Alien and Predator movies in chronological order present two long-running sci-fi horror lineages that occasionally intersect. This timeline lists mainline releases and key derivative features in production order, with notes on continuities so you can understand how each film fits the larger saga. Below you will find release years, central conflicts, and narrative links, supported by a compact reference table. Use this guide as a durable map for exploring the expanding universe of Xenomorphs and Yautja hunters.
Alien Films in Production Order
Alien (1979)
Ridley Scott’s seminal horror-sci-fi film introduces the Nostromo crew, the Xenomorph life cycle, and the iconic design of the alien antagonist. Its slow-burn tension and isolated setting establish the template for the series.
Aliens (1986)
James Cameron shifts the tone to militarized action on the colony world LV-426, adding stronger ensemble dynamics, futuristic weaponry, and expanded lore about Weyland-Yutani and the Xenomorph threat.
Alien 3 (1992)
David Fincher’s darker installment follows a lone survivor on a remote penal planet, emphasizing bleak atmosphere and philosophical undertones while attempting to tie the series back to its mythos.
Alien Resurrection (1997)
Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s entry clones Ellen Ripley, blending genetic engineering and dark humor. The film leans into spectacle and experimentation, closing the original quartet but leaving the broader universe open.
Prometheus (2012)
Ridley Scott returns to the prequel territory, exploring the Engineers’ role in humanity’s origins and the creation of the Xenomorph lineage. It reframes earlier lore while introducing new mysteries around planetary engineering and bio-weapons.
Alien: Covenant (2017)
Continuing from Prometheus, Covenant follows a new colonization vessel and its encounter with the Xenomorphs on a foreboding world. The film deepens tragic character arcs and corporate intrigue motifs from the prior installment.
Predator Films in Production Order
Predator (1987)
John McTiernan’s action-horror hybrid features a lethal extraterrestrial hunter tracking elite soldiers in a jungle environment. The film establishes Yautja technology, honor culture, and the iconic visual design of the Predator.
Predator 2 (1990)
Set in 1997 Los Angeles, this sequel expands the urban-action angle, introducing competing Predator factions and a cross-cultural conflict amid law enforcement and cartel dynamics.
Predators (2010)
An ensemble of deadly humans is transported to an alien game preserve, confronting upgraded Predator breeds. The film reinvigorates the lore by focusing on the Trophy Hunt premise with minimal continuity ties to prior entries.
The Predator (2018)
A genetically enhanced Predator escapes military capture, triggering a suburban conflict with new bioengineering elements. The movie emphasizes escalation in tech, scale, and gore while revisiting themes of human weaponization.
Prey (2022)
Set in the Comanche Nation three centuries ago, Prey offers a historical-action take on Predator lore, showcasing early combat tactics and technological limitations of the hunter, earning acclaim for fresh setting and characterization.
Alien vs. Predator and Crossover Entries
The AVP series bridges the two franchises, pitting Xenomorphs against Yautja in various timelines and settings. These films are treated as shared-universe experiments rather than strict continuations, and their canonicity varies among fans and creators.
Alien vs. Predator (2004)
An ancient pyramid buried beneath Antarctica becomes the battleground for Xenomorphs and Predators, with humans caught in the crossfire. The film leans into creature-feature spectacle and archaeological intrigue.
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
A Predator ship crashes near a small town, inadvertently bringing Alien specimens to Earth. The chaos escalates as both species’ life cycles unfold, culminating in a final confrontation that closes the AVP duology.
Chronological Timeline Table
| Date or Period | Film Title | Key Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Alien | Origins of the Nostromo encounter and Xenomorph life cycle |
| 1986 | Aliens | Colony-world militarized action and Weyland-Yutani escalation |
| 1987 | Predator | First on-screen Predator hunt in Central American jungle |
| 1990 | Predator 2 | Urban conflict in 1997 Los Angeles; competing Predator factions |
| 1992 | Alien 3 | Bleak prison-planet narrative; franchise introspection |
| 1997 | Alien Resurrection | Cloned Ripley and bio-experimentation; closure of original series |
| 2004 | Alien vs. Predator | Antarctic pyramid showdown; creature-feature crossover |
| 2007 | Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem | Small-town incursion; escalation and resolution of AVP saga |
| 2010 | Predators | Jungle game preserve; fresh Predator breeds and human combatants |
| 2012 | Prometheus | Engineers, DNA catalyzation, and Xenomorph prehistory |
| 2017 | Alien: Covenant | Colonist arrival and renewed Xenomorph threat linked to Prometheus |
| 2018 | The Predator | Genetically enhanced Predator; suburban confrontation and human augmentation themes |
| 2022 | Prey | Historical-action set centuries prior; Comanche protagonist and early Yautja tech |
Evaluating Canon and Viewing Order Options
Because the Alien and Predator series operate with different continuity models, fans choose viewing paths based on preference. The canonical mainline for Alien progresses linearly from the 1979 original through Covenant, with Prometheus adding essential backstory. Predator follows a looser chronology, anchored by the 1987 original, Predator 2, Prey, and The Predator. The AVP films are optional, serving as crossover events rather than required viewing. Below are common approaches to navigating both timelines and the crossover entries.
- Strict chronological: Alien (1979) → Aliens → Alien 3 → Alien Resurrection → Prometheus → Alien: Covenant → then Predator (1987) → Predator 2 → Predators → The Predator → Prey; insert AVP films where they fit.
- By tone and theme: Start with the horror-focused Alien arc, then explore the militarized and urban action of Predator films, followed by large-scale crossovers and recent expansions.
- Release-date order: Watch by calendar year to see how the franchises evolved alongside each other, useful for understanding references and shifting production styles.
How the Lineages Interact and Evolve
While Alien and Predator largely progress on separate narrative tracks, they converge in AVP installments and shared concepts like bio-horror, corporate responsibility, and species-as-weapon. The timelines rarely overlap directly, but worldbuilding details—such as Yautja trophies, Xenomorph integration, and clandestine human experiments—create a broad shared context. Recent entries like Prey and The Predator reflect ongoing efforts to refresh premises, expand cultural contexts, and reconcile continuity without overturning established lore. Future projects may deepen the connection between the universes, but for now the franchises remain most distinct when viewed along their own chronological routes.
Conclusion and Practical Guidance
Tracking Alien and Predator movies in chronological order helps clarify narrative relationships, production shifts, and tonal evolutions across nearly four decades of cinema. Use this timeline as a foundation for exploration, adjusting viewing paths to match your interest in horror, action, continuity, or creature-feature design. The outlined table and viewing approaches will support long-term engagement, ensuring each film you watch builds a coherent understanding of how the Xenomorphs and Yautja hunters have been realized across time and technology.