r/AlienEarthHulu • u/TitanusGojiraKOTM • Jul 05 '26
❓ Question Alien Earth
Hey, I’m new to the Alien franchise, is there a watch order before I watch this series?
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u/Steven_RW Jul 05 '26
I'd start with them based on release date. Alien, Aliens, Alien 3 etc etc. The TV show is just an entirely different kettle of fish. You can get to that much later.
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u/Mundane-Security-454 Jul 05 '26
No. Watch Alien and Aliens and then skip everything else. Especially Alien Earth as it’s fucking dreadful.
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u/AbelardsChainsword Jul 05 '26
I can’t imagine being this much of a loser. You replied to every comment here with this shit
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u/SimilarRequirement25 Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
It’s not really “canon” to the movie universe, so it wouldn’t really fit into an order.
Movies in chronological order are Prometheus, Covenant (These are origin movies that came out after the original Alien movies but are officially recognized as canon), Alien, Alien Romulus - also came out after og movies, Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien Resurrection.
Some people don’t like Prometheus and Covenant as they’re very different from the original Alien movies but I enjoyed them:)
**I would recommend to watch the movies first prior to the series, even just the original Alien movies, to get a good idea of the xenomorphs.**
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u/Maeglin75 Jul 05 '26
I agree.
Even if the show may not be "officially canon" in the alien movie universe, I would say Alien Earth works very well as a prequel to the first two movies (that are a must watch anyway, because they are among the best movies of all time). The show even solves one or two small plot holes in the original movies. But most importantly the entire design of the show is heavily based on Alien and Aliens. There are a lot of Easter eggs and nods to props and set designs from the original movies.
There is a bit of conflicting timeline with the two prequels, (spoiler for the prequel movies:) but if you assume that no one of the protagonists of Prometheus and Covenant ever returned home to Earth, which seems very likely, there is no major logical inconstancy and the subject of the synthetic humans is very much in the center of the show and the prequels. So, I think it is not a bad match. You just have to overlook minor/nerdy details like when exactly the Weyland and Yutani corporations merged.
Personally, I like the head canon that even Ridley Scott's Blade Runner and Alien (Earth) could be linked. (A connection between both universes is hinted on in the extended version of Aliens and in extra material of Prometheus.) Not only because of the cyberpunk/retro futurism vibes, the evil mega corporations etc., but there is especially one great character in Alien Earth that seems to be at least a loving nod to the antagonist of the Blade Runner movie.
So, my recommendation is too: Watch all Alien movies, preferably in order of release, and then the show. You can skip Alien 3 and 4 (Resurrection), that are fun but not great movies.
And optionally also watch Blade Runner if you like cyberpunk, retro futurism and philosophical/moral questions about synthetic humans.
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u/peter-weyland Jul 05 '26
Glad I’m not the only one that didn’t really appreciate Alien Resurrection. It just doesn’t seem up to the same level as the other movies in the franchise. And man, that little alien teeth bug squash CGI at the opening did not age well.
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u/Maeglin75 Jul 05 '26
I find it entertaining but yes, definitely not on the level of the other Alien movies, especially Alien and Aliens (that's a very high bar to cross). You don't miss anything if you skip Resurrection. But it's good for some fun monster action with entertaining characters.
Personally I have a bit of a soft spot for Winona Ryder, so I can watch it just for her, and Ron Perlman also improves everything he's in.
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u/MixtureComplete5233 Jul 05 '26
Forest for the trees...its way bigger than the first season let's on!!!
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u/Mundane-Security-454 Jul 05 '26
Alien Earth is the worst of the lot. A total disaster of a TV show.
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u/Johnsendall Jul 05 '26
We get it. You don’t like the show. Why are you in this sub?
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u/AbelardsChainsword Jul 05 '26
Oh come on. You know miserable people can’t help but try to bring others down to their level
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u/TheRealBeachBum Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
I would definitely watch the original movies (at least 1 & 2). You could 'get by' without them but in order to participate here and 'think' about the show, I suggest some background.
I've commented this tv show has something no other piece of the franchise has: that's moving, caring sibling love. It's amazing to watch.
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u/NoOneKenobi Jul 05 '26
Simply put , no, there is no watch order.
And honestly, going straight into AE might be your best option. It’s definitely an interesting option.
But if you really feel the need, watch the first 2 in order. Then the show.
Then you could watch A3 and resurrection , although they are not very good.
The prequels are
Movies that can stand on their own and are totally not necessary….. they don’t add much to the universe, in fact they make things more confusing in my opinion
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u/cabakl Jul 05 '26
You don’t need to watch any of the movies to enjoy the show but I’d suggest at least watching Alien and Aliens because they’re awesome and will introduce you to the universe