Ever found yourself lost in the vast, sprawling cosmos of the Alien universe, unsure of where each film fits into the grand scheme of things? Consider this your official star chart to navigating the often-perplexing, but always captivating, Alien timeline.

The Alien franchise, with its intricate storylines and prequels, has expanded far beyond the original 1979 classic. From the terrifying encounters with the Xenomorphs to the exploration of their origins, the series has taken us on a journey through space and time, leaving many fans wondering about the precise order of events. Piecing together the complete story requires careful attention to detail, and that's precisely what this guide offers. We've meticulously mapped out the chronological order of the Alien films, including the prequels Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, to provide a comprehensive overview of the saga.

	Information	Details
Name	The Alien Film Franchise Timeline
Franchise	Alien
Origin	1979 (with the release of 'Alien')
Key Films	Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, Alien Resurrection, Prometheus, Alien: Covenant, Alien: Romulus
Associated Franchises	Predator, Alien vs. Predator	(Though often considered separate continuities)
Timeline Complexity	High	Due to prequels and differing interpretations
Chronological Guides	Available	To navigate the order of events
Thematic Focus	Xenomorph origins, humanity's encounter with extraterrestrial life, corporate greed
Future Installments	Alien: Romulus	Adding to the existing timeline
Expanded Universe	Novels, Comics, Video Games	Offer additional stories and context
Reference Website	Alien Universe Official Website	For official news and updates

Let's delve into the specifics. Weve provided the years covered by each film next to their respective titles, allowing for effortless orientation within the timeline. This is especially crucial considering the prequels, which significantly expand the scope of the narrative, reaching back millennia before the events of the original Alien.

Consider Prometheus, released in 2012, as the thematic genesis of the entire Alien saga, at least for the time being. This film chronicles humanity's inaugural foray into the cosmos, tracing the journey of a team of scientists, astronauts, and explorers in their quest to find an alien race believed to be the architects of human creation. This perilous expedition unfolds nearly 90 years after the events depicted in the Alien vs. Predator films, underscoring the complex and sometimes convoluted relationship between these interconnected franchises. On a distant, desolate planet, they unearth a colossal statue of an Engineer's head and discover ampoules filled with a mysterious black liquid. The android David, ever the inquisitive and often reckless being, begins experimenting with this substance, culminating in the disturbing act of pouring it into Holloway's drink. These events, seemingly isolated, set in motion a chain reaction that has profound implications for the entire Alien universe.

Speculatively, the very beginning of the timeline stretches back millennia. A pivotal scene depicts a chiseled Engineer standing over a cascading waterfall on an uncharted planet. He ingests a viscous, black goo that violently disrupts his DNA, leading to the creation of new life. This act, shrouded in mystery and open to interpretation, represents a potential genesis point for the Xenomorphs, or at least for the biological weaponry that would later plague humanity.

Prometheus isn't just a prequel; it's a foundational cornerstone. It presents the initial voyage of humanity into the uncharted territories of space, a journey fraught with peril and unforeseen consequences. Notably, Prometheus marks the first film in the Alien franchise excluding the aforementioned Alien vs. Predator movies that doesn't feature Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley. This absence underscores the film's temporal placement within the broader narrative; it's set far enough in the past that Ripley and her iconic space-trucker persona are yet to enter the stage.

Following Prometheus, we have Alien: Covenant, which serves as a direct sequel, further unraveling the mysteries introduced in its predecessor. However, the future of the timeline remains somewhat fluid. The theoretical Alien: Awakening could potentially shift the chronological order, retroactively positioning Covenant as the third installment in the prequel series. This uncertainty underscores the ever-evolving nature of the franchise and the potential for future films to reshape our understanding of the Alien universe.

The sheer scope of the Alien saga, spanning centuries and light-years, can be daunting. But fear not, this guide is your indispensable companion for navigating the complexities of the Alien timeline. So, buckle up, prepare for a journey into the darkness, and let's explore the Alien films in chronological order:

The Alien films cover centuries and lightyears, so if you're planning on watching them all, here's your handy guide.

Alien movies in (chronological) order:

Speculative Beginning: Millennia ago, the Engineer ingests the black goo.
2093 (January 7, to be precise): Events of Prometheus unfold.
Approximately 2104: The crew of the Covenant encounters David and the horrors of Planet 4.
TBD:Alien: Romulus (placement in the timeline to be determined).
2122: The Nostromo encounters the Xenomorph in Alien.
2179: Ripley returns to LV-426 in Aliens.
2179:Alien 3 sees Ripley crash on Fiorina 161.
2379:Alien Resurrection brings Ripley back through cloning.

Heres how the alien timeline looks in chronological order.

The alien movies in order:

Prometheus
Alien: Covenant
Alien: Romulus
Alien
Aliens
Alien 3
Alien Resurrection

Although released in 2012, Prometheus takes place decades before the original Alien.

Prometheus was released in 2012, but it was the first movie that portrayed the origin of xenomorphs.

The film follows a team of scientists, astronauts, and explorers tracing.

This page is a work in progress.

The storylines of the alien, predator and alien vs. predator science fiction film franchises have been at times merged into a single continuity by the release of the aliens vs. predator comics series (1989) and the films alien vs. predator (2004) and aliens vs.

Predator.

Since the inception of the original predator film, various predator.

Subscribe to help me reach 100k!the alien franchise has been something of a mystery to me for a long time.

I had seen a few of the films, out of order, so i.

Track the key events of Prometheus (2012) with a comprehensive timeline.

Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.

Resurrection, all was quiet on the alien front (at the box office, anyway).

That was until Ridley Scott returned to the directors chair for 2012s Prometheus.

Covenant is Prometheus 2, but if the theoretical Alien: Awakening turns out to take place before, then Covenant could retroactively become Prometheus 3, so to speak.

Heres how to watch the alien movies in chronological order and where the latest installment, Alien: Romulus, falls in the timeline.

How to watch the alien movies in release order.

Prometheus is the beginning of the alien timeline.

It shows us the initial journey of humanity into the stars.

We dont see Ellen Ripley from Sigourney Weaver or any other space truckers that Ridley Scott introduced us to in Aliens first film.

Prometheus is the first film in the alien franchise (not counting the aforementioned Alien vs. Predator movies) to not feature Sigourney Weaver or Ripley.

.and that's because it's set way back in.

The predator movies include 5 films (not counting the alien vs. Predator movies), including Prey, with Predator: Badlands and an untitled animated anthology movie being released in late 2025.

The size of the movie franchise has grown beyond even Star Wars, while the timeline has become somewhat confusing.

Movies, short films, video games & print there are a few novels, comics, video games, and short films that are optional for understanding the overall story.