It's a clash of titans, a crossover event so iconic it spawned its own dedicated film series. For fans of cosmic horror and ultimate hunters, the idea of the acid-blooded Xenomorphs facing off against the technologically advanced Yautja (Predators) is pure, unadulterated spectacle. But if you're diving into this particular cinematic arena, you might be wondering about the Alien vs. Predator: Film Release Date Order and how it all fits together. Good news: for the core AvP films, it’s delightfully straightforward, offering a complete story arc that’s easy to follow, even amidst the sprawling, often convoluted timelines of their parent franchises.
Before we dissect the hunt, here’s a quick overview:
At a Glance: The Alien vs. Predator Film Order
- Only Two Core Films: The Alien vs. Predator crossover consists of just two movies, making your viewing path simple.
- Release Order = Story Order: Unlike their more complex parent franchises, the AvP films are designed to be watched in the order they were released.
- Alternate Timeline: These movies exist in their own distinct continuity, separate from the main Alien and Predator sagas. They tell a self-contained story.
- Earth-Centric Conflict: Both films predominantly feature the iconic alien species battling on Earth, often with humans caught in the brutal crossfire.
- Explores Predator-Xenomorph Mythology: The series delves into the ancient history of Predators using Xenomorphs as prey in ritualistic hunts.
The Hunt Begins: Demystifying the AvP Crossover Films
When you hear "Alien" and "Predator," you're likely picturing vast interstellar empires, desperate survival tales, and thrilling sci-fi horror. The Alien vs. Predator films deliver on the thrilling part, but they carve out their own unique corner of the universe. This isn't just a simple mash-up; it's a dedicated saga with its own rules, lore, and a surprisingly contained narrative. The beauty of the Alien vs. Predator film order is that it’s inherently sequential, mirroring their debut in cinemas.
Why the dedicated crossover, you ask? The concept of pitting these two legendary creatures against each other originated in comic books and video games, long before making it to the big screen. The demand was undeniable, a fan-driven phenomenon that practically willed these films into existence. They offer a specific kind of spectacle: the ultimate cosmic rivalry playing out with humanity as collateral damage, or, in some cases, unexpected allies.
The AvP Crossover: A Separate But Thrilling Universe
It’s crucial to understand that the two Alien vs. Predator films operate within an "alternate timeline." This means while they borrow heavily from the established aesthetics and species of their namesake franchises, their events don't directly impact the stories told in the main Alien films (like Alien, Aliens, Prometheus, Covenant) or the Predator films (like Predator, Predator 2, Prey). Instead, they craft their own mythology where Predators have a long, storied history of hunting Xenomorphs on Earth as a rite of passage. This distinct narrative makes understanding the Alien vs Predator film order much simpler: you can enjoy these two without needing to be a master of the broader timelines.
Your Guide to the Alien vs. Predator Films in Release Order
For a straightforward viewing experience, stick to the order they premiered. This is how the story unfolds, building from discovery to dire consequence.
1. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
- Release Date: August 13, 2004
- Director: Paul W. S. Anderson
- Key Cast: Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Ian Whyte, Raoul Bova, Ewen Bremner
The Premise: Imagine a remote, icy island off the coast of Antarctica. Now imagine a mysterious heat signature beneath the ice, drawing a corporate expedition led by Charles Bishop Weyland (a familiar name to Alien fans, played by the original Bishop actor, Lance Henriksen). What they find isn't just a pyramid; it's an ancient, subterranean hunting ground, a ceremonial arena built by Predators. Every 100 years, Young Blood Predators come to this site to hunt Xenomorphs, proving their worth.
This film kicks off the crossover with a bang, dropping humans directly into the middle of an age-old conflict. The expedition team, initially hoping for an archaeological marvel, quickly realizes they're trapped in a deadly game. The film explores the Predators' code of honor, their advanced technology, and the terrifying efficiency of the Xenomorph life cycle. It's a race against time, not just for survival against two apex predators, but against the pyramid's collapsing structure and an Alien Queen poised to unleash a new swarm.
AVP: Alien vs. Predator serves as the origin story for this specific continuity, establishing the ancient connection between the two species on Earth. It’s a spectacle of creature design and practical effects, a true love letter to the visual aesthetics of both franchises while forging its own path. The narrative arc, which clearly lays out the initial encounter and the subsequent fight for survival, makes it the perfect starting point to understand this unique iteration of the Alien vs Predator film order.
2. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
- Release Date: December 25, 2007
- Director: The Strause Brothers (Colin and Greg Strause)
- Key Cast: Steven Pasquale, Reiko Aylesworth, John Ortiz, Johnny Lewis, Ariel Gade
The Premise: Picking up almost immediately after the events of AVP, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem dives headfirst into the catastrophic consequences of the previous film. A Predator scout ship, carrying a very dangerous cargo—a new, horrifying hybrid known as the PredAlien—crash-lands near a quiet town in Gunnison, Colorado.
What follows is an absolute nightmare. The PredAlien, possessing traits from both species, quickly breeds a new generation of Xenomorphs, turning the sleepy American town into a killing field. With the threat rapidly escalating and out of control, a lone, seasoned Predator—dubbed "Wolf"—is dispatched from the Predator homeworld, Yautja Prime, specifically to clean up the mess. Wolf is a "cleaner," an elite hunter whose mission is to eliminate all traces of the Xenomorph infestation and silence any human witnesses.
This sequel ups the ante in terms of gore and relentless action. It's a much darker, grittier film, reflecting the "requiem" (a mass for the dead) in its title. Humans, once again, find themselves completely unprepared and outmatched, caught between the brutal efficiency of the Xenomorphs and the focused ruthlessness of the Predator. The film culminates in a desperate battle, not just between Wolf and the PredAlien, but also between the townspeople and the creatures, leading to a truly devastating conclusion for Gunnison. It’s an essential chapter if you’re following the complete Alien vs Predator film order for the AvP saga.
The AvP Story Order: A Straightforward Path
For the Alien vs. Predator films, the story order is identical to the release order:
- AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
- Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
That's it! You don't need a complex chart or an encyclopedic knowledge of lore to understand the narrative flow. AVP sets up the initial discovery and conflict, while Requiem directly deals with the fallout from that confrontation. This makes the AvP series one of the easiest cinematic franchises to jump into if you're looking for a quick, self-contained story. If you're wondering about the best way to experience the Alien vs. Predator film order, simply start with the 2004 original and then move on to its 2007 sequel.
Beyond the Crossover: Where AvP Fits (or Doesn't) in the Larger Universe
Here’s where it gets a little more nuanced. While the Alien vs. Predator film order is simple for its own two movies, placing them within the gargantuan timelines of all Alien and Predator films becomes a different beast entirely. The overarching Alien and Predator franchises together span hundreds of years, from pre-colonial Earth to centuries into the future, creating a complex web that often dwarfs even universes like Star Wars in its chronological spread.
The AvP films are considered an "alternate timeline" or "non-canon" to the main continuities of Alien and Predator. This distinction is important for hardcore fans who meticulously track every detail. The Alien films, for instance, portray the Xenomorph as a relatively new discovery, with humanity largely unaware of its existence until the events of Alien (2122). Similarly, the Predator films, while showing a long history of hunts, don't feature Xenomorphs until the AvP crossover.
The AvP movies, however, establish that Predators have been visiting Earth for centuries, specifically to hunt Xenomorphs, which they cultishly refer to as "the perfect prey." This long history directly contradicts the narrative presented in the main Alien films. Therefore, while you can certainly enjoy the AvP films for what they are, don't expect their events to be referenced or to influence the plots of other Alien or Predator movies. Think of them as a fantastic "What If?" scenario that got its own cinematic universe.
Chronologically, the AvP films are set in 2004 (and immediately after, for Requiem). This places them after the events of Prey (1719), Predator (1987), and Predator 2 (1997) in the meta-timeline that attempts to encompass all films. However, they occur long before the Prometheus (2093) and Alien (2122) films, let alone the far-future events of Alien: Resurrection (2381) or the recently announced Predator: Badlands (24th/25th Century). This broad chronological spread is why the concept of a single, unifying Alien and Predator timeline is so complex, and why the AvP films are best viewed as a self-contained story within that larger, fractured universe.
Common Questions from Fellow Fans
It’s natural to have questions when dealing with such iconic creatures and overlapping stories. Here are some of the most frequent inquiries about the Alien vs. Predator films.
Are the AvP movies canon to Alien or Predator?
No, the Alien vs. Predator films are not considered canon to the primary Alien or Predator film continuities. They exist in their own alternate timeline. This means that the events, character relationships, and lore introduced in AVP and Requiem do not directly affect or are referenced in films like Alien, Prometheus, Prey, or The Predator. They provide a fun, standalone crossover story without altering the established narratives of their parent franchises.
What is a PredAlien?
A PredAlien is a terrifying and powerful hybrid creature resulting from a Facehugger impregnating a Predator. It was first introduced in the Alien vs. Predator comics and made its cinematic debut in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem. The PredAlien combines physical traits from both species: it has the general body shape and mandibles of a Predator, but the inner jaw, skin texture, and brutal life cycle of a Xenomorph. Crucially, the PredAlien is also capable of directly implanting multiple embryos into hosts orally, making it an even more efficient and dangerous threat than a regular Alien Queen. It represents the ultimate fusion of two deadly species.
Will there be an Alien vs. Predator 3?
As of now, there are no concrete plans for an Alien vs. Predator 3. While rumors and fan desires for a third installment have persisted for years, both 20th Century Studios (now part of Disney) and the creative teams behind the individual Alien and Predator franchises seem focused on developing projects within their respective core continuities. Films like Alien: Romulus and new Predator entries by directors like Dan Trachtenberg (who directed Prey) suggest a preference for revitalizing each series separately. The alternate timeline status of the AvP films also makes a direct sequel less likely in the near future.
Which movie should I watch first: Alien, Predator, or Alien vs. Predator?
If your goal is specifically to watch the Alien vs. Predator crossover films, start with AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004), followed by Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007). These two films tell their own complete story.
If you want to dive into the entire universe, it's generally recommended to start with the original Alien and Predator films before venturing into the AvP crossovers. A good starting point would be:
- For Alien: Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986).
- For Predator: Predator (1987) and Predator 2 (1990).
- Then, if you're curious about the crossover, watch the two AvP films. This approach helps you appreciate the individual strengths of each species before seeing them collide.
Navigating Your Next Hunt: A Viewing Strategy
So, you're ready to experience the epic showdown. Here’s how to approach the Alien vs Predator film order and what to consider next.
Step 1: The AvP Double Feature
Start with AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004) and then immediately follow it with Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007). This will give you the complete, contained story arc of the crossover films. You’ll witness the initial discovery, the ancient rivalry, and the brutal consequences of bringing these two species together on Earth.
Step 2: Where to Watch
Both AVP: Alien vs. Predator and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem are generally available on major streaming platforms (often via subscription services or for rent/purchase). Keep an eye on services like Hulu, Max, or Disney+ (due to 20th Century Studios' acquisition by Disney) in the US, as their availability can rotate.
Step 3: What if You Want More?
If the AvP films leave you craving more Xenomorphs or Yautja, you have a vast universe to explore:
- For more Xenomorphs: Dive into the main Alien saga. Begin with Ridley Scott's original Alien (1979) and James Cameron's action-packed sequel Aliens (1986). From there, you can explore Alien 3, Alien: Resurrection, and the prequels Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. The newest entry, Alien: Romulus, is set to refresh the timeline.
- For more Yautja: Check out the core Predator series. John McTiernan's Predator (1987) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger is a classic. Follow it up with Predator 2 (1990), Predators (2010), and Shane Black's The Predator (2018). For a truly fresh take, don't miss Dan Trachtenberg's critically acclaimed prequel, Prey (2022), set centuries earlier.
- For a deeper dive into the full Alien vs Predator film order, including every movie from both parent franchises, there are many detailed guides available online. Just be prepared for a long, winding, and often debated journey through multiple timelines!
The Enduring Legacy of the Crossover
Despite their non-canon status within their parent franchises, the Alien vs. Predator films hold a special place in the hearts of many fans. They delivered on a long-standing promise, bringing two of cinema's most terrifying creatures together in a direct, no-holds-barred confrontation. They explored new facets of the Predator culture and introduced the chilling PredAlien, adding another layer of horror to the Xenomorph's already terrifying life cycle.
The simplicity of the Alien vs. Predator: Film Release Date Order means that anyone can jump in and enjoy this unique chapter of sci-fi horror. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a curious newcomer, the AvP films offer a thrilling spectacle that solidifies the enduring appeal of these iconic aliens. So, prepare for the hunt, and enjoy the ride.