The Alien movie series is one of the most famous sci-fi horror franchises. With the new TV show Alien: Earth coming soon, fans want to rewatch the movies in the right order. Here’s a simple guide to help you watch them properly.
The Best Way to Watch Alien Movies
There are two main ways to watch the Alien films – by release date or by story timeline. Most experts say watching in release order is better because you see how the series grew over time. The first two movies are classics that set the tone for everything after.
If you watch in timeline order, you start with newer movies that happen earlier in the story. This can be confusing because some later films change things about the Alien’s origins. The timeline order also includes two Alien vs Predator crossover movies that many fans don’t consider part of the main story.
Alien Movies in Release Order
- Alien (1979) – The first movie introduces Ellen Ripley and the deadly Xenomorph on the spaceship Nostromo. It’s a masterpiece of sci-fi horror.
- Aliens (1986) – Ripley returns with space marines to fight many Aliens. This action-packed sequel won Oscars and is considered one of the best sequels ever.
- Alien 3 (1992) – Ripley crashes on a prison planet with another Alien. This darker movie had production problems but has gained fans over time.
- Alien Resurrection (1997) – Set 200 years later with a cloned Ripley. The tone is more strange and humorous compared to earlier films.
- Alien vs Predator (2004) – The first crossover with the Predator franchise, set on modern Earth. Not part of the main Alien story.
- Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007) – The second crossover with both monsters attacking a small town. Many fans skip these two movies.
- Prometheus (2012) – A prequel about humans searching for their creators. It explores Alien origins but doesn’t show the classic Xenomorph much.
- Alien: Covenant (2017) – Another prequel that shows how the Aliens were created. It connects more to the original 1979 film.
- Alien: Romulus (2024) – The newest movie set between the first two films. A group finds an abandoned ship with deadly secrets.
Alien Movies in Story Timeline Order
- Alien vs Predator (2004)
- Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)
- Prometheus (2012)
- Alien: Covenant (2017)
- Alien (1979)
- Alien: Romulus (2024)
- Aliens (1986)
- Alien 3 (1992)
- Alien Resurrection (1997)
The timeline starts in 2004 with the crossover movies, then jumps to 2089 for the prequels. The original Alien happens in 2122, followed by the new Romulus in 2142. Aliens takes place in 2179, with Alien 3 right after. Resurrection jumps ahead to 2381.
About the New TV Show Alien: Earth
The upcoming series Alien: Earth will premiere on August 12, 2025 on FX and Hulu. It’s set in the year 2120, two years before the first Alien movie. The show follows a group of soldiers and androids who find a crashed spaceship with dangerous creatures.
“I play one of the leading characters,” said actor Adarsh Gourav. “It’s set in the future, and it’s very exciting for me, because I got to be part of like a sci-fi horror, psychological thriller show.”
The series introduces new types of androids called “hybrids” that have human minds in robot bodies. It also shows how the powerful Weyland-Yutani company controls Earth in the future.
Where to Watch the Alien Movies
Most Alien movies are available to stream:
- Alien (1979) – Hulu
- Aliens, Alien 3, Resurrection – Amazon Prime
- Prometheus, Covenant, Romulus – Amazon Prime
- Alien vs Predator movies – Amazon Prime
The new Alien: Earth series will be only on FX and Hulu when it premieres in August 2025. Fans have about a month to watch or rewatch the movies before the show starts.
Why the Alien Series Remains Popular
The Alien franchise has lasted over 45 years because of its:
- Terrifying monster design
- Strong female hero (Ripley)
- Scary space settings
- Stories about greedy companies
- Mix of horror and action
Also read: Alien: Romulus Reveals Hidden Gems: Top Easter Eggs for Fans
Each movie tries something different while keeping what makes Aliens scary. The new TV show will explore how the creatures could reach Earth, which hasn’t been shown much in the films.
