Ranking the 9 Alien movies from worst to best is like charting a course through space—there are some rough patches and some truly stellar moments. Let’s dive into the galaxy of Xenomorphs, facehuggers, and interstellar horror, starting with the weakest entry and working our way to the top.
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Our Ranking
9 – Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
Director: The Brothers Strause
Cast: Steven Pasquale, Reiko Aylesworth, John Ortiz
Release Year: 2007
The bottom of the barrel, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem is widely regarded as the low point in both the Alien and Predator franchises. The film tries to cash in on the potential of two iconic monsters facing off, but ends up delivering a murky, poorly lit spectacle where it’s nearly impossible to see the action. With a forgettable cast and a thin plot, this movie fails to do justice to either franchise. The “Predalien” hybrid was an interesting idea, but it’s wasted in a film that’s more frustrating than frightening.
8 – Alien vs. Predator (2004)
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Cast: Sanaa Lathan, Raoul Bova, Lance Henriksen
Release Year: 2004
This crossover had so much potential: the ultimate battle between two of cinema’s deadliest creatures. Unfortunately, the execution leaves much to be desired. The film is entertaining enough as a popcorn flick, but it lacks the tension, horror, and atmosphere that made the original Alien films so iconic. The pyramid setting in Antarctica and the ancient lore are intriguing, but the movie ultimately feels like a missed opportunity, leaning more on action than on the suspenseful horror that fans of the Alien series crave.
7 – Alien 3 (1992)
Director: David Fincher
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Charles S. Dutton, Charles Dance
Release Year: 1992
Alien 3 is infamous for its troubled production, and the end result is a film that is dark, both in tone and visual style. The story of Ripley crash-landing on a prison planet and facing a new Xenomorph threat is grim and unforgiving. The decision to kill off beloved characters from Aliens in the opening minutes still divides fans, and the film’s nihilistic atmosphere can be hard to watch. Despite its flaws, Fincher’s direction gives the film a unique, oppressive feel, and Weaver’s performance as a battle-weary Ripley adds depth to an otherwise bleak chapter in the series.
6 – Alien Resurrection (1997)
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Winona Ryder, Ron Perlman
Release Year: 1997
If Alien Resurrection feels like the oddball of the series, that’s because it is. Set 200 years after the events of Alien 3, the film brings Ripley back as a clone, complete with alien DNA mixed in. Jeunet’s distinct visual style makes the movie stand out, and there are moments of dark humour and bizarre, surreal imagery. The underwater scene where the survivors navigate through a flooded chamber while being hunted by Xenomorphs is particularly tense. However, the film’s strange tone and the grotesque “Newborn” alien make this entry a polarising one among fans. It’s an odd mix of horror, action, and dark comedy that doesn’t quite hit the high notes of its predecessors.
5 – Alien: Covenant (2017)
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup
Release Year: 2017
Alien: Covenant attempts to return to the horror roots of the original film while continuing the story that began with Prometheus. It’s a visually striking movie, with stunning landscapes and chilling set pieces. Fassbender’s performance as both the androids David and Walter is a highlight, adding a layer of psychological horror as David’s god complex begins to take centre stage. The film balances its philosophical musings with the visceral terror of the Xenomorphs, but sometimes struggles to fully integrate these elements. Despite some narrative hiccups, Covenant is a solid entry that brings back some of the claustrophobic horror that made the original Alien so memorable.
4 – Prometheus (2012)
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron
Release Year: 2012
Prometheus is an ambitious film that seeks to explore the origins of the Alien universe. Ridley Scott returned to the franchise with a prequel that raises big questions about creation, humanity, and the existence of gods. Visually, it’s stunning, with beautifully crafted environments and a sense of grandeur. The story follows a team of scientists searching for the origins of humanity, only to find a threat far beyond their understanding. The film’s philosophical themes and ambiguous ending left audiences divided, but it’s undeniably a thought-provoking addition to the series. The scene where Dr. Shaw performs an emergency C-section on herself to remove an alien parasite is one of the most intense moments in the franchise.
3 – Alien: Romulus (2024)
Director: Fede Álvarez
Cast: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Isabela Merced
Release Year: 2024
Alien: Romulus is the latest instalment in the series, and it manages to capture much of the suspense and horror that made the original films so beloved. The story follows a new group of characters who find themselves trapped on an abandoned spaceship, with a fresh wave of Xenomorphs hunting them down. Romulus blends the gritty, atmospheric horror of the early films with modern visual effects, creating a tense and terrifying experience. The zero-gravity elevator shaft sequence is a standout, showcasing Álvarez’s skill at building suspense. While it may not reinvent the franchise, Romulus is a strong entry that respects its roots while delivering fresh thrills.
2 – Alien (1979)
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt
Release Year: 1979
The film that started it all, Alien is a masterclass in horror and suspense. Ridley Scott’s direction, combined with H.R. Giger’s terrifying creature design, created a film that remains one of the most influential sci-fi horror movies ever made. The story is simple: a crew of space truckers investigates a distress signal and inadvertently brings a deadly alien aboard their ship. What follows is a tense, claustrophobic battle for survival as the crew is picked off one by one. The chest-burster scene is legendary, and Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley quickly became an iconic character in cinema. Every frame of this movie is dripping with atmosphere, and its minimalist approach only enhances the terror.
1 – Aliens (1986)
Director: James Cameron
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen
Release Year: 1986
James Cameron’s Aliens builds on the original’s success, delivering a high-octane, action-packed sequel. Ripley returns to LV-426 with a squad of marines, only to face an even larger alien threat, led by the fearsome Alien Queen. The film ramps up the tension with intense action scenes, unforgettable characters, and iconic moments. Sigourney Weaver’s powerful performance earned her an Oscar nomination, and the movie stands as not only the best in the series but also one of the greatest sequels in cinema history.
Viewing Order Guide
When it comes to watching the Alien franchise, you have a couple of options: follow the release order to experience the series as audiences did, or dive into the chronological order for a narrative-driven marathon.
Release Order (Classic Experience):
1. Alien (1979)
2. Aliens (1986)
3. Alien 3 (1992)
4. Alien Resurrection (1997)
5. Alien vs. Predator (2004)
6. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
7. Prometheus (2012)
8. Alien: Covenant (2017)
9. Alien: Romulus (2024)
Watching in release order allows you to see the franchise’s evolution, witnessing how it expanded from a claustrophobic horror film to a sprawling, interconnected universe.
Chronological Order (Storyline Continuity):
1. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
2. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
3. Prometheus (2012)
4. Alien: Covenant (2017)
5. Alien (1979)
6. Alien: Romulus (2024)
7. Aliens (1986)
8. Alien 3 (1992)
9. Alien Resurrection (1997)
This order takes you through the story from the earliest events in the timeline, following the creation of the Xenomorphs and leading up to Ripley’s final showdown.
Whether you’re revisiting these films or watching them for the first time, the Alien franchise offers an unforgettable ride through some of the best (and worst) that sci-fi horror has to offer. Which order will you choose, and which film tops your list?
