Steven Spielberg is heading back to where it all began outer space. With Disclosure Day set for release on June 12, 2026, anticipation is already sky-high. The upcoming sci-fi drama promises a return to the extraterrestrial themes that defined some of Spielberg’s most iconic work. As fans prepare for his latest alien encounter, it’s the perfect moment to look back at how his previous otherworldly adventures performed financially.
The Numbers Behind the Magic
Spielberg has three major alien-themed films under his belt: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), and War of the Worlds (2005). Each hit theaters in a different era but carried the unmistakable Spielberg stamp—grand spectacle, emotional core, and big box office.
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind grossed $116.4 million globally.
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial soared with a staggering $797.3 million worldwide.
- War of the Worlds delivered $603.9 million in global ticket sales.
All impressive tallies for their time, but to really measure impact, it helps to compare those earnings with production costs.
Return on Investment: E.T. Takes the Crown
- Close Encounters was made for about $20 million, giving it a 5.82x return.
- War of the Worlds, with its massive $132 million budget, saw a 4.58x return.
- E.T., produced on a modest $10.5 million, exploded with a jaw-dropping 75.93x return on investment.
Clearly, E.T. wasn’t just a cultural phenomenon—it was a financial juggernaut. Its low budget and global appeal made it one of the most profitable films ever, proving that heartfelt storytelling can rival even the most expensive productions.
Setting the Stage for Disclosure Day
With Disclosure Day, Spielberg is tapping into renewed public interest in UFOs, fueled by real-world government disclosures and growing pop culture curiosity. While details about the plot remain tightly guarded, the project marks a nostalgic yet timely pivot for the director.
At 78, Spielberg is once again inviting audiences to look up at the stars—and this time, he has a lifetime of experience behind the camera to shape what could be his next major box office triumph.
