The Definitive Alien Series Order: Chronological Timeline For All 10 Movies And TV Shows (2025 Update)
The *Alien* franchise timeline is notoriously complex, a sprawling sci-fi horror epic that stretches across centuries, mixing prequels, sequels, and standalone stories, making it challenging for even the most dedicated fan to follow. As of late 2025, the universe has expanded dramatically with a new film and a major television series that demand a fresh look at the viewing order, especially with the upcoming *Alien: Romulus* film and the continuation of the *Alien: Earth* TV series.
This article provides the definitive chronological viewing order for the entire saga—including the controversial *Alien vs. Predator* films and the crucial new additions—to help you navigate the terrifying evolution of the Xenomorph and the sinister machinations of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Prepare to witness the full, terrifying scope of humanity's encounter with the 'perfect organism' from its genesis to its most desperate battles.
The Complete Chronological Alien Franchise Timeline (2025 Edition)
To experience the full, cohesive narrative arc of the *Alien* universe, including the origins of the Xenomorph and the Engineers, you should follow the story's internal timeline. This order includes all 10 major cinematic and television entries, starting with the earliest known contact.
- 1. Alien vs. Predator (2004)
Plot Context: Set in 2004, this film serves as the earliest point of contact, establishing the existence of both the Xenomorph and the Predator species. It reveals an ancient Predator ritual where Xenomorphs are bred as prey in a pyramid beneath the Antarctic ice, linking the creatures to Earth’s history.
- 2. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
Plot Context: Immediately following the first crossover, this film introduces the hybrid 'Predalien' on Earth, showcasing a new, more terrifying variant of the Xenomorph life cycle and confirming the creatures' capacity to adapt to new hosts.
- 3. Prometheus (2012)
Plot Context: Set in 2089–2093, the Weyland Corporation funds an expedition to follow a star map left by the Engineers, humanity's presumed creators. The crew encounters the 'Black Goo' pathogen, which acts as a mutagen, leading to the creation of the Deacon and setting the stage for the true Xenomorph.
- 4. Alien: Covenant (2017)
Plot Context: Set 10 years after *Prometheus* (2104), the colony ship Covenant lands on a planet discovered to be the homeworld of the Engineers. The android David (a creation of Peter Weyland) is revealed to have experimented with the Black Goo, successfully engineering the Xenomorph (or 'Neomorph' and 'Protomorph') as we know it, confirming him as its creator.
- 5. Alien: Earth (FX/Hulu TV Series)
Plot Context: This upcoming series, helmed by Noah Hawley, is a prequel set on Earth, focusing on the early days of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation and the rise of synthetics, before the events of Ellen Ripley's story. It explores a world where the horrors of the Xenomorph are yet to be known to the general public, providing a fresh perspective on the corporate greed that fuels the franchise.
- 6. Alien (1979)
Plot Context: Set in 2122, this is where the classic nightmare begins. The crew of the commercial towing vessel Nostromo investigates a mysterious signal on LV-426, leading to the first encounter with the Facehugger, Chestburster, and the iconic Xenomorph XX121. Warrant Officer Ellen Ripley is the sole survivor.
- 7. Alien: Romulus (2024)
Plot Context: Set 20 years after *Alien* (2142), this standalone film is explicitly positioned between the original *Alien* and *Aliens*. It follows a group of young space scavengers who encounter the Xenomorph on a derelict space station, featuring a new cast including Cailee Spaeny and focusing on pure survival horror.
- 8. Aliens (1986)
Plot Context: Set 57 years after *Alien* (2179), Ripley is rescued from hypersleep. She returns to LV-426 with a squad of Colonial Marines to investigate a loss of contact at the colony of Hadley's Hope. This film introduces the terrifying Queen Xenomorph and the concept of a Xenomorph Hive.
- 9. Alien 3 (1992)
Plot Context: Set immediately after *Aliens* (2179), Ripley crash-lands on the maximum-security prison planet Fiorina "Fury" 161. A new Xenomorph (a 'Runner' or 'Dog Alien') is born from a dog/ox, and Ripley discovers she is carrying a Queen Chestburster, culminating in her tragic sacrifice.
- 10. Alien Resurrection (1997)
Plot Context: Set 200 years after *Alien 3* (2379), Ripley is cloned by military scientists, who extract the Queen embryo she was carrying. The resulting Xenomorphs are more intelligent, and the film introduces the grotesque Newborn, a human-Xenomorph hybrid, as Ripley and a crew of mercenaries fight to prevent the creatures from reaching Earth.
The Release Date Order: The Purist's Viewing Guide
For purists who prefer to watch the films as they were released, experiencing the development of the special effects, directorial vision, and plot twists in their original context, the release order is the way to go. This sequence allows you to appreciate the evolution of the sci-fi horror genre and the shifting tones from Ridley Scott's claustrophobic horror to James Cameron's action-packed sequel.
The release order is simple and includes the two distinct prequel trilogies (*AvP* and *Prometheus/Covenant*) and the main *Alien* Quadrilogy.
- *Alien* (1979) - Directed by Ridley Scott
- *Aliens* (1986) - Directed by James Cameron
- *Alien 3* (1992) - Directed by David Fincher
- *Alien Resurrection* (1997) - Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
- *Alien vs. Predator* (2004)
- *Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem* (2007)
- *Prometheus* (2012) - Directed by Ridley Scott
- *Alien: Covenant* (2017) - Directed by Ridley Scott
- *Alien: Romulus* (2024) - Directed by Fede Álvarez
- *Alien: Earth* (2025/2026) - TV Series by Noah Hawley (Season 2 Update expected)
The Sinister Entities: Xenomorph Lore and Corporate Greed
To fully grasp the depth of the *Alien* universe, it’s essential to understand the key entities and concepts that drive the horror. The franchise is built on more than just jump scares; it's a deep dive into biological terror and corporate nihilism, providing excellent topical authority for any fan.
The Xenomorph: The Perfect Organism
The Xenomorph XX121, or 'Alien,' is the central monster of the franchise, famously described as the 'perfect organism' by the android Ash. Its life cycle is a masterpiece of biological horror, designed for ultimate survival and adaptation. Key stages include the parasitic Facehugger, which implants the embryo, the explosive Chestburster, and the adult stage, which can take forms like the Warrior, Drone, and the highly intelligent Queen Xenomorph (responsible for laying eggs and maintaining the Hive).
The prequel films introduced even earlier and variant forms, such as the Deacon (from *Prometheus*) and the Neomorph (from *Covenant*), demonstrating the creature's origin from the Engineers' Black Goo pathogen, manipulated and refined by the android David.
The Weyland-Yutani Corporation
The true human villain of the *Alien* franchise is often the Weyland-Yutani Corporation (or 'The Company'), a ruthless, hyper-capitalist mega-organization.
Its primary objective throughout the series is simple: to acquire a live Xenomorph specimen for its bioweapons division, regardless of the human cost.
The company was formed by the merger of the Weyland Corporation (founded by Peter Weyland), which funded the *Prometheus* mission, and the Yutani Corporation.
Characters like Carter Burke in *Aliens* exemplify this corporate deception, willing to sacrifice Colonial Marines and even the young survivor Newt to secure the specimen. This relentless pursuit of the Xenomorph as a weapon is the engine of the entire saga, making The Company the most persistent and deceptive antagonist.
The Legacy of Ellen Ripley
No discussion of the series is complete without Ellen Ripley (portrayed by Sigourney Weaver), one of cinema's most iconic protagonists. Starting as a Warrant Officer on the Nostromo, Ripley evolves into a hardened, maternal warrior. Her entire arc is a fight for survival against both the Xenomorph and the corporate betrayal of Weyland-Yutani.
Her relationship with the Xenomorph is central to the saga, culminating in her cloned return in *Alien Resurrection*. While the new film *Alien: Romulus* and the *Alien: Earth* TV series do not feature her, her legacy as the ultimate survivor and the moral compass of the franchise remains the foundation of the entire cinematic universe.
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