The History of Reese’s Pieces

While Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have been around since the late 1920s, Reese’s Pieces are a more recent creation. Capitalizing on the salty-sweet success of their predecessors, Reese’s Pieces made their debut in 1978. The initial launch was successful, but it was a movie that really put Reese’s Pieces on the map. The candies featured prominently in Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, in which viewers watched the protagonist Elliot use them to lure E.T. out of hiding. Spielberg originally intended to use M&Ms in the scene but didn’t get the rights, so Reese’s Pieces were used instead. The massively successful movie gave the candies a boost and they became even more popular with the public. Today, Reese’s Pieces are still a favorite for many.