To watch the seven main Alien films in in-universe chronological order, start with Prometheus and finish with Alien: Resurrection. The unexpected placement is Alien: Romulus: it takes place after Alien but before Aliens.
Alien movies in chronological order
- Prometheus (2012)
- Alien: Covenant (2017)
- Alien (1979)
- Alien: Romulus (2024)
- Aliens (1986)
- Alien 3 (1992)
- Alien: Resurrection (1997)
This is the story order for the seven mainline films, not their release order. The dates in parentheses are each film’s release year.
![Alien: 7-Movie Complete Collection (Alien / Aliens / Alien 3 / Alien: Resurrection / Prometheus / Alien: Covenant / Alien: Romulus) [Blu-ray] [Region Free]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51G55OGlv4L._SL160_.jpg)
Why Romulus goes between Alien and Aliens
Alien: Romulus is set after the events of Alien and before those of Aliens, rather than continuing the story after the later film. Time’s August 2024 chronology report places it roughly 20 years after Alien and about 37 years before Aliens. AvP Central, a nonofficial franchise chronology guide updated in August 2026, gives the more exact placement of 2142. These are reported story-timeline dates, not dates stated on the official studio title page. Time’s chronology report and AvP Central’s guide offer further timeline context.
The official 20th Century Studios page provides the film’s synopsis, credits and U.S. release date of August 16, 2024; it does not establish the story-year placement. The Australia and New Zealand studio page gives a territory-specific release date of August 15, 2024.
Choose between story order and release order
If you want to watch the Alien movies in order, decide whether “order” means the events’ fictional chronology or the sequence audiences first saw them. Chronological order starts with the prequels and can reveal their backstory before the original films. For a first viewing, release order preserves the films’ original introductions and reveals.
Release order
- Alien (1979)
- Aliens (1986)
- Alien 3 (1992)
- Alien: Resurrection (1997)
- Prometheus (2012)
- Alien: Covenant (2017)
- Alien: Romulus (2024)
For returning viewers who specifically want the in-universe chronological order, use the seven-film list at the top.
Rank #2
![Alien: 6 Movie Collection [Blu-Ray, Region Free]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51lqFPDZWwL._SL160_.jpg)
- 6 Film Colelction
- Region Free
What this seven-film list includes
This order covers the seven main Alien films. It does not include the Alien vs. Predator crossover movies: guides differ on whether those belong in an expanded Alien continuity, so include them only if you deliberately want a crossover-inclusive watch list. Rotten Tomatoes’ broader saga guide includes the crossovers in its expanded timeline, while another chronology guide excludes them; neither is an official studio ruling on continuity.
Alien: Earth is a television series, not a film, so it is not part of the seven-film sequence. Rotten Tomatoes places the series in 2120, two years before Alien; that is a separate, broader franchise timeline rather than a reason to add a movie to this list.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Experience the ultimate in sci-fi terror with these 7 iconic films: Alien, Aliens, Alien3, Alien Resurrection, Prometheus, Alien: Covenant and Alien: Romulus. From deadly chestbusters, relentless xenomorphs and horrific facehuggers, to unflinching heroines and unexpected synthetics, you’ll be shocked, surprised and terrified at every turn.
Rank #4
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
