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Alien

Play trailer 0:33 Poster for Alien R 1979 1h 56m Sci-Fi Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
93% Tomatometer 209 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
In deep space, the crew of the commercial starship Nostromo is awakened from their cryo-sleep capsules halfway through their journey home to investigate a distress call from an alien vessel. The terror begins when the crew encounters a nest of eggs inside the alien ship. An organism from inside an egg leaps out and attaches itself to one of the crew, causing him to fall into a coma.
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Alien

Alien

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Critics Consensus

A modern classic, Alien blends science fiction, horror and bleak poetry into a seamless whole.

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Critics Reviews

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Jack Kroll Newsweek 11/16/2023
Alien will scare the peanuts right out of your M&M's. It was about time someone made a science-fiction thriller that thrills... and just boils everything down to the pure, ravishingly vulgar essence of fright. Go to Full Review Elston Brooks Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com 11/16/2023
You can have Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and 2001. I'll take Alien. Go to Full Review Desmond Ryan Philadelphia Inquirer 11/16/2023
Miss Weaver, a New York actress making her film debut, makes the most of the opportunity without overdoing it. She suggests toughness and fear in equal measure. Go to Full Review Mike Pearson Denver Rocky Mountain News Apr 8
At its best, "Alien" remains an exercise in claustrophobic terror. Go to Full Review Richard Freedman Newark Star-Ledger Jan 6
Alien is no ordinary movie. While its gruesome effects require a strong stomach, its overall impact requires an even strong mind and imagination. Go to Full Review David Day Horror Movie Talk Sep 18
10/10
Alien is one of the most impressive pieces of cinema in history. It set the bar so high for horror and sci-fi that I think it’s still the apex of both. Every single aspect of this movie is carefully thought-out and crafted to the highest of standards. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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VictorHFerr 04/08/2025 AWESOME SCIFI/HORROR FILM BY DIRECTOR RIDLEY SCOTT!!! See more Jeremiah 09/28/2024 My all time favorite film. it needs no justification. watch and see the genius of true horror. See more Aaron Bacchus 05/24/2024 A Horror Classic. The beat in the series. A must watch for all !!! See more Sabih A @RT57875922 4d "Isolation fills the Soul's Outside." Alien still holds up incredibly well. The atmosphere is amazing, the slow‑building tension works perfectly, and the movie knows exactly when to stay quiet and when to strike. It leans more into horror‑thriller than traditional sci‑fi, which ends up being its biggest strength. The worldbuilding is simple but effective, the characters feel grounded, and the isolation makes everything more unsettling. The creature is used sparingly, making every appearance hit harder. The practical effects still look great and give the film a real, tangible feel. It’s a slow burn, but intentionally so, and the payoff is strong. It’s a classic that earns its reputation by being focused, atmospheric, and genuinely tense from start to finish. In short: A tense, atmospheric sci‑fi horror classic that still feels sharp and effective today. See more Dominic T. @Dom2Chilly Jun 25 8.1/10. Alien is an all time classic and great watch for any horror fan. Amazing visuals that stand the test of time and can be rewatched whenever. A beautiful suspension horror that keeps engaged. See more Tristan B @tristan3 Jun 17 [BOT] Tense and unforgettable. See more Read all reviews
Alien

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Cast & Crew

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Ridley Scott

Director

Tom Skerritt

Captain A.J. Dallas

Sigourney Weaver

Warrant Officer Lt. Ellen L. Ripley

John Hurt

Engineer G.W. Kane

Veronica Cartwright

Navigator J.M. Lambert

Harry Dean Stanton

Engineering Technician S.E. Brett

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Alien

A scene from the film "Alien." A scene from the film "Alien." A scene from the film "Alien." A scene from the film "Alien." A scene from the film "Alien." A scene from the film "Alien." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In deep space, the crew of the commercial starship Nostromo is awakened from their cryo-sleep capsules halfway through their journey home to investigate a distress call from an alien vessel. The terror begins when the crew encounters a nest of eggs inside the alien ship. An organism from inside an egg leaps out and attaches itself to one of the crew, causing him to fall into a coma.
Director
Ridley Scott
Producer
David Giler, Gordon Carroll, Walter Hill
Screenwriter
Dan O'Bannon, Ronald Shusett
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox, Brandywine Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Sci-Fi, Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 25, 1979, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Apr 26, 2024
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$82.6M
Runtime
1h 56m
Sound Mix
Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1), 70mm