What the question actually asks
The query aliens vs predator in order is best read as a relationship question: how do the Alien and Predator franchises intersect, where do their stories sit relative to one another, and how should you think about continuity and viewing sequence? This explainer focuses on canonical relationships, tone differences, and the practical timeline established by 20th Century Studios and the creative teams behind each property.
Core relationship: shared universe, separate lenses
Aliens and Predator inhabit the same broad science-fiction universe but are told through distinct creative lenses. The Alien series centers on human fragility, corporate negligence, and biological horror, while Predator emphasizes hunter mythology, tribal honor, and charismatic extraterrestrial combat. They are not competing narratives; they are complementary frames on overlapping themes of apex predation and humanity’s precarious position between two hostile pantheons.
The canonical timeline and key release milestones
Official canon is determined primarily by 20th Century Studios (formerly Fox), supported by production notes, showrunners, and the broad direction of the feature films. The following table reflects the established chronological order of the core cinematic releases most commonly referenced in continuity discussions.
| Title | Release Year | Canonical Role and Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Predator (1987) | 1987 | Introduces the hunter species and jungle-warrior mythology; baseline for Predator continuity. |
| Aliens (1986) | 1986 | Expands Xenomorph biology and human military response; core sequel to Alien (1979). |
| Predator 2 (1990) | 1990 | Shifts to urban setting while maintaining Predator lore and expanding the crossover groundwork. |
| Alien 3 (1992) | 1992 | Continues the Aliens story with darker, introspective tones and divergent canon debates. |
| Alien: Resurrection (1997) | 1997 | Branches the Xenomorph line further and is generally treated as a distant future outlier. |
| Predators (2010) | 2010 | Reboots the Predator franchise on an alien game preserve, recontextualizing the hunter mythos. |
| Alien vs Predator (2004) | 2004 | First direct feature crossover, establishing a shared timeline at the cost of mixed critical reception. |
| Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007) | 2007 | Direct sequel to AVPR, narrowing focus to a single Predator-human conflict. |
| Prometheus (2012) | 2012 | Links Alien to Engineers mythology; positioned as a prequel that enriches the Alien backdrop. |
| Alien: Covenant (2017) | 2017 | Continues the Prometheus thread and reintroduces Xenomorph emergence in a new colonization context. |
| Prey (2022) | 2022 | Set in the Comanche Nation, 1719; demonstrates Predator adaptability and hard sci-fi roots without direct Alien involvement. |
Viewing order options: how to approach the two canons
Which order you watch depends on what you want to prioritize—narrative continuity, thematically satisfying arcs, or the historical development of both franchises.
- Release-chronological order (simplest): Predator (1987) → Aliens (1986) → Predator 2 (1990) → Alien 3 (1992) → Alien: Resurrection (1997) → Predators (2010) → Alien vs Predator (2004) → Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007) → Prometheus (2012) → Alien: Covenant (2017) → Prey (2022).
- Standalone-feature focus: Experience each film as a self-contained entry, which allows you to prioritize what resonates with you while treating crossovers as optional side stories.
- Thematic grouping: Cluster entries by their core themes (e.g., survival horror in the original Alien films, hunter mythology in the Predator films, and crossover spectacle in the Requiem/Alien vs Predator entries).
Continuity rules and what creators say
Official continuity is defined by production oversight rather than fan speculation. 20th Century Studios and showrunners treat the Aliens series as its own lineage, while Predator operates as a distinct but compatible line. The crossover films—Alien vs Predator and Aliens vs Predator: Requiem—are considered peripheral in the broader timeline; they expand the universe’s geography without overriding mainline events. Prometheus and Alien: Covenant deepen the Alien mythology by tracing origins to the Engineers, but they remain separate from the Predator storyline except in the shared context of the crossover entries.
Tone, themes, and audience expectations
Aliens leans into claustrophobic dread, corporate critique, and the resilience of found family under siege. Predator foregrounds combat prowess, honor codes, and the thrill of asymmetric hunter-versus-prey dynamics. When considering aliens vs predator in order from a storytelling perspective, you can think of them as two lenses on the same question: what happens when humans encounter beings that hunt them for sport or survival? The answer differs by franchise, but the tension is consistent.
- Aliens: Institutional failure, reproductive horror, and the thin veneer of technological control.
- Predator: Ritual combat, ancestral codes, and the paradox of advanced hunters preying on worthy adversaries.
- Crossover entries: They attempt to merge both mythologies, often prioritizing spectacle over nuance, and are best approached as genre curiosities rather than linchpins of continuity.
Practical guidance for new viewers
If you are asking aliens vs predator in order because you want a recommended path into the franchises, start with the most acclaimed standalone entries: Alien (1979) or Aliens (1986) for the Alien side, and Predator (1987) or Predators (2010) for the Predator side. Once you are comfortable with each tone, sample one crossover to see how the worlds are stitched together. Avoid treating crossover films as definitive for either series’ internal logic, and instead use them as expansive side stories that lean into the spectacle of predator versus alien conflict.