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The core Alien story is commonly placed in this in-universe order: Prometheus (2093), Alien: Covenant (2104), Alien: Earth (2120), Alien (2122), Alien: Romulus (2142), Aliens (2179), Alien 3 (2179), and Alien Resurrection (2381). These are story years—not the years the films were released—and some placements are better established than others.
Alien timeline: the key story years
This chronology covers the core Alien storyline, including the prequels and the television series. The dates below are commonly published placements, not a complete, studio-certified timeline. In particular, the available official studio pages do not specify every story year.
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| Story year | Title | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| 2093 | Prometheus | Commonly listed as the earliest major film story. Some chronologies begin the film’s events earlier, so 2093 should not be read as the date of every scene. |
| 2104 | Alien: Covenant | Commonly placed after Prometheus. |
| 2120 | Alien: Earth | Commonly placed two years before the original film. |
| 2122 | Alien | The original film’s commonly given story year. 20th Century Studios lists its theatrical release as May 25, 1979. 20th Century Studios: Alien. |
| 2142 | Alien: Romulus | Commonly set between Alien and Aliens, twenty years after the original story. The studio lists its theatrical release as August 16, 2024. 20th Century Studios: Alien: Romulus. |
| 2179 | Aliens | Commonly placed 57 years after Alien; the interval is stated in the studio synopsis. |
| 2179 | Alien 3 | Commonly placed after Aliens. The exact timing between the events is not established by the sources cited here. |
| 2381 | Alien Resurrection | Commonly listed as the later Ripley story, but this exact year is not specified on a directly accessible official chronology source cited here. |
Why Aliens is set 57 years later
The official Aliens synopsis says Ripley awakens from hypersleep “Fifty-seven years after” the attack in the first film. That fictional interval is why the standard chronology places Alien in 2122 and Aliens in 2179. The studio lists Aliens as released July 18, 1986. 20th Century Studios: Aliens.
How to watch the Alien movies
Choose based on whether you want the story to unfold in fictional chronological order or the way audiences first encountered the films. Release order avoids starting with prequels that were made decades later; story order follows the events in the fictional universe.
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- Prometheus (2093)
- Alien: Covenant (2104)
- Alien: Earth (2120)
- Alien (2122)
- Alien: Romulus (2142)
- Aliens (2179)
- Alien 3 (2179)
- Alien Resurrection (2381)
Release-order approach
For a first watch, follow theatrical release order for the films, then watch Alien: Earth as a later addition to the franchise. The studio release dates establish, for example, that Alien opened in 1979, Aliens in 1986, and Alien: Romulus in 2024; those dates are not part of the fictional chronology.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should Alien vs. Predator be included?
Alien vs. Predator and Aliens vs. Predator – Requiem are crossover films, not required entries in the core sequence above. 20th Century Studios lists them in its science-fiction catalog alongside Alien titles, but the sources cited here do not establish one uncontested chronology combining the Alien and Predator stories. Treat them as optional crossovers rather than inserting them into the main timeline. 20th Century Studios movies.
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.
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