Alien Movies in Order: Chronological and Release

The Alien franchise is one of the most iconic and enduring in science fiction and horror cinema. Since the release of the original Alien in 1979, the series has expanded to include sequels, prequels, crossovers, and spin-offs, blending horror, action, and sci-fi elements. For both new viewers and long-time fans, navigating the series can be confusing due to its chronological storyline versus release order. This guide breaks down the Alien movies in both orders, helping you watch the franchise in a way that best suits your preference.

1. Release Order of the Alien Movies

Watching the movies in release order allows you to experience the franchise as audiences did historically, seeing how the story and visual effects evolved over time.

a. Alien (1979)

Director: Ridley Scott
Synopsis: The commercial spaceship Nostromo encounters a deadly extraterrestrial lifeform. Crew members are hunted one by one by a parasitic alien species, known as Xenomorphs.
Significance: A groundbreaking mix of horror and sci-fi, introducing the franchise’s signature creature design and suspenseful storytelling.

b. Aliens (1986)

Director: James Cameron
Synopsis: Ripley, the sole survivor of Nostromo, returns to LV-426 with a team of Colonial Marines to investigate a colony overrun by Xenomorphs.
Significance: Shifts from horror to action, with a focus on intense combat and strong character development.

c. Alien 3 (1992)

Director: David Fincher
Synopsis: Ripley crash-lands on a prison planet where Xenomorphs begin attacking the inmates. She discovers she carries a deadly alien embryo.
Significance: Darker tone, emphasizing isolation, despair, and Ripley’s confrontation with mortality.

d. Alien: Resurrection (1997)

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Synopsis: Set 200 years after Alien 3, scientists clone Ripley to extract the Xenomorph queen embryo inside her. Chaos ensues as the aliens escape.
Significance: Introduces hybrid aliens and explores ethical dilemmas of cloning and science.

e. Prometheus (2012)

Director: Ridley Scott
Synopsis: A prequel exploring the origins of humanity and the Engineers, an alien race responsible for creating life on Earth. The crew discovers proto-Xenomorph threats.
Significance: Expands the lore, connecting the Xenomorphs to a larger cosmic mythology.

f. Alien: Covenant (2017)

Director: Ridley Scott
Synopsis: Set after Prometheus, the colony ship Covenant lands on a remote planet, encountering David, the android, and early Xenomorphs.
Significance: Direct continuation of Prometheus, bridging the prequels with the original Alien series.

g. Alien vs. Predator (2004)

Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Synopsis: Humans uncover a pyramid in Antarctica where Predators hunt Aliens as part of a rite of passage.
Significance: A crossover franchise combining Alien and Predator mythos. Considered non-canonical by some fans.

h. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)

Director: Colin Strause, Greg Strause
Synopsis: Continuation of the crossover, focusing on the chaos when Aliens are brought to a small town on Earth.
Significance: Expands on the hybrid storyline but remains loosely connected to the main Alien series.

2. Chronological Order of the Alien Movies

For viewers who prefer to follow the storyline chronologically, starting from the origins of the Xenomorphs and human encounters with aliens, the order is different.

a. Prometheus (2012)

Explores the Engineers and the proto-Xenomorphs.
Set in 2093, decades before the Nostromo encounter.

b. Alien: Covenant (2017)

Continues the prequel storyline.
Set in 2104, bridging the events from Prometheus to the original Alien.

c. Alien (1979)

The Nostromo crew encounters the classic Xenomorph.
Set in 2122.

d. Aliens (1986)

Ripley returns to LV-426 to confront a Xenomorph infestation.
Set 57 years after Alien.

e. Alien 3 (1992)

Ripley crash-lands on a prison planet with a Xenomorph embryo.
Set immediately after the events of Aliens.

f. Alien: Resurrection (1997)

Set 200 years after Alien 3, exploring cloning and hybrid aliens.

g. Alien vs. Predator (2004)

Events occur in 2004, introducing crossover alien hunting.
Placement is flexible, as the canon status is debated.

h. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)

Follows the 2004 crossover events, focusing on the aftermath on Earth.

3. Key Themes Across the Franchise

The Alien franchise explores several recurring themes:

Survival Horror: Humans vs. Xenomorphs, emphasizing fear and tension.
Corporate Greed: Companies exploit alien life for profit, often at human expense.
Body Horror: Parasitic life cycles and alien physiology create visceral horror.
Artificial Intelligence: Androids like David and Bishop play complex roles in the narrative.
Human Curiosity: Exploration of unknown worlds often leads to dangerous consequences.

4. Differences Between Prequels and Original Series

The prequels (Prometheus and Alien: Covenant) focus on cosmic horror and philosophical questions, such as the origin of humanity, the morality of creation, and the consequences of scientific ambition. They explore how the Xenomorphs came to exist and introduce the character of David, the android who experiments with alien biology.

The original series (Alien to Alien: Resurrection), however, emphasizes survival horror, action, and the relentless threat of the Xenomorphs. The prequels provide context but differ in tone, focusing less on claustrophobic horror and more on existential and ethical dilemmas.

5. Tips for Watching the Alien Movies

If You Prefer Release Order:

Experience the evolution of filmmaking and visual effects.
Follow the series as original audiences did.
Notice how storytelling and characters develop over time.

If You Prefer Chronological Order:

Understand the backstory of the Xenomorphs and Engineers.
Follow the timeline of events in the Alien universe.
See cause-and-effect relationships between prequels and sequels.

Optional Viewing:

Watch Alien vs. Predator movies after the main series for a fun, though less canonical, crossover experience.
Skip crossovers if you want a pure Alien series narrative.

6. Conclusion

The Alien franchise is a masterclass in sci-fi, horror, and suspense, combining intense storytelling with iconic creature design. Whether you choose to watch in release order to follow cinematic history or chronological order to experience the timeline of events, the series delivers unforgettable thrills. The prequels enrich the lore, while the original movies provide classic horror and survival drama. Optional crossover films offer entertaining expansions into the Alien-Predator universe.

For new viewers, deciding between release order and chronological order depends on whether you value the original cinematic experience or the narrative timeline. Regardless of your choice, the Alien franchise remains a testament to creative filmmaking, blending suspense, science fiction, and horror in a universe that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

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