All 9 Alien Movies In Order, From 1979 To Now

The Alien movies are a hugely influential and long-lasting part of science fiction cinema, though not every film in the series is considered a masterpiece. The very first Alien movie was quickly approved for production because the studio noticed how successful Star Wars had been and wanted to release their own space film as soon as possible.

Even though it was made with commercial success in mind, the first Alien movie quickly became a beloved classic. It’s considered a nearly perfect horror film thanks to its terrifying creature design, stunning visuals, and Sigourney Weaver’s iconic performance as Ripley.

It’s typical for a hit movie in Hollywood to get lots of follow-ups, and Alien is no exception – it’s spawned sequels, video games, comics, and other related content. The fact that the story continues to be told almost 50 years later, with each new installment finding unique perspectives, is a real tribute to the original vision of Ridley Scott and everyone who worked on it.

Alien (1979)

The idea for the movie Alien actually started with Dark Star, a low-budget sci-fi comedy directed by John Carpenter. Dark Star began as a student film, and Carpenter, along with his classmate Dan O’Bannon, later received funding to turn it into a full-length feature. O’Bannon also acted in the movie, playing a character who battles a rather unconvincing alien.

O’Bannon’s idea for a terrifying alien creature eventually became the movie Alien. Though it was only his second feature film, director Ridley Scott brought a strong visual style and atmosphere thanks to his background in advertising. Considering everything that had to come together, it’s remarkable the film was made at all.

Everything about this film—the actors (including Weaver, Hurt, and Kotto), the music, and the editing—works together flawlessly. While many have analyzed its complex themes, both sexual and political, what truly matters is that it remains incredibly effective at creating sheer terror. It’s a gripping, nerve-wracking, and intensely claustrophobic experience—exactly what a horror film should be.

Aliens (1986)

I always loved the story about James Cameron finishing his pitch for Aliens and changing the ‘s’ in the title to a dollar sign – and it’s true! But honestly, beyond that funny little detail, what really impresses me is how he took on what everyone thought would be an impossible task – following up on Alien – and delivered one of the greatest sequels of all time.

Rather than trying to be scarier than the first film, James Cameron cleverly shifted gears to focus on action. This decision paid off, delivering incredible scenes like the hive attack and Ripley’s fight with the Alien Queen. However, Aliens is far more than just a simple action movie; it’s a truly exceptional film.

James Cameron’s Aliens features memorable supporting characters, like Bill Paxton as Hudson and Ricco Ross as Frost, and its commentary on the Vietnam War is quite clear. However, the film truly shines thanks to Sigourney Weaver’s powerful, Oscar-nominated performance as the deeply affected Ripley, and the touching bond she forms with another survivor, Newt (Carrie Henn). This relationship is what gives the film its emotional core.

Alien 3 (1992)

The huge popularity of Cameron’s second film almost guaranteed a third one, even though the people involved weren’t particularly eager to make it. Cameron left the project, Weaver wasn’t enthusiastic, and the producers struggled for years to create a script they were happy with, resulting in many drafts that never made it to filming.

David Fincher’s first time directing was on a sequel, Alien 3, which is now more famous for its difficult production than the movie itself. It wasn’t well-received by critics or audiences, and Fincher himself doesn’t acknowledge it as his work. Despite all that, Alien 3 is still a solid film – a dark and pessimistic story with some truly impressive scenes and acting.

Weaver delivers another fantastic performance, and even though the movie takes place in a dark and depressing world, it’s visually stunning. The story and its underlying ideas aren’t perfectly clear – likely because the script was developed during filming – but Alien 3 is much better than its reputation suggests.

Alien: Resurrection (1997)

This film, written by Joss Whedon, is currently the last one to feature Sigourney Weaver as Ripley – in this case, a clone of the character. The story takes place over 200 years after Alien 3, and follows Ripley 8 as she teams up with a crew of space pirates to fight off a new alien threat.

While often considered the weakest of the first four films, Resurrection prioritizes flashy style and entertainment over a strong plot. It’s almost a self-aware parody, but viewers who enjoy over-the-top action and playful humor will find it enjoyable. The movie is visually stunning, features a fantastic cast, and despite a somewhat ridiculous ending, it consistently keeps you engaged.

Alien Vs Predator (2004)

Both Alien 3 and Resurrection underperformed at the box office, so the filmmakers decided to combine the Xenomorph with another iconic sci-fi creature from Fox. This led to Paul W.S. Anderson’s PG-13 action film, which isn’t known for its intelligence. However, like many of Anderson’s movies, it still manages to be enjoyably cheesy.

The Antarctic setting with a pyramid is a neat idea, and Sanaa Lathan is engaging as the lead character, while the action sequences are genuinely fun. However, the plot is very weak and the side characters aren’t memorable. While not a necessary addition to the series, Alien vs Predator is still an okay way to spend an hour and forty minutes.

Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)

Unlike the previous film, Alien vs Predator: Requiem is a truly terrible way to spend 90 minutes. It’s unpleasant, poorly made, and seems to enjoy needlessly killing off underdeveloped characters, all without a compelling story to tie it together.

The movie Requiem is notorious for its poor lighting, often making it difficult to follow the action. While it attempts some interesting ideas, it’s widely considered the worst installment in the Alien vs Predator series, and many believe it’s one of the worst films of the 2000s.

Prometheus (2012)

When it was announced Ridley Scott would direct this Alien prequel, fans were thrilled, but the movie’s reception has been mixed. While it successfully expanded the franchise by exploring the origins of the Xenomorphs and delving into artificial intelligence, it’s also held back by frustrating characters and a flawed script.

Okay, so I really wanted to love Prometheus. It’s visually stunning and tries to tackle some big ideas, and when it hits, it really hits – seriously creepy and thought-provoking stuff. But honestly, it feels a little… messy. It doesn’t have that tight, perfectly-made feel that Ridley Scott brought to Alien. The story kind of rambles at times. That being said, compared to Requiem? It’s a complete triumph. I’ll take ambitious and flawed over Requiem any day!

Alien: Covenant (2017)

As a fan, I really wanted Covenant to bridge the gap between Prometheus and the Alien movies, and I was excited to see Michael Fassbender’s android character take center stage. And honestly, there are some fantastic moments in the film – it’s visually stunning and has some genuinely creepy scenes. But it also feels really flawed, even more so than Prometheus, and it struggles to fully deliver on its potential.

Most of the characters aren’t very memorable, and Alien: Covenant feels more like an unnecessary side story than a meaningful addition to the Alien series. A particular letdown is how awkwardly the Xenomorphs are handled. The film is redeemed by Michael Fassbender’s performance playing both David and Walter, and its unsettling ending.

Alien: Romulus (2024)

Scott originally envisioned several prequel films, but after Covenant performed poorly in theaters, those plans were abandoned. Instead, director Fede Álvarez created Romulus, a streamlined and more grounded story. While it’s visually impressive and features strong performances from Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson, the film is both exciting and occasionally frustrating due to its focused, but intense, approach.

Despite its flaws, Romulus manages to feel secure in what it does. It doesn’t really offer anything new, its references are too obvious, and it’s not particularly frightening. However, a major win is that it’s sparked renewed excitement for the Alien franchise. Hopefully, the next installment will be a bit more original and daring.

2026-03-09 00:41