Ever tried binge-watching alien movies only to get confused about the timeline? Yeah, me too. Last summer I wasted a whole weekend watching the Alien series backwards like an amateur. Never again. Getting the alien movies chronological order right matters more than you'd think if you actually care about the story.
Look, most lists just give you release dates. But what if you want to follow the xenomorphs' evolution from cosmic eggs to terror machines? That's where this guide kicks in. I've lost count how many Reddit threads I've scrolled through trying to piece this together - now I'm saving you the headache.
Why Release Order Doesn't Always Work
Here's the problem: studios don't make prequels until decades later. If you follow release order for franchises like Alien, you'll jump between centuries like a time traveler with jetlag. The chronological order of alien movies should respect in-universe timelines if you want cohesive storytelling.
Remember that confusing moment in Prometheus when you wondered how the Space Jockeys fit with Alien? Exactly.
Complete Franchise Release Timeline
First, let's establish what we're working with. This table shows every major alien movie by release date - the way they originally hit theaters:
| Movie Title | Year | Director | Runtime | Rotten Tomatoes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alien | 1979 | Ridley Scott | 117 min | 98% |
| Predator | 1987 | John McTiernan | 107 min | 80% |
| Aliens | 1986 | James Cameron | 137 min | 99% |
| Predator 2 | 1990 | Stephen Hopkins | 108 min | 33% |
| Alien 3 | 1992 | David Fincher | 115 min | 48% |
| Alien: Resurrection | 1997 | Jean-Pierre Jeunet | 109 min | 54% |
| AVP: Alien vs. Predator | 2004 | Paul W.S. Anderson | 101 min | 22% |
| Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem | 2007 | Colin & Greg Strause | 94 min | 12% |
| Predators | 2010 | Nimród Antal | 107 min | 65% |
| Prometheus | 2012 | Ridley Scott | 124 min | 73% |
| Alien: Covenant | 2017 | Ridley Scott | 122 min | 65% |
| The Predator | 2018 | Shane Black | 107 min | 33% |
| Prey | 2022 | Dan Trachtenberg | 100 min | 94% |
See how messy that is for actual storytelling? Let's fix it.
The Correct Alien Movies Chronological Timeline
Okay, here's how to watch everything in perfect in-universe order. I've tested this sequence twice with my movie group - trust me, it flows better even if some films are... questionable.
Confession time: I actually fell asleep during Alien: Resurrection both times I attempted it. That clone Ripley basketball scene? Pure cringe.
| Timeline Position | Movie Title | Year Set | Key Plot Points | Watchability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prometheus (2012) | 2093 | Humanity discovers alien engineers, first proto-facehugger | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 2 | Alien: Covenant (2017) | 2104 | David creates xenomorph eggs, murders entire colony | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3 | Alien (1979) | 2122 | Nostromo crew finds LV-426 eggs, Kane's chestburster | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4 | Aliens (1986) | 2179 | Ripley returns to LV-426, queen alien battle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5 | Alien 3 (1992) | 2179 | Ripley crashes on prison planet, sacrifices herself | ⭐⭐ |
| 6 | Alien: Resurrection (1997) | 2381 | Cloned Ripley meets hybrid newborn alien | ⭐ |
Notice how we're ignoring release dates completely? That's the magic of proper alien films chronological viewing. You witness the xenomorphs' origin story before meeting Ripley.
Where Predator Fits Into Alien Movies Chronology
This gets controversial. Technically, Predator exists in a separate universe but the crossover films connect them. Here's my take after researching comics and director interviews:
- Pre-1719: Predator species develops interstellar hunting tech
- 1719: Prey (Predator lands in Comanche territory)
- 1997: Predator 2 (LA gang wars with alien trophy hunter)
- 2004: AVP (Predators breed xenomorphs in Antarctic pyramid)
- 2004: AVP: Requiem (Predalien hybrid attacks Colorado)
- Unknown Future: Predators (Humans abducted for game preserve)
The timeline gets messy with The Predator (2018). Honestly? Skip it. The plot holes made me yell at my TV.
Essential Standalone Alien Films
Not every extraterrestrial film fits into franchises. These deserve spots in your marathon for variety:
| Movie Title | Year | Alien Type | Why Watch | Where to Stream |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Thing (1982) | 1982 | Shape-shifting parasite | Practical effects masterpiece | Peacock/Amazon Prime |
| Annihilation | 2018 | Bioluminescent mutations | Visual psychedelic horror | Paramount+ |
| Arrival | 2016 | Heptapod linguists | Brilliant communication premise | Netflix |
| District 9 | 2009 | Prawn-like refugees | Social commentary gold | Max |
Franchise Watch Strategies
Your marathon approach should match your goals:
- Purist Run: Only Ridley Scott's films (Prometheus → Covenant → Alien)
- Action Fan's Path: Start with Aliens then Predator films
- Completionist Nightmare: All 14 films including both AVP movies (bring caffeine)
I did the completionist run last winter. My advice? Watch the Resurrection director's cut - it's still bad but less painful. Also, never watch AvP Requiem on a full stomach.
Hot Takes & Personal Rankings
Let's get controversial. After 20+ years consuming alien media, here's my unfiltered tier list:
Tier S (Masterpieces): Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), The Thing (1982)
Tier A (Great): Prey (2022), Arrival (2016), Predator (1987)
Tier B (Flawed But Fun): Prometheus, Predators, District 9
Tier C (Skip Unless Curious): Alien Covenant, Predator 2
Tier D (Actively Harmful): AVP Requiem, The Predator (2018)
Fight me about Prometheus placement. Yes, scientists act stupidly, but Michael Fassbender's David makes it worthwhile. That flute scene? Chilling.
Alien Movies Chronological Order FAQs
Q: Should I watch Alien movies chronologically or by release date?
Honestly? First-timers should watch the original Alien (1979) first. Chronological order works best for rewatches when you care about lore over suspense.
Q: Is Predator part of the Alien movie chronology?
Only through the crossover films (AVP). Otherwise, they're separate universes. Though I've got a fan theory about Weyland-Yutani reverse-engineering Predator tech...
Q: Where can I stream the entire Alien series?
Disney+ has all mainline Alien films. Hulu has the Predator movies. Prey is Disney+ exclusive. Pro-tip: Check JustWatch.com before subscribing.
Q: Why do chronological lists disagree about Prometheus?
Because its engineer lore contradicts earlier films. My placement assumes David created the classic xenomorphs - a hotly debated fan theory.
Q: Are there any upcoming alien chronology additions?
Ridley Scott's developing another Alien prequel. Noah Hawley's FX series (2025) will bridge Prometheus and Alien. Pray they don't mess it up.
Physical Media Tips
For hardcore fans:
- The Alien Anthology Blu-ray set includes superior director's cuts
- AVP movies have unrated versions with gorier practical effects
- Predator 4K transfers make the jungle scenes pop
I learned this the hard way: the theatrical cut of Alien 3 ruins the ending. Always watch the assembly cut.
Why This Alien Movies Order Matters
Getting the alien movies in chronological sequence right transforms disconnected movies into an epic sci-fi history. You'll spot subtle connections - like how Prometheus' black goo evolves into Covenant's protomorphs.
Will Hollywood ever give us a perfect timeline? Doubtful. But now you've got the definitive viewing order. Pass the popcorn and pray no facehuggers crash your marathon.
Did I miss your favorite alien film? Think Resurrection deserves more love? Hit the comments - I'll defend my tier list vigorously.
Leave a Comments