‘Disclosure Day’ First Reactions Call It Steven Spielberg’s “Best Film in 20 Years” as UFO Thriller Draws Early Raves

Steven Spielberg’s return to sci-fi spectacle earns early praise as Disclosure Day is hailed as a dense, emotional UFO thriller and one of his strongest films in decades.

Early reactions are in for Steven Spielberg’s long-anticipated UFO thriller Disclosure Day, and the response from critics and journalists who attended preview screenings is overwhelmingly positive, with several calling it the director’s strongest work in years.

The Universal and Amblin Entertainment release marks Spielberg’s return to large-scale science fiction rooted in the unexplained, a thematic space he helped define with Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Starring Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor, the film explores what happens when humanity is confronted with undeniable proof that it is not alone in the universe.

Across social media, early viewers have described Disclosure Day as everything from a genre-defining return to form to one of Spielberg’s most emotionally ambitious films in decades.

Collider’s Steven Weintraub praised the film as a “towering home run,” highlighting Emily Blunt’s performance as a potential awards contender and urging audiences to avoid trailers and go in as blind as possible.

Slashfilm’s Bill Bria described the film as “the weirdest Spielberg has ever made,” noting its blend of tone and scale, from X-Files-style intrigue to biblical thematic undertones, supported by a standout John Williams score.

IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill positioned the film among Spielberg’s top-tier work, calling it “exhilarating as Raiders of the Lost Ark but with the emotional texture of his post-9/11 filmmaking.”

Gizmodo’s Germain Lussier was among the most enthusiastic, calling it “Spielberg’s best film in 20 years,” praising its combination of chase-film momentum, emotional storytelling, and sci-fi wonder, while also singling out Emily Blunt for a major career-level performance.

Freelance critic Tessa Smith echoed that sentiment, calling the film “absolutely phenomenal,” praising its emotional impact, musical score, and genre fusion, adding that it left her in tears by the final act.

Not all reactions were uniformly ecstatic. Polygon’s Jacob Kleinman offered a more tempered response, noting that while the film contains strong classic Spielberg sci-fi elements, it is also weighed down at times by “half-baked ideas and plotlines,” even if its core remains compelling.

Critic Simon Thompson described the film as “profound and deeply human,” calling it a spiritual companion piece to E.T.and Close Encounters, while praising Emily Blunt’s performance as “wondrous” and the overall experience as “soul enriching Spielberg.”

Disclosure Day also marks Spielberg’s first film since The Fabelmans (2022), and expands his continued collaboration with Universal and Amblin. The film also stars Colman Domingo, Colin Firth, Wyatt Russell, and Eve Hewson.

Spielberg’s return to UFO storytelling has already fueled speculation that the film connects thematically or narratively to Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Blunt has previously hinted that the film addresses unanswered questions from that earlier work, further deepening anticipation.

The director himself has also spoken about his fascination with unexplained aerial phenomena, noting during a recent SXSW appearance that while he does not claim certainty, he believes humanity is not alone.

Universal has leaned into that intrigue with an unusual marketing approach, including a final trailer narrated by Spielberg himself discussing his personal beliefs about extraterrestrial life.

DISCLOSURE DAY is top tier Spielberg, as exhilarating as RAIDERS but with the emotional texture & increased ambition of his post-9/11 work. Right from the opening Spielberg lays down the gauntlet and reminds you that he does this stuff better than anybody in the history of film. https://t.co/Q8ZAWAZE0J

— Jim Hemphill (@JimmyHemphill) May 27, 2026

DISCLOSURE DAY is top tier Spielberg, as exhilarating as RAIDERS but with the emotional texture & increased ambition of his post-9/11 work. Right from the opening Spielberg lays down the gauntlet and reminds you that he does this stuff better than anybody in the history of film. https://t.co/Q8ZAWAZE0J

I can’t remember the last time I loved a Spielberg movie as much as #DisclosureDay — thrilling, funny, deeply emotional and impeccably acted (Emily Blunt, in particular, is astounding). Full of mystery and wonder, it proves that nobody does it quite like Spielberg. Just great.👽 pic.twitter.com/COlDCJlILZ

— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) May 27, 2026

I can’t remember the last time I loved a Spielberg movie as much as #DisclosureDay — thrilling, funny, deeply emotional and impeccably acted (Emily Blunt, in particular, is astounding). Full of mystery and wonder, it proves that nobody does it quite like Spielberg. Just great.👽 pic.twitter.com/COlDCJlILZ

#DisclosureDay is the weirdest movie Spielberg’s ever made (complimentary). Breathtaking compositions, David Koepp’s X-FILES-meets-The Bible script is one big high-wire act, Emily Blunt’s most accomplished performance, John Williams’ best score in years. Riveting, moving stuff. pic.twitter.com/HzncLRORLD

— Bill Bria (@billbria) May 27, 2026

#DisclosureDay is the weirdest movie Spielberg’s ever made (complimentary). Breathtaking compositions, David Koepp’s X-FILES-meets-The Bible script is one big high-wire act, Emily Blunt’s most accomplished performance, John Williams’ best score in years. Riveting, moving stuff. pic.twitter.com/HzncLRORLD

In a shock to absolutely no one, Steven Spielberg has delivered another towering home run with #DisclosureDay.
I could go on and on about what I loved, but I was lucky enough to see the movie knowing almost nothing, and I strongly recommend you do the same. Stop watching the… pic.twitter.com/a0ZJU8miYw

— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) May 27, 2026

In a shock to absolutely no one, Steven Spielberg has delivered another towering home run with #DisclosureDay.
I could go on and on about what I loved, but I was lucky enough to see the movie knowing almost nothing, and I strongly recommend you do the same. Stop watching the… pic.twitter.com/a0ZJU8miYw

Disclosure Day is ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL! Truly something special. I was hanging onto every word, captivated by the story as it all played out. The score perfectly elevates every single scene. Part mystery, part Twlight Zone, something new entirely. I shed a tear at the end. WOW. pic.twitter.com/w7UOEpOgmh

— Tessa Smith – Mama’s Geeky (@MamasGeeky) May 27, 2026

Disclosure Day is ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL! Truly something special. I was hanging onto every word, captivated by the story as it all played out. The score perfectly elevates every single scene. Part mystery, part Twlight Zone, something new entirely. I shed a tear at the end. WOW. pic.twitter.com/w7UOEpOgmh

I loved #DisclosureDay.

A dense roller coaster ride blending chase film, love story, & mystery, all wrapped in sci-fi wonder.

It’s Spielberg’s best film in 20 years, filled w/ all the magic that makes his films so special, plus an all-time character/performance by Emily Blunt. pic.twitter.com/cidIVruAtr

— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) May 27, 2026

I loved #DisclosureDay.

A dense roller coaster ride blending chase film, love story, & mystery, all wrapped in sci-fi wonder.

It’s Spielberg’s best film in 20 years, filled w/ all the magic that makes his films so special, plus an all-time character/performance by Emily Blunt. pic.twitter.com/cidIVruAtr

With early reactions positioning Disclosure Day as one of the most ambitious studio releases of the year, anticipation is now shifting toward whether the film will translate critical enthusiasm into box office momentum when it opens June 12.

Watch The Final Trailer:

Joanthan P. Moustakas

Jonathan P. Moustakas founded The Cinema Group in 2020 during the challenges of the pandemic, after losing the vital ability to find community in theaters and escape through the captivating magic of cinema. Feeling profoundly cut off from the vibrant film community he cherished, he sought to create a welcoming home for dedicated cinema fans while providing engaging, daily curated content that resonates with their passions. Years later, The Cinema Group has blossomed from a small collective of loyal fans into a thriving brand that reaches millions of audiences every month across a diverse array of platforms and mediums.

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