Back in 1979, Ridley Scott revolutionized the science fiction genre with his groundbreaking film, Alien. This feature masterfully fused brutal horror with an iconic action hero in Sigourney Weaver's final girl, all centered around a terrifying extraterrestrial creature. The immense success of Alien launched a sprawling franchise that continues to captivate audiences worldwide, more than four decades after its debut.

Over the years, the Alien franchise has seen numerous entries from a host of talented directors, with notable names like James Cameron and David Fincher each leaving their unique mark on the series. The franchise has expanded to include seven core titles, or nine if one counts the popular Alien vs. Predator crossover films. Most recently, Fede Álvarez reinvigorated the series with Alien: Romulus, a film that has successfully reignited fan interest, causing various older franchise titles to re-appear on streaming services' top 10 lists.

Fans will soon have an unprecedented opportunity to stream almost the entire franchise in one convenient location. Starting April 1, HBO Max will host a vast collection of Alien films, including the original Alien, Alien 3, Alien 3: The Assembly Cut, Alien Resurrection, Alien Resurrection: Special Edition, Alien: Director’s Cut, Aliens, and Aliens: Director’s Cut. Additionally, the crossover films Alien vs. Predator: Requiem: Extended Cut, Alien vs. Predator: Extended Cut, and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem will also be available on the platform. While Alien: Romulus is currently available on Disney+, it is slated to join the rest of the franchise on HBO Max on April 3. Furthermore, the prequel films Prometheus and Covenant are already accessible on the streamer, completing a near-comprehensive library for fans.

Following the success of Alien: Romulus, a sequel was promptly announced. While Fede Álvarez was initially expected to direct, he has since decided to pass the directorial baton to another filmmaker, though he will remain involved as a writer for the feature. Álvarez previously shared his vision, stating his intent to bring back elements he, as a fan, wanted to see, and teasing future plans to venture into "truly uncharted waters for the franchise" given the vastness and versatility of the Alien universe, which encompasses Alien, Prometheus, and everything in between.

The original Alien, released on June 22, 1979, ran for 117 minutes. It was directed by Ridley Scott, with the screenplay penned by Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett. The cast featured Tom Skerritt as Dallas and Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, solidifying its place as a classic R-rated sci-fi horror.