Alien Movies in Order: Release & Chronological Watch Guide

Few film franchises still stir debate the way Alien does, especially when it comes to the order to watch them. With seven mainline movies released between 1979 and 2024 — including the latest, Alien: Romulus — picking the right sequence can feel like navigating a derelict spacecraft. This guide lays out both the release order and the in-universe chronology, explains why the choice matters, and offers a clear recommendation for your first viewing.

Total mainline Alien movies (including Romulus): 7 · First film release year: 1979 · Most recent film release year: 2024 · Chronologically earliest film: Prometheus (2012) · Chronologically latest film (so far): Alien: Romulus (2024) – set between Alien and Aliens · Crossover films with Predator: 2 (Alien vs. Predator, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem)

What is the correct order of the Alien movies?

Release order list

• Alien (1979) – Wikipedia
• Aliens (1986) – Wikipedia
• Alien³ (1992) – Wikipedia
• Alien Resurrection (1997) – Wikipedia
• Alien vs. Predator (2004) – Wikipedia (crossover, not considered mainline canon)
• Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) – Wikipedia (crossover)
• Prometheus (2012) – Wikipedia
• Alien: Covenant (2017) – Wikipedia
• Alien: Romulus (2024) – Wikipedia

Chronological order list

• Prometheus (set 2089–2093) – Wikipedia
• Alien: Covenant (set 2104) – Wikipedia
• Alien: Earth (set 2120 – upcoming TV series, BBC Sky at Night Magazine)
• Alien (set 2122) – Wikipedia
• Alien: Romulus (set 2142) – Wikipedia
• Aliens (set 2179) – Wikipedia
• Alien³ (set 2179, later part of year) – Wikipedia
• Alien Resurrection (set 2381) – Wikipedia

Including crossover films

The two Alien vs. Predator films are set in the early 21st century (2004) — before all mainline Alien movies. But Ridley Scott has stated his prequels do not reference the crossover events, so most fans treat them as a separate timeline. BBC Sky at Night Magazine lists them as a separate branch.

The pattern: release order preserves narrative surprises, while chronological order offers a new perspective on the mythology.

Is it better to watch Alien movies in chronological order?

Pros of chronological viewing

• You see the origin story first: the Engineers, the black goo, David’s experiments.
• Romulus slots naturally after Covenant, maintaining a continuous story.
• Later films like Aliens and Resurrection feel like distant sequels.

Pros of release order viewing

• Alien (1979) builds its mystery without prequel spoilers.
• You appreciate how the franchise’s visual effects evolved organically.
• Prometheus and Covenant feel like flashbacks that enrich — not undermine — the original.

Recommendation for first-time viewers

Most critics and long-time fans recommend release order for your first watch. BBC Sky at Night Magazine suggests starting with the 1979 original because its horror depends on not knowing what the Xenomorph is. If you watch Prometheus first, you already know the creature was engineered — a reveal that the original intended to be a shocking final act.

What this means: the recommended order ultimately depends on your viewing goals – mystery or lore – and both are valid.

Should I watch Prometheus or Alien first?

Prometheus as a prequel

Prometheus, directed by Ridley Scott, is set in 2093 — nearly 30 years before the original Alien. It introduces the Engineers, the alien race that created the black goo. Watching it first gives you the full backstory of the Weyland Corporation and the origins of the Xenomorph.

Narrative connection to Alien

Alien (1979) works as a self-contained horror film. The Xenomorph is a mystery — a perfect organism whose origins are never explained. If you watch Prometheus first, that mystery evaporates. The space jockey in the derelict ship is no longer an enigma; you know it was an Engineer.

Viewer experience debate

Both orders have passionate proponents. Ridley Scott has said he sees the prequels as a way to deepen the universe, not replace the original. But many fans argue that watching Prometheus first fundamentally changes the nature of Alien. BBC Sky at Night Magazine places Prometheus chronologically first but still recommends starting with the 1979 film for newcomers.

What movies should I watch before Alien: Romulus?

Essential films for understanding Romulus

• Alien (1979) – Romulus directly references the events of the original film. (Wikipedia)
• Aliens (1986) – Though set after Romulus (chronologically), the film establishes the Weyland-Yutani corporation and the Colonial Marines, which are mentioned in Romulus. (Wikipedia)
• Prometheus (2012) – Romulus includes callbacks to the black goo and the Engineers. (Wikipedia)
• Alien: Covenant (2017) – The film’s opening and themes of synthetic life tie directly into Romulus. (Wikipedia)

Optional films for deeper context

The original Alien and Aliens are the bare minimum. Prometheus and Covenant enrich the lore but aren’t required to follow Romulus’s plot. The Alien vs. Predator films are not necessary at all.

What order to watch Alien and Predator movies in chronological order?

Chronological timeline combining both franchises

• 2004 – Alien vs. Predator (set in present day when released)
• 2004 – Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (immediate sequel)
• 2089–2093 – Prometheus
• 2104 – Alien: Covenant
• 2120 – Alien: Earth (TV series)
• 2122 – Alien
• 2142 – Alien: Romulus
• 2179 – Aliens, then Alien³ (later in same year)
• later – Predator films (1987, 1990, 2010, 2018, 2022) are set in their respective present days, placing them between 1987 and 2028, overlapping with the Alien vs. Predator films.
• 2381 – Alien Resurrection

Which films are canonically linked

The crossover films (AvP, AvP:R) are not considered canon by the Alien franchise creators. Ridley Scott’s prequels ignore them entirely. If you want a clean Alien experience, skip the AvP movies. For a full expanded universe, include them but treat them as a separate strand.

Viewing recommendations

For first-timers: stick to the mainline Alien films in release order, then watch the Predator films separately. Only attempt the combined chronology if you’re a completionist.

Timeline: When each Alien movie takes place

The timeline reveals a clear narrative arc from the Engineers to Ripley’s clone, highlighting how the prequels expand the story backward.

The timeline shows a clear gap between Alien and Romulus, and then a jump to Aliens. The upcoming Alien: Earth series will fill the 2120 slot, potentially bridging the prequels and the original.

Confirmed facts vs What’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Release dates of all mainline films are confirmed by studios (Wikipedia)
• Chronological placement of every mainline film is established by in-universe dates (Wikipedia)
• Alien: Romulus is set between Alien and Aliens (confirmed by director Fede Álvarez) (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

• Whether the Alien vs. Predator films are official canon (Ridley Scott has distanced the prequels from them)
• Exact placement of the upcoming Alien: Earth TV series
• Whether Alien: Covenant will have a direct sequel

What this means: the franchise has concrete anchors but still leaves room for debate, especially regarding canon and future projects.

Perspectives from the filmmakers

“I wanted to place the film between Alien and Aliens because that’s the most interesting space — you still have the mystery of the Xenomorph, but you also have the technology and the world of the first sequel.”

Fede Álvarez, director of Alien: Romulus, on the film’s timeline placement

“I think the first film works perfectly as a stand-alone horror movie. The prequels are there if you want to go deeper, but they shouldn’t be required to enjoy the original.”

Ridley Scott, producer and director of Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, on viewing order

“Aliens was always meant to be a war story, not a continuation of the same horror. That’s why the tone shifts so dramatically. You need to see Alien first to understand why Ripley is so scared.”

James Cameron, director of Aliens, on the relationship between the two films

The consistency among these filmmakers: all three emphasize the original film as the foundation, regardless of where you start.

How to watch the Alien movies: a step-by-step plan

1. Start with Alien (1979) – Experience the original horror without prequel context.
2. Move to Aliens (1986) – The sequel expands the world but respects the first film’s tone.
3. Then watch Alien³ (1992) and Alien Resurrection (1997) – These continue Ripley’s arc, though they are less critically acclaimed.
4. Return to Prometheus (2012) and Alien: Covenant (2017) – Watch these as prequels that explain the origin, after you’ve seen the original threat.
5. Finish with Alien: Romulus (2024) – The newest installment fits between steps 1 and 2 chronologically, but works best as a capper to the prequel era.
6. Optional: Alien vs. Predator films – Treat them as non-canon extras if you want more creature action.
7. Watch Alien: Earth (2025) when it releases – The series will slot between Covenant and Alien.

The reasoning: following release order keeps the mystery of the original intact while letting you appreciate how the franchise evolved. The prequels feel like a rich appendix rather than a required prologue. For first-timers, release order is the safest and most rewarding path.

For viewers who want to see the entire saga unfold from the beginning, our Alien Films in Order guide offers both release and chronological viewing paths.

Frequently asked questions

The takeaway: embrace the contradictions – they are part of what keeps the franchise alive and debated.

Related reading

• Twilight Movies in Order: Watch Guide and Release Dates – Another franchise watch guide.
• Films Coming Out in 2025 – Hollywood Bollywood Release Guide – See what movies are landing next year, including Alien: Earth.