John Williams, the legendary composer behind some of cinema’s most iconic scores, has once again proven that age is no obstacle to greatness. At 94 years old, Williams has delivered what many are calling a career-defining achievement: a sweeping, two-hour original score for Steven Spielberg’s new sci-fi film Disclosure Day — his historic 30th collaboration with the director, spanning more than five decades of filmmaking partnership.
A Milestone Half a Century in the Making
The partnership between John Williams and Steven Spielberg is without parallel in Hollywood history. Their creative relationship dates back more than half a century, beginning with their first film together, The Sugarland Express, in 1974. Since then, the two have given the world some of the most celebrated films and scores ever made — Jaws, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Schindler’s List, Jurassic Park, and the Indiana Jones series among them.
Now marking their 30th film together, the pair have added another sci-fi film to their roster: Disclosure Day, starring Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, and Eve Hewson.
Spielberg’s long-awaited return to the alien genre, Disclosure Day, hit theaters on June 12, 2026.
Seven Sessions, Six Months, Two Hours of Music
What makes this score remarkable is not only its ambition but the extraordinary process behind it. Spielberg wanted a Williams score for Disclosure Day so badly that he made it as easy as possible for the composer, scheduling seven recording sessions over a six-month period to give him the necessary time to conceive and record all of the music. Most film sessions are done over a week or two, and many composers have only a few weeks to compose a complete film score.
Williams began writing last summer, then recorded at Sony on September 11, 2025, before two more sessions in October, two in December, one in January 2026, and a final session on February 20. The result: over two full hours of original music.
The official soundtrack album, released by Back Lot Music on June 12, 2026, features 16 original cues totaling 64 minutes and 40 seconds of music.
An Orchestra of 96 and an Icon at the Podium
Williams, who has faced unspecified health challenges over the past two years and is now only seen in public in a wheelchair, tackled Disclosure Day with surprising energy, sources report. An orchestra of 96 players was assembled, with the first recording date at Sony — in the recently renamed “John Williams Music Building” — on September 11, 2025.
Orchestrators William Ross and Randy Kerber provided occasional adaptations when film revisions required adjustments, but the creative vision was entirely Williams’ own.
According to unconfirmed reports, a 6-hour session took place in October covering mostly slower music, and a second session in mid/late November focused on faster action sequence-type music.
“John Was in Amazing Spirits”
Musicians who worked on the sessions have spoken warmly about the experience of witnessing Williams at work at this stage of his legendary career.
“John was in amazing spirits,” says one musician. “Always so gracious and humble. He was very acutely aware of rhythmic flaws and nuances, and sometimes obsessed a little. Spielberg was delighted with everything.”
The director took an active role throughout. “He had a lot of input,” says another musician. “That relationship felt so special to witness. There was even a moment when he made a musical suggestion and they tried something a little bit different. They actually ended up going with that. It just felt like an encapsulation of their relationship, how well they know each other, and how well they understand each other’s craft.”
Spielberg Persuaded Williams Out of Retirement — Again
This score almost didn’t happen. Williams hinted three years ago that his score for Spielberg’s The Fabelmans would likely be his swansong. Spielberg talked him into doing Disclosure Day even after Williams suggested four other composers as possible successors.
During a recent interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Spielberg mentioned that when he asked Williams to score the film, the Maestro suggested four other composers, but Spielberg insisted that he wanted him to compose the music for their 30th collaboration.
It was a decision that paid off. Spielberg said, “It was bittersweet to say goodbye to the orchestra because we did many sessions, but Johnny provided such a beautiful score.”
“The Most Restrained Score He Has Ever Written”
Spielberg has been unusually candid in describing the musical tone of Disclosure Day, calling it a departure from Williams’ trademark sweeping bombast.
Spielberg said, “And John just turned 94, and he is as exceptional now as he was at 40. It is just remarkable, the depth and breadth of his career. Disclosure Day is probably the most restrained score he has ever written for one of our collaborations — at least until it is not. But until those moments, he holds back in a way that is subtle and beautiful and enriches the experience. It is like he is accompanying the film from slightly behind it, pushing it forward. Scoring is usually the last thing we do and I always say it is the reward for finishing a movie — the reward being getting to listen to a new John Williams score.”
Producer Kristie Macosko Krieger described it as “John Williams at the top of his game, exciting and poignant,” adding: “It’s thrilling to be able to sit in a room and watch John and Steven’s collaborations. I get to watch one of the greatest gifts to modern American cinema that these two men are still giving us. It’s amazing.”
Cast Reactions: Tears in the Studio
The emotional power of the score made an impression even before the film opened. Actor Josh O’Connor said, “All I know is, Steven sent me a video of John Williams and the orchestra in the recording studio and I cried.”
The film’s ensemble — which also includes Colin Firth and Eve Hewson — brings together some of the most celebrated actors working today, and many have spoken about the added weight that a Williams score brings to the performance experience.
John Williams: A Career in Numbers
For those who need reminding of the scale of this man’s legacy:
Williams holds 54 Academy Award nominations — the most of any living person — and has won five Oscars for Fiddler on the Roof (1972), Jaws (1976), Star Wars (1978), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1983), and Schindler’s List (1994). He has also received 26 Grammy Awards, 4 Golden Globes, and 7 BAFTAs.
In a career spanning more than six decades, Williams has become one of America’s most accomplished and successful composers for film and for the concert stage. He has composed the music and served as music director for more than one hundred films, including all nine Star Wars films, the first three Harry Potter films, Superman, JFK, Born on the Fourth of July, Memoirs of a Geisha, Home Alone, and The Book Thief.
The Soundtrack: How to Listen
For collectors, Waxwork Records, in partnership with Back Lot Music, is producing a deluxe double LP set pressed on “Blue Iris” colored vinyl, housed in heavyweight gatefold jackets with matte UV coating, printed inner sleeves, and exclusive liner notes authored by Spielberg. A CD edition is also available through Waxwork Records. Both physical formats are listed as preorders scheduled to ship in July 2026.
The digital album is available now through all major streaming platforms.
Will There Be a 31st Collaboration?
Despite his age and health challenges, Spielberg has already spoken to Williams about doing their 31st film together. Williams is currently not doing press interviews, with a spokesman noting he is “preferring to marshal his energies to focus on writing obligations.” Whether that bodes well or ill for a follow-up remains to be seen — but the fact that he delivered one of his most nuanced scores at age 94 suggests the Maestro isn’t done yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Disclosure Day? A: Disclosure Day is Steven Spielberg’s 2026 sci-fi thriller about a global cover-up of extraterrestrial life. It was released in theaters and IMAX on June 12, 2026, and stars Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, and Eve Hewson.
Q: How many films have John Williams and Steven Spielberg made together? A: Disclosure Day is their 30th film collaboration, beginning with The Sugarland Express in 1974.
Q: How long did it take John Williams to record the Disclosure Day score? A: Williams recorded the score over seven sessions spanning six months, from September 2025 through February 2026 — far longer than the typical one-to-two-week scoring process.
Q: How much music did John Williams compose for Disclosure Day? A: He recorded approximately two hours of original music. The official soundtrack album features 16 cues totaling 64 minutes and 40 seconds.
Q: How old is John Williams in 2026? A: John Williams turned 94 in 2026. Despite health challenges, he conducted many of the recording sessions himself with a 96-piece orchestra.
Q: Is the Disclosure Day soundtrack available to buy? A: Yes. The digital album was released by Back Lot Music on June 12, 2026. A deluxe vinyl LP and CD edition through Waxwork Records are expected to ship in July 2026.
Q: Could this be John Williams’ final film score? A: Possibly. Williams has hinted at retirement before, but Spielberg has already discussed a 31st collaboration with him. No official announcement has been made either way.
Whether this turns out to be John Williams’ final masterpiece or just another extraordinary chapter in a career without equal, one thing is certain — drop your thoughts in the comments below and tell us what you think of the Disclosure Day score!