10 Incredible Shots That Totally Defined Movies
3. The Moon Ride - E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Unlike every other shot on this list, this one is so pervasively iconic that it even went on to become part of the logo for a major Hollywood production company.
The iconic shot in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial where Elliott (Henry Thomas) and E.T. cycle high into the sky, passing in front of the moon as a silhouette, is not only undeniably beautiful but also the very concept of "movie magic" as captured in a single image.
As such, Steven Spielberg cannily used the visual as the logo for his company Amblin Entertainment - which even produced E.T. itself, no less - and whenever the logo pops up in an unrelated movie, it immediately conjures up heart-swelling, nostalgic memories of watching Elliott and E.T.'s breathtaking flight.
Just try looking at this shot without at least mentally humming John Williams' accompanying musical score. It's not possible.