Ever tried to win a movie trivia night and realized your brain just short-circuited when someone asked for films that begin with E? It's a weirdly specific blind spot. You’d think the letter E—the most common letter in the English language—would be overflowing with hits. But when you’re on the spot, you usually just mumble "E.T." and hope for the next question.
The truth is, this category holds some of the most emotionally devastating and visually insane projects in cinema history. We’re talking about everything from Spielberg’s childhood wonder to David Lynch’s "what on earth did I just watch" fever dreams.
The Heavy Hitters: Why E.T. and Empire Still Reign
If we’re being real, the conversation starts and ends with E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Released in 1982, it didn't just break the box office; it basically defined the "Amblin" aesthetic of suburban wonder mixed with low-key government dread. It earned about $792 million globally back when movie tickets cost roughly the price of a gumball.
Then you have the big one: The Empire Strikes Back. Technically, some purists argue it starts with "S" for Star Wars, but search engines and DVD shelves disagree. It’s widely cited as the gold standard for sequels. Why? Because it had the guts to let the bad guys win and chopped off the protagonist's hand. That’s a bold move for a franchise aimed at selling toys.
The Cult Classics You Probably Forgot
Beyond the blockbusters, the "E" category gets dark and weird. Fast.
- Eraserhead (1977): This is David Lynch's debut, and honestly, it’s a nightmare captured on film. If you enjoy industrial white noise and a radiator lady singing about heaven, this is your jam. It’s a foundational text for body horror.
- Evil Dead II (1987): Sam Raimi basically invented a new genre here—the "splatstick" comedy. It’s a sequel that’s also a remake but with more chainsaws and possessed hands.
- Escape from New York (1981): Kurt Russell as Snake Plissken is the ultimate 80s anti-hero. It’s a gritty, low-budget masterpiece that feels more like a documentary of a decaying city every year.
- Event Horizon (1997): Sci-fi horror that actually goes to hell. Literally. It was a box office flop that found a second life on home video because it’s genuinely terrifying.
What's New? The 2025 and 2026 E-List
Cinema didn't stop in the 90s. We’ve seen a massive surge in "E" titles lately that are pushing the boundaries of what we expect from a theater experience.
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Ari Aster, the guy who made everyone terrified of bright sunlight in Midsommar, is back with Eddington in 2025. It’s a neo-Western black comedy starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal. Early reviews from the festival circuit describe it as a polarizing look at Covid-era social warfare.
Then there’s Elio, Pixar’s latest swing at the fences. Scheduled for a 2025 release, it follows a kid who accidentally becomes the ambassador for Earth in a pan-galactic organization. Pixar has a lot riding on this one after a few rocky years at the box office.
Echo Valley, an Apple Original thriller starring Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney, is also making waves for a 2025 debut. It’s a "house in the middle of nowhere" thriller that actually has a decent budget behind it.
The Deep Cuts and Award Winners
You can't talk about films that begin with E without mentioning the critical darlings. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) is basically the "I just broke up and need to cry" starter pack. Michel Gondry’s visual effects were mostly practical, which is why that movie still looks better than most CGI-fests today.
- Ex Machina (2014): Alex Garland’s directorial debut. It’s a tight, three-person chamber piece about AI that feels increasingly prophetic. Oscar Isaac’s dance scene alone makes it worth the watch.
- Elephant (2003): Gus Van Sant’s minimalist take on a high school shooting. It’s controversial because it doesn't give you answers. It just watches.
- Easy Rider (1969): The movie that killed the "Old Hollywood" studio system. It’s messy, drug-fueled, and changed the industry forever.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Movie Night
If you're looking to explore this niche, don't just pick at random.
- For a "Brain-Bending" Night: Double feature Enemy (2013) with Ex Machina. You’ll be thinking about them for a week.
- For the Kids (and Nostalgic Adults): Go with The Emperor’s New Groove. It’s arguably the funniest movie Disney has ever made, and it doesn't get enough credit for its Looney Tunes-style energy.
- For High-Stakes Tension: Watch Eye in the Sky (2015). It’s a drone-warfare thriller that takes place almost entirely in real-time and explores the impossible ethics of modern combat.
The world of films that begin with E is surprisingly vast. From the silent era classics like East of Eden to modern-day sci-fi like Edge of Tomorrow, there’s a weirdly consistent thread of high-concept storytelling.
Next Steps for Film Buffs:
Check your favorite streaming platform's "A-Z" section specifically for the letter E. You'll likely find hidden gems like Eastern Promises or the 2024 indie hit Eat the Night that didn't get a massive marketing push but absolutely deserve your time. Keep an eye on the 2025 release calendar for Eddington and Eternity to see if this letter continues its streak of high-quality cinema.