The Definitive Alien Movie Timeline: How To Watch All 10 Films And TV Shows In Order (Including Romulus And Earth)

Deciphering the chronological order of the *Alien* franchise has become a complex mission, almost as perilous as a trip to LV-426. With prequels, spin-offs, and an all-new film and television series on the horizon, the timeline stretches across centuries, connecting the ancient, mysterious Engineers to the terrifying Xenomorph and the relentless pursuit of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. As of December 10, 2025, the timeline is officially expanding, making now the perfect time to map out every terrifying encounter.

This comprehensive guide cuts through the confusion, providing you with the definitive watching order—both by cinematic release and the true chronological story—to fully appreciate the terrifying evolution of sci-fi horror masterworks from Ridley Scott and James Cameron, all the way up to the upcoming *Alien: Romulus* and the 2025 TV series *Alien: Earth*.

The Complete Alien Franchise Timeline: Release Order vs. Chronological Order

The *Alien* franchise is split into three main arcs: the original quadrilogy featuring Ellen Ripley, the prequel series exploring the Xenomorph's origins, and the non-canon *Alien vs. Predator* (AvP) spin-offs. Watching them in release order is the classic way to experience the saga, but chronological order unlocks the deepest lore.

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Alien Franchise Films by Release Date

The release order is the simplest way to watch and respects the original, slow-burn reveal of the Xenomorph's terrifying nature. It is the best starting point for a first-time viewer.

• 1. Alien (1979): Directed by Ridley Scott. The original classic introduces Warrant Officer Ellen Ripley and the creature.
• 2. Aliens (1986): Directed by James Cameron. A shift to action-horror, introducing the Colonial Marines and the terrifying Alien Queen.
• 3. Alien 3 (1992): Directed by David Fincher. A return to the claustrophobic horror roots on a penal colony planet.
• 4. Alien Resurrection (1997): Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Set 200 years after the previous film, featuring a cloned Ripley and the Newborn.
• 5. Alien vs. Predator (2004): Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. The first crossover film, set on Earth.
• 6. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007): Directed by the Strause brothers. A direct sequel to AvP, introducing the terrifying Predalien.
• 7. Prometheus (2012): Directed by Ridley Scott. The first prequel, exploring humanity's creators, the Engineers.
• 8. Alien: Covenant (2017): Directed by Ridley Scott. A direct sequel to *Prometheus*, bridging the gap to the original *Alien*.
• 9. Alien: Romulus (2024): Directed by Fede Álvarez. A standalone story set between *Alien* and *Aliens*.

The True Chronological Story Order (The Lore Deep Dive)

For the ultimate lore experience, this is the order that tells the story of the Xenomorph's creation, the Engineers, and the relentless pursuit by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation.

NOTE: The *AvP* films are generally considered non-canon to the main *Alien* and *Predator* timelines but are included here for completeness, as they technically occur first in the timeline.

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• 1. Alien vs. Predator (2004): Set in 2004. This film establishes an ancient connection between the Xenomorphs and the Predators on Earth.
• 2. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007): Set in 2004. A direct continuation of the AvP crossover.
• 3. Prometheus (2012): Set in 2093. Explores the Weyland Corporation's mission to find the Engineers on LV-223, introducing the "Black Goo" pathogen and the synthetic David 8.
• 4. Alien: Covenant (2017): Set in 2104. Follows the colony ship *Covenant* and reveals the chilling true origin of the Xenomorph—a creation of the rogue synthetic David.
• 5. Alien (1979): Set in 2122. The crew of the commercial towing vessel *Nostromo*—including Ellen Ripley—investigates a distress signal on LV-426 and encounters the original Facehugger and Chestburster.
• 6. Alien: Romulus (2024): Set between 2122 and 2179. This new film is explicitly set between the events of *Alien* and *Aliens*, focusing on a group of scavengers who encounter the Xenomorph.
• 7. Aliens (1986): Set in 2179. Ripley returns to LV-426 with a squad of Colonial Marines to combat a full-scale Xenomorph infestation.
• 8. Alien 3 (1992): Set in 2179. Ripley crash-lands on the prison planet Fiorina "Fury" 161.
• 9. Alien Resurrection (1997): Set in 2379. Ripley is cloned with an Alien Queen embryo inside her, leading to the creation of the hybrid Newborn.
• 10. Alien: Earth (2025): The upcoming FX TV series, set on Earth, is confirmed to take place before Ellen Ripley’s story, though its exact chronological placement is still being finalized. Early reports suggest it may be the earliest entry in the main canon.

The Lore Deep Dive: Key Entities and Concepts

To truly grasp the franchise's topical authority, one must understand the key players and terrifying concepts that drive the story. The conflict is not just between humans and the Xenomorph, but between various lifeforms and the megalomaniacal corporate power.

The Xenomorph Life Cycle: Facehugger, Chestburster, and Drones

The Xenomorph XX121 is the ultimate parasitic organism. Its life cycle is one of the most iconic elements of the series. It begins with the Facehugger, a spider-like creature that implants an embryo into a host. The embryo then rapidly develops into a Chestburster, which violently erupts from the host's chest, killing it instantly. The Chestburster quickly matures into a full-grown Xenomorph, which can take forms like the Drone, Warrior, or the terrifying Alien Queen.

The Engineers and the Black Goo

Introduced in *Prometheus*, the Engineers are a giant, pale humanoid species believed to be humanity's creators. Their derelict ship on LV-223 was a weapons facility containing the "Black Goo" (or Accelerant), a mutagenic pathogen capable of creating and destroying life. The Engineers were ultimately the creators of the pathogen that the synthetic David 8 later weaponized to create the final form of the Xenomorph seen in *Alien* and *Aliens*.

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The Weyland-Yutani Corporation: The Megacorp

The true villain of the *Alien* universe is arguably the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, often referred to simply as "The Company." This fictional megalomaniacal enterprise was founded by Peter Weyland and Yutani Corporation, merging in 2099. Their primary goal throughout the entire timeline is to capture a live Xenomorph specimen, referred to as "The Perfect Organism," for use in their bioweapons division, regardless of the cost in human lives. Their ships, including the Nostromo and the Sulaco, are often vehicles for their nefarious schemes.

The Future of the Franchise: Alien: Romulus (2024) and Alien: Earth (2025)

The *Alien* saga is not resting on its laurels. The franchise is experiencing a significant resurgence with new entries that promise to revitalize the sci-fi horror genre and expand the established lore.

Alien: Romulus (2024)

The upcoming film *Alien: Romulus*, directed by Fede Álvarez, is confirmed to be a standalone, interstitial story. It is set between the events of *Alien* (1979) and *Aliens* (1986), placing it chronologically in the mid-2100s. The story will reportedly follow a group of young space scavengers who discover a derelict space station and, predictably, a terrifying encounter with the Xenomorph. This placement is critical, as it allows the film to explore the time gap before Ellen Ripley’s return to the action.

Alien: Earth (2025)

The most anticipated new entry is the FX television series *Alien: Earth*, helmed by showrunner Noah Hawley (known for *Fargo* and *Legion*). The series is set to premiere in the summer of 2025 and is unique because it will take place on Earth for the first time in the main canon. Crucially, the story is confirmed to predate Ellen Ripley's timeline, meaning it could potentially explore the early days of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation's rise or the very first contact with the Xenomorph outside of the established prequel narrative, making it one of the earliest entries in the entire chronological timeline.