Hollywood Embraces Serious UFO Films as Disclosure Looms

Filmmakers from Steven Spielberg to Joseph Kosinski are tackling the topic of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) in a wave of upcoming projects.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Hollywood is increasingly exploring the topic of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) and potential alien life, with a wave of new projects in the works from high-profile filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and Joseph Kosinski. The trend is driven by growing public interest and government acknowledgment of UAP sightings, including congressional hearings and the release of Navy footage. Projects include a historically grounded look at the 1947 Roswell incident, Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" about global panic over proof of aliens, and a UFO-themed thriller from Kosinski. The filmmakers see the current cultural moment as ripe for these stories, with even former presidents Obama and Trump weighing in on the possibility of alien life.

Why it matters

The sudden interest in serious UFO films reflects a broader cultural shift, as the topic of unidentified aerial phenomena has moved from the fringes to the mainstream. With government officials, lawmakers, and even former presidents acknowledging the reality of UAPs, Hollywood sees an opportunity to explore these themes in a more grounded and fact-based way, rather than relying on campy sci-fi tropes. The films could help further destigmatize discussions about the possibility of alien life and shed light on the historical and ongoing investigations into unexplained phenomena.

The details

The upcoming projects span a range of genres and approaches. Producer Bryce Zabel is developing "Unidentified," a fact-based drama that explores the 1947 Roswell incident across three timelines. Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" is billed as a thriller about the global panic that ensues when humanity receives proof of alien existence. Kosinski, director of "Top Gun: Maverick," is helming a "UFO-themed All the President's Men" for Apple Original Films, with input from government whistleblower David Grusch. There's even a reboot of "The X-Files" in the works for Hulu. The filmmakers see the current cultural moment, with increased public and official interest in UAPs, as ripe for these types of stories.

  • In 2026, Steven Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" is set to be released on June 12.
  • In recent weeks, former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump have both publicly commented on the possibility of alien life, further fueling public interest in the topic.

The players

Steven Spielberg

An acclaimed filmmaker known for movies like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," which helped shape popular culture's fascination with UFOs and aliens. Spielberg is now directing the upcoming film "Disclosure Day" about the global impact of proof of alien existence.

Joseph Kosinski

The director of "Top Gun: Maverick" is helming a UFO-themed thriller for Apple Original Films, described as a "UFO-themed All the President's Men." The project has input from government whistleblower David Grusch.

Bryce Zabel

A producer and podcaster who has packaged a film called "Unidentified" that takes a historically grounded look at the 1947 Roswell incident, with director Sylvain White attached.

David Grusch

A government whistleblower who is serving as a consultant on the UFO-themed thriller being directed by Joseph Kosinski.

Dan Farah

The filmmaker behind the documentary "The Age of Disclosure," which featured interviews with 34 current and former government officials discussing unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs).

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What they’re saying

“This topic is fascinating and it's been fun to find people who are really into it, because it's a hole you can disappear into when you're talking to the people who are in the middle of it. There's so much information that is not public yet about various things. This movie is going to blow people's minds.”

— Joseph Kosinski, Director (The Hollywood Reporter)

“Roswell no longer feels like folklore — it feels like unfinished business. Instead of seeing Roswell as pop culture, our whole package — script, director, IP — treats it like a crime scene. This isn't a movie about little green men. This is about what happens to ordinary people when the impossible crashes into their lives. These two researchers are American heroes who never gave up and found hundreds of witnesses to this event.”

— Bryce Zabel, Producer (The Hollywood Reporter)

“Film has always helped usher in cultural transformation and accelerate change. We wouldn't be living through this extraordinary time without the cultural impact Steven Spielberg made with Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. We're now seeing multiple films about the existence of non-human intelligent life being covered up by the U.S. Government because we are living in the age of disclosure—the moment in history in which we learn we are not alone in the universe and that the truth has been kept from us for 80 years.”

— Dan Farah, Filmmaker (The Hollywood Reporter)

What’s next

Steven Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" is set to be released on June 12, 2026, which could further fuel public interest and speculation around the topic of unidentified aerial phenomena and potential alien life.

The takeaway

The sudden wave of serious UFO films in Hollywood reflects a broader cultural shift, as the topic of unidentified aerial phenomena has moved from the fringes to the mainstream. With increased public and official acknowledgment of the reality of UAPs, filmmakers see an opportunity to explore these themes in a more grounded and fact-based way, potentially helping to destigmatize discussions about the possibility of alien life and shed light on ongoing investigations into unexplained phenomena.