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Alien Movies: Chronological Viewing Guide

by Sadie May 14,2025

The Xenomorph from the Alien film franchise is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and terrifying movie monsters ever created. With its unique traits like acid blood, multiple jaws, and deadly claws, it revolutionized the space horror genre and instilled a new level of fear in audiences. With the release of Alien: Romulus now streaming, many fans are eager to dive back into the entire Alien saga, including the crossover films with the Predator series, which are set on Earth.

Curious about the best way to watch these films? We've got you covered with a comprehensive guide on how to watch the Alien movies in both chronological order and by their release dates.

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How to watch in chronological order
How to watch by release order

The Alien Movies in Chronological Order

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How Many Alien Movies Are There?

The Alien franchise comprises a total of nine movies — four mainline films, two Predator crossovers, two prequels directed by Ridley Scott, and the newest standalone film by Fede Álvarez.

Alien: 6-Film Collection

4See it at Amazon

Alien: Romulus

0See it at Amazon

Alien: 35th Anniversary Edition

2See it at Amazon

Aliens

1See it at Amazon

Prometheus

1See it at Amazon

Alien Movies in (Chronological) Order

1. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)

The Xenomorphs' story begins, chronologically, with the first of the two crossover films, AVP. Set in 2004 and directed by Paul W. S. Anderson of Resident Evil and Event Horizon fame, this film brings to life the epic battle between the Xenomorphs and the Predators, known as the Yautja. The plot reveals that Predators have been visiting Earth for millennia, with ancient cults sacrificing humans to Xenomorph facehuggers to create the ultimate prey for the Predators. Unsurprisingly, their 2004 hunting expedition takes a disastrous turn.

Alien vs. Predator

20th Century Fox

Aug 13, 2004

PG-13

Where to Watch

Rent/Buy

2. Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)

Continuing in the modern era and thus still before the rest of the Alien series, the sequel Aliens vs Predator: Requiem picks up immediately after AVP. It introduces an Alien-Predator hybrid known as the "Predalien," wreaking havoc in a small Colorado town. A veteran Predator arrives to rectify the situation, leading to intense and bloody confrontations. This marks the final crossover film in the Alien franchise. For more on the Predator series, check out our guide to watching the Predator movies in order.