LOS ANGELES — Universal Pictures has released the first trailer for Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film, Disclosure Day, marking the director’s return to the UFO genre more than four decades after his landmark science fiction films.
The 78 year old Oscar winner last explored extraterrestrial themes with 2005’s War of the Worlds and previously in classics such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T The Extra Terrestrial.
The trailer, which premiered ahead of screenings of James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, offers viewers glimpses of a world on the brink of revelation.
“People have a right to know the truth. It belongs to seven billion people,” Josh O’Connor’s character says in the teaser, which hints at extraterrestrial life without explicitly showing aliens or UFOs.
Another character questions humanity’s place in the universe, asking, “Why would [God] make such a vast universe, but save it only for us?”
Disclosure Day reunites Spielberg with screenwriter David Koepp, known for his work on Jurassic Park and War of the Worlds. The film stars Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, Wyatt Russell, and Eve Hewson.
Filmed primarily in New Jersey, the production was tightly guarded, with marketing beginning only recently through billboards in New York and Los Angeles bearing the tagline “all will be disclosed.”
Spielberg has long spoken about the possibility of extraterrestrial life. “I don’t believe we’re alone in the universe. I think it’s mathematically impossible that we are the only intelligent species in the cosmos,” he said in a previous interview.
His films have historically influenced public interest in UFOs, often sparking speculation among enthusiasts about government disclosure of alien phenomena.
Dr. Karen Meyers, an astrophysicist at the University of California, said the release of the trailer coincides with a broader cultural focus on unidentified aerial phenomena.
“Films like Disclosure Day do not just entertain they also tap into current debates on what is known and unknown about the cosmos,” Meyers said. “Public interest in UFOs is high right now, and Spielberg’s return to the genre adds legitimacy to these discussions.”
Similarly, Dr. Thomas Rivera, a media studies professor, noted that Spielberg’s films historically blend human emotion with cosmic questions, creating a uniquely engaging narrative.
“The director has a talent for connecting extraordinary events with deeply personal stories. This approach resonates with audiences and encourages curiosity about space and life beyond Earth,” Rivera said.
Interest in UFOs and UAPs has surged in recent years. According to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey, 65 percent of Americans believe the US government possesses evidence of extraterrestrial life that has not been disclosed.
Congressional hearings on UAPs, or Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, have also increased media coverage and public discourse on the topic.
In comparison, Spielberg’s earlier films shaped public perceptions of extraterrestrials at times when scientific debate on the topic was limited.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) grossed more than $300 million worldwide, while E.T The Extra Terrestrial (1982) became a cultural phenomenon, reflecting society’s fascination with the unknown.
Cinema goers in New York and Los Angeles have expressed excitement about the upcoming release. Maria Gonzalez, a theater worker in Manhattan, said, “Even though we have no real proof of aliens, Spielberg’s films make you think and feel. It’s thrilling to see him tackle UFOs again.”
Fans online have speculated about possible connections to previous Spielberg films. While Koepp declined to confirm any direct links, the trailer’s imagery and dialogue have fueled discussion about the existence of a shared cinematic universe involving extraterrestrial encounters.
Disclosure Day is poised to enter theaters amid a climate of renewed interest in UFOs and space exploration. Analysts suggest the film could spark additional public conversations about extraterrestrial life, both in entertainment and scientific communities.
The convergence of Hollywood storytelling with real world discussions of UAPs provides a unique cultural moment that blends fiction with ongoing inquiry.
Spielberg’s Disclosure Day represents a significant return to themes he helped popularize decades ago.
By exploring humanity’s relationship with the unknown, the film aligns with contemporary debates on extraterrestrial life and government transparency.
While audiences await further details, the trailer signals that Spielberg continues to merge spectacle with questions about our place in the universe.
