Alien

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Alien is a legendary science fiction horror franchise that began with Ridley Scott's 1979 masterpiece. The series follows humanity's terrifying encounters with the deadly Xenomorph species.

Official Website

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IP Overview & Key Facts

IP Key Facts

Essential information and quick stats.

Full Name

Alien Franchise

Also Known As

Xenomorph Saga, Alien Series

Format

Sci-Fi Horror Franchise

Release Year

1979

Current Status

Active

Country of Origin

United States

Creator

Ridley Scott, Dan O'Bannon, Ronald Shusett

Publisher

20th Century Studios

Original Work

Alien (1979 Film)

Genre

Science Fiction, Horror, Thriller, Survival

Story, World & Core Themes

Explore the narrative, setting, and ideas that shape Alien.

Story

High-level synopsis and narrative focus.

The Alien franchise chronicles humanity's encounters with the deadly Xenomorph species across space and time. From the claustrophobic terror of the Nostromo to the military action of LV-426, each installment explores themes of survival, corporate greed, and the primal fear of the unknown. The central conflict often revolves around the Weyland-Yutani Corporation's attempts to weaponize the species, regardless of the human cost.

World

Setting, cultures, and distinctive elements.

A future where humanity has colonized space, dominated by the corrupt Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Key locations include the starship Nostromo, the terraformed colony LV-426, and the prison planet Fiorina 161.

Themes

Core ideas and recurring motifs.

Survival against the unknown; Corporate greed and corruption; Motherhood and creation; The dangers of artificial intelligence; Isolation in space

Cultural Impact Timeline

High-level milestones showing Alien's global influence.

1979

Alien released, redefining sci-fi horror

1986

Aliens released, shifting tone to action-horror

1992

Alien 3 released

1997

Alien: Resurrection released

2012

Prometheus expands the lore with the Engineers

2017

Alien: Covenant continues the prequel story

2024

Alien: Romulus returns to the franchise's horror roots

Sales

Alien: Isolation sold over 2 million copies.

Awards

Academy Award for Best Visual Effects (1980).

Key Characters

Meet representative characters from Alien.

Ellen Ripley

“I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.”

The iconic survivor who evolves from a warrant officer to a hardened warrior.View Profile

Xenomorph

“*Hissing sounds*”

A perfect organism designed only to kill and survive.View Profile

David

“Ambition is the architect of destiny.”

A synthetic curious about creation, devoid of human morality.View Profile

Bishop

“Not bad for a human.”

A loyal android who proves synthetic life can be trusted.View Profile

Newt

“My mommy always said there were no monsters - no real ones - but there are.”

A resilient child survivor who finds a mother figure in Ripley.View Profile

Explore all Alien characters

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Alien about?▼

Alien is a seminal science fiction horror franchise that centers on humanity's terrifying encounters with a hostile extraterrestrial species known as the Xenomorph. The series explores themes of survival, the dangers of unchecked corporate greed (embodied by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation), and the ethics of artificial intelligence, all set against the cold, isolating backdrop of deep space.

How many seasons, episodes, or chapters does Alien have?▼

The franchise consists of 7 main films: the original quadrilogy (Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, Alien: Resurrection), the prequel films (Prometheus, Alien: Covenant), and the interquel Alien: Romulus. Additionally, there are 2 Alien vs. Predator crossover films, an upcoming TV series (Alien: Earth), and numerous video games, novels, and comic books that expand the lore.

In what order should I watch or play Alien?▼

For the best experience, watch in Release Order: Alien (1979) -> Aliens (1986) -> Alien 3 (1992) -> Alien: Resurrection (1997) -> Prometheus (2012) -> Alien: Covenant (2017) -> Alien: Romulus (2024). This preserves the mystery and evolution of the creature. Chronologically, the order is: Prometheus -> Covenant -> Alien -> Romulus -> Aliens -> Alien 3 -> Resurrection.

Who are the main characters in Alien?▼

The most iconic character is Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), the survivor who becomes the franchise's heroine. Other key figures include the androids Ash, Bishop, and David (who plays a central antagonist role in the prequels), the orphan Newt, Corporal Hicks, and the Xenomorph itself. The upcoming TV series and new films introduce new protagonists like Rain Carradine.

Is Alien finished, and what is coming next?▼

The franchise is very much active. Following the success of Alien: Romulus (2024), a new TV series titled 'Alien: Earth' from showrunner Noah Hawley is set to release soon. Ridley Scott and other directors continue to develop new projects to expand the universe further.

What is the best starting point for beginners?▼

The original 1979 film, 'Alien', is the absolute best starting point. It sets up the rules of the universe, introduces the Xenomorph, and is a masterclass in tension and atmosphere. Following it immediately with 'Aliens' (1986) provides a complete picture of the franchise's horror and action roots.

Is Alien suitable for beginners to the genre?▼

Yes, Alien is often considered the definitive entry point for Sci-Fi Horror. However, be aware that it is intense, terrifying, and features body horror. 'Alien' (1979) is a slow-burn haunted house movie in space, while 'Aliens' (1986) is an intense action-war movie. Both are masterpieces of their respective genres.

Why is Alien so popular?▼

Alien is legendary due to H.R. Giger's disturbing and unique biomechanical design of the Xenomorph, Ridley Scott's atmospheric direction, and Sigourney Weaver's groundbreaking performance as a female action hero. It successfully blended high-concept sci-fi with primal horror, influencing countless films and games that followed.

Does Alien have any famous memes or internet jokes?▼

Yes, the franchise has spawned many memes. Private Hudson's 'Game over, man! Game over!' from Aliens is one of the most quoted lines in cinema history. The 'Chestburster' scene is frequently parodied, and the image of the Xenomorph's inner jaw or facehuggers often appears in pop culture and internet humor.

What are the best arcs, episodes, or moments?▼

Top moments include the 'Chestburster' dinner scene in Alien (1979), Ripley fighting the Alien Queen in the Power Loader in Aliens (1986), the 'Get away from her, you bitch!' line, and the horrifying medical pod scene in Prometheus (2012). The entire 'Hadley's Hope' arc in Aliens is considered a peak of sci-fi action cinema.