The Xenomorph from the Alien film franchise is one of the coolest, most nefarious movie monsters ever hatched, with its acid blood, mouths-within-mouths, and diabolical claws. It pretty much single-handedly (and multi-teethily) invented the space horror genre and gave an entire generation a new boogeyman to fear. After we got the first Alien TV show with Alien: Earth, you may be wanting to do a full rewatch of the Alien franchise (including the Alien/Predator films, which are set on Earth).
But what’s the correct order to watch them in? We’ve got you covered. Below you’ll find full listings for the Alien movies, in both chronological order and by release date.
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How Many Alien Movies Are There?
There are a total of nine movies and one TV series in the Alien franchise — four in the mainline series of films, two Predator crossovers, two prequels from Ridley Scott, and a standalone movie from Fede Álvarez. The newest addition, Alien: Earth, is currently airing its first season.
Alien Movies in Chronological Order
1. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
The story of the Xenomorphs begins, time-wise, in the first of the two crossover films for the franchise, AVP. Set in 2004, Alien vs. Predator, from Resident Evil/Event Horizon’s Paul W. S. Anderson, brought to life a “battle of the titans” concept that first originated in a 1989 comic. In the film, humans discover that Predators (aka the “Yautja”) have been coming to Earth for thousands of years. Old cults worshipping them would sacrifice themselves to a Xenomorph Queen’s brood — the facehuggers — producing adult Xenomorphs, so the Predators could hunt the “ultimate prey.” Sufficed to say, things go badly during the Predators’ 2004 hunting trip.
2. Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)
Still set in our modern times, and therefore still happening before everything else in the Alien franchise, crossover sequel Aliens vs Predator: Requiem picks up right where AVP left off. An Alien-Predator hybrid — the “Predalien” — is now on the loose in a small Colorado town. A skilled, veteran Predator arrives to help clean up the mess and an ample amount of carnage ensues. This would be the final crossover film of the Alien franchise. You can see our guide to the Predator movies in order for more info.
3. Prometheus (2012)
Oscar-winning director Ridley Scott returned to the franchise he created in 1979 with the star-studded prequel film, Prometheus. Here, in the late 21st Century, Peter Weyland (presumedly a descendant of AVP’s Charles Weyland) funds a cosmic trip into the unknown, following a star map left on Earth that might lead the crew of the Prometheus to the beings who created humankind. Sadly, the crew also stumbles across these creators’ bio-weapon — the Xenomorph. Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, and Charlize Theron star.
Read our review of Prometheus.
