Steven Spielberg Officially Kicks Off 2026 Summer Blockbuster Season - MCE Notices | California State Portal

Disclosure Day is here, and it’s already a summer delight. Steven Spielberg has famously released multiple successful films in the summer, and his new alien movie is no exception.

Disclosure Day might not be Spielberg’s highest-rated film of all time, but it’s his biggest domestic box office opening for an original movie, not based on any previous IP, Deadline reports, with $44 million. It was also his production company Amblin’s highest opening for an original. Worldwide, Disclosure Day opened to a fantastic $92.9 million, ahead of projections.

Disclosure Day Is Already a Hit

Spielberg’s most recent release was largely projected to gross a bit over $65 million worldwide, but it flew past it with several tens of millions, becoming a true summer blockbuster as it secured the No. 1 spot.

Of course, the box office opening isn’t yet cause for celebration, as it has a long way to go until it’s profitable. Universal spent $115 million to produce the alien sci-fi film, and another $80 million. Considering theaters usually keep half of the revenue, Disclosure Day needs around $300 million to break even.

However, since it covered almost one third of that in its opening weekend, it’s likely it’ll become successful. Spielberg’s summer movies usually have staying power, and his name alone is enough to drag people to theaters outside the opening weekend.

Disclosure Day didn’t reach Spielberg’s top domestic opening ever, which is 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, opening to $100.1 million. However, it is his highest release since then, 18 years later, surpassing 2018’s Ready Player One, which had $41.8 million before ending its run with $607.9 million worldwide.

On its opening weekend, the alien movie positioned itself ahead of Spielberg-approved horror Obsession, which is in its fourth consecutive weekend that it outgrosses its opening weekend. The successful horror film opened to $17.2 million domestically, and grossed $19 million this weekend. It also surpassed Get Out domestically.

The 2026 summer blockbuster season includes Toy Story 5, Disney’s live-action Moana, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, a new Spider-Man movie, and Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars.

Disclosure Day Opened to Strong Reviews

Image via Universal Pictures

Spielberg’s new alien movie, part of a long list that explores his fascination with whatever is out there, was received well by critics. The sci-fi film debuted with a 90% score, which has since settled to an 80% Certified Fresh rating out of 295 reviews.

CBR’s own Disclosure Day review praised Spielberg’s latest directorial effort, arguing: “Disclosure Day may not be Spielberg’s best film, but it is a stirring reminder of what he still does better than almost anyone: build wonder, suspense, and spectacle on a scale that feels both enormous and deeply human. Even when the film’s plotting falters, its emotional clarity and old-school cinematic sweep keep it firmly aloft. In the end, Disclosure Day earns its place in the upper echelon of Spielberg’s sci-fi work — not because it reinvents his favorite themes, but because it proves he can still make them feel thrillingly alive.”

While the score was good, its initial rating didn’t even reach Spielberg’s top 10. The acclaimed filmmaker has a long list of hits spanning over five decades, and his new film continues a widely positive trend.

Audiences had more mixed opinions, and the film features a 73% approval score, praising the performances, but noting that it doesn’t bring anything new to the genre.

Disclosure Day is currently playing in theaters.