Steven Spielberg returns this year with Disclosure Day, a new sci-fi thriller in the vein of his classic Close Encounters. Here’s everything we know about it.
This might be the coldest take of all time, but I believe Steven Spielberg to be one of the greatest filmmakers alive. There, I said it. He’s not only a master of blocking, capable of making even the most dire scenes visually interesting, but he’s also great at making his audience feel (and of course, cry). No wonder I’m so excited to watch his latest blockbuster, the much-anticipated Disclosure Day.
So, don’t forget to re-watch Close Encounters of the Third Kind, maybe give War of the Worlds another chance, and certainly make up space in your calendar for yet another E.T. viewing, because. Because I’m pretty sure we’re about to witness another Spielberg sci-fi classic. Here’s everything we know about Disclosure Day!
Disclosure Day Might Be More Personal Than We Expect
Disclosure Day was written by David Koepp, based on an idea by Steven Spielberg. The former doesn’t really tend to write many of his own movies (unless it’s something like The Fabelmans), but he usually is quite involved in the creative process. He might not always get a writing credit, but that doesn’t mean his input isn’t being counted on during the writing phase. Plus, the fact that he is getting a “story by” credit here means Disclosure Day might be more personal than expected.
Koepp, on the other hand, is a seasoned writer, having only last year written the scripts of the latest Jurassic World sequel, the excellent Soderbergh effort Black Bag and sci-fi romp Cold Storage. But most importantly, he’s a frequent Spielberg collaborator, having written, for him, films as diverse as The Lost World: Jurassic Park, War of the Worlds, and… Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It’s not a perfect filmography, to be sure, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t cooking up something cool.
The Score: Who is the Composer of Disclosure Day?
To nobody’s surprise, Disclosure Day also represents a new Steven Spielberg-John Williams collaboration. The seasoned composer and musician has written and conducted the score of pretty much every Spielberg film since the eighties, with a couple of notable exceptions (like the masterful West Side Story), but Disclosure Day isn’t one of them. In fact, this is the thirtieth time John Williams has composed the music for a Spielberg movie, and since he’s close to retirement, I’m sure we can expect something really special from this soundtrack.
Is Disclosure Day a Sequel? Everything We Know About the Plot
So, plot-wise, we pretty much only know what the trailers have managed to show. That Emily Blunt’s meteorologist is used by an alien race to communicate with humanity, that Josh O’Connor’s character somehow has a connection with said extraterrestrials, and that Eve Hewson’s leading lady manages to talk to them, apparently, thanks to Colin Firth’s alien… messenger? Representative? Agent? We’ll see!
What’s more interesting, though, are the rumours circulating on social media. Many fans have noticed certain similarities between Disclosure Day and Spielberg’s seminal sci-fi classic, 1977’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It’s because they’re the same genre of story, yes, but some stylistical similarities have also been found. In particular, the latest trailer’s final shot, that of a UFO entering Earth’s atmosphere through the clouds, has sparked people’s imagination. Is the UFO the same as the one from Close Encounters? Is Disclosure Day a sequel? Does it take place in the same “universe” as the previous film? We don’t know as of yet, and if there’s any kind of twist in the cards, I’m sure Spielberg and co. will keep it a secret till opening night.
In any case, we do have Universal’s official logline: “If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you? This summer, the truth belongs to seven billion people. We are coming close to … ‘Disclosure Day.'”
Disclosure Day Uses Alien Invasion Genre Tropes
If Disclosure Day looks great, it’s not only due to Spielberg’s direction and Janusz Kamiński’s striking cinematography (have smartphone flashlights ever looked this cool?), but also because it seems to be using all the genre tropes we should be expecting from an alien invasion story such as this. There are crop circles (or, well, crop… designs?), weird birds, elks (both outside and inside a house, apparently accompanied by a little girl), car chases, body-swapping, the aforementioned alien language (which consists of some clicking and mumbling) and Colin Firth’s character connected to a weird machine (which actually reminded me of a tent scene in the fourth Indiana Jones movie).
It’s a mixture of the stereotypical and the weird, which, combined with a potentially intriguing story and Spielberg’s magic touch, should result in a fascinating experience. At least that’s what I’m hoping for in Disclosure Day!
The Cast of Disclosure Day: Who’s In the Movie?
As it tends to happen with Spielberg’s tentpole offerings, Disclosure Day has quite the stacked cast. According to what we know – and the trailers, of course – our protagonist is played by Josh O’Connor, and he seems to be teaming up with Eve Hewson’s character. They both appear to have some sort of connection with the alien… Invaders? Friends? Enemies? One of them is played by Colin Firth. So they’re probably friendly!
Plus, there’s also Emily Blunt’s TV weatherwoman, who is used as a vessel by the aliens to send a message to humanity. Or at least that’s what can be gathered in the trailers, as the Devil Wears Prada 2 star begins to speak in a disturbing guttural language on air.
Apart from them, there’s a bunch of interesting actors playing unknown roles; some of them we haven’t even seen in the trailers! There are Wyatt Russell and Colman Domingo. The aforementioned Colin Firth (who seems capable of appearing in the heads of certain characters… or something like that) and Henry “Voldemort” Lloyd-Hughes. And there’s even an appearance by Chavo Guerrero Jr. as a referee. Which probably means we’re getting a wrestling scene in a Spielberg film. Can’t wait!
The Release Date: When and Where to Watch Disclosure Day
Disclosure Day represents Steven Spielberg’s grand return to the world of blockbusters, so it’s no wonder it’s being released during the summer (at least in the northern hemisphere). This is the kind of movie that should successfully combine thrills with themes; excitement with intellectual stimulation. Thus, Disclosure Day is being released theatrically on June 12, 2026 (give or take a day or two, depending on where you are in the world).
Disclosure Day will be available to watch in U.S. and Canadian theaters, in U.K. and Irish cinemas, and globally in theatres on June 12, 2026.