With the release of the trailer for the upcoming Steven Spielberg film Disclosure Day, fans are wondering whether it is a sequel to Close Encounters of the Third Kind due to their similarity.
The legendary filmmaker is back on the big screen next year with a new original alien encounter movie set in the present day. Before the trailer's release, there was a lot of mystery surrounding the plot, aside from the alleged UFO plot. As everyone knows, Spielberg is no stranger to exploring alien encounters in his movies, especially in the earlier years of his career.
Is Disclosure Day a Sequel to Close Encounters of the Third Kind?
As far as we know, Disclosure Day was not made as a sequel or spinoff to Spielberg's 1977 sci-fi classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
While both films deal with alien encounters, Disclosure Day seemingly has a different take on the idea, based on what we've seen so far. There is also an indication that the upcoming film might have a global-spanning stake, and it has more than meets the eye, so it is interesting to see how it all plays out when we see it in its entirety.
Some fans on social media have already shared their theories that Disclosure Day might be a spiritual sequel to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, since they spotted potential connections and easter eggs to the classic film in the trailer.
So far, Spielberg has not commented on the film's storyline and the potential connection to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, so fans might need to wait for more updates in the coming months.
The last time that the legendary filmmaker directed an "alien movie" was in the 2005 adaptation of War of the Worlds.
What to Expect in Disclosure Day
So far, the logline for Disclosure Day is still under wraps, except for the vague words: "If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you? This summer, the truth belongs to seven billion people. We are coming close to… Disclosure Day."
The star-studded cast includes Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo, Wyatt Russell, Elizabeth Marvel, and Henry Lloyd-Hughes. David Koepp wrote the screenplay, based on an original story idea from Spielberg.
The film is slated for release in theaters on June 12, 2026, as part of the summer movie season slate. It will also be available in IMAX and other premium large formats.
Keep it locked on Epicstream, your go-to site for film, TV, and celebrity coverage!