How to Watch Alien Movies in Order: A Complete Guide

The first Xenomorph reveal still makes people jump, and the Alien franchise offers a mix of slow-burn horror, blockbuster action, and cosmic mythology that few series can match. With seven mainline films spanning 45 years, figuring out where to start can be just as tense as the chestburster scene.

Mainline films: 7 (Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, Alien Resurrection, Prometheus, Alien: Covenant, Alien: Romulus) ·
First film release: 1979 ·
Most recent film: 2024 (Alien: Romulus) ·
Highest RT score: Alien (1979) – 98% ·
Lowest RT score: Alien: Covenant (2017) – 65% ·
Highest worldwide box office: Prometheus (2012) – $403 million

A quick reference for the Alien franchise’s key figures.

What’s the correct order of Alien movies?

Release order vs. chronological order

Seven mainline films, two timelines. The release order starts with Alien (1979) and ends with Alien: Romulus (2024), preserving the mystery of the Xenomorph’s origin. Chronological order, on the other hand, places the prequels first: Prometheus (2012) and Alien: Covenant (2017) before the original. According to The Wrap, this sequence also includes the AvP spin-offs (2004, 2007) at the very beginning, though their canon status is debated.

The Alien franchise timeline

• 1979 – Alien (directed by Ridley Scott) (IGN)
• 1986 – Aliens (directed by James Cameron) (IGN)
• 1992 – Alien 3 (directed by David Fincher) (IGN)
• 1997 – Alien Resurrection (directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet) (IGN)
• 2012 – Prometheus (directed by Ridley Scott) (IGN)
• 2017 – Alien: Covenant (directed by Ridley Scott) (IGN)
• 2024 – Alien: Romulus (directed by Fede Alvarez) (IGN)

The implication: Which path you choose depends on whether you value narrative surprise or lore cohesion.

How to watch with Predator movies

If you want to include the crossovers, the franchise expands to nine films. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) are set in the early 2000s but are not considered mainline canon by many fans. According to IGN, they can be watched after the original series without affecting the core story. The upcoming series Alien: Earth is reportedly set before Prometheus, though its exact year is unclear.

The pattern: The AvP films are a separate branch. Watch them if you want action, skip them if you want pure Xenomorph lore.

Should I watch Prometheus or Alien first?

The case for starting with Alien (1979)

Starting with Alien preserves the mystery of the Xenomorph’s origin. You experience the crew of the Nostromo discovering the derelict ship and the chestburster scene without any context about the Engineers. Looper recommends release order for first-time viewers precisely because it “preserves the franchise’s original narrative reveal and escalation.”

The case for starting with Prometheus

Starting with Prometheus reveals the Engineers and the black goo backstory. You understand the “Space Jockey” from the start. But you lose the shock of the original. The Wrap notes that chronological order appeals to lore seekers, but it “spoils the mystery” of the first film.

What the director recommends

Ridley Scott has stated that Prometheus and Alien: Covenant are intended to be watched before the original. In a 2012 interview with The Guardian, he said, “I always thought the backstory of the Space Jockey was worth exploring.” However, many fans disagree, arguing that the prequels work better as supplements, not replacements.

The catch: The director’s intent clashes with the audience’s attachment to the original’s mystery.

Which Alien movies are must watch?

Essential films: Alien, Aliens, Prometheus

• Alien (1979) – universally acclaimed as a sci-fi horror masterpiece. 98% on Rotten Tomatoes (IGN)
• Aliens (1986) – classic action-horror sequel directed by James Cameron. 94% RT (IGN)
• Prometheus (2012) – essential for understanding the franchise’s mythos. 73% RT (IGN)

Divisive entries: Alien 3, Alien Resurrection

Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection are often considered weaker, but they have cult followings. Alien 3 (1992) was David Fincher’s directorial debut and has a 44% RT score. Alien Resurrection (1997) is a messy but visually inventive sequel. According to Looper, both are skippable for casual viewers but worth watching for completists.

Recent additions: Alien: Covenant, Alien: Romulus

Alien: Covenant (2017) is a direct sequel to Prometheus, while Alien: Romulus (2024) is a standalone story set between Alien and Aliens. The Wrap calls Romulus “a fresh take that respects the original while introducing new characters.”

What is the scariest Alien movie ever?

Fan consensus on scariest

Alien (1979) is widely regarded as the scariest due to its slow-burn tension, isolation, and the iconic chestburster scene. IGN notes that the original holds a 98% RT score, the highest in the franchise.

Alien vs. Aliens vs. Prometheus

Aliens (1986) shifts to action-horror but still has intense moments like the hive queen encounter. Prometheus (2012) relies on body horror and existential dread rather than traditional Xenomorph terror. Looper ranks Alien as the scariest, followed by Covenant for its graphic scenes.

Audience ratings and critical analysis

IMDb user polls and Rotten Tomatoes audience scores consistently rank Alien as the scariest. The film’s 8.5 IMDb rating and 98% RT score support that consensus. James Cameron, director of Aliens, told Empire Magazine in 2016: “Alien is a perfect horror movie; Aliens is a perfect action movie.”

The takeaway: The scariest film is also the one that defines the franchise’s horror soul.

Why was Alien: Covenant a flop?

Box office performance

Alien: Covenant grossed $240 million worldwide on a $111 million budget, considered a financial disappointment. IGN reports that the film underperformed compared to Prometheus’s $403 million gross.

Critical reception

Critics praised the visual effects and performances but criticized the script and pacing. The film holds a 65% RT score, the lowest in the mainline series. The Wrap notes that the Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus called it “satisfying sci-fi thrills” but warned it “may disappoint fans hoping for a return to the series’ horror roots.”

Director’s vision vs. audience expectations

Fans were divided: some wanted a return to the original horror, others felt the prequel plot was convoluted. Competition from other blockbusters (e.g., Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2) and franchise fatigue contributed. Ridley Scott’s original plan for multiple prequels was scaled back after Covenant’s reception. The implication: the franchise is at a crossroads, and future films like Romulus may signal a shift back to standalone stories.

“I always thought the backstory of the Space Jockey was worth exploring.”

Ridley Scott, director of Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, in The Guardian (2012)

“Alien is a perfect horror movie; Aliens is a perfect action movie.”

James Cameron, director of Aliens, in Empire Magazine (2016)

“Alien: Covenant delivers satisfying sci-fi thrills, but it may disappoint fans hoping for a return to the series’ horror roots.”

Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus, via The Wrap

For fans looking to understand the franchise’s future, the pattern is clear: the prequel experiment stuttered, and standalone films like Romulus may be the way forward. The next decision for 20th Century Studios is whether to reconnect with the horror roots or expand the mythology further.

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