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There are six core Alien films to watch before Alien: Romulus. For a first viewing, watch them in release order; in the U.S., current streaming options are split across services, so renting the films you can’t stream may be simpler than signing up for several subscriptions.
Quick guide: the core films before Alien: Romulus
This list covers the six core films released before Romulus. The 2024 film is the seventh core entry, set between Alien and Aliens. The two Alien vs. Predator films are optional crossovers, not required preparation.
![Alien Quadrilogy : Alien / Aliens / Alien 3 / Alien Resurrection [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rlzRE+ziL._SL160_.jpg)
![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)
| Watch order | Film | U.S. streaming listings checked Aug. 17–18, 2026 | Rent or buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alien (1979) | No free or subscription option listed | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home |
| 2 | Aliens (1986) | fuboTV, YouTube TV | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home; rental also listed at Spectrum On Demand |
| 3 | Alien 3 (1992) | fuboTV, YouTube TV, FXNow | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home |
| 4 | Alien: Resurrection (1997) | fuboTV, YouTube TV, FXNow | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home; rental also listed at Spectrum On Demand |
| 5 | Prometheus (2012) | HBO Max, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV Channel | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home |
| 6 | Alien: Covenant (2017) | HBO Max Amazon Channel | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home |
Alien: Romulus (2024), the destination film, was listed on Hulu, and for rental or purchase through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Check each current U.S. listing before watching.
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These are dated U.S. availability snapshots, not guarantees. A listing through an Amazon or Apple channel may require a separate add-on; it is not necessarily included with a standalone subscription. Individual title pages are the best place to verify the current service and edition: Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, Alien: Resurrection, Prometheus, and Alien: Covenant.
Best order to watch the Alien movies
Release order: recommended for first-time viewers
- Alien (1979)
- Aliens (1986)
- Alien 3 (1992)
- Alien: Resurrection (1997)
- Prometheus (2012)
- Alien: Covenant (2017)
- Alien: Romulus (2024)
Release order preserves the way the series originally revealed its mysteries and lets you follow its shifts in tone and ideas. It also avoids making the prequels’ explanations of the franchise’s mythology your first encounter with concepts the earlier films leave mysterious. The core release order is listed in the JustWatch franchise guide.
Chronological story order
- Prometheus
- Alien: Covenant
- Alien
- Alien: Romulus
- Aliens
- Alien 3
- Alien: Resurrection
This commonly used story chronology starts with the prequels and follows the fictional timeline. It suits viewers more interested in the history behind the Engineers, Weyland-Yutani, artificial intelligence, and the xenomorph mythology than in preserving the original sequence of reveals.
A shorter route to Romulus
If you want the most relevant preparation without a full marathon, watch Alien, Aliens, and Prometheus, then Romulus. For the shortest route, watch just Alien and Aliens. These are viewing recommendations, not requirements: Romulus is relatively accessible on its own, but the earlier films make more of its visual language, technology, creatures, and callbacks recognizable. Prometheus adds context for some of the later mythology.
Where to watch each film
Alien (1979)
The first film establishes the world and atmosphere of the series, making it the most important starting point for Romulus. As checked on Aug. 17–18, 2026, no free or subscription-streaming option appeared on its U.S. listing. It was available to rent or buy through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. The theatrical cut and Director’s Cut are separate options in some editions, so check the version before paying.
Aliens (1986)
The second film continues the central story and establishes elements of the franchise’s technology and creature lore that Romulus draws on. The checked U.S. listing showed fuboTV and YouTube TV, plus digital rental or purchase through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Spectrum On Demand was also listed for rental. See the current listing, and check whether you’re getting the theatrical cut or Special Edition.
Alien 3 (1992)
This is the next chapter after Aliens in release and story order. The checked listing showed fuboTV, YouTube TV, and FXNow; digital rental and purchase options included Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. The film has a substantially different Assembly Cut as well as its theatrical cut. Check the listing and edition label before selecting a version.
Alien: Resurrection (1997)
The fourth release in the core series follows Alien 3. Its checked U.S. listing showed fuboTV, YouTube TV, and FXNow; you could also rent it through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, or Spectrum On Demand, and buy it through Amazon, Apple, or Fandango. The Special Edition includes alternate or expanded material, so compare editions on the current title page.
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The first prequel looks further back into the franchise’s mythology. The checked U.S. listing included HBO Max, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, and Cinemax Apple TV Channel, as well as digital rental and purchase from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Confirm whether a channel bundle is included in a subscription you already have or requires an add-on. Check the current listing.
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Alien: Covenant (2017)
This prequel sequel follows Prometheus and continues the mythology introduced there. The checked listing showed it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, with rental or purchase through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Availability was narrower than for Prometheus at the time checked; confirm access and edition on the current listing.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
Watch this after your chosen catch-up list. It is set between Alien and Aliens. The checked U.S. listing showed Hulu, with digital rental and purchase through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. See the current listing; a Hulu franchise collection page does not by itself establish that every film is included.
Do you need to watch every film before Romulus?
No. Choose based on how much time you have:
- Full core-saga marathon: Watch all six earlier films in release order. This gives you the broadest view of the franchise’s changing story and mythology.
- Useful short route: Watch Alien, Aliens, and Prometheus before Romulus. This combines the original films most relevant to its visual world with a prequel that helps contextualize later mythology.
- Minimum route: Watch Alien and Aliens. These provide the clearest foundation, while Romulus does not require completion of every sequel.
Do the Alien vs. Predator films count?
Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) are optional crossover films. Some lists count nine movies by including them alongside the seven core entries, but they are not part of the recommended core preparation for Romulus. The JustWatch guide distinguishes the crossovers from the seven-film core sequence.
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Some home-video releases offer alternate cuts; no single version is the right choice for every viewer. The standard theatrical cut is a reasonable choice when you want the original release experience and pacing. Choose an alternate version if you are curious about added scenes, expanded world-building, or how the film changed in later editions.
Rank #4
![Alien: 6 Movie Collection [Blu-Ray, Region Free]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51lqFPDZWwL._SL160_.jpg)
- 6 Film Colelction
- Region Free
- Alien: theatrical cut or Director’s Cut.
- Aliens: theatrical cut or Special Edition.
- Alien 3: theatrical cut or Assembly Cut.
- Alien: Resurrection: theatrical cut or Special Edition.
- Prometheus, Alien: Covenant, and Romulus: use the standard feature unless a retailer specifically identifies another edition.
Streaming and store catalogs may carry only one cut, or list the alternatives separately. Don’t assume an older report of a service adding special editions means those editions remain available there: confirm the exact title and cut before subscribing or renting. For context on the home-video versions, see Space.com’s report on the four earlier films’ special editions.
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For a one-time marathon: compare rentals first
Most checked digital rentals were around $3.99, with Aliens listed at about $3.99–$4.99 depending on retailer and format. Renting all six at roughly $3.99 each comes to about $23.94 before tax. That is an estimate based on prices checked Aug. 17–18, 2026, not a guaranteed total; prices vary by store, resolution, and edition. Compare the current options on each film’s listing before paying.
Use subscriptions you already have
If you already subscribe to a service carrying one or more films, use it and rent the gaps. At the time checked, the middle Ripley films were listed on live-TV services, while the prequels appeared on Max-related services or channel bundles. A channel listing through Amazon or Apple may be a separate paid add-on, so verify the entitlement rather than assuming it comes with the base plan.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Signing up for a live-TV package solely to watch one or two films is usually a poor fit for a one-time marathon. fuboTV and YouTube TV make more sense if you already want their live-TV offerings. Max may be worthwhile if you also plan to watch its wider catalog; Hulu was listed for Romulus, but that does not mean it has the entire saga. Hulu’s franchise collection and plan page can help you check its current offer.
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.
For repeat viewing: consider physical media
Blu-ray or 4K editions can be a better fit if you want reliable future access, collector packaging, or alternate cuts. Check the exact edition and disc format against your player before buying; physical editions cost more upfront, and prices vary. There is no single box-set price here that can be called the cheapest without comparing the edition you want with current rentals and purchase offers.
Availability and prices checked for the U.S. on Aug. 18, 2026. Streaming catalogs, channel bundles, digital prices, and edition listings change frequently. The U.S. options above may not apply in other countries; confirm availability with the service or retailer before paying.
Alien: Earth is related television content, not a movie or a required step in this catch-up list.
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