Few movie rivalries are as iconic—or as frightfully funny—as Alien and Predator. Over the years, they’ve frightened moviegoers, sparked cringeworthy fan arguments, and provided everything from genre-defining masterpieces to head-scratching bombs. Wondering which ones are worth revisiting? Buckle up. Here’s every Alien and Predator movie, ranked from bottom-of-the-barrel misfires to genuine sci-fi horror greatness.
15. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
If the first monster crossover was dark, this sequel is opaque. Imagine an Alien-Predator crossbreed rampaging through a small town, but you can’t see what’s going on—you’re scowling so intensely, you don’t even remember to be frightened. The plot doesn’t add up, the characters disappear partway through the plot, and the lighting? Truly criminal. This one’s in the cinematic dark ages.
14. The Predator (2018)
Shane Black possessed Predator legend chops—so what was the problem? The film adds in political gaffes, half‑cooked background, and a monster mash that’s more yawn than terror. A talented cast of actors gets lost in a confusing, uneven narrative. Everyone predicted a slam dunk—what we got was a fumbled pass.
13. Alien: Covenant (2017)
This was meant to recreate the old Alien atmosphere. Visually, it’s stunning—and Michael Fassbender, as ever, is fascinating. But the script reads as two films battling for room. Characters are unmemorable, the reason escapes, and half the time, you can’t help but ask yourself why you even care.
12. Alien: Resurrection (1997)
Sigourney Weaver is back—sort of. It’s Ripley, but… alien DNA-infused. It’s gummy, weird, and packed with crazy notions that never quite come together. It’s a mix of bizarre comedy and sloppy sci-fi. The cast goes all out, the effects are outrageous, but the entire production just doesn’t quite click.
11. Alien vs. Predator (2004)
A long-awaited mash‑up that delivers on creature battles—but not much else. The plot makes absolutely no sense, the PG‑13 tone neutered the violence, and the humans do almost nothing. But if monsters fighting over primordial dominance in a pyramid is what you crave, you can’t help but be thrilled.
10. Prometheus (2012)
A visually stunning, ambitious movie that delves into the beginnings of mankind and the makers of the Xenomorphs. Big concepts are brought together with questionable choices, however, and characters respond in confounding manners. Does the mythology cohere? No. But David the android and the beautiful visuals provide it with something to discuss.
9. Alien: Romulus (2024)
A triumphant throwback with retro Alien atmosphere and practical effects. A crew of workers boards an abandoned ship—or at least they believe so—and mayhem erupts. Nostalgia is deep, yet the tale relies on references rather than surprises. Still, it captures the tone of the original far better than most sequels.
8. Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)
This cartoon-style anthology carries Predator battles through history—Vikings, samurai, and World War II. The presentation isn’t for all, but the action and creative settings bring fresh energy to the franchise. Some of the set pieces pay off so well, you would want it to be live-action. It’s new, it’s bold, and it brings the Predator mythology in unique means.
7. Predator 2 (1990)
Jungles traded in for city streets, this sequel turns up the grit with a hot, neon-drenched 90s L.A., Danny Glover adds intensity, the tone is campy, and Predator legend receives an added depth. It’s cheesy sometimes, but in the best possible way—acquired cult status and fans still quote it today.
6. Predators (2010)
Mercenary-cum-action adventure where a team of assassins is deposited on an alien kill zone. Several Predators, large egos, and constant action. It falls just short of the classic status of the original, but it pressures the mythology further and maintains the suspense intact. A good chapter.
5. Alien 3 (1992)
David Fincher’s introspective debut is brutal, bleak, and polarizing. Ripley crashes on a prison world—and everything that can go wrong does in a hurry. Renowned for killing off important characters early, it’s dark, relentless, and not what the fans were looking for. But for those who are willing to surf the nihilistic wave, it’s a daring work of genre film.
4. Prey (2022)
A masterful redo: Comanche warrior Naru vs. a Predator on the 1719 Great Plains. Bare-bones storytelling, razor-sharp pacing, and heart-stopping suspense. Amber Midthunder anchors it all with an outstanding performance. Raw, intelligent, and merciless, this one retooling the franchise’s tone—and did it flawlessly.
3. Predator (1987)
The movie that began it all. Arnold Schwarzenegger heads a commando operation deep in the jungle—and they’re stalked individually by the greatest alien hunter of them all. Creepy, muscular, intense, with iconic creature design. It’s gritty, iconic, and sets the tone for what Predator is.
2. Aliens (1986)
James Cameron amps up everything—explosions, action, and female badassery. Ripley returns and leads a squad of Marines against an alien hive. It’s equal parts horror and war film, with tense pacing and unforgettable moments. A sequel that didn’t just match the original—it became its legend.
1. Alien (1979)
The gold standard. Ridley Scott’s original is a work of atmosphere, horror, and design. The Nostromo crew is genuine, the Xenomorph nightmare fuel and every shadow has a terror behind it. It revolutionized sci-fi horror for good, not with looks or monsters, but with an atmosphere of suffocating dread you can feel in your lungs. Unbeatable.
And there you have it—15 moments of blood, horror, and alien fright ranked from downright skippable to must-see masterclass. If you’re binge-watching them all or just choosing one for film night, this list’s got you covered.