In space, no one can hear you scream! But in 1979, when the first Alien movie landed in theatres, plenty of screams could be heard from the startled moviegoers who were terrified by the space monsters they saw on screen.
Several sequels followed, as well as two franchise mashups featuring the creatures from the Alien and Predator movies. It has been a while since we saw a new Alien movie but fans of the series will be glad to know a new installment is incoming. Currently titled Alien: Romulus (this may be subject to change), the movie, which has been directed by Don’t Breathe’s Fede Álvarez, is scheduled for release in August 2024.
Below we list all of the Alien movies that have been released so far. Which is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.
Alien
US Release Date: June 22, 1979
Domestic Box Office: $278.03 million
Director: Ridley Scott
Metascore: 89
Main Cast:
Sigourney Weaver (Ripley), Tom Skerritt (Dallas), John Hurt (Kane), Veronica Cartwright (Lambert), Harry Dean Stanton (Brett), Ian Holm (Ash)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
The crew of a commercial spacecraft encounters a deadly lifeform after investigating an unknown transmission.
Memorable quote:
Ripley (after trapping the alien in the Nostromo) – “I got you…you son of a bitch!”
Aliens
US Release Date: July 18, 1986
Domestic Box Office: $85.1 million
Director: James Cameron
Metascore: 84
Main Cast:
Sigourney Weaver (Ripley), Michael Biehn (Hicks), Carrie Henn (Newt), Lance Henrickson (Bishop), Bill Paxton (Hudson)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Decades after surviving the Nostromo incident, Ellen Ripley is sent out to re-establish contact with a terraforming colony but finds herself battling the Alien Queen and her offspring.
Memorable quote:
Ripley (when the alien queen threatens Newt) – “Get away from her, you bitch!”
Alien³
US Release Date: May 22, 1992
Domestic Box Office: $118.17 million
Director: David Fincher
Metascore: 59
Main Cast:
Sigourney Weaver (Ripley), Charles S. Dutton (Leonard), Charles Dance (Jonathan), Paul McGann (Walter), Brian Glover (Harold)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Returning from LV-426, Ellen Ripley crash-lands on the maximum-security prison Fiorina 161, where she discovers that she has unwittingly brought along an unwelcome visitor.
Memorable quote:
Ripley (to the alien) – “You’ve been in my life so long, I can’t remember anything else.”
Alien: Resurrection
US Release Date: November 26, 1997
Domestic Box Office: $92.05 million
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Metascore: 63
Main Cast:
Sigourney Weaver (Ripley), Winona Ryder (Call), Dominique Pinon (Vriess), Ron Perlman (Johner), Brad Dourif (Gediman)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Two centuries after her death, a powerful human/alien hybrid clone of Ellen Ripley aids a crew of space pirates in stopping the aliens from reaching Earth.
Memorable quote:
Ripley (opening voiceover) – “My mommy always said there were no monsters. No real ones. But there are.”
Alien vs. Predator
US Release Date: August 13, 2004
Domestic Box Office: $114.28 million
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Metascore: 29
Main Cast:
Sanaa Lathan (Alex), Lance Henrickson (Bishop), Raoul Bova (Sebastian), Ewan Bremner (Graham), Colin Salmon (Maxwell)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
During an archaeological expedition on Bouvetøya Island in Antarctica, a team of archaeologists and other scientists find themselves caught up in a battle between the two legends. Soon, the team realize that only one species can win.
Memorable quote:
Charles Bishop Weyland (to the Predator) – “Don’t turn your back on me!”
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
US Release Date: December 25, 2007
Domestic Box Office: $52.36 million
Director: The Strause Brothers
Metascore: 29
Main Cast:
Reiko Aylesworth (Kelly), Steven Pasquale (Dallas), John Ortiz (Morales), Johnny Lewis (Ricky), Ariel Gade (Molly)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Warring Alien and Predator races descend on a rural Colorado town, where unsuspecting residents must band together for any chance of survival.
Memorable quote:
Dallas (to Ricky) – “Get to the chopper!”
Prometheus
US Release Date: June 8, 2012
Domestic Box Office: $138.32 million
Director: Ridley Scott
Metascore: 64
Main Cast:
Noomi Rapace (Elizabeth), Logan Marshall-Green (Charlie), Charlize Theron (Meredith), Michael Fassbender (David), Idris Elba (Janek)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Following clues to the origin of mankind, a team finds a structure on a distant moon, but they soon realize they are not alone.
Memorable quote:
Elizabeth (final line) – “Final report of the vessel Prometheus. The ship and her entire crew are gone. If you’re receiving this transmission, make no attempt to come to its point of origin. There is only death here now, and I’m leaving it behind. It is New Year’s Day, the year of our Lord, 2094. My name is Elisabeth Shaw, last survivor of the Prometheus. And I am still searching.”
Alien: Covenant
US Release Date: May 19, 2017
Domestic Box Office: $74.3 million
Director: Ridley Scott
Metascore: 65
Main Cast:
Michael Fassbender (David), Katherine Waterston (Daniels), Billy Crudup (Oram), Danny McBride (Tennessee), Demián Bichir (Lope)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
The crew of a colony ship, bound for a remote planet, discover an uncharted paradise with a threat beyond their imagination and must attempt a harrowing escape.
Memorable quote:
David (to Walter) – “It’s your choice now, brother. Them or me. Serve in heaven… or reign in hell. Which is it to be?”
Which is your favourite movie in the Alien franchise? Let us know in the comments below.