The Alien timeline, explained in one clean guide

TL;DR:

Mainline order by year: Prometheus (2093), Covenant (2104), Alien: Earth (2120), Alien (2122), Alien: Isolation (2137), Romulus (2142), Aliens (2179), Alien 3 (2179–2180), Resurrection (late 24th century).
Romulus sits 20 years after Alien and 37 before Aliens.
Alien: Earth is a prequel set in 2120, two years before Alien, and treats the prequels lightly.
AVP films are not part of the current Alien canon used here.
Resurrection’s exact year varies by source, 2379 or 2381. We flag both below.

This guide gives you the franchise in story order with years. It also notes what is considered canon now, where the new TV series fits, and why some dates differ.

What counts as canon here

We use the main film line, the FX series Alien: Earth, and one key game entry, Alien: Isolation.

Crossovers AVP and AVPR are treated as not canon to Alien’s current continuity, though they remain canon for Predator.
Alien: Earth is set in 2120 and, per the producers, does not lean on every detail from Prometheus and Covenant. It is a prequel to Alien in spirit and timing.
Alien: Isolation is set 15 years after Alien in 2137. Many outlets treat it as canon, and recent coverage links it to the new film era.

Chronological order with years

Year	Title	What happens
2089 → 2093	Prometheus	Shaw and Holloway find star maps in 2089, the LV-223 expedition happens in 2093. Seeds the Engineer lore.
2104	Alien: Covenant	The Covenant diverts to a signal, meets David, and the Neomorphs. Bridges Prometheus toward Alien.
2120	Alien: Earth (FX/Hulu)	Hybrid program and a crash bring the horror to Earth two years before Alien.
2122	Alien	The Nostromo responds to a signal. Ripley meets the Xenomorph.
2137	Alien: Isolation (game)	Amanda Ripley searches Sevastopol for the Nostromo flight recorder.
2142	Alien: Romulus	Set 20 years after Alien, 37 before Aliens. A derelict station, fresh specimens, bad choices.
2179	Aliens	Ripley wakes after 57 years, joins Colonial Marines on LV-426.
2179–2180	Alien 3	Events follow Aliens immediately, on Fiorina 161.
2379 or 2381*	Alien: Resurrection	Ripley is cloned centuries later aboard the USM Auriga. *See note below.

* About Resurrection’s year: Rotten Tomatoes and Slashfilm summarize 2379. Space.com lists 2381. The film itself says “200 years after Alien 3,” not a specific year. Treat both as acceptable depending on source.

Where the TV show fits, and how strict it is

FX’s Alien: Earth lands just before Alien. Producer comments suggest it does not have to align to every prequel detail, keeping focus on fresh story threads on Earth. Viewers can watch Earth right after Covenant or jump in cold before Alien.

Where the new film sits

Alien: Romulus is a mid-quel. Time and other outlets place it 20 years after Alien and 37 years before Aliens, which cleanly explains references to the Nostromo incident and keeps Ripley still in stasis during its events.

Release order (for first-timers)

Sometimes release order is easier for new fans. It preserves how the mysteries unfolded.

Alien (1979)
Aliens (1986)
Alien 3 (1992)
Alien: Resurrection (1997)
Prometheus (2012)
Alien: Covenant (2017)
Alien: Romulus (2024)
Alien: Earth (2025, series)

Quick watchlist checklist

Want the story order? Follow the table above.
Prefer the classic reveal? Use release order, then Romulus, then Earth.
Short on time? Watch Alien → Aliens → Romulus → Earth.
Curious about Amanda Ripley? Insert Alien: Isolation after Alien.

Common questions

Are AVP films part of this timeline?
Not in current Alien continuity. They are canon to Predator, but not used for Alien’s mainline timeline.

Do the prequels fully bind Alien: Earth?
No. The show sits in 2120, right before Alien, and the producers said they did not have to treat every prequel detail as binding canon.

Exactly when is Romulus?
Outlets place it 2142, which is 20 years after Alien and 37 before Aliens.

When is Isolation set?
2137, fifteen years after Alien, starring Amanda Ripley.

Why it matters

A clear order helps you enjoy each entry without confusion, and it explains references across the new projects. Knowing where Earth and Romulus sit lets you build a watch plan that preserves surprises and lines up with current canon.

[Related: Best Alien movies to stream tonight → /best-alien-movies]

Sources:

Wikipedia, “Prometheus (2012 film)” — plot timeline including 2089 discovery and 2093 expedition, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus_%282012_film%29, accessed 2025-09-10.
Wikipedia, “Alien: Covenant” — in-story year 2104, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien%3A_Covenant, accessed 2025-09-10.
Wikipedia, “Alien: Earth” — premiere and placement in 2120, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien%3A_Earth, accessed 2025-09-10.
Space.com, “Alien movies in order: chronological and release” — Alien in 2122, Aliens in 2179, Resurrection listed as 2381, https://www.space.com/alien-movies-in-order, Aug 13, 2025.
Time, “How Alien: Romulus fits into the Alien universe” — set ~20 years after Alien and 37 before Aliens, https://time.com/7010555/alien-romulus-franchise-timeline/, Aug 2024.
Digital Spy, “When does Alien: Romulus take place?” — year 2142, https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a61913120/alien-romulus-timeline-explained/, Aug 19, 2024.
Rotten Tomatoes Editorial, “All Alien Movies In Order: How to Watch Chronologically” — confirms Alien in 2122 and frames 2379 for Resurrection, https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/alien-movies-in-order/, 2024.
ScreenRant, “Are the Alien & Predator Movies Set in the Same Universe?” — AVP canon status relative to Alien, https://screenrant.com/are-alien-predator-movies-same-universe/, Aug 24, 2024.
Wikipedia, “Alien: Isolation” — set in 2137, 15 years after Alien, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien%3A_Isolation, accessed 2025-09-10.
TechRadar, producer comment on Alien: Earth and prequel canon, https://www.techradar.com/streaming/alien-earth-wont-fully-treat-events-from-the-alien-prequel-movies-as-canon-producer-says-we-benefitted-from-its-originality-and-freshness, Aug 2025.
People, “How to watch the Alien movies in chronological order” — quick placement for Earth and Romulus, https://people.com/alien-movies-show-how-to-watch-in-order-11789778, Aug 2025.