This Movie Tried to Outdo Spielberg’s Best—The Result is Embarrassingly Bad

We all remember John Williams’ iconic score playing as a bicycle soars across the moon, carrying young Elliott and his extraterrestrial friend, dubbed “E.T.” It was a timeless, magical moment crafted by Steven Spielberg. Then came another film… well, a lesser… In short, enter “Mac and Me.”

The poster itself was a clear sign of imitation, but that’s just the beginning.

Same Concept, Far Inferior Execution

It was 1988, six years after E.T.’s blockbuster success, when producer R.J. Lewis (of “Karate Kid” fame, who later worked on “Ocean’s Eleven”) decided to back “Mac and Me,” almost openly acknowledged as a rip-off of Spielberg’s film, complete with funding from Coca Cola and McDonald’s.

The plot follows young Eric, a wheelchair-using boy, who accidentally encounters an alien that has escaped authority and hidden in his family’s van. Unaware that the alien had saved him from drowning, he captures it with a vacuum cleaner with help from his sister and names it M.A.C., standing for “Mysterious Alien Creature”—and definitely not as a nod to McDonald’s…

Brands Galore

There’s also a scene in a McDonald’s where none other than Ronald McDonald himself shows up to entertain the kids! And what does little Eric drink to calm his nerves? Coca Cola, of course! And what is given to Mac’s family to help them recover? Coca Cola, naturally!

“Mac and Me” probably features some of the worst product placements in movie history, besides being an outright plagiarism. As the story progresses, Mac, having lost his family, and Eric and his friends decide to help find them. After causing a scene in a supermarket over… Coca Cola, the police intervene and shoot little Eric, who dies.

Fortunately, like in E.T., it turns out the alien has the power to heal. He thus resurrects Eric, and for this heroic act, Mac is granted American citizenship. His family and he are integrated into society and promise the audience they will return for more adventures, which never happens.

What Does Spielberg Think?

Upon its release, “Mac and Me” grossed a mere $6.42 million in the U.S., less than half of its estimated $13 million budget. Regrettably, part of the revenue had to be shared with Ronald McDonald House Charities.

According to legend, when Spielberg was asked why he didn’t sue the film, he reportedly responded that he didn’t want to be accused of forcing anyone else to watch it just to make comparisons!