Released in 1979, Ridley Scott's Alien turned a simple idea - a spaceship crew hunted by a deadly creature - into one of the most influential films ever made. It made a star of Sigourney Weaver, introduced H. R. Giger's nightmarish designs to the world and launched a franchise that is still going strong.
The story continues today on both big and small screens: Alien: Romulus reached cinemas in 2024, the FX series Alien: Earth premiered in August 2025, and the show has been renewed for a second season, with filming in London set for 2026. Explore more classics in our movies collection.
Alien Fact File
| Released | 25 May 1979 (US limited); 6 September 1979 (UK) |
|---|---|
| Director | Ridley Scott |
| Screenplay | Dan O'Bannon |
| Story | Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett |
| Producers | Gordon Carroll, David Giler, Walter Hill (Brandywine Productions) |
| Studio | 20th Century Fox |
| Main cast | Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, Yaphet Kotto |
| Filmed at | Shepperton Studios, near London |
| Creature design | H. R. Giger |
| Setting | The commercial spaceship Nostromo |
Key Films
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Alien | Ridley Scott |
| 1986 | Aliens | James Cameron |
| 1992 | Alien 3 | David Fincher |
| 1997 | Alien Resurrection | Jean-Pierre Jeunet |
| 2012 | Prometheus | Ridley Scott |
| 2017 | Alien: Covenant | Ridley Scott |
| 2024 | Alien: Romulus | Fede Álvarez |
The table lists the main films in the series, not counting the two Alien vs. Predator crossovers. The TV prequel Alien: Earth (2025) was created by Noah Hawley.
The Story
The crew of the commercial towing ship Nostromo are woken from hypersleep to investigate a mysterious signal on a remote planet. When an unknown life form attaches itself to crew member Kane, they bring it back on board - and soon discover that something deadly is loose on the ship.
As the crew are picked off one by one, warrant officer Ellen Ripley emerges as the film's unlikely hero, a role that made Sigourney Weaver a star.
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Making the Film
Writer Dan O'Bannon developed the story with Ronald Shusett, and the script was reworked by producers Walter Hill and David Giler. Ridley Scott, then best known for The Duellists, was hired to direct, and the film was shot at Shepperton Studios in England.
Swiss artist H. R. Giger designed the creature and its eerie environments, giving the film its unforgettable look, while Nigerian-born design student Bolaji Badejo wore the alien costume.
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Oscar Success and the Sequels
Alien won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and was nominated for Best Art Direction. In 2002 it was selected for preservation in the US National Film Registry.
James Cameron's action-packed Aliens (1986) earned Sigourney Weaver an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, and later entries came from directors including David Fincher and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Ridley Scott returned to the universe with the prequels Prometheus and Alien: Covenant.
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Legacy
More than four decades on, Alien is regarded as a landmark of both science fiction and horror, and Ripley remains one of cinema's great heroes. Fede Álvarez's Alien: Romulus brought the franchise back to its tense roots in 2024, and Noah Hawley's Alien: Earth took it to television in 2025.
Awards
Academy Awards
- Won: Best Visual Effects
- Nominated: Best Art Direction
Preservation
- US National Film Registry (2002)
Franchise
- Sigourney Weaver: Best Actress Oscar nomination for Aliens (1986)
Behind the Scenes
Much of the film's power comes from what audiences do not see, with Scott keeping the creature in the shadows for most of the running time. The worn, industrial look of the Nostromo also set a new style for screen science fiction.
FAQs
When did Alien come out?
Alien opened in the US in May 1979 and in UK cinemas on 6 September 1979.
Who directed Alien?
Ridley Scott directed the original film.
Where was Alien filmed?
It was filmed at Shepperton Studios near London, with models shot at Bray Studios.
Who designed the Alien creature?
Swiss artist H. R. Giger designed the creature and its environments.
How many Alien films are there?
There are seven main films, from Alien (1979) to Alien: Romulus (2024), plus two Alien vs. Predator crossovers and the TV series Alien: Earth.
What order should I watch the Alien films in?
Release order is the simplest: Alien, Aliens, Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection, then Prometheus, Alien: Covenant and Alien: Romulus.
Shop the Alien Collection
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Alien Men's T-Shirt
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Alien Men's Hoodie
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Explore more classics in our movies collection, or create your own custom name hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Jaws (1975) Film Story and Die Hard (1988) Film Story.
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