Introduction
The Alien and Predator franchises are two of the most iconic science fiction horror series in film history. Over the years, these two titans have crossed paths on more than one occasion, with a total of seven movies featuring both creatures. With such a long and storied history, it can be difficult to decide what order to watch the Alien and Predator movies in.
Chronological Order
When watching Alien and Predator movies in chronological order, you get to experience the full scope of the franchises’ storylines, from their beginnings to the present. It’s also a great way to appreciate how both franchises have evolved over time.
Alien Franchise
The original Alien movie was released in 1979 and starred Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley. The next two films in the franchise were Aliens (1986) and Alien 3 (1992). The fourth installment, Alien Resurrection, was released in 1997 and was followed by two prequels: Prometheus (2012) and Alien: Covenant (2017).
Predator Franchise
The first Predator movie was released in 1987 and starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as Dutch. The sequel, Predator 2, was released in 1990 and was followed by Predators (2010) and The Predator (2018).
Fan Favorites
If you’re looking for the best of both worlds when it comes to Alien and Predator movies, then this is the way to go. Here are some of the fan-favorites from each franchise.
Best Movies in the Alien Franchise
According to IMDb, the highest rated Alien movies are Aliens (7.8/10), Alien (7.8/10), and Alien: Covenant (6.5/10).
Best Movies in the Predator Franchise
The highest rated Predator movies are Predator (7.9/10), Predator 2 (6.5/10), and Predators (6.3/10).
By Year of Release
Another way to watch the Alien and Predator movies is by their year of release. This allows you to see the evolution of both franchises over time.
Listing of Alien Films by Year
- 1979: Alien
- 1986: Aliens
- 1992: Alien 3
- 1997: Alien Resurrection
- 2012: Prometheus
- 2017: Alien: Covenant
Listing of Predator Films by Year
- 1987: Predator
- 1990: Predator 2
- 2010: Predators
- 2018: The Predator
By Director
For fans who want to appreciate the work of a particular director, watching the Alien and Predator movies by director is a great way to do so.
Alien Films Directed by Ridley Scott
- 1979: Alien
- 2012: Prometheus
- 2017: Alien: Covenant
Predator Films Directed by John McTiernan
- 1987: Predator
- 1990: Predator 2
By Box Office Gross
For those who want to watch the biggest and most successful Alien and Predator movies, here are the highest grossing films in each franchise.
Highest Grossing Alien Films
- 1986: Aliens ($131 million)
- 1979: Alien ($80 million)
- 1992: Alien 3 ($55 million)
- 2017: Alien: Covenant ($74 million)
- 1997: Alien Resurrection ($47 million)
- 2012: Prometheus ($126 million)
Highest Grossing Predator Films
- 1987: Predator ($98 million)
- 1990: Predator 2 ($31 million)
- 2010: Predators ($52 million)
- 2018: The Predator ($51 million)
By Rating
For fans who prefer to watch only R-rated movies, the following are the R-rated Alien and Predator movies.
R-rated Alien Films
- 1979: Alien
- 1986: Aliens
- 1992: Alien 3
- 1997: Alien Resurrection
- 2012: Prometheus
- 2017: Alien: Covenant
R-rated Predator Films
- 1987: Predator
- 1990: Predator 2
- 2010: Predators
- 2018: The Predator
Conclusion
No matter which order you choose, watching the Alien and Predator movies is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Whether you want to watch them in chronological order, by fan favorites, by year of release, by director, by box office gross, or by rating, there is something for everyone.
A. Final Thoughts
From the classic Alien to the recent The Predator, the Alien and Predator franchises offer something for everyone. No matter which order you choose to watch the movies in, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience.
(Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)