Why Steven Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ is the Must-See Sci-Film of 2026

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Steven Spielberg’s upcoming movie, Disclosure Day, is already generating a lot of buzz as a potential highlight of 2026. True to form for the director, details about the film have been kept under wraps. The title was only announced in December 2025, before the release of a short preview. What we do know is that it’s an original story conceived by Spielberg and written by frequent collaborator David Koepp (known for Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull), and it centers around humanity learning that we aren’t the only life in the universe.

I’m really excited about Disclosure Day, the new movie from Universal Pictures! It feels like a classic Steven Spielberg film – a huge sci-fi adventure. As a longtime fan, it’s awesome to see him return to aliens, a theme he’s explored in films like Close Encounters, E.T., War of the Worlds, and even Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It’s been a while since his last big sci-fi movie (Ready Player One in 2018), and his last summer blockbuster (The BFG) didn’t do so well, so I’m hoping this one will be different. The release date – June 12, 2026 – is especially cool because it’s the 45th anniversary of Raiders of the Lost Ark and the same weekend E.T. and Jurassic Park first came out! Seriously, with all this pointing to it, Disclosure Day is already shaping up to be a movie event I won’t miss in 2026.

‘Disclosure Day’ Is Spielberg’s Return to Sci-Fi and Aliens


Universal Pictures

Steven Spielberg is a remarkably versatile director. While he’s become known for tackling important and dramatic subjects in films like Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, and Bridge of Spies, he’s still strongly associated with big, popular entertainment. He essentially created the modern summer blockbuster with Jaws, and Raiders of the Lost Ark remains a classic action film. He even directed E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, which was once the highest-grossing movie ever, before his own Jurassic Park broke records and revolutionized special effects.

Steven Spielberg is considered one of the best science fiction storytellers ever. His film Close Encounters of the Third Kind set a new standard for alien contact stories. Films like E.T. and A.I. Artificial Intelligence beautifully blend futuristic visuals with deeply human stories inspired by classic fairy tales, and they’re known for being incredibly moving. Jurassic Park can be seen as a modern retelling of Frankenstein. With Minority Report, Spielberg successfully adapted a Philip K. Dick story into both an exciting action movie and a powerful drama about its characters. And in War of the Worlds, he offered a fresh take on a well-known novel, embracing the style of disaster movies and reflecting a post-9/11 perspective, while also challenging his reputation for optimistic alien encounters.

Disclosure Day feels like a blend of Close Encounters of the Third Kind and War of the Worlds, creating a thematic connection with those classic “first contact” films. The movie’s trailers suggest it aims to capture the wonder of Close Encounters alongside the terrifying scope of War of the Worlds. Like those films, Disclosure Day appears to be a deeply personal story about people reacting to a massive, world-changing event. However, it’s more than just a retread of familiar ground. Disclosure Day uses the idea of encountering aliens as a way to explore themes of faith, belief, and what it means to realize we aren’t alone in the universe – both as individuals and as a species.

Spielberg is on an Incredible Filmmaking Run


20th Century Pictures

One of the reasons people are looking forward to Disclosure Day is its place in the timeline following Spielberg’s recent films, West Side Story (2021) and The Fabelmans (2022). Although those movies weren’t big hits with audiences, critics loved them and they both received Best Picture nominations. Both are truly excellent films—among Spielberg’s very best, which is high praise given his incredible career. Now 79, Spielberg continues to create masterful movies that rival his earlier work. He’s still at the top of his game, and that makes us even more eager to see Disclosure Day.

If Spielberg’s latest film, Disclosure Day, continues to do well, it could mark his most successful period since the late 1990s and early 2000s, when he released acclaimed movies like Saving Private Ryan, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Minority Report, and Catch Me If You Can. While the 2010s had both successes – including The Adventures of Tintin, Lincoln, Bridge of Spies, and The Post – and disappointments like The BFG and Ready Player One, Spielberg is now back with a strong resurgence. The 2020s feel like a fresh, exciting chapter for him, and Disclosure Day could be a continuation of that. Even if it’s only as good as West Side Story or The Fabelmans, it’s likely to be a standout summer film.

An Original Summer Blockbuster is Worth Getting Excited For


Universal Pictures

Next year, 2026, could see a standout film with Disclosure Day. Universal Pictures is investing heavily in Steven Spielberg’s completely original science fiction movie, giving it a major summer release. This is notable because most big summer movies will be based on existing properties – like adaptations of Supergirl and Masters of the Universe, remakes of Moana and Cliffhanger, and sequels such as Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Devil Wears Prada 2. While Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey looks fantastic and will be a large-scale project, it’s still based on a well-known story. Disclosure Day, however, offers something fresh and original, and that’s something moviegoers should be excited about.

Universal is borrowing a marketing strategy from classic films like Jurassic Park and War of the Worlds to promote Disclosure Day. Those films built excitement through atmosphere and mystery, deliberately keeping the creatures hidden to encourage audiences to see them in theaters. Instead of relying on familiar brands, Universal Pictures and Steven Spielberg are aiming to recapture a feeling – a time when summer blockbusters were known for big, original ideas. They’re hoping a compelling story, a strong trailer, and a respected director will be enough to draw viewers back to the cinema.

‘Disclosure Day’ Is a Chance to See One of the Greatest Living Filmmakers’ New Movie on the Big Screen


Universal pictures

A new film from Steven Spielberg is always something to look forward to, and his latest, Disclosure Day, is no exception. It also serves as a good reminder to cherish his work while he’s still making movies. While Spielberg doesn’t seem to be retiring anytime soon, it’s likely there won’t be an endless number of opportunities to see his films on the big screen. So, it’s best to enjoy them while we can.

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Steven Spielberg hasn’t had a major summer blockbuster since Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008 – almost two decades ago. His new film, Disclosure Day, feels like a return to form, blending the excitement of his earlier work with the emotional depth he explored in the 2000s, and the stunning visuals of recent films like West Side Story and The Fabelmans. It’s not a comeback – Spielberg has consistently delivered great films – but a powerful statement that he remains at the top of his game.



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2026-02-21 01:19