Alien - Watch Order: Essential Films
A curated selection of the Alien franchise's most critically acclaimed and narratively important entries, focusing on the films that best represent what makes the series legendary. This collection spans from the claustrophobic horror masterpiece that started it all to the action-packed sequel that redefined the series, plus the strongest entries from the more recent films.
This order captures the franchise's core themes and highest-quality filmmaking while avoiding the more divisive sequels, providing newcomers and casual fans with the most rewarding Alien experience. You'll get both the intimate terror of the original xenomorph encounters and the expanded mythology that explores humanity's place in a hostile cosmos.
Alien
During 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.
Aliens
Ripley, 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.
Prometheus
A 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.
Alien: Romulus
While 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.
Related Film Series
Other Film Series
Alien vs. Predator
Two iconic alien species clash in brutal combat, with humans caught in the crossfire of their ancient conflict.
Phantasm
A surreal horror franchise following young Mike Pearson and ice cream vendor Reggie in their ongoing battle against the interdimensional Tall Man and his deadly silver spheres.
Resident Evil
Live-action film adaptations of the popular survival horror video game series, featuring two distinct storylines across seven films.
Scanners
A sci-fi horror series about people with telepathic and telekinetic abilities, beginning with David Cronenberg's acclaimed 1981 film.
The Purge
A dystopian horror franchise set in an America where all crime is legal for 12 hours once a year during an annual event called The Purge.
Tremors
Kevin Bacon and Michael Gross battle subterranean Graboids in this cult monster franchise spanning three decades.