From ‘Alien’ to ‘Romulus’: How to watch the 7 sci-fi horror films in order

The Alien franchise has been a huge part of science fiction and horror for over 45 years From the spinechilling original movie to the mindbending prequels each film has contributed to the lasting legacy of this series With the upcoming release of Alien Romulus on August 23 this would be the perfect time to revisit the six films that have brought us here Letrsquos see how each movie shaped this iconic franchise and set the stage for the new chapter in chronological orderAlien 1979 ndash The Original MasterpieceWhen Alien was released in 1979 it wasnrsquot just another movie but a gamechanger Directed by Ridley Scott and featuring the terrifying designs of HR Giger this film introduced the world to the Xenomorph a creature that still haunts us today The slow creeping tension and the claustrophobic setting of the spaceship made it a classic that set the tone for all the following movies Every new Alien movie including Alien Romulus has to live up to the legacy of this original masterpieceAliens 1986 ndash The ActionPacked SequelJames Cameronrsquos Aliens injected the first filmrsquos horror with massive action While keeping the suspense alive Cameron expanded the universe with intense battle scenes and introduced new characters who have become fan favourites Ripley played by Sigourney Weaver became an iconic character and the movie proved that the franchise could evolve and still stay relevant This mix of action and horror is something Alien Romulus might borrow as it looks to attract both new and old fansAlien 3 1992 ndash The Divisive EntryAlien 3 took the franchise in a much darker direction Directed by David Fincher this film is often debated among fans because of its grim tone and the shocking decision to kill off beloved characters right at the start Although it didnrsquot sit well with everyone Alien 3 has earned a cult following over the years for its daring approach and return to the eerie atmosphere of the original film It also laid the groundwork for future films like Alien Covenant which explored similar themes of survival and sacrifice Alien Romulus is expected to continue in this vein building on the foundation set by Alien 3Alien Resurrection 1997 ndash A New BeginningWith Alien Resurrection the franchise tried something different Directed by JeanPierre Jeunet the movie blended horror with dark comedy and introduced a cloned version of Ripley Though it didnrsquot hit the same high notes as the earlier films Resurrection was notable for its bold experimental approach It explored ideas like cloning and the ethics of genetic manipulation which were quite ahead of their time This willingness to take risks even if it didnrsquot always pay off is something Alien Romulus could continue learning from both the successes and mistakes of this entryPrometheus 2012 ndash A Prequel ReimaginedAfter a long gap Ridley Scott returned to the franchise with Prometheus a prequel that sought to answer the big questions about where the Xenomorphs came from and who the Engineers were Prometheus was ambitious offering a deeper dive into the origins of the Alien universe and raising philosophical questions about creation and existence While it left some fans divided it laid the groundwork for the new direction of the series setting the stage for the mysteries that Alien Romulus might finally unravelAlien Covenant 2017 ndash The Bridge to lsquoRomulusrsquoAlien Covenant tried to merge the grand ideas from Prometheus with the raw horror of the original Alien The result was a movie that was both terrifying and thoughtprovoking Covenant left audiences with many questions particularly about the Engineers and the true origin of the Xenomorphs These unresolved mysteries create a perfect setup for Alien Romulus which is expected to tie up some loose ends and push the story forward Romulus could be the key to understanding the full story of the Alien sagaAlien Romulus ndash The New ChapterThe Xenomorphs are finally back in theatres for the first time since 2017 seven years after Alien Covenant with Alien Romulus This seventh installment in the legendary scifi horror franchise bridges the gap between Ridley Scottrsquos 1979 original and James Cameronrsquos explosive 1986 sequel Aliens Directed by Fede Aacutelvarez and produced by Scott Alien Romulus plunges a group of young space colonistsmdashplayed by Cailee Spaeny David Jonsson and Archie Renauxmdashinto a nightmare as they stumble upon a derelict space station in the darkest reaches of the galaxy What they discover is the stuff of legend Xenomorphs the deadliest creatures in the universe lying in waitWith stunning production design by Naaman Marshall Alien Romulus captures the gritty livedin feel of the original films and introduces fresh terrors that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats The film delves deep into themes of isolation fear and the dangers of unchecked corporate greed making it a worthy successor in the franchise Itrsquos another great film to transport you back as if you are watching an Aliens movie for the first timeFrom the pure horror of Alien to the deep questions raised by Prometheus and the mythbuilding in Covenant every movie has contributed to the rich world that Alien Romulus will soon join The big question now is where will Romulus fit into this legacy Will it stand alongside the classics or carve out its unique place in the Alien universe One thing is for suremdashAlien Romulus has some very big shoes to fill