Alien Movies in Order: How to Watch the Alien Franchise Chronologically
The Alien movies in order? You start with Prometheus and follow through Alien: Covenant, then the original Alien from 1979, followed by Aliens, Alien³, Alien Resurrection, and cap it off with the Alien vs. Predator entries if you want—but strictly in-universe, it’s Prometheus → Alien: Covenant → Alien → Aliens → Alien³ → Alien Resurrection. That’s the direct chronological sequence of the main storyline.
Why Chronological Order Helps You Understand the Story
Putting the films in story time (not release time) gives you clarity on how the Xenomorph myth unfolds. You begin with humanity’s origins questions in Prometheus, pick up the rise of David and search for creation in Covenant, and then thrust into survival horror with Alien. From there, you witness the military response in Aliens, the dark rebirth in Alien³, and the twisted cloning chaos in Alien Resurrection.
Watching in this order brings arcs into focus—what drives folks, what’s at stake, and how the threat evolves. Instead of retroactive explanations in later films, chronological flow reveals them in sequence. You see decisions ripple forward. It just makes sense as a narrative experience.
Main Films in Chronological Order
1. Prometheus (2012)
Takes place in 2093. A team seeks humanity’s creators, the Engineers. Things go sideways fast. It sets the tone by connecting to the Xeno lore in a philosophical and tragic way. We see how expeditions go wrong.
2. Alien: Covenant (2017)
Set in 2104, about a decade later. A colonization ship discovers a seemingly perfect planet. Instead, they find David messing with biology—who unleashes pure horror. It bridges philosophical quest and survival horror, showing how the Xenomorph truly takes shape.
3. Alien (1979)
The Nostromo crew gets back to business in 2122. That classic that started it all: slow, tense, cerebral horror. You watch the Xenomorph emerge, and Ripley become what we all know. This is the introduction of the beast in action.
4. Aliens (1986)
Set in 2179. Military escalation. Ripley returns as a warrior-mother surrogate. Action turns up. The aliens multiply. It radically shifts tone but carries the world forward.
5. Alien³ (1992)
Direct continuation, minutes after Aliens ends. Crash‑landing on a prison planet. No weapons. One survivor: Ripley. A darker, introspective film. Sacrifice, identity, and continuation of the horror in personal sacrifice.
6. Alien Resurrection (1997)
Takes place about 200 years later. Ripley clones and revives, bringing hybrid horror and biotech gone mad aboard a spaceship. It blends sci-fi and gothic, rounding out the original arc in a twisted, reborn fashion.
Bonus: Where Alien vs. Predator Fits (and What to Avoid)
Those two films—Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)—occur earlier than Alien, but they aren’t central to the main story. They’re more like fun crossovers. If you want pure timeline:
– AVP takes place in 2004.
– AVPR soon after.
These can slot before Prometheus if you’re curious. But they aren’t essential to the mythos the original crew built.
Practical Watch Guide in Order
Here’s a neat list for your watch party:
- Prometheus
- Alien: Covenant
- Alien (1979)
- Aliens
- Alien³
- Alien Resurrection
And optionally, if you want sideways crossovers:
– Alien vs. Predator
– Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
Either drop in before Prometheus or leave them for later as a fun aside.
Why Some Fans Skip Chronological Order
Watching in release order has emotional impact. You feel delays, jumps, shifts in tone. Many prefer the original experience—release order means you get the isolated horror, then epic action, then introspection. It’s a journey that grows darker, not linear.
Release order:
– Alien (1979)
– Aliens (1986)
– Alien³ (1992)
– Alien Resurrection (1997)
– Prometheus (2012)
– Alien: Covenant (2017)
There’s charm in recreating what audiences first felt. You taste the shock without knowing the backstory. But if you’re all about lore, chronology is worth a try.
Example Scenario: Movie Night with Friends
Imagine this: you’re planning a sci-fi marathon. Some haven’t seen any. You stick to chronology. You start them with philosophical dread in Prometheus. They watch David’s experiments. Then they get jolted into horror. They follow Ripley—gradual escalation. By Alien Resurrection, they know exactly how the horror evolved. It builds depth and empathy from the start.
That human reaction—first “What are those stone heads?” then “Oh, here’s the egg.” Then “That’s Ripley?!”—tracks growth. It’s deliberate, paced, and rewarding.
Expert Perspective on Chronological Viewing
“Watching stories in timeline order can reveal thematic arcs and character evolution you might miss otherwise. In the Alien saga, seeing how the myth began adds layers to every later confrontation.”
That sums it up: chronology brings insight.
How to Balance Chronological with Release Order
One approach: mix them. Start with Alien to catch the classic horror vibe. Then dive into the prequels for context. I’ve seen viewers love this path: classic surprise first, then explanation.
Another path: watch everything in release order, but after you finish the original set (up to Alien Resurrection), then go back and watch the prequels. You end with knowledge rather than preempting it.
Key Points at a Glance
- Chronological order brings story clarity: see cause and effect across decades.
- Release order gives emotional pacing: horror, then action, then reflection.
- Your pick depends on what you want: lore vs first-time shock.
- Mixing tones is fine: start classic, then go deeper in origins.
Conclusion
To watch the Alien movies chronologically, go: Prometheus → Alien: Covenant → Alien → Aliens → Alien³ → Alien Resurrection. It’s a way to follow the Xenomorph saga cleanly, from creation to resurrection. Throw in the AVP stuff before Prometheus if you’re mixing universes for fun. Keep it simple, keep it intense—and enjoy the ride.
FAQs
Can I start with the original Alien and go back later to the prequels?
Yes. That’s common. You get the original shock first and then understand the backstory when you watch Prometheus and Covenant later.
Are the Alien vs. Predator movies part of the main timeline?
Not really. They happen earlier than Prometheus, but they’re spin-offs. Good for bonus content, not core lore.
Does the tone shift sharply between the prequels and the original films?
Pretty much. The prequels are more philosophical horror (Prometheus) and scientists messing with life (Covenant). The originals turn into survival and action horror.
Should I watch Alien³ and Resurrection right after Aliens?
In chronological order, yes. That’s how the plot flows. But you can also watch Aliens as the finale if you prefer a tighter experience.
How long is the full chronological marathon?
Roughly 14–16 hours total, depending on the cuts and any extra movies you add. Plan for that if you’re setting up a full-day watchathon.
Is there a recommended viewing order for newcomers?
If you’re all about story and background, chronological order works great. If you want pure iconic fear, start with the original Alien, then move to Aliens and onwards, finally exploring the prequels.
