OrderToWatch

Alien watch order

Alien movies in order, release and chronological. Updated October 20, 2026.

Watch Alien in release order: Alien (1979), Aliens, Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection, then the prequels Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, then Alien: Romulus (2024), which is set between Alien and Aliens. The Alien vs. Predator films are crossovers you can skip.

How to watch the Alien movies in order: the full guide

All 10 films and series in the Alien franchise, in release order and in chronological (story) order. The first in release order is Alien (1979); the first in chronological order is Prometheus (set in 2093).

Release order

  1. Alien (Movie, 1979): The 1979 original; the place to start.
  2. Aliens (Movie, 1986): James Cameron's action sequel, 57 years later.
  3. Alien 3 (Movie, 1992): Ripley on a prison planet.
  4. Alien Resurrection (Movie, 1997): Ripley cloned 200 years later.
  5. Alien vs. Predator (Movie, 2004): The Alien vs. Predator crossover; optional.
  6. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (Movie, 2007): The crossover sequel; optional.
  7. Prometheus (Movie, 2012): A prequel about the Engineers, set 30 years before Alien.
  8. Alien: Covenant (Movie, 2017): Bridges Prometheus to Alien.
  9. Alien: Romulus (Movie, 2024): Set between Alien and Aliens; works on its own.
  10. Alien: Earth (Series, 2025): The xenomorph reaches Earth, two years before Alien.

Chronological order

  1. Prometheus (set in 2093): A prequel about the Engineers, set 30 years before Alien.
  2. Alien: Covenant (set in 2104): Bridges Prometheus to Alien.
  3. Alien: Earth (set in 2120): The xenomorph reaches Earth, two years before Alien.
  4. Alien (set in 2122): The 1979 original; the place to start.
  5. Alien: Romulus (set in 2142): Set between Alien and Aliens; works on its own.
  6. Aliens (set in 2179): James Cameron's action sequel, 57 years later.
  7. Alien 3 (set in 2179): Ripley on a prison planet.
  8. Alien Resurrection (set in 2381): Ripley cloned 200 years later.
  9. Alien vs. Predator (set in 2004): The Alien vs. Predator crossover; optional.
  10. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (set in 2004): The crossover sequel; optional.

Coming next

Common questions

What order should I watch the Alien movies in?

Watch Alien in release order: Alien (1979), Aliens, Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection, then the prequels Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, then Alien: Romulus (2024), which is set between Alien and Aliens. The Alien vs. Predator films are crossovers you can skip.

How many Alien movies and shows are there?

There are 10 titles in the Alien franchise: 9 films and 1 series, released from 1979 to 2025. 1 more is announced: Untitled Alien: Romulus Sequel.

How long does it take to watch all the Alien movies?

About 25 hours for all 10 titles, counting every episode. The essentials only (8 titles) take about 22 hours.

What is the first Alien title in chronological order?

Prometheus, set in 2093. In release order the first is Alien (1979).

Which Alien titles can I skip?

Alien vs. Predator and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem. They are spin-offs, side stories or non-canon entries; the main story holds without them.

What is the next Alien release?

Untitled Alien: Romulus Sequel, date to be announced.