In short: Key takeaways
- Always start with Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986) in Release Order before touching the Prometheus and Covenant prequels.
- Alien: Romulus sits chronologically between Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986) and plays brilliantly after the first two classics.
- Score Set Design (H.R. Giger and Ron Cobb’s Nostromo!), Prosthetics / Hair & Make-up, Special Effects, and Sigourney Weaver’s Performances.
- Streams across Disney+ in Australia (tracked automatically via Movie Mates YOURS badges).
| Step | Film | Genre & Craft Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Watch First | Alien (1979) | Pure sci-fi horror: 100/100 Set Design, Prosthetics/Creature & Sound |
| 2. The Action Peak | Aliens (1986) | Sci-fi action benchmark: Action, Performances, Practical Queen Effects |
| 3. Modern Interquel | Alien: Romulus (2024) | Returns to practical creature craft and claustrophobic tension |
| 4. Fincher & Prequels | Alien 3 (Assembly Cut), Prometheus, Alien: Covenant | Ambitious Cinematography and Set Design for completionists |
Alien (1979) vs Aliens (1986): the ultimate craft comparison
Alien and Aliens are the gold standard for how a sequel can switch genres while staying at the top of its game. On moviemates.social, watching how your Squad scores the slow-burn tension and Set Design of 1979 against the relentless Action of 1986 is half the fun.
Because moviemates.social is built in Melbourne for people who watch films with their mates, every tool in the app is wired to turn solo browsing into a shared experience with zero ads and zero subscription paywalls.
Tracking the marathon on Disney+ AU
The Alien anthology streams under the Star hub on Disney+ in Australia. Add the films to a Shared List on Movie Mates and toggle between Release and Timeline order.
Once the credits roll, slide the relevant crafts out of 100, compare your Squad Rating Average (S.R.A), and export a one-tap Share Card for your story or group chat.
Frequently asked questions
Should I watch Prometheus before Alien (1979)?
No. Even though Prometheus is set earlier on the timeline, it is designed around mysteries established in the 1979 original. Watch Alien and Aliens first.
Where does Alien: Romulus fit in the watch order?
Story-wise it takes place between Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986), and it works best watched after you have seen at least those first two films.
Is moviemates.social free to use in Australia?
Yes. moviemates.social is completely free on any web browser and via the Android beta app, with no subscription tiers and no advertising.
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