Ranking Every Movie and TV Show in the Alien-Predator Universe: From Worst to Best
The Alien and Predator franchises have a long history of creating interconnected stories, leading to the creation of the Alien-Predator universe. Over the years, these two iconic movie monsters have appeared in numerous films and TV shows, eventually crossing paths in two crossover films. While the quality of these projects has varied, recent entries have shown a return to greatness and hinted at more crossovers in the future. Now is the perfect time to rank every movie and TV show in the Alien-Predator universe from worst to best.
At the bottom of the list is the 2007 crossover sequel "Alien vs. Predator: Requiem," which failed to live up to its potential and turned out to be far worse than its predecessor. The film follows a group of residents in a small suburban town in Colorado as they face a hybrid hunter created from a Xenomorph and a Predator. It's a chaotic mess that falls short of expectations and ranks as the worst entry in the Alien-Predator universe.
In 2018, director Shane Black attempted to revive the Predator franchise with "The Predator," but the film ended up being a complete mess. Introducing genetically modified Predator hunters and a group of misfit soldiers trying to stop them, the movie lacked coherence and failed to deliver on its promises. Despite its potential, "The Predator" fell short of expectations and disappointed fans of the series.
"Alien: Resurrection," the fourth film in the Alien franchise, features Sigourney Weaver reprising her role as Ellen Ripley. Cloned by the military to harness Xenomorph DNA, Ripley must face a new breed of Xenomorphs threatening Earth. While the film tries to bring something new to the series, it falls short of capturing the suspense and action of its predecessors, resulting in a mixed bag of a movie.
In 2004, fans finally got to see the long-awaited crossover between the Alien and Predator franchises in "Alien vs. Predator." Set in the present day, the film follows an excavation team in Antarctica discovering an ancient temple that reveals the history of the Yautja warriors using Earth as a hunting ground. While not a great film, "Alien vs. Predator" delivers the fast-paced action and lore exploration fans were hoping for, making it an underrated entry in the crossover universe.
"Alien 3," directed by David Fincher, picks up after the events of "Aliens" and follows Ellen Ripley's fight for survival on a dreary prison planet. The film combines horror and action elements, showcasing Ripley's battle against a Xenomorph threat. While "Alien 3" has its moments of brilliance, it struggles with consistency and tone, but a later director's cut improved the film's focus and elevated its ranking on the list.
"Predator 2," a sequel to the original film, follows LAPD officer Michael Harrigan as he faces off against a Predator in a crime-ridden Los Angeles. While lacking the tight plot of its predecessor, the film delivers brutal action and fun moments that make it a worthy addition to the franchise. Despite its flaws, "Predator 2" remains a nostalgic favorite among fans of the series.
"Alien: Covenant," the second film in the Alien prequel trilogy, refocuses on the Xenomorphs and returns to the franchise's roots of action, suspense, and gore. Following the crew of the Covenant on a terraforming mission, the film explores the dangers of a distant planet and the android David's hidden agenda. While playing it safe at times, "Alien: Covenant" provides a clear direction for the series and delivers a thrilling action-horror experience.
"Prometheus," directed by Ridley Scott, takes a philosophical approach to the Alien franchise, posing questions about the origins of human life and the nature of humanity. The film follows an Earth expedition to an alien world, uncovering ancient plots that threaten all life. While initially divisive among fans, "Prometheus" has gained positive reappraisals for its exploration of life's mysteries and humanity's destiny.
In 2010, the Predator franchise returned with "Predators," taking the action to an alien planet and introducing a group of deadly individuals forced to fight Yautja hunters. With an all-star cast and solid action sequences, "Predators" offers a fresh take on the series mythos and delivers a non-stop thrill ride for fans of the franchise.
"Alien: Romulus," directed by Fede Álvarez in 2024, brings the Alien series back to its horror roots with a terrifying story of colonists facing Xenomorph horrors on an abandoned starship. Led by Cailee Spaeny as Rain, the film delivers visceral action and thrills that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. "Alien: Romulus" stands out as the best of the Alien prequels, offering a terrifying and gripping experience for fans of the series.
"Predator," the original film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, remains a classic action movie that blends horror and sci-fi elements to create a thrilling survival story. As a military operation in a jungle turns into a fight against a mysterious alien predator, the film explores themes of humanity's darker nature and cements Schwarzenegger as an action movie icon. "Predator" is a timeless '80s classic that continues to captivate audiences with its intense action and suspense.
In 2025, the Predator series received a new live-action entry with "Predator: Badlands," directed by Dan Trachtenberg. The film tells a story from the perspective of a Yautja hunter named Dek, who teams up with a Weyland-Yutani android to take down a deadly beast on the planet Genna. With expert direction and clever storytelling, "Predator: Badlands" keeps the franchise rolling and sets the stage for potential crossovers with the Alien series.
"Predator: Killer of Killers," released in 2025, marks the first animated entry in the Predator franchise, featuring four separate stories of Yautja hunters battling human adversaries throughout history. From Viking warriors to World War II pilots, the film culminates in a final battle that pits an unlikely alliance against a group of Yautjas. With non-stop action and a jaw-dropping twist ending, "Killer of Killers" offers a unique and thrilling addition to the Alien-Predator universe.
In 2022, the Predator franchise took a new direction with the Hulu original movie "Prey," a prequel story set in the early 18th century that follows a Comanche woman named Naru facing off against a Yautja warrior. The film delivers all the action, blood, and gore fans expect from the series, along with stirring character drama and a historical setting that enhances the story. "Prey" stands out as the best film in the franchise, offering a fresh and exciting take on the Predator universe.
In conclusion, the Alien-Predator universe has produced a diverse range of films and TV shows that explore the iconic monsters' interconnected stories. While some entries have fallen short of expectations, others have delivered thrilling action, suspense, and horror that have captivated audiences for decades. With the potential for more crossovers and new directions in the future, the Alien-Predator universe continues to evolve and expand, offering fans new and exciting adventures with their favorite movie monsters.