Steven Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ opens as summer’s No. 1 film

Monday, June 15, 2026

Steven Spielberg’s new science-fiction thriller “Disclosure Day” topped the box office this weekend with a $44 million domestic opening, marking his strongest debut for an original film in over a decade. The film’s broad appeal across age groups and regions suggests it could maintain steady attendance through the summer despite competition from major sports events.

Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day” opened as the top film at the box office this past weekend, grossing an estimated $44 million domestically and $92.9 million worldwide. Released by Universal Pictures, the science-fiction thriller marks Spielberg’s return to summer blockbusters after a decade and represents his strongest opening weekend for an original film, not adjusted for inflation. The 79-year-old director also conceived the story.

“Disclosure Day” features a cast led by Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, and Colman Domingo, and centers on a government conspiracy to reveal evidence of UFO encounters. The film’s production budget was approximately $115 million. Jim Orr, Universal’s distribution chief, noted the movie’s broad appeal across the United States and Canada, emphasizing that it resonated beyond the typical coastal big-market audiences. Approximately 41% of viewers were aged 45 and older, indicating a slight shift from the younger Gen Z-driven moviegoing trends seen in recent weeks.

Despite competition from a widely viewed NBA Finals game, particularly in New York, box office numbers for “Disclosure Day” remained steady. The film has received mostly positive reviews, holding an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though audience reception has been more moderate, reflected in a “B” grade from CinemaScore. Industry analysts emphasize that the film’s long-term success will rely on continued strong attendance over the summer rather than just the opening weekend.

In the genre of independent cinema, the horror hit “Obsession,” directed by Curry Barker, a YouTuber-turned-filmmaker, continues to defy expectations. The Focus Features release, made for under $1 million and acquired for $15 million, earned $19 million this past weekend. This marked its fifth consecutive weekend surpassing its original $17.2 million debut, bringing its North American total to $188.3 million and its global gross to $286.5 million. The film’s profitability ranks it among the most successful recent releases relative to its budget.

Other notable box office performances include the Paramount Pictures’ entry “Scary Movie,” which dropped 73% to $14.5 million in its second weekend but has already amassed $88.6 million domestically against a $30 million budget. A24’s “Backrooms” added $11.3 million in its third weekend, surpassing $262 million worldwide, while Amazon MGM’s “Masters of the Universe” experienced a sharp decline, falling 71% to $8.7 million in its second weekend, with a two-week total of $46.7 million.

Overall, the current summer box office landscape is marked by a blend of original tentpole releases, like “Disclosure Day,” and surprise hits with modest budgets, such as “Obsession,” with both relying heavily on sustained audience interest in the weeks ahead.