This past Wednesday, I had the thrilling experience of witnessing the Xenomorphs make their debut on the small screen for the very first time, as I tuned in to watch the initial two episodes of Noah Hawley’s highly-anticipated series, Alien: Earth, which premiered exclusively on Disney Plus.
This new installment in the franchise represents an exciting development for one of cinema’s longest-running series, coming after the debut of Alien: Romulus last year. It appears that additional installments are on the horizon, as a follow-up to the previous film has already been announced.
Based on this, we’ve chosen to evaluate each of the seven big-screen adaptations available so far, holding back Alien: Earth for now. The reason for its omission is not because it’s inferior, but rather due to its nature as an eight-part series, which sets it apart from conventional feature films. However, early feedback suggests that it could be one of the stronger entries in the Alien series.
To rank these films is not a straightforward task: it presents intriguing dilemmas. For instance, between Ridley Scott’s prequels, which one takes the lead? What position does the latest installment, Romulus, hold? Moreover, does the nerve-wracking atmosphere of the first film outdo the adrenaline-pumping action in the second?
Read on for our full rankings.
7. Alien Resurrection (1997)
In a surprising turn of events for the franchise, Jean-Pierre Jeunet directed the film titled “Resurrection,” where Sigourney Weaver reprised her role despite her character’s death in Alien 3. This new installment unfolded 200 years later from the previous movie, with Weaver portraying a genetically enhanced Ripley clone and Winona Ryder taking on the character of Annalee Call, a synthetic human.
While some might defend it, this movie is lacking the suspense, appeal, and excitement found throughout the series. Unfortunately, it falls short when compared to the more outstanding films in the franchise.
6. Alien 3 (1992)
Director David Fincher, for a while now, has distanced himself from this third installment of the franchise, attributing studio intervention as the reason for watering down his intended film’s essence. And he wasn’t alone in his dissatisfaction; long-term fans were particularly disappointed by the abrupt manner in which significant characters from Aliens were written off in the initial scenes.
Regardless of perspective, it’s evident that the movie falls short compared to the initial two installments. It lacks the nerve-wracking atmosphere of Alien and the pulse-pounding action of Aliens, and its script can be confusing at times, appearing uneven and lacking in excitement.
The movie certainly has its strengths. It boasts beautiful visuals, intriguing expansions on the franchise storyline, and some memorable scenes. On the other hand, while the dark, grim tone sets it apart from others in the genre, it might not appeal to everyone due to its intense bleakness.
5. Prometheus (2012)
For approximately 15 years, Prometheus marked the initial installment of the franchise. Furthermore, it signified Ridley Scott’s comeback as a director since his first stint on the original film, which took place 35 years prior.
In this new story, set about three decades prior to the initial films, we find Ridley Scott exploring a more thoughtful perspective on the Alien series. Instead of astronauts like in the original, the protagonists are archaeologists who discover what they believe is a message from our supposed ancient forebearers.
Upon being financed by the Weyland Corporation for a voyage to a faraway world, they encounter lethal challenges that share similarities yet are unique – however, the movie occasionally wrestles with striking a proper equilibrium between thrilling action scenes and unrefined philosophical discussions.
The result is an uneven film that nonetheless contains some thrilling moments.
4. Alien: Romulus (2024)
The latest film in the franchise, released recently, is positioned chronologically between the initial two installments. Instead of delving into profound philosophical discussions as seen in Scott’s prequels, it adopts a more traditional, fundamental approach – giving off an impression at times that it’s a heartfelt homage to the series.
The story revolves around a team of youthful space settlers who accidentally awaken menacing alien creatures at a deserted space station. It incorporates references to notable deaths and popular catchphrases from previous movies, and it exhibits a stylistic influence reminiscent of the first two films, with a distinct retro-futuristic feel.
Despite the debatable decision to resurrect a character from the initial movie, this film remains an exciting, skillfully directed production with compelling action scenes, chilling plot twists in its climax, and noteworthy performances by Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson. The director, Fede Alvarez, is rumored to be working on a follow-up.
3. Alien: Covenant (2017)
The second prequel in Scott’s pair, originally conceptualized as the middle installment of a trilogy, has attracted many critics, reflected in its middling rating of 65% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it is often seen as the most engaging and intriguing installment since the dynamic duo of Alien and Aliens.
The movie narrates the story of a team aboard the named vessel, comprising characters like Christopher Oram portrayed by Billy Crudup and Daniels played by Katherine Waterston. Upon being roused from cryosleep due to a crash, they encounter an enigmatic planet. At first, it appears deserted, but eventually, they meet David, a character previously seen in Prometheus, who has been conducting peculiar experiments that lead to numerous complications.
The movie consistently explores profound philosophical and mythological themes, all while delivering some of the most gruesome scenes, which are among the bloodiest ever seen within this film series.
Michael Fassbender, without a doubt, shines exceptionally in his multi-faceted portrayal of synthetic humans David and Walter, bringing an extraordinary energy to both roles. A remarkable plot twist adds depth to the performance, making it even more unfortunate that Ridley Scott hasn’t had the opportunity to conclude his trilogy.
2. Aliens (1986)
To be honest, if we were ranking films on a different day, James Cameron’s exceptional sequel might have taken the top spot. In fact, it’s quite difficult to distinguish between the first two installments in this series; they are nearly flawless cinematic gems.
57 years have passed since the initial film’s events, and this story unfolds after Ripley is revived from cryosleep. Instead of maintaining the tense mood of the original, it offers heart-pounding blockbuster excitement as Ripley, along with a team of marines, engage in intense battles against multiple Xenomorphs.
In terms of action-packed displays, it’s hard to outshine – boasting numerous expertly choreographed sequences. Moreover, it offers top-notch character development, particularly the dynamic between Ripley and the child character Newt (portrayed by Carrie Henn), which is convincingly portrayed.
Lance Henriksen, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, and Bill Paxton are some of the stellar actors who have breathed life into unforgettable characters in a movie that is widely regarded as one of the best action films ever made. This Alien film, which is often considered the most entertaining to re-watch, may not hold the top spot overall, but it certainly gives its competitors a run for their money.
1. Alien (1979)
The seminal 1979 sci-fi horror film by Ridley Scott, often referred to as a masterpiece, has yet to be surpassed. It introduced Ellen Ripley, among six other human crew members and the iconic Jones the cat, aboard the Nostromo spaceship. Their journey home is disrupted when they receive a distress signal, leading them quickly into confronting unimaginable terrors.
The movie, from its infamous chest-bursting sequence, a moment that continues to unnerve viewers in any film experience, to Ripley’s ultimate confrontation with the Xenomorph, is brimming with intense, confined anxiety. This tension is skillfully orchestrated by Scott’s deft direction.
Beyond just noting it, the extraordinary character designs by H R Giger and an impressive ensemble cast featuring iconic actors like Ian Holm, John Hurt, Yaphet Kotto, and Harry Dean Stanton are indeed notable aspects of this work that truly set it apart.
It’s about as close as you can get to cinematic perfection.
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2025-08-15 09:45