The Best Alien Movie Since 1986 Just Arrived on HBO Max

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The Alien movies are a landmark series in science fiction horror. Starting with Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic – originally described as “Jaws in space” – the franchise has spanned over forty years and includes seven films, plus crossovers with the Predator series. Now, with more Alien projects on the way, fans with HBO Max can enjoy what many consider the best Alien film since James Cameron’s Aliens.

After the initial four Alien films and the Alien vs. Predator movies became available earlier this month, Alien: Romulus began streaming on HBO Max on April 3rd. Directed by Fede Álvarez, it’s the seventh film in the Alien series and takes place in 2142 – two decades after the first Alien movie and 37 years before Aliens. The story centers on a group of young space colonists who find a deserted space station, only to uncover a terrifying invasion of facehuggers and Xenomorphs.

Alien: Romulus Is the Best in the Franchise Since the Original 1979/1986 Duology

Although several films – including the Alien vs. Predator series – were made between the first two Alien movies (from 1979 and 1986) and the recent film Romulus, many consider Romulus to be the strongest installment. It expertly combines the terrifying atmosphere of the original Alien with the action and suspense of Aliens, revisiting the franchise’s roots as a suspenseful, creature-based horror story. Importantly, Romulus doesn’t disregard the later films; it skillfully connects the original storyline with the more recent Prometheus and Covenant prequels, incorporating elements like the mysterious black goo and the android David’s experiments, and the themes of genetic engineering they explored.

Combining impressive practical effects, a filming style similar to the original Alien movie, and a compelling new story, the film earned the third-highest critic score of any Alien installment. With an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it ranks just behind Aliens and the first Alien film. The movie was also a major financial success, earning $350 million worldwide on an $80 million budget, which has ensured the future of the Alien franchise. A sequel, Alien: Romulus, is now officially planned, with Álvarez writing the script, though he won’t be directing.

What’s New on HBO Max?

HBO Max is adding a lot of new content in April, including the Alien films. So far this month, they’ve added movies like Maze Runner: The Death Cure, Practical Magic, The Devil Wears Prada, and Twister, plus films from the Mortal Kombat and The Mummy series. More titles are coming throughout the month, such as Game Night on April 4th, Dust Bunny on April 17th, and Marty Supreme from A24 on April 24th.

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2026-04-04 01:40