taller”. Filming in a neighborhood can be tricky and now we can see that Steven Spielberg had to use a variety of locations around the same area to effectively create the idyllic neighborhood where most of the movie takes place.

The interior shots

sophisticated and modern 1920s home
Source: Peerspace

The interior shots of Elliott’s house may seem a little too good to be true, and that’s because they were shot inside the Culver Studios, in Culver City. You’ll be happy to know that the studio is still in use today and possibly producing some of your favorite TV shows and movies.

From its website: “Innovation has completely transformed the industry-treasured film and television studio. Now, more than double its former size, the world-class campus is home to Amazon Studios and a hub for creating and producing award-winning movies and shows”. Most large productions will use studio spaces like those at the Culver Studios to create the perfect interior shot. So if you were wondering, “Where was ‘ET’ filmed?” now you know!

The forest shots

Many important points in the film are shots that take place with ET and their spaceship along with other shots in the forest. The California Redwoods are unmistakable and almost constitute a character in themselves.

According to an article on Schmoop, ET isn’t the only movie to shoot here: “What about the forest? It’s a combination of several locations, including Redwood National Park. If any of those trees look familiar, it might be because portions of Stars Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi were filmed there, too”. California has seen a lot of changes since the movie was made but thankfully we’re still able to visit and marvel at the beautiful Redwood trees.

So now that we’ve taken the time to get to know all of these amazing and iconic locations where ET was filmed in California, it’s easy to see why the movie remains so beloved. Steven Spielberg is known to be a master of his craft and you can really see why in this beautifully shot family feature.

Aspiring filmmakers can use it as a template to get the most out of the neighborhoods and areas that they’re shooting in. There is such a wide variety to choose from and study: the way he makes California feel like home to anybody, Elliott’s home that feels like our own, and the emotional highs you feel when ET is soaring over the Redwood trees, among many others.

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