During the Christmas season, many people enjoy gathering and watching the best family films available for streaming. For a film that captivates every generation, there is perhaps no better choice than <em>E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial</em>, the sci-fi masterpiece by director Steven Spielberg. Recently, Netflix confirmed that E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial will be leaving its platform at the end of November, prompting families nationwide to rush and watch their favorite sci-fi story before it’s gone.

However, E.T. fans can rejoice as Starz is stepping in to save the day, with Spielberg’s classic set to arrive on the streamer this December 1. Featuring performances from Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, Robert MacNaughton, and a young Drew Barrymore, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was also produced by Spielberg and features a screenplay by Melissa Mathison. The film has achieved critical acclaim and boasts a near-perfect score of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus states, “Playing as both an exciting sci-fi adventure and a remarkable portrait of childhood, Steven Spielberg’s touching tale of a homesick alien remains a piece of movie magic for young and old.” A synopsis for the film reads:

“After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, it is discovered and befriended by a young boy named Elliott (Henry Thomas). Bringing the extraterrestrial into his suburban California home, Elliott introduces E.T., as the alien is named, to his brother and little sister, Gertie (Drew Barrymore), and the children decide to keep its existence a secret. Soon, however, E.T. falls ill, leading to government intervention and a dire situation for both Elliott and the alien.”

Released over four decades ago, E.T. remarkably turned a $10.5 million budget into nearly $800 million. When adjusted for inflation, the film’s total exceeds $1.5 billion at the box office, ranking it fifth in all-time global sci-fi movie earnings. During its opening weekend, it unsurprisingly topped the U.S. box office charts and astonishingly remained in the top two for an additional 18 weeks.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial will be available on Starz this December. Stay tuned to Collider for all the latest streaming news.