Steven Spielberg’s latest sci-fi thriller Disclosure Day has opened at No. 1 in the domestic box office, earning $44 million from 3,824 theaters in its opening weekend. The debut exceeded pre-release expectations of $35 million, although it still fell short of the $50 million benchmark some analysts believe was necessary to justify the film’s large production scale.
The film carries a $115 million production budget and approximately $80 million in marketing costs, meaning it will need around $300 million globally to reach profitability due to standard theatrical revenue splits. Internationally, Disclosure Day has already earned $48.9 million across 73 markets, bringing its global opening total to $92.9 million.
Strong Start but Uncertain Box Office Future
Early reception for the film has been mixed-to-positive, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 81% and a CinemaScore grade of B from audiences. Industry analysts suggest that Spielberg’s reputation may help sustain long-term performance, as his films often show strong box office “legs.” His 2018 release Ready Player One, for example, opened to $41 million and finished with over $600 million worldwide.
However, audience demographics indicate a potential challenge, with 60% of viewers aged 35 and older, suggesting limited engagement from younger audiences. Still, distributors remain optimistic. Universal’s domestic distribution chief Jim Orr described the film as a “theatrical event” that will spark long-term discussion.
Masters of the Universe’ Suffers a Severe 71% Drop
In contrast, Masters of the Universe experienced a steep 71% decline in its second weekend, falling to $8.6 million from 3,677 theaters. The film has now earned just $45.7 million domestically and $84 million worldwide, despite a production budget close to $200 million.
The sharp decline suggests weak audience expansion beyond its core nostalgic fanbase, particularly older male viewers familiar with the original 1980s franchise. The film is now projected to become one of the year’s biggest box office disappointments.
‘Obsession’ Continues Its Historic Run
Meanwhile, horror breakout Obsession continues to outperform expectations, earning $19 million in its fifth weekend, marking only a 25% drop from the previous frame. The film has now reached $265 million worldwide, including $188.3 million in North America, making it the highest-grossing film ever for Focus Features.
Remarkably, Obsession achieved four consecutive weekends where earnings exceeded its $17 million debut, a rare performance pattern in modern box office history.
‘Scary Movie’ and ‘Backrooms’ Hold Strong
Other notable performers include:
- Scary Movie: $14.5 million in its second weekend, totaling $173.1 million worldwide
- Backrooms: $12 million in its third weekend, reaching $262 million globally
Both horror titles continue to benefit from strong word-of-mouth and sustained audience interest.
Disney’s ‘Mandalorian and Grogu’ Struggles
Disney’s Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu continues to underperform, earning only $4.7 million in its fourth weekend, bringing its global total to $315 million. Despite strong brand recognition, the film is now considered a significant underperformer relative to its $165 million production cost.
Industry Outlook: A Highly Unpredictable Summer
Despite mixed performances across major releases, the domestic box office remains 13% ahead of last year and only 3.4% behind 2019 levels, according to industry tracking data. Upcoming releases such as Toy Story 5, The Odyssey, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day are expected to significantly reshape the box office landscape in the coming weeks.
Industry analysts describe the current season as one of the most unpredictable summer box office periods in recent years, with major swings between blockbuster hits and high-profile failures.
Conclusion
While Disclosure Day delivers a strong opening for Spielberg, the wider box office landscape tells a more fragmented story. From the collapse of Masters of the Universe to the continued rise of Obsession, 2026 is shaping up to be a volatile and highly competitive year for theatrical releases.