Having seen the latest entry in the “Alien” franchise over the weekend, I can safely say that “Alien: Romulus” is comfortably the third best entry in the iconic sci-fi series. Dating back to Ridley Scott‘s original from in 1979, the “Alien” universe has expanded across multiple mediums, having boasted: video games, comic books, novelisations and animated series to name a few, not to mention the seven canonically linked feature films and two cross-over projects with the “Predator” franchise. Despite a drop in quality since the earliest outings, the franchise is still regarded as one of the most iconic in both the science fiction and horror genres, and I will always remain excited whenever a new project is announced.
To celebrate the release of Fede Alvarez‘s latest release, I have constructed my own personal ranking of all seven films within 20th Century Studios’ “Alien” Universe, as well as including the non-canonical “Alien vs. Predator” titles. Let me know your favourite “Alien” movie in the comments.
My Ranking:
9. Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
Dir: Greg Strause, Colin Strause
Cast: Steven Pasquale, Reiko Aylesworth, John Ortiz, Johnny Lewis, Ariel Gade
Synopsis: A spacecraft brings a lethal alien to Earth, followed by another predator who aims to kill the former. Meanwhile, a bunch of survivors too split into two rivalling groups in a bid to save themselves.
My Rating: 1.5/5
8. Alien vs. Predator (2004)
Dir: Paul W. S. Anderson
Cast: Sanaa Lathan, Raoul Bova, Lance Henriksen, Ewen Bremner, Colin Salmon, Tommy Flanagan
Synopsis: Weyland Industries discovers a pyramid buried under an island in the Antarctic. The owner sends a group of archaeologists to investigate it but the humans get trapped in a war between two alien races.
My Rating: 2/5
7. Alien 3 (1992)
Dir: David Fincher
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Charles S. Dutton, Charles Dance, Lance Henriksen
Synopsis: Ellen Ripley’s escape pod crash-lands on Fiorina 161, a penal colony planet terrorised by an alien. She rallies the inmates into killing it but realises that she is carrying an alien embryo herself.
My Rating: 2.5/5
6. Alien: Covenant (2017)
Dir: Ridley Scott
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, Demian Bichir
Synopsis: The crew of a colony ship, Covenant, receive a radio transmission from a habitable planet. However, they encounter deadly aliens while investigating the planet and try to escape.
My Rating: 3/5
5. Alien: Resurrection (1997)
Dir: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Winona Ryder, Ron Perlman, Dan Hedaya, J. E. Freeman, Brad Dourif
Synopsis: Ripley 8, a human-alien hybrid clone, is aboard a vessel, Auriga, along with space pirates. However, when aliens invade Auriga, Ripley does her best to prevent them from reaching and destroying Earth.
My Rating: 3/5
4. Prometheus (2012)
Dir: Ridley Scott
Cast: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, Logan Marshall-Green, Charlize Theron
Synopsis: After a clue to mankind’s origins is discovered, explorers are sent to the darkest corner of the universe. Their different expectations take a toll on them when they find something unimaginable.
My Rating: 3.5/5
3. Alien: Romulus (2024)
Dir: Fede Alvarez
Cast: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, Aileen Wu
Synopsis: Space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life-form in the universe while scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station.
My Rating: 4/5
2. Alien (1979)
Dir: Ridley Scott
Cast: Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto
Synopsis: The crew of a spacecraft, Nostromo, intercept a distress signal from a planet and set out to investigate it. However, to their horror, they are attacked by an alien which later invades their ship.
My rating: 5/5
1. Aliens (1986)
Dir: James Cameron
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, Carrie Henn, Bill Paxton, William Hope, Rico Ross, Al Matthews
Synopsis: Ellen Ripley is sent back to the planet LV-426 to establish contact with a terraforming colony. Once there, she encounters the Alien Queen and her offspring and has to fight them to survive.
My Rating: 5/5
I would put them in exactly the same order as you did, Dan! Great job! 🌺
Nice list it looked similar to another list I saw online elsewhere. but I like how your reviews scores back up the placement. although it’s sad there to see a 3 or 4 way fight for the bottom.
my only thing is comparing Alien to Aliens seems almost that they’re not in the same genre.
Alien and Aliens are very interchangable depending on mood as they are different but both masterpieces
Terrific list! SO great to hear that the series has righted itself…hoping they can continue to take the story in an interesting worthwhile direction!
Great ranking of the Alien movies. I have not seen all the movies just yet but I do love the first film most. Ridley Scott’s 1979 film set the standard for the genre. The breathtaking special effects, great acting and strong storytelling combine to create a movie that’s truly a classic. I look forward to seeing the rest of the films but doubt whether they will live up to the first movie. It’s truly a classic in a league of its own.
Here’s why I loved the first “Alien” movie:
https://huilahimovie.reviews/2024/08/23/alien-1979-sigourney-weavers-spectacular-science-fiction-classic-about-aliens/