The Alien Universe in order Alien Marathon
Ready for a full deep space binge? The Alien films deliver relentless tension, atmospheric horror and one of the most iconic creatures in movie history. Whether you're returning to the nightmare or discovering it for the first time, this marathon keeps the pressure high and the suspense razor sharp from the first signal to the final encounter.
Page Last Modified:
15 December 2025
Most Recent Release:
Alien: Romulus - 2024
Total Runtime:
1296 Minutes
Total Items:
8
Average User Score:
(6.9)Watching orders for Alien
The Alien Universe in order
The Alien universe is a must for sci-fi and horror fans. It's got all the aliens, facehuggers, and androids you can handle. With prequels, sequels, comics, games, and new additions like Alien: Romulus, it can be tricky to know where to start. Luckily, you don't have to figure it out by yourself. We've put together the ultimate chronological order for you. It's great for a weekend binge or a movie night with friends. Get the popcorn ready, close your hypersleep chamber, and get ready for the ultimate Alien universe marathon.
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1
Prometheus Movie 124 min. 2012A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.USER SCORE 7 -
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Alien: Covenant Movie 122 min. 2017The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise but is actually a dark, dangerous world.USER SCORE 6 -
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Alien: Earth - Season 1 TvShow 454 min. 2025When the mysterious deep space research vessel USCSS Maginot crash-lands on Earth, Wendy and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet's greatest threat.USER SCORE 7.3 -
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Alien Movie 117 min. 1979During its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a chamber containing thousands of eggs on the planet, a creature inside one of the eggs attacks an explorer. The entire crew is unaware of the impending nightmare set to descend upon them when the alien parasite planted inside its unfortunate host is birthed.USER SCORE 8 -
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Alien: Romulus Movie 119 min. 2024While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.USER SCORE 7 -
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Aliens Movie 137 min. 1986Ripley, the sole survivor of the Nostromo's deadly encounter with the monstrous Alien, returns to Earth after drifting through space in hypersleep for 57 years. Although her story is initially met with skepticism, she agrees to accompany a team of Colonial Marines back to LV-426.USER SCORE 8 -
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Alien³ Movie 114 min. 1992After escaping with Newt and Hicks from the alien planet, Ripley crash lands on Fiorina 161, a prison planet and host to a correctional facility. Unfortunately, although Newt and Hicks do not survive the crash, a more unwelcome visitor does. The prison does not allow weapons of any kind, and with aid being a long time away, the prisoners must simply survive in any way they can.USER SCORE 6 -
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Alien Resurrection Movie 109 min. 1997Two hundred years after Lt. Ripley died, a group of scientists clone her, hoping to breed the ultimate weapon. But the new Ripley is full of surprises … as are the new aliens. Ripley must team with a band of smugglers to keep the creatures from reaching Earth.USER SCORE 6
Prometheus (2012)
Ridley Scott returned to his sci-fi roots with Prometheus, an ambitious prequel that expands the universe of the original 1979 Alien into deeper themes of creation, faith, and the origins of humanity. In this game, you'll meet the enigmatic Engineer race, explore the planet LV-223, and step aboard the USCSS Prometheus. Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and the intriguing android David (Michael Fassbender) set off a chain reaction that ultimately leads to the birth of the Xenomorph. The film also brings us some deadly variants, like the Protomorph and Neomorph.
Alien: Covenant (2017)
While Prometheus left us with some questions, Alien: Covenant starts to give us some answers. This film is about what happens to the USCSS Covenant, a colony ship that visits a remote planet and comes across David's experiments. In this scene, the Xenomorph is getting closer to the creature we know from the classic films. Michael Fassbender really shines in this movie, playing both David and Walter. The film connects the mythology of the Engineers to the grim future ahead, delivering space survival horror with chestbursters, facehuggers, and moral dilemmas on an interstellar level.
Alien: Earth (2025)
Though Alien: Earth is still in development, it's confirmed to take place between Alien: Covenant and the 1979 Alien. So far, it looks like we're moving from David's experiments to the first official Xenomorph infections on or near Earth. This film could be the bridge that connects the original saga and the prequels, and fans are already coming up with theories about how it all ties together. Get ready for more lore and more secrets about the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. You might even get your first glimpse of how the Nostromo comes into play.
Alien (1979)
The classic that started it all. Ridley Scott directed the original Alien, which set the standard for space survival horror and introduced us to the iconic Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver. The crew of the Nostromo finds themselves up against an unknown life form that quickly turns into the ultimate predator. This is where we first see the Xenomorph in its classic form. The atmosphere was claustrophobic. The threat is invisible. The paranoia is at its max.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
Set between the events of Alien and Aliens (1986), the latest film, Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Álvarez, dives into a new horror-driven storyline centered around young survivors in deep space. This film feels like a return to the raw tension of the original, with modern production and fresh characters. Expect some pretty intense facehugger action scenes, industrial sets, and possibly new variations of the Xenomorph. This is great for getting your adrenaline going if you're watching a marathon.
Aliens (1986)
After the slow-burn horror of Alien, director James Cameron delivered an action-packed explosion with Aliens. Ripley's back, and this time he's got a squad of Colonial Marines with him. They're heading to LV-426, where the nightmare is just getting started. In this movie, we meet fan favorites like Hicks (Michael Biehn), Newt (Carrie Henn), Bishop (Lance Henriksen), and the insufferable Burke (Paul Reiser). The film brings us the Alien Queen and sets up a bunch of stuff that we'll see later in the Alien expanded universe. This is the best kind of popcorn sci-fi, enough action and one-liners to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Alien³ (1992)
David Fincher's directorial debut takes a radical turn: Alien 3 is a pretty dark and nihilistic movie, and it's got a unique style. Ripley crashes on Fiorina 161, a prison planet with no weapons, surrounded by convicts and a new Xenomorph variant. The tone shifts to pure survival and existential horror. Charles S. Dutton's role as Dillon and the return of Bishop (sort of) add depth to the film. It was controversial when it first came out, but it's become a cult favorite and an essential piece of the saga.
Alien Resurrection (1997)
Two centuries after her death, Ripley returns... as a clone. Jean-Pierre Jeunet directed Alien Resurrection, which takes place on the Auriga, where scientists led by the crazy Gediman (Brad Dourif) experiment with Xenomorph DNA. Then there's Call (Winona Ryder), an android on a mission. The film is definitely unique, it's weirder, more colorful, and visually distinct from the rest. It's got enough unique elements to make it a worthy conclusion to your marathon. Plus, a creepy new hybrid you won't soon forget.
Bonus: Alien Comics, Games & Predator Crossovers
If, after eight films, you're still hungry for chestbursters and synthetics, dive into the Alien expanded universe. Alien: Isolation is a survival-horror game that'll give you the chills. You play as Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen. The Alien comics from Dark Horse and Marvel expand the universe with new colonies, new creatures, and even crossovers with Predator. Not part of the official record? Maybe. It's totally worth it.
Plan Your Perfect Alien Universe Marathon
Whether you go for a full binge run or spread it over multiple nights, this viewing order provides a smooth transition from the origins of the Xenomorph to the bizarre genetics of Resurrection. It starts with the philosophical questions of Prometheus, gradually shifts to pure horror with Alien, and finishes with spacepunk chaos on the Auriga. Make sure the lighting is low, there are some good snacks (watch out for things that look like facehuggers), and a few other fans who can handle a good scare. This Alien universe marathon is more than just a movie night, it's an intergalactic experience.