The Alien franchise is one of the most iconic and enduring in all of sci-fi cinema, even if not every entry is a classic. The original Ridley Scott movie was essentially greenlit only because the studio saw the success of Star Wars and wanted to get a space movie in theaters ASAP.
Despite this mercenary logic, the first outing in the Alien movie franchise became an instant classic. From the horrifying look of the titular monster to the incredible production design and Sigourney Weaver’s performance as Ripley, it’s about as perfect as a horror film can be.
As is the way with Hollywood, Alien’s success has led to many sequels, spinoffs, video games, comics and more. It’s a testament to what Scott and his many collaborators created that the saga is still running nearly 50 years on, and that the sequels keep finding fresh angles to explore.
Alien (1979)
Sigourney Weaver as Ripley with a cat in Alien
The seeds of Alien came from Dark Star, a tiny budget sci-fi comedy directed by John Carpenter. This cult favorite began as a student short, before Carpenter and classmate Dan O’Bannon were given money to expand it to feature-length. O’Bannon also played a role in the movie, where his character faces off with a cheap-looking alien creature.
This gave O’Bannon the notion to make a scary alien monster movie, which, after a long development process, turned into Alien. While it was only Ridley Scott’s second film, his years of experience with adverts gave him a distinct eye for visuals and mood. Looking back on the film, it’s almost a miracle so many things fell into line.
From casting (including Weaver, John Hurt and Yaphet Kotto) to the score or editing, everything about it just clicks. Many papers have been written about its themes and overtones, from sexual to political, but most importantly, it still works as a perfect terror engine. It’s a sweaty, tense, claustrophobic nightmare – just as it should be.
Aliens (1986)
Sigourney Weaver and Michael Biehn with a big gun in Aliens.
For many years, there was an anecdote that after James Cameron finished pitching Aliens to Fox, he turned the “s” in the title into a dollar sign. The filmmaker later confirmed this was true, but excellent gag aside, Cameron took what should have been a no-win assignment and made one of the best sequels ever.
Instead of trying to compete in terms of horror, Cameron opted to hop genres to action instead. This was an inspired move, but while it results in some superb setpieces – from the hive ambush to Ripley’s brawl with the Alien Queen – Aliens is sooooo much more than a B-action flick.
Cameron’s screenplay is littered with fleshed-out supporting players like Bill Paxton’s Hudson or Ricco Ross’ Frost, and its Vietnam War subtext is fairly plain to see. Anchoring it all is Weaver’s incredible, Oscar-nominated turn as the traumatized Ripley, and the relationship she develops with fellow survivor Newt (Carrie Henn). This whole storyline gives Aliens its beating heart.
Alien 3 (1992)
Ripley looking at herself in a mirror in Alien 3.
The runaway success of Cameron’s sequel made a third outing inevitable – even if none of the creatives really wanted to make one. Cameron jumped ship, Weaver was very reluctant, and the producers spent years developing screenplays that didn’t get produced.
In the end, David Fincher made his directorial debut on a sequel now best known for its miserable production than the final product. It was a critical and commercial letdown, and Fincher has disowned it. Regardless of its scars, Alien 3 is still a pretty good movie; a bleak, despairing work with some incredible sequences and performances.
Weaver once again does amazing work, and despite its grim setting, it’s a gorgeous-looking film. The storytelling and themes are muddled (a result of the script being written on the fly), but Alien 3 is nowhere near the folly it was made out to be.
Alien: Resurrection (1997)
The crew of the Betty from Alien: Resurrection.
This Joss Whedon-penned outing is the final entry (to date) to star Sigourney Weaver, who portrays a clone of Ripley. The story is set a good 200 years on from Alien 3, where Ripley 8 has to band with a group of space pirates to survive an alien outbreak.
Danny Boyle and Paul W.S. Anderson both turned down offers to direct Alien: Resurrection; French auteur Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
Resurrection is easily the silliest of the original quadrilogy, and an exercise in style over substance. The film is a borderline parody, but for those willing to go with its mix of wild action and tongue-in-cheek humor, it’s quite fun. It looks amazing, has another great ensemble cast, and while the ending is daft, it’s never once boring.
Alien Vs Predator (2004)
A scarred Xenomorph snarls in an underground lair in Alien Vs Predator.
Neither Alien 3 nor Resurrection were box office goldmines, so this crossover entry paired the Xenomorph with Fox’s other famous sci-fi monster. The result was Paul W.S. Anderson’s PG-13 monster mash, which has barely a brain cell in its skull. Even so, like many Anderson films, there are guilty pleasures to be had.
The Antarctic pyramid setting is a cool concept, Sanaa Lathan’s heroine Lex makes for a likable protagonist, and the actual battles themselves are a blast. Sadly, the story is tissue-thin and the supporting characters barely register. Alien vs Predator is an inessential instalment, but there are worse ways to kill 100 minutes.
Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
A showdown between Predator Wolf and Predalien in Aliesn vs. Predator: Requiem.
On the flipside to its predecessor, there are few worse ways to spend 90 minutes than watching Alien vs Predator: Requiem. This is an ugly, mean-spirited and tacky outing that delights in butchering poorly-developed characters, and there’s barely a story to ground any of it.
Requiem also has famously awful lighting, making it hard to even see what’s actually happening. The movie has the odd creative concept or notion, but the Alien vs Predator sequel is, without any doubt, the worst in the series. It makes a strong case for being one of the worst movies of the 2000s, too.
Prometheus (2012)
An engineer standing by water in Prometheus.
There was rejoicing in the streets when it was confirmed Ridley Scott would return for this Alien prequel, but its legacy is much more complicated. On one hand, its exploration of the Engineers who created the Xenos and its look at AI deepened and expanded the franchise’s mythology. On the other, it has deeply irritating characters and screenplay issues.
Prometheus is an ambitious, beautiful mess. It’s got a lot on its mind, and occasionally it will produce a moment of visceral horror or thoughtful musing. Still, it lacks the Swiss watch craftsmanship Scott brought to Alien, and much of its storytelling is often downright sloppy. Still, compared to Requiem, it’s a masterwork.
Alien: Covenant (2017)
Alien: Covenant 2017 poster Xenomorph mural.
Covenant tries to be a sequel to both Prometheus and the Alien series, while setting up Michael Fassbender’s android as the new face of the franchise. Like its predecessor, there’s some great stuff woven into Covenant, but it has even greater faults too.
The characters are largely forgettable, and instead of pushing the prequel saga forward, Covenant almost feels like a wheel-spinning spinoff. Scott’s clumsy handling of the returning Xeno is also a major disappointment. The saving graces of Alien: Covenant include Fassbender’s dual performance as David and Walter, and its haunting final moments.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
Xenomorph and Rain in Alien Romulus
Scott had grand plans to make multiple prequels, but Covenant’s resoundingly tepid box office killed that notion. Instead, director Fede Álvarez took the reins for Romulus, a back-to-basics approach that thrills and frustrates in near equal measure. It looks great, Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson make for strong leads, and it’s a tight, focused entry.
Even so, Romulus feels quite safe. It doesn’t bring any fresh ideas, its callbacks and easter eggs are too on the nose and it’s rarely scary. Its success has renewed interest in the Alien saga, which is one of its biggest triumphs. Still, hopefully the next film will color outside the lines a little more.
Movie(s)
Alien, Aliens (1986), Alien 3 (1992), Alien: Resurrection (1997), Prometheus (2012), Alien: Covenant (2017), Alien: Romulus (2024)
Cast
Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, Carrie Henn, Bill Paxton, Charles S. Dutton, Charles Dance, Pete Postlethwaite, Winona Ryder, Ron Perlman, Dan Hedaya, Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce, Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, Demián Bichir