Watching Alien Movies In Order - Your Complete Guide

For those who really want to get into the heart of a beloved science fiction series, seeing all the films in the correct sequence can make a big difference. It's almost like putting together a very intricate puzzle, where each piece, each movie, reveals a bit more of the bigger picture. If you've ever thought about diving into the world of creatures from outer space, or perhaps revisiting it, knowing how to approach the many stories can certainly help you get the most out of the experience.

There is, you see, a proper way to go about watching these tales of humanity facing off against truly unsettling beings. From the very first film that appeared in cinemas back in 1979, all the way through to the very latest addition, a film called "Alien: Romulus", figuring out the right sequence to view them in can be a bit of a head-scratcher. This guide is here to offer you some clarity on how to watch all the alien movies in order, ensuring you catch every scary moment and story beat as it was meant to be seen, or perhaps in the way that makes the most sense for you.

We’ll be looking at the films that are already out there, and those that are just about to appear, considering how they fit into the larger narrative. Our aim is to give you a clear list of how to watch these stories, both in the way they were originally released over the years, and also in the sequence their events actually unfold within the story's overall timeline. So, you know, whether you prefer to see things as they came out or follow the story from its earliest beginnings, we've got you covered.

What is the best way to watch alien movies in order?
How many films make up the alien movies in order?
Do the Alien vs. Predator films count in the alien movies in order?
Watching the Alien Movies in Release Order
Is watching alien movies in order of release a good idea?
How to Watch the Alien Movies in Chronological Order
Watching Alien and Predator Movies in Order
Summary of Your Alien Movie Watching Options

What is the best way to watch alien movies in order?

When it comes to getting through the complete storyline of the alien movies, people often have a couple of big thoughts on their minds. One of the main things people wonder is whether the films that feature the alien creatures fighting against the predator creatures actually belong in the same viewing list. Then, too, there is the question of what the correct sequence should be, whether you choose to include those crossover films or not. It's a common discussion among those who follow the series, you know, trying to sort out the best way to experience these stories. Some people feel very strongly about keeping things separate, while others enjoy the broader story that includes all the various creatures. It really comes down to what kind of viewing journey you want to have, basically.

How many films make up the alien movies in order?

The entire collection of films that fall under the alien banner currently adds up to a total of nine different movies. This includes a few distinct groups of stories, each with its own place in the broader narrative. There are, for instance, four films that make up the main story line, the ones that follow the primary characters and their struggles. On top of those, there are two films where the alien creatures cross paths with the predator creatures, offering a slightly different flavor of action and suspense. Then, you also have two stories that serve as prequels, meaning they tell tales that happen before the very first film, giving us a look at the origins of some of the elements we see later on. These two prequels were brought to us by Ridley Scott, a very well-known name in the world of filmmaking. And, of course, there is the very newest film that has just joined the collection, which brings the total number of films to nine. So, you know, it’s a pretty substantial collection to get through.

Do the Alien vs. Predator films count in the alien movies in order?

This is a thought that comes up quite often for fans of these creature features. There are, as a matter of fact, seven films that really focus on the struggle between humans and the alien beings themselves. This group typically includes the original film, which started it all, and its direct follow-ups: "Aliens," "Alien 3," and "Alien: Resurrection." These four are what people usually think of as the core storyline. Beyond those, you also have the prequels, which are "Prometheus" and "Alien: Covenant," adding to the stories that depict humans trying to survive against these formidable creatures. The question of whether the "Alien vs. Predator" films fit into this core sequence is something that viewers often consider. Some folks see them as a separate branch, while others feel they contribute to the overall picture of the universe. It really depends on how you like to put together your viewing experience, you know, whether you want a very focused look at the human-alien conflict or a broader view of all the creatures involved.

Watching the Alien Movies in Release Order

One very straightforward way to watch these stories is to simply go through them in the order they first appeared in cinemas. This particular approach often feels quite satisfying for many viewers, especially if it's their first time seeing the series. It allows you to experience the story as it unfolded for audiences over the years, seeing the special effects and storytelling techniques evolve with each new entry. The whole alien series, you know, really kicked off with the journey of a character named Ripley back in 1979. This was the first time she came face to face with the creature known as the xenomorph, and it was quite the introduction. That particular film also had a character named Tom, among others, playing a part in the terrifying events. Watching the films this way means you see the story develop over time, just as original audiences did. It’s a very common way to approach a long-running series, and for good reason, too, as it often makes for a very natural flow.

Is watching alien movies in order of release a good idea?

With "Alien: Romulus" getting ready to show up on streaming services very soon, which brings the total number of films in the alien series to nine, you might be asking yourself, how exactly do you watch all of the alien movies in order? Going by the release dates is, for many, a very solid choice. It's how the story was originally presented to the public, and it allows you to appreciate the progression of filmmaking and storytelling techniques. It’s a simple and often very enjoyable way to get through the series. So, you know, if you just want to sit back and watch them as they came out, here is how that particular list looks, starting from the very beginning. This sequence lets you see how the ideas and the creatures themselves changed and grew in the public's mind over the years. It’s a bit like watching history unfold, in a way, as each film builds on what came before it, sometimes directly, sometimes in terms of its influence on the wider world of cinema.

Alien (1979)
Aliens (1986)
Alien 3 (1992)
Alien: Resurrection (1997)
Alien vs. Predator (2004)
Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
Prometheus (2012)
Alien: Covenant (2017)
Alien: Romulus (Expected 2024)

How to Watch the Alien Movies in Chronological Order

If you are more interested in seeing the story unfold exactly as it happens within the fictional timeline, regardless of when each film actually came out, then watching the alien movies in chronological order is the way to go. This means putting the events of the prequels first, even though they were made much later than the original films. It’s a different kind of experience, one that allows you to see the origins of the alien creatures and the larger universe before you get to the classic stories. This particular approach can offer a very different perspective, giving you background information that wasn't available when the earlier films first premiered. It's almost like reading a book series where the author later adds a prequel, and you decide to read the prequel first to get all the setup. So, you know, if you want to understand the very beginning of the alien saga before you see the later parts, this is the path to take. It really helps to connect some of the dots that might seem a little spread out if you just watch them by release date.

Prometheus (2012)
Alien: Covenant (2017)
Alien (1979)
Aliens (1986)
Alien 3 (1992)
Alien: Resurrection (1997)
Alien vs. Predator (2004) - *Placement debated, often considered outside main continuity*
Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) - *Placement debated, often considered outside main continuity*
Alien: Romulus (Expected 2024) - *Its exact chronological placement within the main series is yet to be fully confirmed relative to the others, but it is known to take place between Alien and Aliens.*

Watching Alien and Predator Movies in Order

For those who want to include every single film that features these terrifying creatures, including the ones where the alien and predator species face off against each other, there is a way to watch the alien and predator movies in order. This combines all the stories into one big, overarching narrative, which can be quite interesting for fans who enjoy both sides of the universe. It means you get to see how these two iconic science fiction monsters interact, and how their conflicts might influence the wider galaxy. While some people prefer to keep the core alien story separate, others find a lot of enjoyment in seeing the full picture, with all the different creature encounters. So, you know, if you are someone who likes to connect all the dots and see how these different franchises might intersect, this combined viewing order is definitely something to think about. It really offers a comprehensive look at all the creature features that have come out over the years.

Summary of Your Alien Movie Watching Options

This guide has laid out how you can watch all of the alien movies in order, providing options for both how they were released over time and how their events fit into a story sequence. We’ve looked at the complete collection of nine films, which includes the original series, the prequels, and the crossover stories with the predator creatures. The piece also touched on the common questions people have about whether the "Alien vs. Predator" films are part of the main story, and the best way to approach the entire set of films. We gave a breakdown of each approach, helping you decide if you prefer to see the films as they came out or follow the events in the order they happen within the story's timeline.