All Alien Movies, Ranked

From 1979's Alien to the record-breaking Alien: Romulus in 2024, here's a ranking of the nine films in this iconic franchise. This is prepared by SSP.

9. Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)

Directed by Greg and Colin Strause, Requiem unfolds in a small Colorado town under siege from a Predalien, a creature birthed in the previous AVP film. This Predalien has Van Xenomorph eggs that hatch and unleash chaos. A Predator named Wolf is dispatched to eliminate the Predalien and the Xenomorphs, while a group of mostly irrelevant humans, portrayed by Steven Pasquale, Johnny Lewis, and others, aim to escape the doomed town before either the aliens or a nuclear strike takes them out.

While the premise may sound thrilling, the execution is lackluster. The film is shot so dimly that action sequences are hard to follow. This issue is evident in the trailer as well. Though there are glimpses of interesting special effects, buried beneath the gloom, until a better presentation is available, it's hard to accurately evaluate the film.

8. Alien Resurrection (1997)

Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Alien Resurrection serves as a significant installment in the franchise's timeline. It marks the final appearance of Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, who joins a group of mercenaries to prevent a military vessel, full of Xenomorphs, from making its way to Earth, two centuries after Alien 3. While intriguing, the film heavily leans into late ’90s trends, showcasing black leather fashion and awkward Walmart references.

Aspects like the setting resemble a backdrop from a nu-metal music video of the era, and the portrayal of Call (Winona Ryder) reduces her to a mere object of attraction for other characters. While it pushes forward in terms of horror elements, including underwater Alien chases and experimental clones, *Resurrection* fails to capture the seminal essence of the earlier films.

7. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)

Paul W.S. Anderson's AVP finds its place amidst the confluence of Alien and Predator mythologies, blending aspects from the Dark Horse comic series. As the film stands alone, it is a watchable endeavor, despite the mixed expectations stemming from previous standout entries. It offers a creative backstory where an exploration team, led by Lex Woods (Sanaa Lathan), inadvertently awakens an Alien Queen in an Antarctic pyramid.

This summoning prompts Predators to eliminate the threats before they escape. While Anderson's effort fills the film with engaging visual effects, absurd storylines like the use of captured humans as hosts for Xenomorph embryos dilute its impact. Even with a PG-13 rating, there are enjoyable action sequences and the presence of Sanaa Lathan as a capable survivor adds a significant cultural dimension.

6. Alien 3 (1992)

David Fincher's Alien 3 remains the franchise's darkest and most unsettling entry, as Ripley crash-lands on a grim prison planet. With her found family — Hicks, Newt, and Bishop — lost, she must confront a new threat as a Xenomorph has stowed away on her ship.

Despite production challenges, Fincher depicts a grim, atmospheric environment that anchors the film’s themes. This edition emphasizes character development and delves into religious motifs, capturing Ripley amidst each harrowing moment she faces. Though less action-oriented than Aliens and bearing a different rhythm than Alien, it offers a potent exploration of despair alongside Weaver’s standout emotional performance.

5. Alien: Covenant (2017)

Ridley Scott's Alien: Covenant functionally bridges Prometheus and Alien. Initially intended as a continuation of Elizabeth Shaw's story, the film sees a shift toward Xenomorph-centric horror. David (Michael Fassbender) emerges as the central antagonist, further exploring concepts surrounding creation, imitation, and augmented existence.

Upon landing on a progressively disconcerting alien world, the colony ship's crew must confront various malevolent forces. The actors, including Billy Crudup and Danny McBride, encounter disastrous fates during their journey. Scott tackles extensive themes via David's portrayal—questioning the purpose of creation against humanity and nature. The horror stems not just from gore, but from ethical quandaries concerning godhood and manipulation.

4. Alien: Romulus (2024)

Fede Álvarez's Alien: Romulus takes viewers between Alien and Aliens, featuring a group of colonizers oppressed by Weyland-Yutani. Their aim to escape leads them to steal cryopods from a supposed abandoned science station. However, the station harbors deadly creatures, including facehuggers and Xenomorphs.

The film channels a nostalgic tone while incorporating fresh themes, reflecting Álvarez’s character-driven horror storytelling style. Romulus explores the ideas surrounding labor exploitations and the fear of inhumane forms of work while weaving together originality with references to earlier film elements. The result solidifies the film as both innovative and visually arresting.

3. Prometheus (2012)

Prometheus offers a complex answer to the origins of the Alien universe while not merely relying on explicit information. Driven by the mysterious connection to mankind's origins, archeologists Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) venture onto a spaceship, filled with darkened ambiguity.

Unraveling humanity's existence, these characters delve deep into the pandemonium of faith vs. enlightenment and the complexities of creation. Shaw confronts daunting inquiries regarding her belief in a higher power, counterbalanced by Weyland's quest for immortality, personified by the android David (Michael Fassbender). Rather than serving as mere exposition, Prometheus expands the universe and confronts broader human dilemmas.

2. Aliens (1986)

James Cameron's Aliens broadens the scope, pacing, and intensity of its predecessor while introducing heavier action elements. Notable for its balance of horror and crowd-pleasing moments, the sequel intricately develops Ripley, who, fifty-seven years post-Alien, is thrust into frantic confrontations on a Xenomorph-overrun colony.

With the marines' defeat influenced by their insectoid nature, Cameron expands the emotional resonance of Ripley's character, especially through her bond with Newt (Carrie Henn). This sequel is applauded for its creative practical effects, tightly linked to the original design foundation by H.R. Giger. At its core, Aliens consolidates Ripley as a trend-defining warrior while thriving as a showcase of action cinema.

1. Alien (1979)

Alien stands as an unparalleled masterpiece, captivating audiences with its atmospheric and psychological depth. This science fiction horror reveals itself as both a haunted house film and a carefully crafted experience transcending conventional mocks. The eerily designed spaceship, Nostromo, features tight spaces that amplify dread and vulnerability.

Scott's adept direction fills every inch of the film with impactful design elements, further thriving on an amazing character ensemble featuring Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Ian Holm, and others. This film effectively critiques corporate greed and humanity's frail existence amidst creating its unique mythos. Alien is a transformative experience that has indelibly altered the landscape of horror and science fiction; its lasting influence remains significant throughout genre history.