As Alien: Romulus is set to hit the big screens on Friday, we revisit six previous films in the Alien franchise — now available on Disney+ Hotstar, Prime Video and Apple TV+ — to keep you up to date. Take a look.
Alien (1979)
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Cast: Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm and Yaphet Kotto
Released in 1979, Alien is a groundbreaking sci-fi horror film directed by Ridley Scott. The story follows the crew of the spaceship Nostromo as they encounter a deadly alien creature after responding to a distress signal on a distant planet. Winner of the Oscar for best visual effects at the 52nd Academy Awards, Alien is best remembered for its terrifying design of the Xenomorph by H.R. Giger. Sigourney Weaver’s portrayal of Ellen Ripley introduced one of cinema’s most iconic heroines, setting a new standard for female action leads.
Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar
Aliens (1986)
Directed by: James Cameron
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen and Carrie Henn
The sequel to Ridley Scott’s Alien, James Cameron’s Aliens shifts from horror to a high-octane adventure. Weaver returns as Ellen Ripley, now found drifting in space decades after the events of the first film. She is reluctantly drawn back to the planet LV-426, where a colony has gone dark. With a team of marines, Ripley faces off against a deadly alien infestation. The film combines intense action sequences with strong character development, particularly Ripley's transformation into a fierce protector.
Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar
Alien 3 (1992)
Directed by: David Fincher
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Charles Dance, Brian Glover, Charles S. Dutton and Ralph Brown
Alien 3, directed by David Fincher, took the franchise down a darker path. The film’s grim tone and the controversial decision to kill off key characters early on sparked debate among fans. However, Alien 3 has earned a cult over the years for its bold narrative choices and its return to the eerie, oppressive atmosphere of the original.
The film follows Ripley (Weaver) as she crash-lands on Fiorina 161, a desolate, maximum-security prison planet. The colony is home to a group of inmates who are initially sceptical of Ripley's claims of an alien threat. The themes of survival and sacrifice explored here laid the groundwork for future films like Alien: Covenant.
Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar
Alien: Resurrection (1997)
Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Winona Ryder, Ron Perlman, Dan Hedaya, J. E. Freeman, Brad Dourif, Michael Wincott
Alien: Resurrection brought a fresh approach to the series under the direction of Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Set 200 years after the events of Alien 3, it follows the resurrection of Ripley (Weaver) through cloning. The film explores themes of identity and humanity as Ripley grapples with her new alien-infused self. The story unfolds on a military spacecraft, the USM Auriga, where Ripley and a ragtag group of mercenaries must battle the creature that threatens their lives. Jeunet's distinctive visual style adds a surreal edge to the film, blending horror and science fiction in a unique and unsettling way.
Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar
Alien: Prometheus (2012)
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Cast: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, Logan Marshall-Green and Charlize Theron
After a lengthy hiatus, Ridley Scott returned to the franchise with Alien: Prometheus, a prequel that sought to unravel the mysteries of the Xenomorphs’ origins and the enigmatic Engineers. Set in 2089, the film follows a team of explorers led by archaeologists Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) as they voyage to a distant moon, LV-223. There, they seek the origins of humanity, prompted by ancient star maps. What they uncover is a terrifying secret that challenges their beliefs about creation and their place in the universe. Featuring stunning visuals and a haunting score by Marc Streitenfeld, Prometheus delves into themes of existentialism and the dangers of hubris.
Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar
Alien: Covenant (2017)
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride and Demián Bichir
Alien: Covenant sought to bridge the philosophical depth of Prometheus with the raw terror of the original Alien. The story follows the crew of the colony ship Covenant as they discover an uncharted paradise, which they soon realise is home to the synthetic android David (Michael Fassbender) from the previous film. They also encounter horrifying creatures and unravel David’s dark intentions. However, Covenant left audiences with many unanswered questions, particularly regarding the Engineers and the true origins of the Xenomorphs. These lingering mysteries have set the stage for Fede Alvarez-helmed Alien: Romulus, which promises to take the story forward.
Streaming on: Prime Video, Apple TV+
