Steven Spielberg Teases First Alien Sci-Fi Film in 21 Years

Legendary director discusses his lifelong fascination with the unknown and humanity's curiosity about extraterrestrial life in upcoming film "Disclosure Day"

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Steven Spielberg is returning to the alien sci-fi genre for the first time in over two decades with his upcoming film "Disclosure Day". In a new promotional video, the director discusses his childhood fascination with the night sky and his belief in extraterrestrial life, as well as the film's exploration of humanity's urgent questions about whether we are alone in the universe.

Why it matters

Spielberg's alien sci-fi films like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", "E.T.", and "War of the Worlds" have become iconic, shaping popular culture's depictions of extraterrestrial encounters. His return to the genre after over 20 years is highly anticipated, as "Disclosure Day" promises to take a more cerebral approach, focusing on humanity's curiosity and uncertainty about life beyond Earth.

The details

"Disclosure Day" is written by David Koepp, who has collaborated with Spielberg on several previous films. The star-studded cast includes Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth, and others. Rather than spectacle, the film appears to examine the human need to understand what lies beyond our world, positioning itself as a meditation on belief, fear, and hope regarding the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

  • Spielberg last directed an alien sci-fi film in 2005 with "War of the Worlds".
  • "Disclosure Day" is set to release in theaters on June 12, 2026.

The players

Steven Spielberg

An acclaimed and legendary film director known for iconic movies like "Jaws", "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", and "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial".

David Koepp

A screenwriter who has collaborated with Spielberg on several previous films, including "Jurassic Park", "The Lost World: Jurassic Park", and "War of the Worlds".

Emily Blunt

An acclaimed actress starring in the lead role of a Kansas City TV meteorologist in "Disclosure Day".

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What they’re saying

“I've always been fascinated with things that cannot be explained, and I've made a lot of movies about things that cannot be explained, from sharks to saucers. When I was just a little kid, I remember developing a real curiosity about the sky at night and what's happening up there, and also not the possibility but the guarantee that there is life off this planet.”

— Steven Spielberg

“People's questions about what is not only going on in our skies, but what is going on in our worlds, in our realities, has reached a critical mass, of people's complete fascination with: Are we alone or are we not alone? And if someone knows we're not alone, why haven't we been told?”

— Steven Spielberg

What’s next

"Disclosure Day" is set to release in theaters on June 12, 2026, marking Spielberg's return to the alien sci-fi genre for the first time in over two decades.

The takeaway

Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" promises to offer a more cerebral and introspective exploration of humanity's fascination with the unknown and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, moving beyond spectacle to examine the deeper questions and emotions surrounding this timeless mystery.