In the vastness of space, nobody can hear your screams," which served as the slogan for the 1979 film "Alien. Alien Even after 45 years, audiences have been exposed to a variety of noises, such as bone-chilling screams, heart-wrenching sobs, and disgusting sounds of beings clutching faces and erupting out of humans.
The science fiction horror series has produced an excellent action heroine in Sigourney Weaver’s character. Ellen Ripley , who battled monsters across four movies yet has not appeared in an "Alien" project since the '90s. Additionally, we've had various androids, including Michael Fassbender in "Prometheus," as well as David Jonsson in this latest film. "Alien: Romulus," Moreover, we have the bothersome Weyland-Yutani Corporation, which appears to prioritize extraterrestrial creatures over its own staff. Of course, there's also the remarkably tusked Xenomorph, now synonymous with being the arch-nemesis from this film franchise.
That drooling, growling alien creature is set loose once more in "Romulus," which hits theaters this Friday). which traces back to director Ridley Scott's initial film — Similar to previous editions, this one is also available for streaming on Hulu. However, where does the newest movie stand when compared with the classic frights from years gone by? Here’s an authoritative ranking of all "Alien" movies released until now. We won’t be considering the " Alien vs. Predator" series since these form their separate category and frankly aren’t very good anyway.
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7. 'Alien: Resurrection' (1997)
The fourth entry centers around science experiments gone wrong and the military’s choice to replicate Ripley two centuries later post her sacrifice ("referencing Alien 3"), resulting in a hybrid capable of birthing an entirely new alien queen. Despite lacking depth in narrative, "Resurrection" showcases numerous aliens for a team of mercenaries—featuring actors like Ron Perlman and Winona Ryder—to confront. Additionally, there's a peculiar human-like abomination that shares an unexpectedly emotional scene prior to being drawn into space outside a spacecraft.
6. 'Alien 3' (1992)
Ripley finds herself marooned on a planet housing an exclusively male prison colony with minimal resources. However, trouble follows as an unwelcome extraterrestrial hitchhiker sneaks aboard her spacecraft. Under director David Fincher's guidance, the film delves into themes of gender and crafts striking visual elements. To blend in among the predominantly male population, Ripley opts for a bald look. The movie somewhat falls short regarding action-packed encounters with aliens; there are only limited appearances by Xenomorphs, and the computer-generated imagery appears dated.
5. 'Alien: Covenant' (2017)
In this entry, the film combines the cerebral aspects of "Prometheus" with the frenzied horror from the previous installments. A spaceship transporting humanity’s hope makes a disastrous landing on what appears to be an idyllic world. Chaos erupts after some crew members become contaminated by the extraterrestrial pathogen. While the aliens themselves look impressive, Michael Fassbender steals the show as both the sophisticated android David and his newer version, Walter.
4. 'Prometheus' (2012)
Among fans, this film stands as one of the most controversial entries due to its unexpected nature as an " Alien" prequel. It slowly uncovers its connections with the series through a narrative focused on human archaeologists exploring humanity’s link to an enigmatic alien civilization known as the Engineers. While “Prometheus” is rich in contemplative elements rather than being heavily laden with action sequences, it still delivers substantial doses of horror, such as Noomi Rapace undergoing an extremely graphic cesarean section scene.
3. 'Alien: Romulus' (2024)
Director Fede Alvarez ("Don't Breathe") prioritizes the development of the human characters first. putting them in the most unfavorable situation imaginable Rain Carradine (played by Cailee Spaeny) and her companions seek a better future but stumble upon a derelict space station that swiftly transforms into a nightmarish trap. The film "Romulus" combines the successful aspects from the previous two installments in the series—action-packed sequences and feelings of seclusion—with an enticing new addition to the storyline’s lore.
2. 'Aliens' (1986)
Dripping with action-movie machismo, James Cameron’s sequel awakens Ripley from 50 years of hypersleep and returns her to LV-426, the planet where her team initially faced extraterrestrial beings. By now, it has become a terraforming settlement where Ripley collaborates with space marines — including a memorable Bill Paxton - to face off against intergalactic adversaries. It’s completely worth it solely for Ripley transforming into a feminist icon and a symbolic parent, along with battling the alien queen for supremacy across the universe.
1. 'Alien' (1979)
Director Ridley Scott’s initial installment isn’t just the pinnacle of the "Alien" series but also stands as one of the greatest science fiction movies ever made due to how effectively it builds a constant sense of unease. A group of space freighters aim to transport minerals back home when they receive an emergency signal, setting off a harrowing battle for survival against a relentless Xenomorph picking them off individually. Despite numerous advancements in visual effects over the years, the creature remains terrifyingly effective. bursting forth from John Hurt’s chest It remains utterly frightening, completely embarrassing yet entirely amazing.
The article initially appeared on USA TODAY: 'Alien' Films Ranked Definitively (indeed, this includes 'Romulus')
