Alien Franchise Chronological Release and Production Order
The Alien film series, produced by 20th Century Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures following the 2019 acquisition of 21st Century Fox, includes four main theatrical releases and one prequel installment. The series began with the 1979 Ridley Scott-directed film Alien, followed by Aliens in 1986, Alien 3 in 1992, and Alien Resurrection in 1997. The prequel series, also directed by Ridley Scott, includes Prometheus in 2012 and Alien: Romulus in 2024, which is the newest entry in the franchise as of current public data. For viewers tracking box office performance, Alien is the highest-grossing film in the series with approximately 104 million USD in worldwide box office returns according to The Numbers, a trusted box office data source The Numbers Alien (1979).
Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox in March 2019 consolidated the Alien and Predator franchises under Disney's direct-to-consumer and studio distribution units, including Hulu and Disney+ for streaming availability SEC Filing on Disney-Fox Acquisition. The studio's official Alien page lists the films in release order, which remains the standard chronological viewing sequence for most fans. Alien: Romulus, released in 2024, is the newest film and is set between the events of Prometheus and the original 1979 Alien, making it a useful mid-prequel entry for viewers completing the series in release sequence.
Alien Prequel Timeline and Plot Connections
The Alien prequel films, Prometheus and Alien: Romulus, explore the origins of the Xenomorph species and the Engineers, a fictional ancient alien race. Prometheus, released in 2012, follows a team of scientists funded by the Weyland Corporation, a fictional entity later connected to the android David, who appears in both films. Alien: Romulus, released in 2024, is set approximately 20 years after the events of Prometheus and features a group of young adults who encounter Xenomorphs on a remote space station, bridging the gap between the prequel and original timelines Forbes Alien Romulus Review.
Key Characters Across the Prequel Timeline
David, portrayed by Michael Fassbender, is a central figure in the prequel timeline, appearing in Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, though Covenant is not part of the main chronological viewing order for most fans. In Alien: Romulus, no returning prequel characters appear, but the film references Weyland-Yutani, the corporation formed from the merger of Weyland and Yutani, which is a recurring antagonist across the franchise. The chronological plot order places Prometheus first, followed by Alien: Romulus, then the original 1979 Alien, continuing through Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien Resurrection.
How to Watch Alien Movies in Order on Streaming and Physical Media
As of current public data, the Alien franchise is available for streaming on Hulu in the United States, a platform owned by Disney