In space, nobody can hear anyone screaming in terror when the Xenomorph and other alien creatures are coming for you. The Alien franchise has been around since 1979 and the first film remains a sci-fi horror staple. Like other long-lasting horror franchises, timelines can often get confusing. But unlike a franchise like Halloween, which has numerous reboots and retcons, all the Alien films exist in the same timeline (sorta). Therefore, it's not nearly as confusing — but also the watch order isn't linear.
Currently there are seven films along the timeline, if you don't count the Alien vs. Predator crossover films (hence the "sorta" above). And now the upcoming Alien: Earth series takes place before Alien (1979). What does the timeline look like? Let's hop in our derelict spaceship that isn't inhabited by facehuggers and explore that, shall we?
Hold on: before we dig into the timeline, what is the Alien franchise about?
The original quadrilogy follows Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) as she tries to survive various encounters with the Xenomorph. Meanwhile, the prequel films are more focused on androids, the alien race called the "Engineers," and the new alien creatures that are spawned. And then Alien: Romulus is set between Alien and Aliens (1986) and follows a crew that finds themselves in peril when their mission to escape their circumstances becomes deadly. The prequel TV series, Alien: Earth, follows android soldiers who discover the Xenomorph and all hell breaks loose on Earth.
How many films are in the Alien timeline?
If you don't count the Alien vs. Predator crossover entries, then there are seven. Counting the AVP films — 2004's Alien vs. Predator and 2007's Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem — brings the total up to nine.
Do I need to watch the Alien films in chronological order?
No. You can watch the films in the order of their release date or when they take place. You don't need to start with Alien (1979), but you should because I said so — just kidding!
Alright, let's get down to the timeline!
We're getting down to the nitty gritty with this, but you don't need to brace for extreme impact because this is a relatively smooth ride. The timeline goes like this:
Prometheus (2012)
The film is set in 2089 and follows the crew of the Prometheus who are seeking the origins of humanity. But what they find isn't what they were prepared for and begins costing the crew their lives. Prometheus expands the universe and offers more perspective into what was happening before Ripley and her crew uncovered the Xenomorph. The film isn't quite like the other Alien films, but that's what makes it stand out from the rest of them.
Alien: Covenant (2017)
Picking up 15 years after Prometheus, in the year 2104, Alien: Covenant follows a crew who are transporting colonists and embryos in cryosleep to the planet Origae-6. Only when they reroute to a mysterious and seemingly uninhabited planet do they uncover something horrifying. The film returns to the familiar beats of an Alien film, but introduces new alien creatures into the world. There's no direct sequel to the film and therefore the events at the end remain open ended.
Alien: Earth (2025)
Set in the year 2120, the franchise's first TV series introduces the concept of a hybrid — a robot with human consciousness — into the franchise. Technically you could watch this before you watch Alien, but you wouldn't have the same love and or appreciation of the series if you did that.
Alien (1979)
The first film in the series is set in 2122 and follows the Nostromo crew. Upon making various discoveries, they find themselves under attack from an alien creature that seeks to kill them. It's one of the best sci-fi horror films in general and Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is an iconic woman in horror, as well as a final girl.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
Alien: Romulus is set in between the events of Alien and Aliens, in the year 2142, and follows a crew who get more than they bargained for when they board an abandoned space station. And when it's too late, they are faced with creatures more dangerous than they could've imagined. The film pays homage or makes references to previous entries in the franchise, including Prometheus. And there's an introduction to a new type of creature that is very unsettling.
Aliens (1986)
Set in the year 2179, Aliens continues the story of Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), who finds herself waking up after 57 years in stasis and must join a group of Marines who are investigating the planet she first discovered the creatures that attacked her ship. It's a different beast compared to the first film and leans more into the action side of things, but it's a sequel that's highly regarded.
Alien 3 (1992)
The film takes place directly after Aliens — so, 2179 — and follows Ripley who crashes in her escape pod and finds herself on a colony planet that consists of male inmates. But the Xenomorph lands with her and trouble ensues. The entry isn't as highly regarded as other films in the franchise, but Ripley has an interesting arc throughout the film.
Alien Resurrection (1997)
The film is set 200 years after the (spoiler alert) death of Ripley, in the year 2381. It follows a group of people who have to save themselves when they realize the Alien queen's DNA has been fused with Ripley's. It's one of the more disliked entries in the franchise. Much to some people's surprise, Joss Whedon wrote it. And if you're watching the franchise in timeline order, Alien Resurrection serves as a bizarre way to end your marathon.
Where can I begin my rewatch or first time watch to follow this timeline?
You can watch the films on Hulu, Disney+, as well as VOD. Enjoy that Xenomorph action and try not to encounter a facehugger.
Keep coming back to Pop Heist for more on the Alien franchise as well as recaps of Alien: Earth, beginning on August 13.
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