Javier Bardem has described Steven Spielberg’s 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial as a “masterpiece”, saying he watched it 24 times at the cinema as a child. He regards it as an enduringly powerful love story about characters who recognise one another through love rather than fear, illustrating the film’s lasting personal influence on him.

Bardem, who was 13 during E.T.’s cinema release, said its themes of abandonment and connection still make him cry. The film became the highest-grossing release in cinema history at the time and won four Academy Awards, with five further nominations including Best Picture and Best Director.