The Xenomorph, a key figure in the Alien movie series, stands out as one of the most memorable and sinister creatures in film history. With its corrosive blood, terrifying double jaws, and razor-sharp claws, this iconic monster has played a pivotal role in shaping the space horror genre, introducing a new source of fear for audiences.
As Alien: Romulus hits theaters, you might be interested in revisiting the entire Alien franchise, which also includes the Alien vs. Predator films set on Earth. If you’re wondering about the best way to watch these films, we have you covered.
Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of the Alien movies, organized according to both their chronological timeline and theatrical release.
How Many Alien Movies Are There?
The Alien franchise consists of nine films in total, which include four primary installments, two crossover films with the Predator series, two prequel films directed by Ridley Scott, and the latest entry, a standalone feature directed by Fede Álvarez.
How to Watch the Alien Movies by Release Date
- Alien (1979)
- Aliens (1986)
- Alien 3 (1992)
- Alien Resurrection (1997)
- AVP: Alien vs Predator (2004)
- Aliens vs Predator – Requiem (2007)
- Prometheus (2012)
- Alien: Covenant (2017)
- Alien: Romulus (2024)
Alien Movies in Chronological Order
1. AVP: Alien Vs. Predator (2004)
The film “AVP: Alien vs. Predator” marks the initial installment in the Alien series that unfolds in contemporary times. Set in the year 2004, the plot revolves around a team of scientists and explorers who are examining an unusual heat source in Antarctica.
Their investigation leads them to uncover a temple, thrusting them into the midst of a significant ritual where new Predator warriors utilize Xenomorphs as their prey. Watching the Xenomorphs battle a legendary movie creature can be entertaining, but Alien vs. Predator has mostly been excluded from the official timeline of the Alien films.
Despite some intriguing links, like the appearance of Lance Henricksen, who starred in Aliens as the leader of the Weyland Corporation, Prometheus implies that Xenomorphs only came into existence long after this film’s events. This indicates their presence has been established for a significant period. Nevertheless, when you’re viewing the Alien movies in order, this film provides an interesting entry point.
2. Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
“Alien vs. Predator: Requiem” serves as a direct continuation of “Alien vs. Predator,” taking place immediately after the events of its predecessor, set in 2004. The plot unfolds when Predators inadvertently bring a Predator/Xenomorph hybrid onto their spacecraft, leading to a crash in a small American town.
As the two alien species engage in their fierce conflict, the local residents find themselves caught in the chaos. Although the film met the R rating expectations that fans desired following the first installment, it ultimately experienced disappointing box office performance and received negative reviews from critics.
Consequently, the franchise’s trajectory was halted, and the timeline became largely overlooked. Nonetheless, there are intriguing links, such as the notion that Predator technology contributed to advancements within the Yutani Corporation from the “Alien” series.
3. Prometheus (2012)
While some enthusiasts may wish to consider the Alien vs. Predator films as part of the official storyline, many argue that the true beginning of the Alien timeline is with *Prometheus*. Set in the year 2089, the film follows a group of archaeologists who uncover an ancient map believed to be an invitation from humanity’s creators to seek them out.
This discovery prompts an expedition to the desolate moon LV-223, which they reach in 2093. The narrative delves into the enigmatic Engineers, who are theorized to be the architects of human life, yet they also exhibit a desire to create new forms of life.
Although traditional Xenomorphs do not feature prominently in this film, it concludes with the emergence of a creature from an Engineer’s chest that bears a striking resemblance to the iconic monster.
4. Alien: Covenant (2017)
“Alien: Covenant” is part of Ridley Scott’s ongoing prequel series within the Alien franchise, although it doesn’t connect directly to the original film. Set in 2104, 11 years after the events of “Prometheus,” the story revolves around a colonization ship that suffers severe damage during its journey and ultimately crashes on a planet that appears suitable for life.
Upon their arrival, the crew encounters David, the android portrayed by Michael Fassbender from “Prometheus,” who is still engaged in his unsettling mission to cultivate the alien species. Much like the extraterrestrial creature showcased at the conclusion of Prometheus, Alien: Covenant introduces a range of creatures that are akin to the iconic Xenomorphs, rather than simply replicating them.
The film concludes with David departing the planet, taking with him two facehugger embryos, indicating the potential onset of the Xenomorphs’ emergence. Although there were initial intentions to pursue further prequels in the series, those concepts were ultimately shelved due to the mixed reviews received by Alien: Covenant.
5. Alien (1979)
The first film in the Alien series occurs in the year 2122, approximately twenty years after the storyline of Alien: Covenant. This marks the debut of Ellen Ripley, a pivotal character in the franchise, as well as her initial appearance in the timeline.
Ripley is a crew member aboard the commercial spacecraft Nostromo, which is navigating through space when the ship’s computer alerts them to a distress signal. This signal leads the crew to a desolate planet where they come across the facehugger eggs and inadvertently bring an alien organism onto their ship.
This film provides an insightful look into the complete lifecycle of the Xenomorph, starting from its initial stage as an egg that hatches a facehugger to latch onto its host. Once attached, the facehugger implants a developing Xenomorph inside the victim, which later bursts from the chest, marking the beginning of its terrifying existence.
The creature then quickly matures into a lethal adult form. The story concludes with Ripley as the last human alive, making her escape from the Nostromo in a pod and entering a state of stasis.
6. Alien: Romulus (2024)
“Alien: Romulus” revisits the timeline of the classic Alien franchise, acting as a prequel to many of the films in the series. Set two decades after the original “Alien” movie and before the events of “Aliens,” this latest installment revolves around a youthful band of colonists. They discover a derelict space station, where they come face-to-face with the terrifying Xenomorph, forcing them to battle for their lives.
Although it is set within the main franchise timeline, the latest installment, Alien: Romulus, marks the first Alien movie that does not include the iconic character Ellen Ripley. This film introduces a fresh ensemble of young actors, including Cailee Spaeny, David Josson, and Isabela Merced.
Interestingly, it maintains links to the original film, notably with the reappearance of Ash, portrayed by Ian Holm. Directed by the acclaimed modern horror filmmaker Fede Álvarez and produced by Ridley Scott, this new entry promises to bring a unique twist to the series.
7. Aliens (1986)
James Cameron directed the first sequel in the Alien series, titled Aliens, which shifted the tone from Ridley Scott’s suspenseful original to a more action-oriented narrative. Set almost six decades after the first film, the story unfolds in the year 2179.
It kicks off with the discovery of Ripley’s escape pod, leading to her awakening from stasis. Upon her return to consciousness, she discovers that a colony has been established on the same moon where she and the crew of the Nostromo had their harrowing encounter with the facehuggers.
When communication from the colony is unexpectedly cut off, Ripley teams up with a squad of marines to explore the desolate moon in search of answers. During this mission, she forms alliances with other key characters, including Hicks, Bishop, and the young survivor, Newt.
The film delves deeper into the sinister plans of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, which aims to exploit the Xenomorphs for their own dark intentions. This installment also introduces the franchise’s first encounter with the formidable Xenomorph Queen, adding a new layer of tension to the story.
8. Alien 3 (1992)
While Alien 3 was released quite some time after Aliens, its narrative continues in the same year, 2179. It becomes clear that the escape craft carrying Ripley, Newt, and Hicks at the conclusion of Aliens harbored a facehugger.
This ship ultimately crashes on a penal colony, leaving Ripley as the sole survivor. As she navigates her way through a tense relationship with the prison inhabitants, the hidden facehugger attaches itself to a dog, initiating a horrifying sequence of events.
In the sequence of Alien movies in order, Alien 3 highlights the ongoing efforts of Weyland-Yutani to capture a Xenomorph, with Ripley playing a crucial role in their plans. Throughout the film, it is disclosed that she has been infected by a facehugger, resulting in a chestburster developing within her.
Ultimately, Ripley makes the heartbreaking decision to take her own life along with the alien to prevent it from being exploited by others. This marks the last appearance of the original Ellen Ripley within the series timeline.
9. Alien Resurrection (1997)
The most recent installment in the Alien saga is Alien: Resurrection, which takes place over 200 years after its predecessor, set in the year 2381. Sigourney Weaver reprises her iconic role for the fourth time.
Although her original character, Ripley, met her end in Alien 3, she returns in Alien: Resurrection as a clone. The storyline reveals that scientists utilized Ripley’s blood alongside that of a Xenomorph Queen to create a clone that harbors a Xenomorph embryo within her.
Following the extraction of the embryo from the Ripley clone, Xenomorphs were bred on a spacecraft, but they eventually escaped and unleashed chaos. This film stands out for featuring a hybrid of human and Xenomorph. The story concludes with Ripley and the remaining survivors crashing down to Earth, leaving the potential threat of an Xenomorph army on the planet unresolved.
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source: Gamerode