AlienComplete Watch Order Guide
A science fiction horror film franchise, focusing on Lieutenant Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and her battle with an extraterrestrial life-form, commonly referred to as "the Alien". Produced by 20th Century Fox, the series started with the 1979 film Alien, then Aliens in 1986, Alien³ in 1992, and Alien: Resurrection in 1997.
Alien Release Timeline
What order should you watch the Alien movies?
Release order — click any era to expand or collapse. All 4 movies shown below.
1 film released between 1979 and 1979.
1 film released between 1986 and 1986.
1 film released between 1992 and 1992.
1 film released between 1997 and 1997.
Watch Alien in Order
Watch the Alien movies in release order, starting with Alien (1979) and continuing through Alien Resurrection (1997). The series spans 4 films, released between 1979 and 1997. Audiences rate the franchise 7.2/10 on average.
What order should you watch Alien?
For most viewers, release order is the recommended way to watch Alien. This is how the story was crafted and revealed to audiences — earlier films seed details, callbacks, and twists that pay off in later entries. Watching in release order preserves those reveals and matches the pacing the filmmakers intended.
Alien largely tracks its own in-universe chronology, so release order and chronological order overlap closely. You can use either without losing much, though release order is still the safest first watch.
About the Alien franchise
A science fiction horror film franchise, focusing on Lieutenant Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and her battle with an extraterrestrial life-form, commonly referred to as "the Alien". Produced by 20th Century Fox, the series started with the 1979 film Alien, then Aliens in 1986, Alien³ in 1992, and Alien: Resurrection in 1997.
Each film builds on the previous one, rewarding viewers who watch in sequence.
Alien Fun Facts & Trivia
The Alien franchise spans 18 years, from 1979 to 1997.
The highest-rated entry is Alien with a 8.2/10 audience score.
Across all films, the franchise averages a 7.2/10 rating from audiences.
Alien films have collected over 40k audience ratings combined.
Watching all 4 Alien films back-to-back takes well over a full day's viewing commitment.
The most recent entry, Alien Resurrection (1997), continues a franchise that began 18 years earlier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best order to watch Alien?
What is the first Alien movie?
What is the most recent Alien movie?
How many Alien movies are there in total?
How long does it take to watch all Alien movies?
What is the highest-rated Alien movie?
Can I watch Alien movies without watching them in order?
Where can I watch Alien movies online?
More Movies in Order
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See the original timeline, full stats, and editorial intro on the franchise overview page.
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