You Have Just Enough Time to Catch Up on the ‘Alien’ Movies
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
The Alien franchise is the gift that keeps on giving. With nine films and a television show in the works, the franchise has proven itself as exciting today as it was 45 years ago. This summer, the ninth film in the series (technically, more on that below), Alien: Romulus, will premiere in theaters—and take us on yet another intergalactic journey with devastating consequences. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
In order to truly appreciate the next film, you have to remember how we got here. It all started in 1979 with the original Alien, which starred Sigourney Weaver as a warrant officer who’s roped into a battle with an extraterrestrial foe. From there, the series took off, churning out sequels, prequels, spinoffs, and everything in between. If you want to brush up on your Alien knowledge—which we highly recommend—then join us on a walk down memory lane.
Below, we’ve rounded up all nine Alien films. Each movie is available to stream on Hulu, so you can watch the franchise without having to click in and out of different streamers. Keep reading for more information on where to start. Note that this list presents the films in the order of their release, not in chronological order. We’ll tip our hats to the Esquire reader who can untangle the timeline—but if you’re new to the series, don’t stress yourself out. This way works, too.
All right, enough technicalities. It’s time to embark on an adventure through time, space, and increasingly disturbing Xenomorphs.
Alien (1979)
The saga begins in 1979 when the crew of starship Nostromo hears a distress signal from outer space. They investigate the noise and discover an abandoned spaceship with a nest of alien eggs. When one of the organisms latches onto a crew member, the rest of the team is thrust into a sudden fight for survival.
Aliens (1986)
Aliens picks back up with Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), a warrant officer who survived the Nostromo attack. 57 years later, she wakes up in a medical-space unit circling the Earth. After speaking with her boss, she learns that the aliens who attacked her friends have grown stronger—and deadlier. To stop them, Ellen works with a new space crew, which embarks on a journey to wipe the species out.
Alien 3 (1992)
Once again, Ripley is the sole survivor of an alien attack. After the events of Aliens, she crash-lands on Fiorina 161—a land of former prisoners. It’s not the ideal location, but at least it’s safe. Sike! The pesky aliens return, and Ripley is forced to lead everyone into battle without a single weapon.
Alien: Resurrection (1997)
If there’s one thing we can count on, it’s the Xenomorph’s ability to make a comeback. Alien: Resurrection takes place 200 years after Ripley sacrifices herself to kill the Queen alien. The military resurrects her through genetic cloning, but in the process, her DNA merges with the Xenomorph. The experiment unleashes even more aliens, leading to yet another battle.
Alien vs. Predator (2004)
Alien vs. Predator is a crossover between two iconic sci-fi series. The story takes place in Antarctica, where wealthy explorer Charles Bishop Weyland finances an expedition to uncover a newly-detected heat source. When Weyland and his crew arrive, they find a pyramid—and, of course, aliens! To their surprise, the aliens aren’t the only foreign creatures out in the frozen wilderness. There are also extraterrestrial Predators. Their intent is to kill the aliens, but the humans are inevitably swept into the madness. Let this be a lesson to always mind your business!
Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
The Xenomorphs and Predators are at it again. This time, the extraterrestrial beings decide to duke it out in Gunnison, Colorado—and its residents are caught in the crossover. Alien vs. Predator: Requiem is the lowest-rated film in the Alien franchise, but if you want to see yet another massive showdown featuring the creepy '80s sensations, then it’s worth a watch.
Prometheus (2012)
In Prometheus, a crew sets out to find the origins of mankind. Their search leads them to the depths of the universe—and they eventually land on a distant moon. The location appears to be vacant, but they’re not alone. A violent alien awaits, with powers that could destroy mankind.
Alien: Covenant (2017)
In Alien: Covenant, a group of humans try to—where have you heard this one before?—colonize a remote planet. They land on a lush oasis, but quickly learn the land isn’t as peaceful as it seems. As they explore the planet, they make a horrifying discovery.
Alien: Romulus (In Theaters, August 16, 2024)
The next Alien movie premieres this summer. Alien: Romulus is set between the events of Alien and Aliens. In what feels like a refreshing return to the franchise's origins, the plot follows a group of space cadets who explore an abandoned space station and find a deadly lifeform. Will they ever learn to leave well enough alone?!
You Might Also Like
