Fall is in the air, ya’ll, which means we have to start talking about horror movies. One of the premiere franchises in not only the horror and sci-fi genres – but in all of film history – is the Alien series. With the recent release of Alien: Romulus, I went down a rabbit hole and watched every film in the series.

Fortunately, I was able to experience the many highs of what makes science fiction the peanut butter to horror’s chocolate, and vice versa! Unfortunately, I was also subjected to why it could be a reliable sleep inducer.

Hop in your cryo pods, load up your flamethrowers, and pray to whatever creator you think will help you off this planet alive – today we are ranking all of the Alien movies! Spoilers will be ahead, so if there is anything you care about here, this is your warning. 

Before we begin, I just want to give a heads up that Romulus will not be on here, nor will any of the Alien v Predator movies. I missed the window to see Romulus, and the AvP movies simply do not count for anything. 

Nolen Ranks The Alien Movies

Alright, that is enough of that! Let’s talk about some aliens!

#6 Alien: Resurrection

In every single sense of the word, this movie is unnecessary. The moment I saw Ellen Ripley in this movie, my stomach turned and I could see the steam come out of my ears. After angrily trudging my way through Alien 3, I was hoping to come out of this one slightly more sane. Such was absolutely not the case. 

Of the scenes that did not frustrate me, the remaining few bored me senselessly. I just do not care in the slightest. As we will see soon, you can have an Alien movie without Ellen Ripley/ Sigourney Weaver. I can’t believe I am about to defend Alien 3 here, but at least it sort of made sense to continue the story with Ripley. Not in this movie though, and if the existence of the protagonist is questionable or wrong, then right off the bat your movie sucks.

If I am to give Alien: Resurrection any credit I would say I did still enjoy the set pieces, and it was cool seeing some familiar faces. Although I believe almost all talents were wasted, seeing Brad Dourif, Ron Perlman, Winona Ryder, Sigourney Weaver, and Michael Wincott in one place was cool, I guess.

Resurrection Continued

Having been removed from this movie for a bit, I figured out my main problems. This entire movie is unnecessary. Michael Wincott would have been cooler in any other Alien movie and he was the most wasted person here. The only interesting character gets killed off early – Brad Dourif. Love ya, Brad!

The basketball scene between Ripley and Perlman was god awful. That scene alone was not enough to effectively lower the score, but it absolutely did not help anything. In fact there is not much this movie could have actually done to be good in my eyes given the existence of one Ellen Ripley. I gave Alien Resurrection a 2/10 and I regret nothing except watching this.

#5: Alien 3

David Fincher is in my top 3 favorite directors of all time. Going into this, I knew the stories of studio interferences that frustrated Fincher and heavily impacted the final product that overall sent Fincher on the anti-big studio warpath we know today. I gave it a watch, and yeah, it sucks. In some of my conversations with other Alien fans, it actually came as a surprise that I preferred this over Resurrection.

There could be a possibility I am slightly clouded in my eternal bias for David Fincher, but the truth of the matter is the worst thing this movie is, is boring. Set pieces are there, some logic is present, and the Xenomorphs still pose somewhat of a decent threat. The issue with all of this is how none of it is entertaining. 

In some fairness…. How do you follow Aliens? Short answers: you don’t. You will see in a minute just how much I enjoyed that movie, but I feel like the executives could have let David Fincher do anything. The single memorable image from this movie of the Xenomorph in Ripley’s face is the only thing Fincher did on his own, and that wasn’t even in the script. That should give you everything you need to see who wanted to make this movie and who needed to make this movie. 

Alien 3 Continued

I planned to go on a small tangent about how this movie created a paradox with David Fincher’s career, but I don’t think anyone would want that. The short of that tangent is that if Fincher got his way, then we likely would not have gotten The Great David Fincher, but we have David Fincher The Great because this movie sucked so much.

Why did Fox need to intervene on this movie? Which absolute genius thought it would be a good idea to micro-manage the everloving crap out the movie that followed Aliens? I also want to know who thought it would be cool to micromanage a movie that takes place in a space prison with a bloodlusting murder monster. Let the director with the crazy vision for the crazy aliens do his thing!

Either way, this movie was boring – a dull stain on the series – and definitely worth the skip. If you truly want to complete this franchise (sans the V Predator movies) then I guess you could watch this. I don’t know though. I think this is skippable and a huge 4/10. Luckily, we got one of the best directors of the century so far out of this so there is some semblance of a silver lining!

#4: Alien: Covenant

We now bring things to the modern era where the franchise seems to be doing quite well. Although it is a stigma that reboots and sequels are a bad thing, I think this franchise should be what people should look to as a good example as to why it can be alright. 

Alien: Covenant is the sequel to the series reboot Prometheus. With an all new placement in the timeline, an update in movie making technology, and a craving for good sci-fi- this new installment is a welcome one. Jumping from Alien 3 to Covenant is a huge change in quality in the best ways possible. I do have my issues with this movie, but I will absolutely take nine more of these over one Resurrection. My biggest issues with this movie are in the ideas.

 The story itself is solid and a fun trek back through this absolute nightmare of a planet. The ideas in Prometheus worked because way worse things were happening. Horrible things are still happening to the crew of the Covenant, but for some reason Ridley Scott chose to focus a bit on the more philosophical aspects of this universe. There were a few scenes I remember thinking how badly I wanted to see a Xenomorph pop out of someone’s spine again.

In a world where inhaling poisonous spores will lead to a murderous humanoid reptile-esque creature bursting from any possible oraphos of your body, Scott decided to ponder a bit. Nevermind Danny McBride giving one his most unique performances after losing his wife to a space demon, let’s check in with Michael Fassbender’s mind!

Covenant Continued

As angry as I might sound about that, I thought it was mostly just a hindrance rather than an entire mood killer. I remember seeing the trailers for this and thinking how nuts the action, and how twisted the story were going to be. While there was definitely a ton of intrigue here, I wanted just a bit more.

Fortunately, what we did get with the Xenomorphs, Fassbender’s side plots, and the expansion of this universe, it ruled. The aforementioned poisonous spores that spawned the Xenomorphs was a crazy idea that I liked in the same vein as giant eggs from a Queen. Rather than a chest bursting we got a spine bursting and that still churns my stomach to this day just thinking about it. 

Danny McBride is still Danny McBride, but he is in a more dangerous and serious position so with that came a more serious performance that I enjoyed. Billy Crudup is a face I always love to see and Katherine Waterston was a solid protagonist. Michael does his Fassbender thing and I enjoy him in this franchise a bunch. Fassbender feels very organic here and that is part of what made this and Prometheus were so good for me. 6/10. Hey, speaking of Michael-

#3: Prometheus

Okay, now I understand why this one might have been controversial between fans when it came out, butI also don’t get it. Prometheus was an absolute ride for me and validated the reintroduction of the series. Hate on sequels and reboots all you so desire, but when something like this comes along, I will always be down for it. 

Going into this film I was ready to settle for enjoying one or two of these movies, but after Prometheus my appreciation for this series grew by a ton. All I hope to obtain from these films is some cool looking aliens making some cocky humans regret their existences and I absolutely got that here. Personally, I thought this was a wholly solid movie that left me with some intense “we are so back” at the end.

While I would not say any performances were worthy of any Oscars, I liked what we got here. Noomi Rapace was a great protagonist and had good chemistry with an equally great Logan Marshall Green.I mentioned in the last entry how Michael Fassbender feels organic in this franchise and Prometheus was for sure strengthened by Fassbender’s robotic and unnerving performance as the android David.

These characters and types of characters were what was sorely and painfully missed from 3 and Resurrection. These movies work best when we follow a unit and watch the mayhem unravel on them.

Prometheus Continued

I feel like I am underselling how much I enjoyed this movie and as if I am playing things safe here. Prometheus was a scorching and wild ride that I could not believe was happening. Look, I know the scene where Shaw surgically removes the Xenomorph from her stomach was hit or miss at its release, but my god that was so cool. It was gross, intense, vile, scary, and one of the most memorable moments from this franchise.

Blessed is best when it comes to Max Holloway, but Charlie Holloway got the worst of the Holloway family beatings when they torched Charlie right outside of the ship. Jeez Louise, that was brutal. The idea of a space crew exploring the universe in search of our creation is just enough philosophy to mix it up, and just enough “yeah,okay, sure” for me to tag along. The inclusion of The Engineer was super cool and I think it added some cool weight to their mission.

I will for sure be revisiting the next two entries, but I will also absolutely be rewatching Prometheus again soon. Prometheus is grizzly, scary, fun, cool, exciting, and a worthwhile entry into this series. Give it a watch if you have not already. 8/10- easily.

#2: Alien

Part of what makes science fiction so great is the unlimited potential to create something so radically different from what our world is. Think of the most insane thing ever and that is science fiction. Now imagine that insane thing is also one of the scariest things you have ever seen. Congratulations! You just imagined Ridley Scott’s all-time great sci-fi horror film, Alien. 

No tagline in all of film history perfectly summarizes the sheer viscerality and claustrophobic emptiness that Alien achieves with only one sentence. A testament to the greatness of Alien is how gripping the movie is just from the concepts and promotional work.

Try to find me a single line in promotional history more terrifying than “in space, no one can hear you scream”. You can’t.

So, the promotional work is great. Awesome. But what about the movie itself? Alien is a freaky nightmare that starts off tense and interesting, but quickly devolves into a prayer to get out alive. To me this is a film that, regardless of how many times it gets parodied and referenced, will still hold up as one of the great achievements in film history. 

Alien Continued

 When I finished up with my first viewing of Alien, I was totally in love. Of course I was in love with the sheer brutality of it all, but there were so many technical, performative, and creative elements that blew me away. 

On the technical side- the set pieces were gorgeous, the lighting was atmospheric and really brought out much of the discomfort of the unknown, and the sound designs were outstanding. The phenomenally disturbing work of H.R. Giger makes everything in this world and film the most horrifying, recognizable, and unique design in all of film history. The sounds, sights, and atmosphere of this film are inimitable. 

The chemistry between each crew member is so organic and cool that it genuinely hurts watching any of them die. The only exception to that is when Ash is revealed as an android sent to preserve the Xenomorph at any cost of life then attempts to kill the crew. That scene was cool and satisfying.

Everyone stands out from start to finish and I could tell you my favorite things about each one. Call it great casting, good actors, or great direction, but I like to think all three were here. Awesome stuff.

Lastly, to wrap up Alien I need to give love to Ridley Scott. Not only was he an absolute madman for adapting Dan O’Bannon’s crazy script, but for putting together a film that is still the blueprint for what modern filmmakers are still trying to make today.

Forget just being a good science movie or a good scary movie, Alien is a great movie period. Scott had a vision with this movie and it still stands as one of the best of that decade, the best of the genre, and one of the best of all time. 9/10. I mean, I say “the best,” but how can it be when the sequel exists?

#1: Aliens

Yes, I sang the highest praises possible for Alien, but come on –  Aliens is angrier, longer, crazier, and bigger. I tell you to think of the Alien movies, and you will either think of the chest burster scene from Alien or almost any scene from Aliens. I can not stress enough how much I thoroughly enjoyed the first film, but I also can not stress enough how much more I love this film. 

Over the past few years I have been getting more into horror films, so I can absolutely appreciate what kinds of horror both this film and its predecessor brought to the table. While Alien went from a methodical pace to a blistering frenzy of the senses, Aliens shows you more of what you have to fear while maintaining an even stronger atmosphere. 

Aliens is scary, funny, cool, epic, fun, brutal, and a worthy argument for why sequels should at least be considered from time to time. The first film followed a cargo delivery crew who were unequipped for any kind of anything close to this; following that up with a tight crew of marines who have seen some stuff and are more closely prepared is a fantastic direction. 

Aliens Continued

Bill Paxton, Sigourney Weaver, and James Cameron are three names (aside from Ridley Scott) that you should immediately think of when talking about the Alien franchise. The way James Cameron was able to elevate the stakes of a franchise with already deadly implications was amazing. 

Somehow I have not talked about Xenomorphs once in this entry and that is crazy! If you say the word “alien” or “xenomorph” to me, then I immediately think of the shot of the horde crawling through the ducts. I think of Corporal Ferro getting absolutely mauled by the alien. Also, how could I forget about Ripley in the iconic bionic suit requesting that The Queen politely remove herself from Newt’s vicinity?

Aliens is stuffed from top to bottom with pulse pounding and memorable moments that are unbeatable. Even the scenes when the crew are just hanging out are so good and fun. My favorite character of this entire franchise is Bill Paxton as the boisterous and energetic Private Hudson.

Hudson was funny but not a distraction, cool but not composed, and quotable for days. “Hey, not me, man.” is one of my favorite line deliveries of all time. I miss you, Mr. Paxton.

Aliens Wrapped Up

Lastly, let us wrap everything up here with the undisputed face of the franchise- Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley. There is no singular feud between human and creature in all of film history greater than Ellen Ripley and the Xenomorphs. You can quote me on that too. Ripley’s unending dedication to fully annihilating these things is cold, cool, and fun in every scene of this movie. 

There is no Alien without Sigourney Weaver. Obviously we have been without her since Prometheus, but that was the beginning of a different part of the timeline, so we ball. However, without Sigourney Weaver setting an unmatchable bar in both Alien and Aliens, then we have no franchise. There is no one that could have been Ellen Ripley other than Sigourney Weaver. Aliens is the ultimate showcase of Weaver’s greatness, James Cameron’s greatness, and the Science Fiction genre’s greatness. 10/10.

Alien Movies Ranked by Nolen Kelly

This was a ton of fun! As you can tell, I had plenty of thoughts on this series and I thoroughly enjoyed sitting through these films. Some, obviously, more than others, but if “boring” is the worst I can say about the worst movie here, then that’s not so bad. 

That’s enough out of me – what do you think of these movies? Which one is your favorite and which one was your least favorite? Tell me your favorite scene or tell me which one scared you the most!

Give this franchise a rewatch this Halloween season and stick around here on Respect My Region for more movie reviews and lists!