Release order
Start with Alien and Aliens, then continue through the Ripley films before the prequels and Romulus. The two Alien vs. Predator crossovers are separate theatrical side stories.
The silence beyond the stars
Some discoveries
change everything.
The Alien films move between claustrophobic survival, expansive science fiction, and questions about where the threat began. Prequels come early in the fictional history; release order preserves the series’ best discoveries.
Alien1979–2024About 17 hours
Before you press play
Two ways in.
One great journey.
Story order
Prometheus and Covenant precede Alien. Romulus fits between Alien and Aliens. The four Ripley films then continue forward. Crossover continuity does not align neatly with the main series, so it has its own group.
The films / 9 theatrical releases
Alien
Your viewing guide.
Release order · US theatrical dates where available. Story order is an editorial viewing suggestion.
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Alien
A commercial crew responds to a signal and finds an unwelcome passenger.
Directed by Ridley Scott
With Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica CartwrightUS theatrical release:
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Aliens
Ripley returns to the threat with a larger, heavily armed team.
Directed by James Cameron
With Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael BiehnUS theatrical release:
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Alien³
Ripley faces another encounter in an isolated prison setting.
Directed by David Fincher
With Sigourney Weaver, Charles S. Dutton, Charles DanceUS theatrical release:
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Alien Resurrection
The fourth Ripley film moves the series to a different future laboratory.
Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
With Sigourney Weaver, Winona Ryder, Dominique PinonUS theatrical release:
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AVP: Alien vs. Predator
A theatrical crossover with its own mythology and setting.
Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson
With Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Ian WhyteUS theatrical release:
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Aliens vs Predator: Requiem
The second AVP crossover follows the conflict to a small town.
Directed by Colin Strause, Greg Strause
With David Paetkau, Sam Trammell, Steven PasqualeUS theatrical release:
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Prometheus
An expedition searches for humanity’s origins and opens a different mystery.
Directed by Ridley Scott
With Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize TheronUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Prometheus (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Alien: Covenant
Continues the prequel questions on a colony ship’s journey.
Directed by Ridley Scott
With Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy CrudupUS theatrical release:
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Alien: Romulus
A group of young scavengers explores a derelict station between the first two films.
Directed by Fede Álvarez
With Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie RenauxUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for Alien: Romulus (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Guide notes & sources
Editorial review: . Released theatrical features only; television, shorts, direct-to-video titles, and unreleased films are excluded. Story order follows each whole film’s main narrative. This guide is not a content rating or age recommendation.
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