Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
As the government prepares to unveil secrets about UFOs, Hollywood’s imaginative visions of alien life have long shaped public perception.Roswell Today
For decades, Hollywood has been shaping how Americans envision extraterrestrial life through science fiction films, from the 1950s flying saucer movies to modern blockbusters. As the government prepares to release secret files on UFOs, experts say the film industry’s narratives – whether benevolent first contact or hostile invasion – have deeply influenced public perception of intelligent life beyond Earth.
Why it matters
The release of government files on UFOs and extraterrestrials could significantly impact public opinion, and Hollywood’s long-running depiction of alien life may play a key role in how people respond. Understanding this cinematic influence is crucial as society grapples with the potential reality of intelligent life from other worlds.
The details
Hollywood quickly latched onto the 1947 Roswell incident, with ‘The Flying Saucer’ hitting theaters just three years later. Since then, the film industry has produced a wide range of alien-themed movies, from the benevolent visitors of ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ to the hostile invaders of ‘Signs’ and ‘Predator.’ Experts say these narratives have deeply shaped public perception, with some viewers potentially welcoming extraterrestrial contact while others fear an alien invasion.
In 1947, debris was discovered near Roswell, New Mexico, which authorities initially identified as a flying disc before backtracking and saying it was a weather balloon.Around 3 years after Roswell, ‘The Flying Saucer’ was released in theaters, kickstarting Hollywood’s long-running fascination with alien life.In 2025, the documentary ‘The Age of Disclosure’ detailed government knowledge of intelligent life outside of humans and attempts to reverse engineer alien technology.
The players
Priscilla Wald
A professor at Duke University who teaches a class on science fiction and film.
Timothy Gallaudet
A retired Navy Rear Admiral who believes Hollywood has been ‘preparing the public’ for the revelation of intelligent life from outer space.
A renowned filmmaker who has directed several blockbuster movies about extraterrestrial life, including ‘E.T. The Extraterrestrial’ and ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind.’
Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›
What they’re saying
“’Hollywood has basically been preparing the public for this. I think people can handle it. It does, of course, depend on what information is released (by the government).’”
— Timothy Gallaudet, Retired Navy Rear Admiral
“’If you think back to the flourishing of alien films, this starts really in the U.S. in the 1950s. The aliens are gentle souls who come down and try to warn us after nuclear war. They’re trying to warn that we’re creating problems in the cosmos and that if we don’t stop, they are and have to do something about it.’”
— Priscilla Wald, Professor, Duke University
“’My question is always, ‘Well, what is that fear really about?’ It seems to me it’s a reflection on who we are, that we’re projecting onto aliens the way we treat each other. So, the aliens are coming down, they want to conquer us, they’re violent. Who does that sound like? It sounds like us.’”
— Priscilla Wald, Professor, Duke University
What’s next
President Donald Trump has called for government agencies to release secret files related to extraterrestrials and UFOs, which could significantly impact public perception of intelligent life beyond Earth.
The takeaway
Hollywood’s long-running depiction of alien life, whether benevolent or hostile, has deeply shaped how Americans envision extraterrestrial contact. As the government prepares to release secret files, understanding this cinematic influence will be crucial in how society responds to the potential revelation of intelligent life from other worlds.