Few franchises in cinema history have managed to stay genuinely terrifying across nearly five decades. The Alien series has done exactly that, growing from Ridley Scott’s claustrophobic 1979 masterpiece into a sprawling universe of films and television that keeps pulling audiences back into the dark. Whether you’re a first-timer who just wants to know where to start, or a longtime fan trying to figure out where Alien: Earth fits into everything, this guide has you covered.
The good news: there is a clear, recommended path through the franchise. The slightly complicated news: there are actually two valid viewing orders, each offering a very different experience. We’ll break down both, explain every entry in the series, and answer the questions fans ask most often. No spoilers, no plot twists revealed, just the information you need to watch the right way.
The Alien Franchise at a Glance
As of 2025, the Alien franchise consists of nine feature films and one television series. That’s ten entries total, spanning from 1979 to 2025. The series has been helmed by some of cinema’s most distinctive directors, including Ridley Scott, James Cameron, David Fincher, and Fede Álvarez, which means each installment has its own personality while still belonging to the same terrifying universe.
At the center of it all is the Xenomorph, one of the most iconic creatures in science fiction history. Designed by Swiss artist H.R. Giger, the creature is a biological nightmare that has never lost its ability to unsettle audiences. Beyond the scares, the franchise is built on a consistent theme: the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, a megacorporation that consistently values profit over human life. That corporate greed thread runs through every single entry and gives the series a surprising amount of thematic depth beneath all the chest-bursting horror.
The Two Ways to Watch the Alien Franchise
Before listing every film, it’s worth understanding the two main approaches fans use. Neither is wrong, but they offer very different experiences.
Release Order (Recommended for First-Time Viewers)
Watching in release order means experiencing the franchise the way audiences did over the decades. You start with the original 1979 film and work forward through time. This approach lets you see how the series evolved stylistically, how different directors put their stamp on the material, and how the mythology expanded gradually rather than all at once. It’s the approach most critics and longtime fans recommend for newcomers.
Chronological Order (Best for Rewatches)
Watching in chronological order means following the in-universe timeline, which starts in the early 21st century and stretches all the way to the 24th century. This approach is fascinating for fans who already know the franchise well, because it recontextualizes everything. However, it’s not ideal for first-timers because you’d be watching prequels before the originals, which can undercut some of the mystery and impact of the earlier films.
Our recommendation: watch in release order the first time. Come back for chronological order once you’re hooked.
Alien Movies in Order: Release Order (The Recommended Path)
1. Alien (1979)
This is where everything begins, and it remains one of the greatest science fiction horror films ever made. The crew of the commercial spacecraft Nostromo receives a distress signal and investigates, with catastrophic results. Ridley Scott built the film around atmosphere, dread, and the feeling that space is not a place where humans belong. The pacing is slow and deliberate, which makes the terror hit harder when it arrives. Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver, establishes herself as one of cinema’s great protagonists. Watch this one with the lights off.
2. Aliens (1986)
James Cameron took over for the sequel and made something completely different in tone while keeping everything that matters. Where the first film is a haunted house movie in space, Aliens is a war film. Ripley returns to the site of the original encounter, this time accompanied by a squad of Colonial Marines. The shift from horror to action is jarring at first, but Cameron pulls it off brilliantly. This film introduced the Alien Queen and expanded the mythology in ways that still define the franchise today. Many fans consider this the best film in the series.
3. Alien 3 (1992)
David Fincher’s directorial debut is the most divisive entry in the franchise. The film strips away almost everything from the previous installment and drops Ripley into a bleak, isolated prison colony. It’s a darker, more nihilistic film that prioritizes atmosphere over action. Fincher himself has distanced himself from the final cut due to studio interference, and there is an extended “Assembly Cut” that many fans prefer. It’s not the crowd-pleaser that Aliens was, but it has genuine merit as a piece of grim science fiction.
4. Alien: Resurrection (1997)
The fourth film takes the franchise in a stranger, more surreal direction under director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Set 200 years after the events of Alien 3, it features a cloned version of Ripley with some unexpected new traits. The film has a darkly comedic edge that divides audiences, and it features a memorable ensemble cast. It’s the most unusual entry in the original Ripley saga, and while it’s not universally loved, it has developed a cult following over the years. This is where the original Ripley storyline concludes.
5. Alien vs. Predator (2004)
Here’s where things get complicated. Alien vs. Predator is a crossover film that pits the Xenomorphs against the Predator creatures from the Predator franchise. It’s set in the present day (2004) and takes place on Earth, which is a significant departure from the space-based settings of the main series. Ridley Scott has publicly stated he does not consider the AVP films canonical to the main Alien timeline, and many fans agree. That said, the film is entertaining on its own terms and does expand the mythology in interesting ways. Consider it optional but worth watching if you’re curious.
6. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
The direct sequel to the first AVP film picks up immediately where that one left off. It’s a darker, more violent film that takes the action to a small American town. Critical reception was poor, and it’s generally considered the weakest entry in the franchise. Like its predecessor, it sits outside the main canonical timeline. If you’re watching for the core Alien story, you can skip both AVP films without missing anything essential. If you’re a completionist, watch them after the main series.
7. Prometheus (2012)
Ridley Scott returned to the franchise he created with this ambitious prequel, set in 2089-2093. Prometheus shifts the focus from survival horror to philosophical questions about the origins of humanity and the nature of creation. A team of scientists follows a star map to a distant moon, hoping to find the creators of the human race. What they find is something far more dangerous. The film introduces the Engineers, a mysterious alien species whose connection to the Xenomorphs is explored throughout. It’s a visually stunning film that rewards patient viewers willing to sit with its big questions.
8. Alien: Covenant (2017)
The direct sequel to Prometheus follows a colonization ship that detects a signal from an uncharted planet and investigates. Set in 2104, the film bridges the gap between the prequel storyline and the original Alien. The android David, introduced in Prometheus, plays a central role, and the film explores themes of creation, obsession, and what it means to be human. It’s a more action-oriented film than Prometheus while still carrying the philosophical weight of its predecessor. The ending sets up threads that the franchise has continued to develop.
9. Alien: Romulus (2024)
Director Fede Álvarez (Evil Dead, Don’t Breathe) brought the franchise roaring back to its horror roots with this standalone entry. Set in 2142, between the events of the original Alien and Aliens, the film follows a group of young space colonists who stumble upon an abandoned space station. Romulus earned over $350 million worldwide, holds an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and became the most successful IMAX horror film ever released. It’s a love letter to the original film that works perfectly well as a standalone story, making it a great entry point for newer audiences alongside the 1979 original.
10. Alien: Earth (2025)
The franchise’s first television series, created by Noah Hawley (Fargo, Legion), premiered on FX and Hulu in August 2025. Set in 2120, two years before the events of the original Alien, the eight-episode first season follows the crew of a spacecraft that crash-lands on Earth with a very unwelcome passenger. The series earned a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was renewed for a second season in November 2025, with Peter Dinklage joining the cast for Season 2. It’s a worthy expansion of the franchise that brings the horror to a new setting while honoring everything that makes the series work.
Alien Franchise in Chronological Order (In-Universe Timeline)
For fans who want to experience the story in the order events actually occur within the universe, here is the chronological sequence. Note that the AVP films are included here because they are set earliest in the timeline, even though many fans consider them non-canonical.
- Alien vs. Predator (2004) — Set in 2004
- Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) — Set in 2004, immediately after AVP
- Prometheus (2012) — Set in 2089-2093
- Alien: Covenant (2017) — Set in 2104
- Alien: Earth (2025) — Set in 2120
- Alien (1979) — Set in 2122
- Alien: Romulus (2024) — Set in 2142
- Aliens (1986) — Set in 2179
- Alien 3 (1992) — Set in 2179, immediately after Aliens
- Alien: Resurrection (1997) — Set in 2379-2381
One important note: watching in this order means starting with the AVP crossover films and the prequels before you ever see the original 1979 film. For most viewers, this significantly reduces the impact of the original. The mystery of the Xenomorph, the Engineers, and the Weyland-Yutani Corporation is part of what makes the first film so effective. Chronological order is best saved for a rewatch.
The Ripley Saga: The Core Four Films
If you want to focus on the original storyline before branching out, the first four films form a complete arc centered on Ellen Ripley. Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien: Resurrection tell one continuous story across centuries. Sigourney Weaver’s performance across these four films is one of the great sustained acting achievements in genre cinema. Ripley is resourceful, determined, and deeply human in a franchise full of corporate monsters and biological nightmares.
After completing the Ripley saga, you can branch out to the prequels (Prometheus and Covenant), the standalone (Romulus), and the TV series (Alien: Earth) in any order that appeals to you.
What About the AVP Films?
The Alien vs. Predator films occupy a strange place in the franchise. They’re officially set in the same universe, and they appear earliest in the chronological timeline. However, Ridley Scott has publicly stated he does not consider them part of the main Alien canon, and the prequel films (Prometheus and Covenant) establish an origin for the Xenomorphs that contradicts what the AVP films suggest.
The practical advice: watch the main series first. If you enjoy the franchise and want more, add the AVP films as a side trip. They’re not required viewing for understanding anything in the core series, and skipping them won’t leave you confused about any plot points in the main films or Alien: Earth.
Where to Watch the Alien Franchise
The availability of streaming rights shifts over time, so always check your local streaming services for current options. As of 2025, Alien: Earth is available on Hulu and FX. The older films have appeared on various platforms including Disney+, Hulu, and Peacock. The physical media options (Blu-ray, 4K) are widely available for all entries and are worth considering for the best picture and sound quality, particularly for the original 1979 film.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Alien Watch Order
Do I need to watch the AVP films to understand the main Alien series?
No. The Alien vs. Predator films are entirely optional. The main Alien series, including Prometheus, Covenant, Romulus, and Alien: Earth, makes complete sense without them. Many fans skip the AVP films entirely and have no gaps in their understanding of the franchise.
Should I watch Prometheus before or after the original Alien?
Watch the original Alien first. Prometheus is a prequel, but it was made 33 years after the original and assumes you already have a relationship with the franchise. Watching it first removes some of the mystery that makes the original so effective. Release order is the right call here.
Is Alien: Romulus a sequel to Alien: Covenant?
Not exactly. Alien: Romulus is a standalone film set between the original Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986) in the timeline. It doesn’t directly continue the story of Prometheus or Covenant. You can watch it without having seen the prequels, though having seen the original Alien first will enhance the experience significantly.
Do I need to watch the movies before Alien: Earth?
The TV series is designed to be accessible to new viewers, but watching the original 1979 Alien first is strongly recommended. Alien: Earth is set two years before the events of the original film, and understanding the broader context of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation and the Xenomorph threat makes the series richer. That said, creator Noah Hawley designed it to work as an entry point for newcomers.
How many Alien movies are there in total?
There are nine feature films and one television series, for ten total entries. The nine films are: Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), Alien 3 (1992), Alien: Resurrection (1997), Alien vs. Predator (2004), Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007), Prometheus (2012), Alien: Covenant (2017), and Alien: Romulus (2024). The television series is Alien: Earth (2025).
Which Alien film is the best starting point?
The original 1979 Alien is the best starting point, full stop. It’s the film that established everything the franchise is built on, and it remains one of the most effective science fiction horror films ever made. If you want a more action-oriented entry point, Alien: Romulus (2024) works well as a standalone, but you’ll get more out of it having seen the original first.
Is Alien: Earth Season 2 confirmed?
Yes. FX renewed Alien: Earth for a second season in November 2025. Production is expected to begin in mid-2026 to early 2027, with Peter Dinklage, Tracey Ullman, Sam Spruell, and Jerome Flynn joining the cast.
Can I skip Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection?
Technically yes, but you’d be missing the conclusion of Ellen Ripley’s story. Both films are divisive, but they complete the arc that began in 1979. Alien 3 in particular has an extended “Assembly Cut” that many fans consider superior to the theatrical version. If you’re committed to the Ripley saga, watch both. If you’re primarily interested in the broader franchise mythology, you can move from Aliens to Prometheus without losing the plot.
Ready to Face the Darkness?
The Alien franchise is one of the most rewarding long-form viewing experiences in science fiction. It’s a series that has genuinely reinvented itself multiple times without losing the core of what makes it work: the terror of the unknown, the horror of corporate indifference, and the stubborn resilience of the humans caught in the middle. From the original 1979 film to the acclaimed Alien: Earth TV series, there has never been a better time to work through the entire franchise.
Start with Alien (1979), follow the release order, and let each film surprise you on its own terms. Once you’ve made it through, the chronological rewatch is a genuinely different experience that reveals connections and context you couldn’t have appreciated the first time around.
Have you already watched some of the series? Which entry is your favorite? Drop a comment below and let us know where you started and what surprised you most. And if this guide helped you figure out your watch order, share it with a friend who’s been putting off starting the franchise. The Xenomorphs have been waiting long enough.