Alien Movies in Order: Release vs Chronological

Every Alien fan has had that moment at the start of a movie night: someone confidently names the next film, and then someone else says, “Wait, but that’s a prequel.” Digital Spy’s guide counts eight theatrical releases through Alien: Romulus (2024), with Alien: Earth expected in 2025, and separates the release-order path from the chronological path so you can pick whichever fits how you like to watch.

Franchise count: 8 theatrical releases + 1 upcoming TV series • Year of first film: 1979 • Release order starts with: Alien • Chronological order starts with: Prometheus • Next up: Alien: Earth (2025)

Alien facts you can use

Before choosing an order, here is the franchise scorecard that matters most in 2025.

In short, the franchise has stayed alive by alternating prequels, sequels, and crossovers. That flexibility is exactly why there is no single “right” order.

How many Alien movies are there?

Digital Spy tracks the current count at eight theatrical releases, with Alien: Earth waiting in 2025. The number sounds simple, but the franchise also includes crossover spin-offs that some guides keep separate.

The trick is that Alien released first, but Prometheus happens first in story chronology. That split is why the correct “How many are there?” answer also depends on which timeline you choose.

What is the correct order to watch Alien movies?

The franchise offers two clear viewing paths: release order or chronological order. The following sections break down each, with concrete lists and the reasoning behind them.

Release order at a glance

• Alien (1979)
• Aliens (1986)
• Alien 3 (1992)
• Alien: Resurrection (1997)
• Alien vs. Predator (2004)
• Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
• Prometheus (2012)
• Alien: Covenant (2017)
• Alien: Romulus (2024)

Release order is the low-regret path for a first watch. It preserves the original’s mystery and lets the prequels feel like answers to questions the first film never asked.

Chronological order at a glance

• Prometheus (2012)
• Alien: Covenant (2017)
• Alien (1979)
• Aliens (1986)
• Alien 3 (1992)
• Alien: Resurrection (1997)
• Alien: Romulus (2024)

Sky at Night Magazine notes that a standard chronological path begins with Prometheus and continues into Alien: Covenant before the 1979 original.

— Sky at Night Magazine

Whichever path you take, Sky at Night Magazine agrees that Alien: Covenant is the direct story bridge to the original film’s setup. That makes it essential in both orders.

Should I watch Prometheus or Alien first?

Arguments for release order

Watching in release order preserves the original mystery. You experience the franchise as audiences did, with each sequel building on the last. The prequels then feel like answers to questions you didn’t know you had. Rotten Tomatoes Editorial recommends this for first-time viewers.

Arguments for chronological order

Chronological order arranges events in in-universe sequence. It starts with Prometheus (set in 2093), then Alien: Covenant (2104), before the original Alien (2122). This reveals the cause-and-effect behind the Xenomorph’s creation and the Engineers’ role. It works best for returning fans who want a lore-driven rewatch.

The pattern: release order protects surprises; chronological order rewards lore knowledge.

What is the chronological order of the Alien movies?

Sky at Night Magazine provides a standard chronological path based on in-universe dates.

Full chronological list with years

• Alien vs. Predator (set 2004)*
• Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (set 2007)*
• Prometheus (set 2093)
• Alien: Covenant (set 2104)
• Alien (set 2122)
• Alien: Romulus (set 2142)
• Aliens (set 2179)
• Alien 3 (set 2179)
• Alien: Resurrection (set 2379)

* Crossover spin-offs often omitted from the main timeline.

Where Alien: Romulus fits

According to Screen Rant, Alien: Romulus is set between Alien and Aliens, around 2142. This places it 20 years after the original and 37 years before the colony mission.

Placement of upcoming Alien: Earth

Exact chronological placement for Alien: Earth is not officially confirmed. Digital Spy lists the series as a 2025 release; some guides speculate a prequel-era setting around 2120, before the original Alien.

Is Alien: Covenant a sequel to Prometheus?

Yes, Alien: Covenant is a direct sequel to Prometheus, continuing the story of the Engineers and the origin of the Xenomorph. Both films are directed by Ridley Scott and share cast continuity. Sky at Night Magazine treats them as the first two entries in the chronological timeline.

Why was Alien: Covenant a flop?

Box office performance

Alien: Covenant grossed $240 million worldwide against a $97 million budget. While not a financial disaster, it underperformed relative to Prometheus ($403 million).

Critical reception

The film holds a 65% on Rotten Tomatoes, down from Prometheus‘s 73%. Critics praised the visuals but noted narrative inconsistencies and a shift away from the original’s horror.

Audience expectations

Many expected a more direct prequel to Alien after Prometheus’s open-ended finale. The introduction of new characters and a separate colony mission divided fans.

The implication: Covenant struggled to satisfy both Prometheus’s philosophical fans and those wanting classic Alien horror.

Release order vs chronological order

The real question is not which list is right; it’s what kind of experience you want. The 2025 guidance from Rotten Tomatoes Editorial is clear: because the series is not strictly linear, you should pick one system and commit.

So which is better? For a first watch, release order is usually stronger. For a deep dive, chronological order turns the series into one long mystery about androids and corporate greed.

Where does Alien: Earth fit in 2025?

Digital Spy lists Alien: Earth as the next 2025 franchise entry, but the exact chronological placement is not confirmed. That is still a useful signal: the series is moving into new stories rather than just continuing the old crew’s timeline.

If you follow release order, Alien: Earth is the natural next stop after Alien: Romulus. That is not because its in-universe date is confirmed, but because it is the only upcoming entry on the 2025 release board.

— Watch-order summary, Digital Spy

The upcoming series signals a new direction for the franchise, but its timeline placement remains uncertain.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed by released guides

• Release order starts with 1979’s Alien (Digital Spy).
• Chronological order starts with Prometheus (2012) (Sky at Night Magazine).
• Alien: Covenant is the direct prequel to the original film’s story setup (Sky at Night Magazine).

Still unclear

• Where exactly Alien: Earth sits in the story chronology (Digital Spy).
• Whether future crossover films will rejoin the core timeline.

The pattern: official sources confirm the starting points, but new entries will refine the map.

Frequently asked questions

If you pick one path and commit, you’ll be fine. The real win for Alien fans is avoiding the debate long enough to actually watch the movie.