Sky has released their Christmas advert, and it brings back to life one of our favourite and out of this world characters. For the first time in 37 years, E.T. is back, and the cute Extra-Terrestrial is discovering a more advanced Earth than the one he left.
E.T. is reunited with Elliott, who now has a family and two children of his own.
Henry Thomas reprises his role as Elliott, meeting his alien friend as an adult, after helping him get home all those years ago.
After first scaring the kids – and himself – by popping out from behind a snowman, E.T. spends some time reconnecting with Elliott and the family.
With a vastly changed world compared to 37 years ago, the family show our favourite alien how to use the internet and give him an experience with Virtual Reality.
Read More: Gavin and Stacey Christmas special 2019 teaser revealed hidden clue
They then settles down to watch Christmas movies together, with Elliott’s son Elliot Jr cuddling up and falling asleep on E.T.
Time with Elliot’s family makes E.T. miss his own, and he shows Elliot his loved ones through a projection.
Then, as lovers of E.T. will be happy to hear, E.T. and the kids take off on their bikes, with our alien friend front and centre in the basket.
They soar above the trees, taking E.T. to where his spaceship is, before saying goodbye.
During the emotional farewell, E.T. turns to Elliot Jr and points to his chest, saying: “I’ll be right here”, before taking off to return to his own family for the holidays.
Elliot Jr then discovers E.T. has left his alien device in his coat, so the family can see him even from space.
Stephen van Rooyen, CEO UK & Ireland, Sky said: “It’s an honour to bring E.T. back to Earth in this new festive short story, helping us to celebrate the magic of family time at Christmas and Sky’s part in bringing our customers together at this special time of year. “
The heartwarming Sky advert joins Aldi’s Kevin the Carrot, John Lewis’ Edgar the Excitable Dragon and McDonald’s Archie the Reindeer for the 2019 batch of Christmas ads.
DON’T MISS
Pandora Black Friday 2019: Best UK deals, offers, discounts [INSIGHT]
Daily Express campaigns to end loneliness at Christmas [CAMPAIGN]
The worst family questions at Christmas revealed [ANALYSIS]
Steven Spielberg’s E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial was released in 1982, and was the top-earning film of the 1980s.
Christmas adverts are hotly anticipated by many, even marking the start of the festive period for some.
Over the past ten years, there have been some iconic adverts, and the introduction of unforgettable characters.
Heating experts Boiler Plan and leading marketing professionals created a list of the top five of the UK’s best feel good TV ads from the last decade.
1. Sainsbury’s ‘1914’ (2014)
2. Coca-Cola ‘Holidays Are Coming’ (all years)
3. John Lewis ‘The Bear and the Hare’ (2013)
4. Aldi ‘Kevin the Carrot’ (2016)
5. John Lewis ‘The Long Wait’ (2011)
The top advert which is Sainsbury’s 2014 epic, titled ‘1914’.
This ad depicts how the guns fell silent on Christmas Eve during the Great War so that British and German soldiers could come together during the Christmas period.
According to experts, the advert’s message of peace and delivery in partnership with a well-respected charity, coupled with its excellent production and storytelling, make it the stand-out choice from the last ten years.
In second place is the world-famous Coca-Cola advert featuring the iconic red lorry.
The commercial announces that the ‘holidays are coming’ and makes us feel like the festive period has finally arrived – when you hear the jingle bells it’s hard not to get a smile on your face and feel warm all over.
For some, seeing the Coca-Cola advert for the first time that year means the Christmas period has begun.