The most iconic sci-fi crossover event of the decade may finally return after almost twenty years. Alien vs. Predator brought together two of the most dangerous sci-fi movie monsters in an epic grudge match between two apex hunters. The Yautja of the Predator movies and the xenomorphs of the Alien franchise make natural enemies, squaring off in the hit 2004 film and its less-beloved 2007 sequel, AvP: Requiem. Now, the two alien species may be primed for a long-awaited rematch.
It’s been nineteen years since the last Alien vs. Predator movie, but both franchises are back in the upswing after new installments brought them back to basics. Now, new data indicates that audiences may be interested in revisiting another battle between the two iconic movie monsters in a sequel or reboot to the original two Alien vs. Predator movies.
The Alien vs. Predator Movies Are Streaming Hits
The xenomorph confronts the Predator in Alien vs. Predator: RequiemImage via 20th Century Fox/Everett Collection
Alien vs. Predator is officially a streaming hit twenty-two years later. The 2004 film marks the first time that the Yautja and the xenomorphs appeared on the big screen together, much to the delight of sci-fi fans everywhere. Now, the film is climbing the ranks of the streaming charts. Alien vs. Predator was recently added to HBO Max’s library, where it immediately debuted as the platform’s No. 9 most-streamed movie (according to FlixPatrol).
The 2007 sequel, Alien vs. Predator: Requiem, isn’t far behind its predecessor. The film also recently debuted on HBO Max and has since come in as the platform’s No. 10 most-streamed film in the United States. This makes both Alien vs. Predator films simultaneous streaming hits nineteen years after the most recent installment came out in theaters.
In a world where audiences are still flocking to a twenty-year-old crossover franchise that hasn’t been active in years, it’s clear to see that there is still a ravenous appetite for this kind of movie. Despite both films failing to strike a chord with critics (the first has a 22% Rotten Tomatoes score and the second a measly 12%), Alien vs. Predator remains a perennially popular sci-fi franchise. It is managing to find new fans decades after its first installment, proving that there is room for more Alien vs. Predator movies in the near future.
The Stage Is Set for Alien vs. Predator 3
The alien and the Predator face off in Alien vs PredatorImage via 20th Century Fox/Everett Collection
In accordance with fan demand, a third Alien vs. Predator movie could be in the works. Both the Alien and Predator franchises have experienced a modern Renaissance in recent years, with new installments that manage to recapture the magic of the original films. As both franchises enjoy their newfound popularity, they could be on a collision course.
Predator is perhaps the more impressive revival of the two franchises. After what could have easily been a franchise-killing reboot in 2018’s The Predator, Dan Trachtenberg reinvigorated the brand with his back-to-basics Hulu original, Prey. The 2022 film starring Amber Midthunder was an all-around hit, leading 20th Century Fox to put all its faith into Trachtenberg’s plans for the franchise. In the years since, he has helmed two additional films, Predator: Killer of Killers and Predator: Badlands, both of which were received very well.
Predator: Badlands was the first Predator movie to release in theaters since the 2018 reboot. While there may have been some concern that the franchise’s streaming success wouldn’t translate into ticket sales, these worries were quickly allayed upon the film’s premiere. Badlands quickly became the franchise’s highest-grossing movie of all time, confirming that there is still a strong appetite for Predator films even almost forty years after the first film hit theaters in 1987.
Alien has also found its way back into mainstream culture. After controversial installments like Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, the franchise took a cue from Predator with a back-to-basics entry that soft-reboots the iconic sci-fi universe. 2024’s Alien: Romulus is essentially a modern retelling of the original 1979 film, helping rebuild audience trust in the franchise. After Romulus’s incredible success, the world is eager for more Alien movies, which are on the way in the form of a sequel.
In addition, Alien recently made the jump to television with Noah Hawley’s new FX series, Alien: Earth. The show’s first season received overwhelmingly positive reviews that also contributed to the franchise’s increased popularity with audiences. A second season of Alien: Earth is officially on the way, promising even more xenomorph action.
With both Alien and Predator performing better than they did in their original runs, a new AvP movie feels inevitable. The franchises are on a collision course, and the filmmakers behind them seem to want the same things that fans do.
Is Alien vs. Predator 3 Finally Happening?
All signs point to a third Alien vs. Predator movie coming in the not-too-distant future. The Predator franchise, in particular, is hinting at a third crossover. Both Predator: Killer of Killers and Predator: Badlands included references to the Alien franchise. The former featured a cryogenically frozen xenomorph aboard a Yautja ship during a cut post-credits scene. The latter included a xenomorph skull alongside a Yautja collection of trophies. It also featured the Weyland-Yutani company, which is a staple of the Alien movies.
It may seem odd that only Predator seems to be hinting at a crossover while Alien is not. However, this keeps pace with the previous Alien vs. Predator movies. The first two crossover films are confirmed to be canon in the Predator timeline, but not the Alien universe. Technically, the Yautja do not exist in the Alien franchise, but the xenomorphs do exist in the Predator franchise. Questions of timelines and canonicity are always confusing when it comes to interfranchise crossovers, but this would explain why only one side of the equation seems to be hinting at anything major on the horizon.
Additionally, several key creators and filmmakers have expressed their desire to continue the Alien vs. Predator franchise. In 2024, 20th Century Fox studio head Steve Asbell stated that a third Alien vs. Predator movie would “probably” happen. He also suggested that he would be interested in adding a twist to the crossover franchise that would separate it from the previous two films.
Moreover, Alien: Romulus director Fede Alvarez expressed interest in helming Alien vs. Predator 3 himself. He even suggested teaming up with the Predator franchise’s chief storyteller, Dan Trachtenberg, for the crossover. Trachtenberg has also hinted that he would be interested in participating in a crossover event between the two franchises.
With interest on both sides of the aisle, a third Alien vs. Predator movie is practically confirmed before it even enters production. With both of the previous films continuing to perform well on streaming and both franchises still rising in popularity despite their age, it would be foolish for Disney and 20th Century Fox to ignore what might be their biggest moneymaker in years. Everyone wants to see a third Alien vs. Predator movie. Therefore, it seems that the question isn’t “if” this sequel will ever happen, but “when.”
Alien vs. Predator and Alien vs. Predator: Requiem are both available to stream on HBO Max.
The Alien and Predator franchises are both available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.
Release Date
August 13, 2004
Runtime
100 minutes
Director
Paul W. S. Anderson
Lance Henriksen
Charles Bishop Weyland