New Survey Suggests Gen Z Are More Likely to Believe in Aliens—How UFO Media May Be Shaping a Generation

A new survey found that more than a third of Americans, particularly younger adults, believe that recent UFO news coverage has strengthened their belief in extraterrestrial life. The survey, conducted by Talker Research between July 1 and July 6, 2026, reported that 37% of respondents said UFO news coverage increased their belief in ET, while 54% said their views had not changed and 10% reported that coverage made them less likely to believe in ET. The survey also found that Gen Z respondents—54%—said UFO news coverage increased their belief in ET, compared to 45% among millennials, 36% among Gen X, and 23% among baby boomers. The survey considered the influence of media and entertainment on public perception, with more than half of respondents believing that alien movies and TV shows make Americans more likely to believe in intelligent extraterrestrial life.

The survey highlighted that media and entertainment can influence how people interpret and describe their own experiences. A 2025 paper in Evolutionary Human Sciences described a "two-way feedback loop between behavior and beliefs," suggesting that existing beliefs influence behavior, and observed behavior influences what people believe others think or do. The survey also considered the potential influence of popular culture, with 54% of respondents believing that alien movies and TV shows make Americans more likely to believe in the existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life, 27% seeing no connection, and 8% believing such programming actually makes people less likely to believe.

The survey also addressed whether UFOs should be characterized as a belief system. Researchers from various disciplines argue that UFOs should be viewed as an area of study rather than a religion. Jeffrey Kripal, a professor of religion, discussed how people interpret anomalous experiences by reaching backward for existing frameworks, such as religion or science. The survey also found that 60% of participants believed that governments know more about UFOs than they have disclosed, and 45% believed society would be prepared if governments confirmed the existence of alien life. The survey emphasized the need for greater UAP transparency, with more than 84% of Americans wanting more information, regardless of their stance on UFOs. The Disclosure Foundation is working with Congress and the Administration to improve UAP data transparency.

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