The fascination with UFOs continues: see 3 classic and modern films to marathon after ‘Disclosure Day’

In a triumphant return to the screen, an acclaimed director of summer blockbusters has regained his prominent position on the film scene. Recently, the science fiction work “Disclosure Day”, starring Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor and Colman Domingo, earned a significant US$44 million at the United States box office in its opening weekend.

Although the main narrative is kept secret, it is known that the plot involves extraterrestrial beings who arrive in unidentified flying objects (UFOs) with the aim of researching the human species.

The positive repercussion of the production once again sparked the public’s curiosity for themes related to extraterrestrials in cinema. In particular, attention has turned to science fiction titles that explore encounters between humans and UFOs, echoing the growing global discussion about unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs).

Against this backdrop, an editorial team has compiled a concise selection of three notable UFO films. These suggestions are ideal for both those who enjoyed “Disclosure Day” and those who are simply interested in the vast universe of space mysteries.

Uncovering the plot of “Disclosure Day” and the talents of Steven Spielberg and Emily Blunt

The Haywood family ranch, with a century-old history, is the scene of unusual events, which intensify with the appearance of a mysterious object in the night sky. Brothers OJ (Daniel Kaluuya) and Em (Keke Palmer), who manage the property, soon suspect the presence of an Unidentified Flying Object. Intrigued and seeing a financial opportunity, they strive to discover the nature and purposes of this UFO, which inexplicably drops items such as coins, clothing and even blood. With the support of a Fry’s Electronics employee (Brandon Perea) and a brave cameraman (Michael Wincott), the brothers embark on the investigation, confronting resistance from alien visitors who prefer to remain hidden from public scrutiny.

Continuing his acclaimed horror films “Get Out!” and “Us”, filmmaker Jordan Peele presented “Nope”, a work of science fiction that many consider his high point to date. The influence of Spielberg classics like “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” is noticeable, but Peele deftly incorporates his trademark horror into the epic grandeur. The depiction of the UFO in “Nope” is subtly terrifying, acting more like a predator than a simple aircraft. The stunning visual effects and exquisite direction transform the idea of ​​beings from other planets into a palpable threat, both on Earth and in the universe.

The abduction suspense in “Fogo no Céu” (1993) and its broadcast on MGM+

Belief in the existence of aliens has grown exponentially, to the point where even government bodies publicly recognize the possibility of extraterrestrial life. In this context, the story of Travis Walton (played by D.B. Sweeney) stands out, with his account of an alleged abduction that occurred decades ago. The details of his experience, including experiments he was subjected to by beings from another planet, were narrated in the book “The Walton Experience”, released in 1978. This work served as the basis for the 1993 film “Fire in the Sky”, which dramatically recreates the events surrounding Walton’s abduction.

Walton’s testimony follows, in many respects, the familiar patterns of alien abduction narratives, involving an ordinary individual with a history of troubles, questioned by otherworldly beings, and whose account is met with disbelief. However, what distinguishes Walton’s experience, and consequently the film, is the wealth of details provided about his captivity. The cinematic depiction of his time with the aliens is viscerally disturbing. Walton is shown immobilized by strange devices and subjected to injections of unknown substances, in a sequence that the directors approach like a true horror film. “Fire in the Sky” remains one of the most striking films about alleged alien abductions.

The alien dystopia of “Invasion of the Flying Saucers” (1978) on Tubi

When imagining UFOs, most people envision shiny craft cutting through the night skies. However, what would happen if these flying objects were something quite different, smaller and more lethal? This is the provocative premise of the 1978 adaptation of “Body Invaders”, which gives a darker tone to the 1956 classic. The plot unfolds with parasitic spores from space that arrive in San Francisco and quickly develop into vegetable capsules. When positioned near a sleeping individual, these capsules create an identical clone, eliminating the original. Little by little, these beings invade the city, and the hope of resistance falls to the few survivors, such as Matthew (Donald Sutherland) and Elizabeth (Brooke Adams).

While the 1956 version concluded with a hint of optimism, showing military forces acting to stop the invasion, the 1978 adaptation offers no such happy ending. In this scenario, the military itself has already been compromised, as has a large part of the population. Unlike other UFO productions, the film conveys an overwhelming feeling of inevitability. Resistance appears to be only temporary, and as more people turn into apathetic beings, submission to conformity may become a more attractive alternative to fighting a losing battle. This perspective is what makes 1978’s “The Body Snatchers” so unsettling, suggesting that in an age of constant digital distraction, a silent alien invasion could easily go unnoticed.