Journey through the Alien Universe in Chronological Order

Alien 3 takes the saga to the penal colony of Fiorina “Fury” 161, where Ripley faces her final battle against the Xenomorphs. This film explores themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the inescapable nature of the Alien threat. Alien 3 serves as a poignant chapter in the series, offering a gritty, uncompromising look at the cost of survival.

• Directed by: David Fincher
• Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Charles S. Dutton, Charles Dance

Prey marks the earliest point in the Alien Universe timeline, introducing audiences to the Predator species in the 18th century. This prequel sets the stage for the entire saga, showcasing the Predator’s first hunt on Earth against a backdrop of Native American wilderness. The film not only explores the primal nature of survival but also establishes the Predators as a force of nature, respecting only the fiercest of adversaries.

• Directed by: Dan Trachtenberg
• Starring: Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Dane DiLiegro

With the release of Predator in 1987, audiences were introduced to the iconic extraterrestrial hunter for the first time. Set in the dense jungles of Central America, the film follows an elite team of commandos on a mission that quickly turns into a fight for survival against an unseen enemy. This classic not only solidified the Predator as a cornerstone of sci-fi horror but also laid the groundwork for a new kind of interstellar conflict.

• Directed by: John McTiernan
• Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Kevin Peter Hall

Predator 2 transports the hunt to the urban chaos of 1997 Los Angeles, where the Predator engages in a new kind of game. This sequel expands the Predator’s hunting ground to a new environment, showcasing its adaptability and the breadth of its technology. The film also teases the connection between the Predator and Alien universes, hinting at a larger, interconnected galaxy.

• Directed by: Stephen Hopkins
• Starring: Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Kevin Peter Hall

Following the events of Alien vs Predator, Alien vs Predator: Requiem delves into the consequences of the Pred-Alien hybrid’s escape to Earth. The small town of Gunnison, Colorado, becomes the battleground for a fight between the Predators and Aliens, with humanity caught in the middle. This sequel intensifies the conflict, showcasing the devastating impact of these cosmic battles on human life.

• Directed by: The Brothers Strause
• Starring: Steven Pasquale, Reiko Aylesworth, John Ortiz

The Predator introduces a new chapter in the Predator saga, focusing on the evolution of the species and their interest in Earth. The film reveals a faction of Predators seeking to enhance their genetic makeup with DNA from other species, including humans. This installment raises questions about the future of the Predator species and their increasingly complex relationship with humanity.

• Directed by: Shane Black
• Starring: Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay

Scheduled for release in 2025, Badlands promises to expand the Alien Universe further. While details remain scarce, anticipation is high for how this film will connect to the established lore and introduce new elements to the saga. Fans eagerly await to see how Badlands will continue the legacy of deep-space horror and interstellar conflict.

Set on an alien planet designed as a game reserve, Predators follows a group of elite warriors from Earth who find themselves pawns in a terrifying game of survival. This film revisits the core theme of the hunt but elevates it to a new level, exploring the dynamics within the Predator species and introducing new, deadly variants of the hunters.

• Directed by: Nimród Antal
• Starring: Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Alice Braga

Blade Runner offers a glimpse into a dystopian future where humanity has colonized other planets, and synthetic humans known as Replicants are used for labor. Although not directly connected to the Alien narrative, thematic and visual links suggest a shared universe, enriched by Ridley Scott’s vision of the future. This film raises profound questions about identity, humanity, and the consequences of technological advancement.

• Directed by: Ridley Scott
• Starring: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young

Set in the same universe as Blade Runner, Soldier follows a discarded military man facing an existential crisis on a distant planet. The film explores themes of obsolescence, survival, and redemption, further building on the dark, speculative future of humanity. Soldier serves as a bridge between the themes of individual versus society seen in Blade Runner and the overarching narrative of the Alien Universe.

• Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson
• Starring: Kurt Russell, Jason Scott Lee, Connie Nielsen

Blade Runner 2049 revisits the world of Blade Runner, exploring the evolution of society and the ongoing struggle between humans and Replicants. The film delves deeper into the ethical dilemmas posed by artificial intelligence and the search for identity, themes that resonate with the existential questions raised in the Alien Universe. Blade Runner 2049 stands as a testament to the enduring impact of Ridley Scott’s vision, linking back to the broader narrative of exploration and conflict.

• Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
• Starring: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas

Prometheus serves as a prequel to the original Alien film, embarking on a quest to discover the origins of humanity and its creators, the Engineers. This film expands the Alien Universe by exploring themes of creation, belief, and the pursuit of knowledge, setting the stage for the events that lead to the emergence of the Xenomorphs. Prometheus is a pivotal entry in the timeline, bridging the gap between human ambition and the unknown dangers of the universe.

• Directed by: Ridley Scott
• Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron

The upcoming Alien: TV Series is set to explore new horizons within the Alien Universe. Anticipation builds as fans await to see how the series will expand the lore, introduce new characters, and confront the enduring threat of the Xenomorphs. Set to premiere in 2024, the series promises to delve into uncharted territories, further enriching the saga’s legacy.

Alien Covenant continues the journey begun in Prometheus, following a new crew on their mission to a remote planet thought to be an uncharted paradise. The film uncovers the dark reality behind the Engineers’ creations and the origins of the Xenomorphs, offering a grim exploration of the consequences of seeking out the unknown. Alien Covenant is a crucial link in the timeline, connecting the dots between humanity’s quest for answers and the horrors that await in the depths of space.

• Directed by: Ridley Scott
• Starring: Katherine Waterston, Michael Fassbender, Billy Crudup

The film that started it all, Alien, introduces the iconic Xenomorph aboard the commercial space tug Nostromo. This masterpiece of sci-fi horror sets the tone for the entire series, blending elements of suspense, terror, and the unknown. Alien not only established a new benchmark for the genre but also introduced audiences to the enduring themes of isolation, survival, and the indomitable will to endure against seemingly insurmountable odds.

• Directed by: Ridley Scott
• Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt

Alien: Romulus is shrouded in mystery, but expectations are high for this entry to delve deeper into the Xenomorph mythology and perhaps offer new insights into the enduring conflict between humans and Aliens.

• Directed by: Fede Álvarez
• Starring: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux

Aliens, the sequel to Alien, escalates the conflict by introducing the Xenomorph Queen and her brood. This film expands on the themes of maternal instinct, survival, and the clash between human ingenuity and alien ferocity. Aliens not only deepened the lore of the Alien Universe but also cemented its place in the hearts of sci-fi enthusiasts worldwide.

• Directed by: James Cameron
• Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn

Set 200 years after Alien 3, Alien Resurrection introduces a cloned Ripley and a new generation of Xenomorphs. This film delves into themes of identity, humanity, and the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition. Alien Resurrection challenges the boundaries between human and alien, questioning the very nature of life itself.

• Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
• Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Winona Ryder, Ron Perlman

While not officially part of the Alien Universe, Firefly and its follow-up film Serenity share thematic and stylistic similarities with the saga. These works explore the frontier of space through the lens of human resilience, camaraderie, and the struggle against oppressive forces. Including them in your journey through the Alien Universe offers a broader perspective on the themes of exploration and conflict that define the genre.

• Directed by: Joss Whedon (Serenity)
• Starring: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk