How Many Alien Movies Are There? Decoding the Xenomorphic Universe

There are six main Alien franchise movies directly featuring the Xenomorph threat and considered part of the core cinematic canon: Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), Alien 3 (1992), Alien Resurrection (1997), Prometheus (2012), and Alien: Covenant (2017). In addition, there are two Alien vs. Predator spin-off films, though their canonicity within the primary Alien timeline is debated.

Diving Deep into the Alien Cinematic Universe

The Alien franchise, a groundbreaking blend of science fiction and horror, has captivated audiences for decades. Beyond the terrifying Xenomorph, the series explores themes of corporate greed, human vulnerability, and the existential dread of the unknown. Understanding the chronology and nuances of the various films is crucial for any fan.

The Core Alien Films: A Chronological Breakdown

The main films, each with its distinct vision and direction, trace the horrifying encounters with the Xenomorphs across time and space:

• Alien (1979): Ridley Scott’s original masterpiece, establishing the chilling atmosphere and design of the Xenomorph. It’s a masterclass in slow-burn horror.
• Aliens (1986): James Cameron’s action-packed sequel, focusing on a heavily armed military squad battling a swarm of Xenomorphs. It significantly expands the lore.
• Alien 3 (1992): Directed by David Fincher, this film takes a darker, more claustrophobic approach, stranding Ripley on a prison planet overrun with Xenomorphs.
• Alien Resurrection (1997): Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s visually stunning yet divisive entry sees Ripley cloned and pitted against genetically altered Xenomorphs.
• Prometheus (2012): Ridley Scott returns to explore the origins of the Xenomorph, delving into the lore of the Engineers, a powerful alien race.
• Alien: Covenant (2017): Continuing the Prometheus storyline, this film bridges the gap between the prequels and the original Alien film, answering key questions about the Xenomorph’s creation.

Alien vs. Predator: A Tangential Universe

While technically part of the broader Alien universe (due to shared creature design elements and corporate entities like Weyland-Yutani), the Alien vs. Predator (AVP) films are often considered a separate, less canonical branch. These films pit the Xenomorphs against the Predators (from the Predator franchise), focusing on action and creature-feature spectacle.

• Alien vs. Predator (2004): A group of archaeologists discovers an ancient pyramid beneath Antarctica, triggering a battle between Xenomorphs and Predators.
• Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007): Following the events of the first AVP film, a Predator ship crashes in Colorado, unleashing a new wave of Xenomorphs and a Predator “cleaner” tasked with eliminating the threat.

Decoding Common Queries: Your Alien Franchise FAQs

To further clarify the Alien universe, here are frequently asked questions that provide valuable context and insights:

H3 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are the Alien vs. Predator movies considered canon? The canonicity of the Alien vs. Predator films within the core Alien timeline is highly debated. While they exist within the same fictional universe and share certain lore elements, they are generally treated as separate, non-canonical entries by many fans and even sometimes by the filmmakers themselves. Ridley Scott, for instance, has publicly stated he doesn’t consider them part of the Alien universe he created.

2. What is the correct order to watch the Alien movies? The most common viewing order is either by release date or by chronological order within the fictional universe. Release date order is Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, Alien Resurrection, Alien vs. Predator, Alien vs. Predator: Requiem, Prometheus, and Alien: Covenant. Chronological order is Prometheus, Alien: Covenant, Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien Resurrection. The AVP films are best viewed after the main Alien series, regardless of which order you choose for those.

3. Who created the Xenomorphs? The origin of the Xenomorph is explored in Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. These films suggest that the Engineers, a powerful alien race, created a mutagenic pathogen known as the “black goo” which, under certain circumstances, can create Xenomorph-like creatures. David, the android in Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, further experiments with this pathogen to create what becomes the modern Xenomorph.

4. What is the “black goo” in Prometheus and Alien: Covenant? The “black goo,” also known as the accelerated pathogen, is a mutagenic substance created by the Engineers. It’s a central element in understanding the origins of the Xenomorph. Its effects are unpredictable, and it can transform living organisms in various horrifying ways.

5. What happened between Alien: Covenant and Alien? The events bridging Alien: Covenant and Alien are currently unexplored in film, leaving room for future installments. We know that the Xenomorphs created by David likely spread throughout the galaxy. The derelict ship discovered in Alien likely encountered these creatures, leading to its eventual crash landing on LV-426.

6. Is there going to be another Alien movie? As of late 2024, there is indeed another Alien movie planned: Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Álvarez and set to be released in August 2024. It’s intended to be a standalone story set between Alien and Aliens, focusing on a group of young space colonizers encountering a Xenomorph threat.

7. What’s the significance of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation? The Weyland-Yutani Corporation is a recurring element throughout the Alien franchise, representing corporate greed and disregard for human life. They are consistently shown prioritizing profit and the acquisition of Xenomorphs as bio-weapons, often at the expense of their employees.

8. Who is Ellen Ripley? Ellen Ripley, portrayed by Sigourney Weaver, is the protagonist of the first four Alien films. She’s a warrant officer initially, and a survivor who evolves into a hardened warrior, dedicated to stopping the Xenomorph threat. She is one of the most iconic female characters in science fiction history.

9. What is LV-426? LV-426 (later known as Acheron) is a moon orbiting a gas giant in the Zeta Reticuli system. It’s the location where the derelict ship containing the Xenomorph eggs is discovered in Alien, and where the human colony Hadley’s Hope is established in Aliens, ultimately leading to its destruction by the Xenomorphs. LV-426 is ground zero for the Alien franchise.

10. What is the significance of the Facehugger and Chestburster? The Facehugger and Chestburster represent the Xenomorph’s parasitic life cycle. The Facehugger impregnates a host with an embryo, which then gestates and violently erupts from the host’s chest as the Chestburster. This horrifying process highlights the Xenomorph’s relentless and brutal nature.

11. Why are the Alien movies so scary? The Alien movies are effective because of their blend of suspense, body horror, and claustrophobic environments. The Xenomorph itself is a terrifying design, and the films effectively create a sense of dread and helplessness against an unstoppable and utterly alien enemy. The use of practical effects in the earlier films adds to the realism and visceral impact.

12. Are there any Alien TV series? Yes, there is. An Alien television series, developed by Noah Hawley, is in production for FX. This series will reportedly explore themes of class warfare and corporate greed within the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, further expanding the Alien universe. It will take place on Earth, many years before the events of the first film.