Ranking Poor E.T. Imitations from Least Enjoyable to Acceptable

      Casey Chong presents a ranking of poor E.T. imitations, from the worst to moderately watchable...

      In 1982, while films like Rocky III, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and Poltergeist found success, it was Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial that dominated the summer, skillfully combining elements of sci-fi fantasy, adventure, and drama that struck a chord with families and children alike. Not only was it the top film of 1982, but it also surpassed Star Wars to become the highest-grossing film at the time, solidifying its status as one of the most beloved and iconic movies of the decade. This widespread acclaim inspired many filmmakers to attempt to replicate E.T.’s success, leading to our ranking of eight inferior E.T. knockoffs, organized from the worst to (somewhat) watchable...

      Homoti (1987)

      Did you know Turkey produced E.T. imitations not once but twice in 1983 and 1987? The first movie, Badi, is excluded from this list due to the difficulty in finding it with English subtitles. The second, Homoti, features a journalist who fabricates a story about a UFO sighting, only to encounter a real flying saucer. There's also a rather unattractive alien from the planet Homon dressed in a cheap rubber suit, complete with an eye-catching, curvaceous figure reminiscent of Kim Kardashian, who turns out to be gay.

      The special effects are horrendous, and the production quality is the epitome of amateurism, with consistently poor acting throughout. At one point, it’s perplexing to watch writer-director Müjdat Gezen, who also stars as the reporter, unnecessarily extend a scene centered around a woman performing a mundane task. Homoti makes a nod to Steven Spielberg’s genre-defining Jaws during a moment when the alien is frightened by watching the film on television, while “E.T.” makes a cameo as well (albeit unofficially). The film may run for 81 minutes, but it certainly feels far longer.

      Nukie (1987)

      Nukie serves as South Africa's take on E.T., where co-directors Sias Odendaal and Michael Pakleppa tell the story of two aliens, Nukie and Miko, who become separated after crash-landing on Earth. Nukie finds himself in Africa, determined to reach America, where Miko is held captive at the Space Foundation center. They manage to maintain communication through their telepathic abilities.

      Clearly created on a tight budget, the film's shortcomings are evident. Unfortunately, even a low-budget project can sometimes fall into the "so-bad-it's-good" category, and that's not quite the case here, as the narrative tries to weave together multiple character threads (including two young African outcasts, a nun named Sister Anne, and a talking supercomputer from Space Foundation called E.D.D.I, or Electronic Digital Data Intelligence). The end result drags on with poor performances, while the movie's attempt to merge sci-fi, drama, and comedy proves to be laughably ineffective.

      Purple People Eater (1988)

      Envision an E.T. knockoff presented as an old-school, rock 'n' roll musical—this is the premise of Purple People Eater, named after Sheb Wooley’s 1958 song. The film stars Neil Patrick Harris as Billy Johnson, who lives with his grandfather, Sam (Ned Beatty). One night, while playing the song, a furry purple alien descends from a tree. Sporting a unicorn-like horn and a single eye, this alien becomes key to saving elderly residents from losing their homes by organizing live performances featuring Billy as a band member.

      Given that the film is aimed at a younger audience, it's puzzling for writer-director Linda Shayne to heavily focus on 1950s rock 'n' roll music, featuring appearances from icons like Chubby Checker and Little Richard. Purple People Eater was released prior to Neil Patrick Harris becoming a household name with his role in Doogie Howser, M.D.

      Extra Terrestrial Visitors a.k.a Pod People (1983)

      Interestingly, Extra Terrestrial Visitors, a French-Spanish co-production, was originally conceived as a straightforward horror film but was reworked into a more mainstream, family-friendly E.T. imitation. While the horror elements are greatly diminished, they still linger in certain scenes, creating a jarring tonal shift between grim and child-friendly moments.

      The E.T.-like aspect focuses on a boy (Óscar Martín’s character Tommy) who discovers an egg one night, takes it home, and names the creature Trumpy once it hatches. The Trumpy character is an alien with an anteater-like snout that can consume milk and peanuts in large quantities. Overall, the film is chaotic, featuring poorly matched dubbing and lacking chemistry between Tommy and Trump