E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial currently dominates Saving Private Ryan 77–23
Spielberg's childhood wonder routs his war film — the gentler film wins wide.
The Verdict Director's Cut
This matchup has 13 votes — still early. The picture may shift as more people weigh in.
The bicycle silhouette against the moon — Elliott and E.T. flying, Williams's score expanding past the point of human endurance, the entire film's promise of escape fulfilled in a single image — is Spielberg at his most iconically generous. Ryan's Omaha Beach is Spielberg at his most iconically brutal. Both are the director's signature achievements. The gap says generosity outperforms brutality when both are Spielberg at peak. The image that promises escape carries further than the one that documents carnage. The moon wins over the beach.
The Numbers
| E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial | Saving Private Ryan | |
|---|---|---|
| Head-to-Head | 77% | 23% |
| Overall Win Rate | 46% | 52% |
| Championships | 5 | 10 |
| Budget | $11M | $70M |
| Return | 75.9x | 6.9x |
Saving Private Ryan has the stronger overall record on BingeBracket at 52% to 46%. Against most opponents, it wins more — just not against E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
Where This Matchup Sits
Saving Private Ryan is Steven Spielberg's #2 on BingeBracket; E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial sits at #4 out of 6.
Saving Private Ryan has 10 tournament wins to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial's 5, but that championship pedigree isn't translating to the head-to-head. Something about this specific pairing overrides the broader record.
TMDB rates Saving Private Ryan above E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (8.2 vs 7.5). This platform disagrees. The gap between mainstream reception and bracket preference is exactly 0.7 points wide.
Think Saving Private Ryan deserves better?
You're in the 23%.
Play the bracket these 13 votes came from. Your pick shifts the result.
Where to Watch
Availability may vary by region.
Want to pit E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial against something else?
Build your own bracket with any films you want.