Entertainment • Film

Alien

Alien is a 1979 science-fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Dan O'Bannon.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Alien is a 1979 science-fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Dan O'Bannon. It follows the crew of the commercial spacecraft Nostromo as they investigate a mysterious signal and encounter a lethal extraterrestrial creature. The film launched the Alien franchise and is widely regarded as a genre classic.

Plot

The film follows the crew of the Nostromo as they respond to a signal from a remote moon and discover an alien ship and hostile lifeform. The encounter turns into a survival story set in deep space.

Production

Alien was directed by Ridley Scott and written by Dan O'Bannon, based on a story by O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett. It premiered in 1979 and became a major influence on later science-fiction and horror films.

Franchise

The success of Alien led to a long-running franchise with sequels, prequels, and crossovers. Sources list different film counts depending on whether crossovers and prequels are included. The creature in the franchise is commonly called a Xenomorph.

Cultural impact

Alien is regarded as a classic of science-fiction horror and is notable for introducing one of cinema's most recognisable movie monsters. The franchise's corporate and biomechanical imagery has remained influential in popular culture. Additionally, Alien has had broad influence in Canadian film and pop culture, and Canadian audiences know it through theatrical release, home media, television, and franchise tie-ins.

Key facts

Alien was released in 1979 and is directed by Ridley Scott.
The story centres on the crew of the commercial starship Nostromo, who investigate a distress signal and encounter a deadly alien organism.
The film is widely credited with launching the Alien franchise.
The creature in the franchise is commonly called a Xenomorph.
The original film stars Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley.

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Canadian context

Alien has had broad influence in Canadian film and pop culture, and Canadian audiences know it through theatrical release, home media, television, and franchise tie-ins.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Alien movie about?

It is about the crew of the starship Nostromo, who investigate a mysterious signal and are attacked by a deadly extraterrestrial creature.

Who directed the original Alien?

The original Alien was directed by Ridley Scott.

How many Alien movies are there?

The answer depends on what is counted. Core sources list three early sequels, while later sources also include prequels and the 2024 film Alien: Romulus, so the total is higher if all theatrically released films are included.

What is the Xenomorph?

The Xenomorph is the hostile extraterrestrial species central to the Alien franchise, usually referring to the creature seen in the films.

Is Alien based on a true story?

No. Alien is a fictional science-fiction horror film, not a true story.

What is the order of Alien movies?

In release order, the main films are Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), Alien 3 (1992), Alien Resurrection (1997), Prometheus (2012), Alien: Covenant (2017), and Alien: Romulus (2024).

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_(film)
Supports: 1979 film, Ridley Scott direction, Dan O'Bannon writing, basic plot.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Alien-film-by-Scott
Supports: Film description, director, release year, plot, sequels, later franchise entries.
Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_(movie)
Supports: Xenomorph naming, sequels, franchise overview.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Alien-film-by-Scott
Supports: Classic status and sequels, including later franchise films.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_(franchise)
Supports: Xenomorph as franchise species, franchise overview.