3 Unique Xenomorphs the Alien Franchise Hasn’t Included in the Movies (Even Though They’re Canon)

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Since its debut in 1979, the Alien franchise has remained a cornerstone of science fiction. While characters like Ellen Ripley have consistently drawn audiences in, the terrifying aliens themselves are a huge part of the series’ appeal. Each new Alien movie expands on the established story, introducing new types of xenomorphs or details about their origins. Despite these additions, the franchise still feels like it’s holding back, leaving potential unexplored.

The Alien franchise has expanded beyond the original films to include comics, video games, toys, and TV shows. While the xenomorphs in the movies have remained largely consistent in appearance, these creatures have taken on many different forms in other media. Interestingly, most of these unique xenomorph variations haven’t appeared in the films themselves. To stay fresh and exciting, the Alien movies should embrace these evolved designs and introduce them to the big screen.

3) The Animal Xenomorphs

As a lifelong fan of the Alien films, I remember being completely captivated by the Kenner toys that came out in the 80s after Aliens. The studio sadly cancelled plans for a cartoon series to go with them, but Kenner still did a fantastic job of building on the movie’s universe in creative ways. Considering the limitations of toy-making at the time, they really pushed the boundaries. What I always found especially fascinating was the question the toys posed: what if Xenomorphs could emerge from hosts other than humans? It opened up a whole new world of possibilities for the creatures’ designs.

As a longtime fan of the Alien franchise, I remember Alien 3 tackled the question of what happens when a Xenomorph takes a different host. But Kenner, the toy company, really ran with that idea! They dreamed up some truly bizarre versions of the creatures, blending Xenomorph traits with the animals they’d infected. We’re talking a Wild Boar Alien with tusks, a Goat Alien with horns, and even a massive Gorilla Alien! They didn’t stop there, either – Kenner also gave us a Mantis Alien, a Scorpion Alien, and a Snake Alien, each sporting characteristics of its host animal. It was a wild ride for collectors, and a fascinating ‘what if’ for the universe.

Comics and video games have played with the concept of the Xenomorph using different animals as hosts – examples include the Crocodile Alien in the Batman/Aliens comic and the Shark Alien in a video game. While fans enjoy this idea, the movies haven’t really expanded on it much since Alien 3.

2) The Lifecycle of the Queen

The movie Aliens greatly expanded the story of the xenomorphs by introducing the Alien Queen – the massive creature that lays the eggs containing the facehuggers. While the Queen is a huge addition to the franchise’s history, the films haven’t provided many clear explanations about the xenomorphs themselves.

As a fan, I’ve always been curious about how the Alien Queens actually live and reproduce, but the movies haven’t given us much to go on. There have been little hints here and there – a planned scene in Alien 3 involving a much larger Facehugger, or a quick glimpse of a Queen Chestburster in Alien: Resurrection – but nothing that really explains their life cycle. Honestly, the Queens themselves haven’t been in many films! If you think about it, they really only have a significant role in Aliens and Alien vs Predator. It’s surprising, considering how iconic they are!

1) The Alpha

I’ve been so excited to see what Marvel would do with the Alien universe ever since Disney bought 20th Century Fox! It was only a matter of time before those amazing stories moved over to Marvel Comics, and they’ve already added some really cool things to the established lore. But honestly, nothing feels more perfect for a movie adaptation than ‘The Alpha’ – it just screams big screen action!

Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Salvadore Larroca’s Alien: Bloodlines tells a story spanning generations, leading up to the arrival of the Alphas. The story reveals that Weyland-Yutani bred a unique line of xenomorphs – not from humans, but from Corcoran Highland Goats. These aliens walked on all fours, had long, curved horns, and even had hoof-like back legs. After capturing humans and using them for breeding, these goat-based xenomorphs eventually led to the creation of The Alpha, an alien that combined traits from both the human-bred and goat-bred variants.

The Alpha is a much larger and stronger Xenomorph than usual. What really sets it apart, though, is the massive, horned crest on its head – a feature not seen on typical Xenomorphs. This unique look makes it visually distinct in the films, but its ability to control other Xenomorphs is what the movies have truly needed.

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2025-10-31 20:11