Critics’ reviews

Disclosure Day (2026)

13 reviews from 13 publications. Critics’ score 65: 4 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative.

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65
Positive
4
Mixed
2
Negative
1

Most critics like Disclosure Day, and the praise clusters in two places. The first is Emily Blunt, named in almost every review as the reason to watch, with Josh O’Connor a frequent second. The second is the direction: the reviews agree that Spielberg still stages a chase with fluid camera movement and clean action, and several read the film as a plea for empathy and curiosity over suspicion. The reservations are about wonder. Variety finds the film leans on decades of familiar alien lore rather than building fresh awe, and the Los Angeles Times goes further, calling it hectic and short on the quiet that made his earlier alien films land. Others mention a plot that works as a flimsy MacGuffin, some hokey lore, a sentimental ending and a runtime that could be tighter. The spread is wide, running from enthusiastic to plainly disappointed, but the enthusiasts outnumber the doubters by a clear margin.

Radio Times
9 June 2026 · ★★★
60

The critic finds that Spielberg's signature sense of awe elevates what is otherwise a somewhat clunky sci-fi thriller. Top marks go to the performances, particularly Emily Blunt's leading turn.

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Variety
9 June 2026 · Owen Gleiberman
60*

Spielberg delivers an invigorating chase thriller that taps into alien conspiracy mania with vigorous scenes and strong performances, especially from Emily Blunt. It falls short by following decades of existing lore rather than creating fresh wonder, feeling like a cut-and-dried docudrama thriller instead of a true spectacle of awe.

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Los Angeles Times
10 June 2026 · Amy Nicholson
30*

Spielberg returns to alien encounters but the wonderment is missing in this hectic adventure of truth versus consequences that lacks intelligent life and spark. It stands out for witty staging of conspiratorial elements and ordinary action sequences, but feels wearied and under-curios, with too much relentless motion over silent awe.

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Empire
9 June 2026 · Dan Jolin

The critic praises it as a masterfully executed sci-fi conspiracy thriller with some of Spielberg’s best action in years, fluid visual mastery, and a timely plea for compassion amid thrills. They note minor chafing elements like hokey sci-fi lore and a vague doomy backdrop but emphasize the director’s heart is in the right place.

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The Guardian
9 June 2026

This is a very enjoyable and entirely ridiculous space-alien conspiracy adventure that is cheerfully mischievous and deadly serious in equal measure. Emily Blunt gives a really funny and hyperactive star performance as the weather forecaster who develops weird mental powers.

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The Hollywood Reporter
9 June 2026 · David Rooney

The critic praises Spielberg's return to classic sci-fi form with a focus on human drama and wonder, highlighting standout performances from Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor amid a conspiracy thriller plot. They single out the film's emotional depth and masterful craftsmanship for praise.

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The i Paper
9 June 2026 · Francesca Steele

The critic calls it a giant, glorious blockbuster with huge heart and a whopper of a cast delivering career-best work, especially Emily Blunt as the standout heroine. They single out the powerful tenderness and Spielbergian hopefulness for human empathy while noting the plot feels like a nonsensical MacGuffin.

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The New York Times
11 June 2026 · Critic’s Pick · Manohla Dargis

Spielberg’s fast-paced sci-fi adventure sweeps you up from the start and rarely lets you down as a rollicking revisit to extraterrestrials and his signature themes. It stands out for its coherent maximalism, blending comedy, suspense, action, and contemplation around a high-stakes chase with likable characters racing toward shared destiny.

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Total Film
9 June 2026 · Jordan Farley

The critic hails it as Spielberg’s best blockbuster since Minority Report, highlighting its strong execution as an alien sci-fi film.

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/Film
9 June 2026 · 9/10 · Chris Evangelista
90

The critic praises the film as an immensely thrilling and emotional sci-fi chase movie that showcases Spielberg's mastery of action and camera work. They single out the fluid, nostalgic camera movement and the film's earnest, hopeful tone amid heavy philosophical questions.

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Deadline
9 June 2026 · Pete Hammond
85*

The critic praises Spielberg's masterful crafting of a 1970s-style thriller that demands answers to otherworldly mysteries, highlighting its deeper purpose in fighting misinformation and calling for empathy. They single out the first-rate acting, particularly Emily Blunt's sensational performance, and the film's craft elements like cinematography and score.

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NME
9 June 2026 · ★★★★
80

The review hails Spielberg as the master of sci-fi blockbusters for delivering an exciting, probing and full-bodied feature with beautiful emotive moments and stunning action sequences. It notes some sentimentality in the conclusion and a wish for a tighter runtime but ultimately finds the film big, smart and very satisfying.

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Den of Geek
9 June 2026 · ★★★½ · David Crow
70

The critic sees Disclosure Day as a coda to Spielberg’s lifetime of alien movies that reclaims his signature style of blockbuster moviemaking with civic-minded egalitarianism. It praises the film’s call for wonder and curiosity toward the stranger over suspicion, along with strong turns from Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor.

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Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate