Steven Spielberg has always been intrigued by the idea of aliens, and that same curiosity has inspired his upcoming film, Disclosure Day. However, this time, there was more to his inspiration and imagination while making the 2026 project. Over the years, Spielberg has come across new information and data, including a growing conversation on the possibility of extraterrestrial life.  

Spielberg further revealed that his mindset has changed in the last few decades and that brought him back with the new film, Disclosure Day.

Steven Spielberg, in his interview with Fandango, explained that nearly 50 years ago, while making Close Encounters of the Third Kind, he researched the happenings in the sky and almost believed in them. But he added that the movie was still mostly based on imagination and hope because he was not sure extraterrestrials existed at the time. Now, Spielberg says that he made Disclosure Day, believing that the things he once only imagined may actually be real today.

"And then 50 years goes by and I made disclosure day because I really believe that things that I was only hoping were true back then are things that are actually happening now today," he said. 

In another appearance at IMO, Spielberg explained that his inspiration for Disclosure Day came to him during the growing public discussion around UFOs and UAPs in 2023. He pointed out a New York Times article by Helene Cooper, Ralph Blumenthal, and Leslie Kean, which was influenced by a whistleblower. He believes that these revelations started a serious conversation on extraterrestrial life.

"Our movie is about what would happen if all this information was disclosed all at the same time. How would that affect everything? And the story really is about the attempt to stop any disclosure from ever taking place," he said.

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And that faith may have translated into the movie, if the first reactions and praise are any indication

Film press members got a first look at the movie, Disclosure Day ahead of its June 12 release date. And they are gushing over the film’s approach, Steven Spielberg’s vision, and Emily Blunt’s performance. Collider Editor-in-Chief Steven Weintraub especially appreciated Spielberg’s direction, as reported by Variety.

“Steven Spielberg has delivered another towering home run with ‘Disclosure Day.’” Weintraub said.

Film reporter Bill Bria, Gizmodo senior entertainment reporter Germain Lussier, and Rotten Tomatoes Film and TV reporter Tessa Smith shared the sentiments.

“‘Disclosure Day’ is ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!” Smith said.

Emily Blunt stars as a Kansas City TV meteorologist who is affected by a mysterious extraterrestrial force during a live weather broadcast, while Josh O'Connor plays a believer in alien life determined to expose the truth to the world. The cast includes Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo, Wyatt Russell, and Henry Lloyd-Hughes. With a powerhouse cast, the film has brilliant storytelling that blurs the science fiction and what Spielberg now believes could be reality.

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What do you think about Steven Spielberg's inspiration for Disclosure Day? Let us know in the comments.