Save the Cat rankings

E.T. - THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL script analysis

E.T. - THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

A lonely boy discovers an alien stranded on Earth and hides him in his home. As they form a secret bond, government agents close in, forcing the boy to help the alien return home. Along the way, the boy learns about friendship and sacrifice. The story culminates in a tense escape and a bittersweet farewell.

25 Save the Cat fit score 12% analysis confidence / 110 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

20%

Scene 1’s night sky establishes the film’s wonder and loneliness.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 5 / 5% target

15%

The government’s threat in Scene 5 hints that friendship transcends authority.

3

Set-Up

Scenes 21-24 / 10% target

18%

Scenes 21–24 introduce Elliott’s home life and his first clues of the alien.

4

Catalyst

Scene 27 / 12% target

20%

Elliott’s direct encounter with the alien in Scene 27 upends his routine.

5

Debate

Scenes 30-32 / 20% target

17%

Scenes 30–32 show Elliott wrestling with revealing the alien or hiding him.

6

Break into Two

Scenes 33-34 / 25% target

20%

In Scene 33 Elliott fully commits by bringing E.T. into his house.

7

B Story

Scene 31 / 30% target

12%

Elliott’s family dynamics (Scene 31) run parallel to the alien friendship.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 34-42 / 40% target

18%

Scenes 34–42 explore E.T. learning language and playing with the boys.

9

Midpoint

Scenes 49-51 / 50% target

15%

E.T. using telekinesis in Scene 49 represents a false victory for their bond.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 61-67 / 65% target

14%

Eavesdropping agents in Scenes 61–67 tighten the net around the family.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 87 / 75% target

22%

Elliott wakes alone in the forest in Scene 87, believing E.T. is gone.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 88-90 / 80% target

18%

Scenes 88–90 show Elliott’s despair as E.T. is sick and government forces loom.

13

Break into Three

Scenes 89-90 / 85% target

16%

Mike’s rescue of E.T. in Scene 90 marks their decision to fight back.

14

Finale

Scene 98 / 95% target

15%

Scenes 98–100 depict the tense rescue under plastic and the medical climax.

15

Final Image

Scene 4 / 99% target

20%

Scene 4’s forest departure mirrors the opening sky and shows their goodbye.