Steven Spielberg rarely disappoints with his science fiction films, many of which have earned him high praise over the years, most notably his classics E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Jurassic Park. Even his most recent work, Disclosure Day, starring Emily Blunt, which divided critics and viewers upon release, still found its way to the top of multiple streaming and digital charts, earning strong redemption in no time.
About eleven years ago, Spielberg signed on to direct one of his most ambitious sci-fi blockbusters, which officially hit theaters in March 2018. The film was a critical and commercial success, amassing a huge following that has grown over the years. It currently holds a Certified Fresh 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 443 reviews, and grossed $608 million worldwide against a $155–175 million budget at the time of its release.
The action film’s success has unsurprisingly led to a sequel, which doesn’t yet have a release date. Meanwhile, as fans await further updates about a new film, its predecessor is climbing the streaming charts. Ready Player One is back in the streaming spotlight, ranking among the Top 10 movies on Apple TV internationally. Over the past few days, it has ranked as the tenth most-watched movie, just behind Anya Taylor-Joy’s Apple TV sci-fi original, The Gorge, often shifting to 11th place.
Is Steven Spielberg Involved in the 'Ready Player One' Sequel?
Directed by Spielberg and written by Zak Penn and Ernest Cline, Ready Player One is based on Cline's bestselling 2011 novel. Cline, who also wrote the 2020 book sequel Ready Player Two, confirmed in December of that year that a film sequel was in the early stages of development. Spielberg later confirmed in March 2024 that the new film was still in development, adding that, unlike its predecessor, he would produce but not direct it. Now, screenwriter Penn has shared the latest update, confirming in August 2026 that the sequel is still in the works.
Starring Tye Sheridan and Olivia Cooke, Ready Player One is set in 2045, when humanity uses the OASIS, a virtual reality simulation, to escape the real world. Teenage orphan Wade Watts (Sheridan) discovers clues to a contest that promises the winner ownership of the OASIS. He and his friends try to complete it before an evil corporation can take control of it themselves. The film also stars Ben Mendelsohn, Lena Waithe, T.J. Miller, Simon Pegg, and Mark Rylance.
Ready Player One streams on Apple TV in international territories.
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