The Ultimate Guide: All Alien Movies In Order (Chronological & Release) Including 2024’s Romulus And New 2025 Series
For decades, the *Alien* franchise has defined sci-fi horror, introducing the terrifying *Xenomorph* to the world and spawning one of the most complex timelines in cinema history. With the recent release of *Alien: Romulus* in 2024 and an anticipated new TV series, *Alien: Earth*, arriving in 2025, the saga is more alive—and confusing—than ever.
This definitive guide, updated for December 2025, cuts through the decades of sequels, prequels, and spin-offs to give you the two essential viewing orders. Whether you are a newcomer seeking to understand the origins of the *Black Goo* and the *Engineers*, or a veteran fan preparing for the next chapter, here is the only guide you need to watch every *Alien* movie and show in the correct sequence.
The Definitive Alien Movie Timeline: Chronological Order (Story Sequence)
Watching the films in chronological order is the best way to experience the saga's evolving mythology, starting with the creation of the *Xenomorph* and the mysteries of the *Engineers*. This order includes the prequels, which were directed by franchise creator *Ridley Scott* and explore the origins of the terrifying creature.
- 1. Prometheus (2012)
Setting: 2093, thirty years before the events of *Alien*.
Synopsis: The film follows the crew of the scientific vessel *Prometheus* as they journey to a distant moon, LV-223, based on ancient star maps. Their goal is to find humanity's creators, the *Engineers*. Instead, they discover a biological weapon—the *Black Goo*—and the horrifying foundations of the *Xenomorph* species. It introduces the synthetic *David 8* and the *Weyland Corporation*. - 2. Alien: Covenant (2017)
Setting: 2104, ten years after *Prometheus*.
Synopsis: The colony ship *Covenant* intercepts a signal from a seemingly utopian planet. The crew, including the synthetic *Walter*, investigates and discovers the chilling fate of the *Prometheus* crew and the sole survivor, *David 8*. This film details *David's* experiments and his role in perfecting the *Xenomorph* life cycle, creating the *Neomorph* and the final iteration of the creature. - 3. Alien (1979)
Setting: 2122, eighteen years after *Covenant*.
Synopsis: The classic film that started it all. The commercial towing spaceship *Nostromo* intercepts a distress signal from a derelict vessel on planet LV-426. The crew, led by Warrant Officer *Ellen Ripley*, encounters a *Facehugger* and the subsequent *Chestburster*, leading to the first canonical appearance of the fully-formed *Xenomorph*. This film is a masterpiece of slow-burn horror. - 4. Alien: Romulus (2024)
Setting: Approximately 2142, twenty years after *Alien*.
Synopsis: The newest entry in the franchise is set between the events of *Alien* and *Aliens*. It follows a group of young scavengers on a derelict space station who encounter a terrifying variant of the *Xenomorph*. The film also introduces a version of the *Black Goo* (dubbed the *Prometheus Strain* or Z-01), directly connecting it to the prequel films while maintaining the visceral horror of the original saga. - 5. Aliens (1986)
Setting: 2179, fifty-seven years after *Alien*.
Synopsis: *Ellen Ripley* is rescued from hypersleep and returns to LV-426 (now the colony *Hadley's Hope*) with a unit of *Colonial Marines*. Directed by *James Cameron*, this sequel shifts the tone from horror to action, introducing the iconic *Alien Queen* and the concept of a hive. - 6. Alien 3 (1992)
Setting: Immediately following *Aliens*.
Synopsis: *Ripley* crash-lands on the prison planet Fiorina "Fury" 161. She must fight a new *Xenomorph* (the *Dog Alien* or *Bambi Burster*) without the help of weapons, facing the realization that the *Weyland-Yutani Corporation* is still obsessed with weaponizing the creature. - 7. Alien Resurrection (1997)
Setting: 2379, 200 years after *Alien 3*.
Synopsis: *Ripley* is cloned aboard the military science vessel *USM Auriga* by scientists attempting to extract the *Alien Queen* embryo she was carrying. The resulting hybrid *Ripley 8* and the subsequent escaped *Xenomorphs* lead to a desperate fight for survival, culminating in the introduction of the *Newborn* creature.
The Traditional Viewing Order: By Release Date
For first-time viewers, or those who prefer the original, slow-reveal experience, the release order is often recommended. This sequence allows the original films to maintain their mystery before the prequels, *Prometheus* and *Covenant*, attempt to explain the *Xenomorph's* creation and the origins of the *Engineers*.
| Title | Release Year | Director |
|---|---|---|
| Alien | 1979 | Ridley Scott |
| Aliens | 1986 | James Cameron |
| Alien 3 | 1992 | David Fincher |
| Alien Resurrection | 1997 | Jean-Pierre Jeunet |
| Prometheus | 2012 | Ridley Scott |
| Alien: Covenant | 2017 | Ridley Scott |
| Alien: Romulus | 2024 | Fede Álvarez |
The Canon Conundrum: Is Alien vs. Predator Part of the Main Timeline?
One of the most frequent questions among fans revolves around the two crossover films: *Alien vs. Predator* (2004) and *Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem* (2007). The short answer is: No, they are generally not considered canonical to the main *Alien* timeline.
The AvP Exclusion
The *AvP* films, while popular, were created as a separate sub-franchise. The events of *Alien vs. Predator* take place in 2004, which directly contradicts the main *Alien* timeline where the *Xenomorph* is supposedly not discovered until 2122 by the crew of the *Nostromo*. Furthermore, the prequels *Prometheus* and *Alien: Covenant* established a new origin for the *Xenomorph* that completely ignores the *AvP* narrative. *Ridley Scott* himself has stated that the *AvP* films are not part of his vision for the saga.
The Predator Connection
It is important to note that while *AvP* is non-canon to the *Alien* universe, the *Xenomorph* is considered canon within the *Predator* franchise. This is due to a famous Easter egg in *Predator 2* (1990) where an *Alien* skull is visible in the *Predator*'s trophy room. This creates a fascinating, albeit separate, two-way street of crossover mythology.
Future of the Franchise: Upcoming Alien Projects (2025 and Beyond)
The *Alien* universe continues to expand, moving beyond the feature films and into the world of television. This ensures the survival of the *Xenomorph* for years to come.
The Alien: Earth TV Series (2025)
The most anticipated new project is the FX television series, *Alien: Earth*, created by *Noah Hawley*. The series is currently scheduled to premiere in 2025 and is set to be the first major canonical story to take place primarily on Earth. The show will focus on the *Weyland-Yutani Corporation* and the existential threats posed by the *Xenomorph* on a planetary scale. It is expected to further explore the corporate greed and technological themes established by *Ridley Scott* and *James Cameron*.
The Unanswered Questions
The new projects, especially *Alien: Romulus* and *Alien: Earth*, are expected to address many long-standing fan questions, such as: What happened to *David's* ultimate plan from *Covenant*? Has the *Black Goo* been weaponized by *Weyland-Yutani*? Will the series finally show the *Xenomorphs* establishing a hive on Earth? The future of the *Alien* saga promises a deeper dive into the mythology of the *Engineers* and the ultimate fate of humanity.
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