Steven Spielberg Shares What Convinced Him Aliens Are Real

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Steven Spielberg Reveals the Side Hustle That Helped Launch His Filmmaking Career

Steven Spielberg had to phone home to learn about E.T.’s.  

Ahead of the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial director’s new alien movie Disclosure Day—which stars Josh O’Connor, Colman Domingo and Emily Blunt—hitting theaters, he shared why he’s never doubted the existence of otherworldly beings. 

“I’ve always believed,” Steven told E! News in an exclusive interview. “Even as a child, my father was an electrical engineer, and he worked on the very first computer for RCA years and years ago. My dad put it into my mind that we are not alone. He wasn’t talking about Earth, he was talking about the cosmos.”

And the 79-year-old’s dad Arnold Spielberg inspired his own opinion on the matter. 

“He said, ‘There’s intelligent life out there,’” Steven recalled. “And my dad read a lot of science fiction, so I was born believing that out there, life exists, intelligent life exists.”

Of course, the Jaws director looked beyond his father’s opinions for his own proof. 

“It sort of became urban legends much more than conspiracy theories,” Steven continued. “It really became consistently truthful. As I got older and older, I started believing that something really is going on that we’re not being told.”

And for Steven, the upcoming film feels the most authentic to what he believes is real alien life. 

“There were notes I had been taking for three or four years,” the Oscar winner detailed. “I had notes just based on what was out there, what I was hearing about. Documentaries that were being made about this subject matter and things that I was hearing from eyewitnesses and I just kept making notes and putting down ideas.”

In making the new sci-fi thriller, Steven only wanted it to be a “credible” movie. 

Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for CinemaCon

“I didn’t set out aiming for the incredible,” he shared. “I set out to make something that could be very credible.”

As for what Steven would show aliens in the case they ever showed themselves to people on Earth? “I wouldn’t show them one of my movies,” Steven posited. “I’d show them Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life!

Disclosure Day hits theaters June 12. For more movies to add to your watch list, keep reading… 

Nintendo and Universal Studios

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie - April 1, 2026

Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach embark on a new adventure across the galaxy.

Where to Watch: In theaters

Buy a ticket HERE.

A24

The Drama - April 3, 2026

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star as a happily engaged couple who are put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails.

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Universal Pictures

You, Me & Tuscany - April 10, 2026

Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page star in this rom-com set against the beautiful vineyards of Italy.

Where to Watch: In theaters

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Apple TV

Outcome - April 10, 2026

Directed by Jonah Hill, this dark comedy centers on a beloved Hollywood star (Keanu Reeves) who is being extorted with a mysterious video and must make amends with anyone he could have possibly wronged to avoid getting canceled.

Where to Watch: Streaming on Apple TV

Ben Rothstein/Prime

Balls Up - April 15, 2026

In this raunchy comedy, Mark Wahlberg and Paul Walter Hauser star as marketing executives who pitch a bold condom sponsorship with the World Cup. But after their drunken celebration sparks a global scandal, they must outrun furious fans, criminals, and power-hungry officials to salvage their careers and make it home alive.

Where to Watch: Streaming on Prime Video

Warner Bros. Pictures

Lee Cronin's The Mummy - April 17, 2026

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Where to Watch: In theaters

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Kane Skennar/Netflix

Apex - April 24, 2026

Charlize Theron stars as a grieving woman seeking solace in the Australian wilderness, only to find herself in a white-knuckle fight for survival against a ruthless predator (Taron Egerton). 

Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix

Kevin Mazur/Lionsgate

Michael - April 24, 2026

Jaafar Jackson portrays his uncle, Michael Jackson, in this biopic about the "King of Pop".

Where to Watch: In theaters

Buy a ticket HERE.

20th Century Studios

The Devil Wears Prada 2 - May 1, 2026

Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return to their iconic roles and the offices of Runway Magazine in this eagerly awaited sequel to the 2006 phenomenon. Also starring Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Simone Ashley and Kenneth Branagh.

Where to Watch: In theaters

Buy a ticket HERE.

Warner Bros. Pictures

Mortal Kombat II - May 8, 2026

The latest installment in the video game franchise (following 2021's Mortal Kombat reboot) sees the fan favorite champions pitted against one another in the battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn. Starring Karl Urban, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tati Gabrielle, Mehcad Brooks, Lewis Tan, and more.

Where to Watch: In theaters

Buy a ticket HERE.

Amazon MGM Studios

The Sheep Detectives - May 8, 2026

Hugh Jackman leads an all-star cast in this comedy about a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, until a local crime leads the sheep to realize they must become the detectives.

Where to Watch: In theaters

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Paramount Pictures

Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft - The Tour (Live in 3D) - May 8, 2026

Captured during Billie's sold-out world tour and co-directed by James Cameron, this immersive 3D film brings an innovative new concert experience to the big screen.

Where to Watch: In theaters

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Black Bear Pictures

In the Grey - May 15, 2026

Guy Ritchie helms this action thriller starring Eiza González, Jake Gyllenhaal and Henry Cavill as a team of secret agents tasked with reclaiming a vast fortune stolen by a ruthless tyrant.

Where to Watch: In theaters

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Lucasfilm Ltd

The Mandalorian and Grogu - May 22, 2026

Bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu take their galactic adventures to the big screen. Also starring Sigourney Weaver.

Where to Watch: In theaters

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Amazon MGM Studios

Masters of the Universe - June 5, 2026

The legendary '80s franchise returns to the big screen in this epic live-action adventure which finds Prince Adam/He-Man and his allies once again battling the fiendish Skeletor. Starring Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, Kristen WiigJared Leto and Idris Elba.

Where to Watch: In theaters

Buy a ticket HERE.

Niko Tavernise/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

Disclosure Day - June 12, 2026

Legendary director Steven Spielberg is back with this sci-fi thriller starring Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth and Colman Domingo

Where to Watch: In theaters

Buy a ticket HERE.

Disney/Pixar

Toy Story 5 - June 19, 2026

Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and the gang return as the toys take on tech in the form of a frog-shaped smart tablet voiced by Greta Lee

Where to Watch: In theaters

Buy a ticket HERE.

Warner Bros. Pictures

Supergirl - June 26, 2026

When a ruthless adversary strikes too close to home, Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl (Milly Alcock), reluctantly joins forces with an unlikely companion on an  interstellar journey of vengeance and justice.

Where to Watch: In theaters

Buy a ticket HERE.

Disney

Moana - July 10, 2026

Disney adds to their live-action remake roster with this reimagining of the 2016 animated hit. Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as demigod Maui and Catherine Laga'aia stars as Moana. 

Where to Watch: In theaters

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Courtesy of Sony Pictures

Spider-Man: Brand New Day - July 31, 2026

This new chapter of the superhero franchise finds Peter Parker (Tom Holland) living and crime-fighting alone in New York, having erased himself from the lives and memories of those he loves. Zendaya returns as MJ and Sadie Sink joins the cast.

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Warner Bros. Pictures

The Cat in the Hat - November 6, 2026

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Where to Watch: In theaters

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Murray Close/Lionsgate

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping - November 20, 2026

This highly anticipated prequel revisits the world of Panem and follows young Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games. Also starring Glenn Close, Whitney Peak, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, Mckenna Grace and Maya Hawke.

Where to Watch: In theaters

Buy a ticket HERE.

Marvel Studios

Avengers: Doomsday - December 18, 2026

An insanely star-studded cast of MCU fan-favorites return to our screens in this fifth installment of the Avengers film series. 

Where to Watch: In theaters

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Warner Bros. Pictures

Dune: Part Three - December 18, 2026

Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet return to deliver the epic conclusion to director Denis Villeneuve’s trilogy. Also starring Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert Pattinson, and Javier Bardem.

Where to Watch: In theaters and IMAX

Buy a ticket HERE.

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