10 Most Heartbreaking Sci-Fi Movie Moments
4. I'll Be Right Here – E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Steven Spielberg's 1982 sci-fi classic has stood the test of time for a number of reasons. It excellently captures the spirit of childhood innocence and wonderment, which only serves to invest the audience even further in the adventure.
When Elliot discovers an alien hiding out in his garden shed, the two become fast friends, and Elliot begins to help him in his mission to return home to his own planet.
The bond that blossoms between the boy and his extra terrestrial friend is one of cinema's most iconic coming-of-age stories, and naturally, it makes for a pretty emotional viewing.
For generations, we've watched as the two interplanetary friends begin to share a telepathic bond and a deep understanding of one another. Each is willing to risk their life to save the other - something which is very much put to the test - and ultimately, E.T.'s people come back for him.
The resulting goodbye is one of the most gut-wrenching scenes ever filmed, with E.T. telling a tearful Elliot "I'll be right here" as he points to his forehead.
It's simple, effective, and it resonates hard with just about every human being alive.