MOVIHERO
Home/Discover/Alien
Alien movie poster

MOVIE DECISION GUIDE

Alien

1979 · 1h 57m · Science Fiction · Horror

MOVIHERO READ

Steady science fiction with a balanced watch profile. Best if you want a confident horror with a clearly defined tone.

92/100
MUST WATCH

WHAT IT'S ABOUT

During its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a chamber containing thousands of eggs on the planet, a creature inside one of the eggs attacks an explorer. The entire crew is unaware of the impending nightmare set to descend upon them when the alien parasite planted inside its unfortunate host is birthed.

Watch NowWatch trailer
92/100
MUST WATCH
MUST WATCHDuring its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a cham…

MAKE THE CALL

Does this belong in your night?

A decision, not a review. Choose the kind of night you want and keep your queue honest.

WHY THIS MIGHT BE FOR YOU

01The setup points to a horror / science fiction story with a clear genre identity
02A fuller 117-minute runtime and a more measured watch than a pure momentum movie define the practical movie-night fit
03Its 8.2/10 TMDB audience score across 16,828 votes gives the recommendation a meaningful crowd signal

MOVIHERO EDITORIAL

Should you watch Alien?

Alien belongs in your night if you want a horror movie with a clearly defined tone. It is a more measured watch than a pure momentum movie, with a fuller 117-minute runtime, and the Watch Profile puts attention at 6/10 and emotional impact at 4/10. The signals are strong enough to make this one of the easier calls in the queue.

WATCH NOW

Watch Alien

Compare reported U.S. streaming, free, rental and purchase options in one place.

United States

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Prime trial offer is for eligible customers. Amazon terms and pricing can change; confirm the current offer before starting a trial.

Availability by JustWatch.

PERFECT IF

01you want a horror movie with a clearly defined tone
02you want a more measured watch than a pure momentum movie
03you want something that looks easy to revisit later

THINK TWICE IF

01this genre is not what you are in the mood for
02you want a very different pacing profile tonight
03you are avoiding strong scares

WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE

Watch Profile

Seven signals for the experience itself — from the pace of the night to how much attention it asks from you.

Pacing5/10
Emotional Impact4/10
Mind-Bending5/10
Scary7/10
Violence4/10
Rewatchability7/10
Attention Required6/10
Alien still

WATCH A PREVIEW

Trailer

A CLOSER LOOK

Stay with the image.

Alien still 1Alien still 2Alien still 3Alien still 4Alien still 5

CAST & CREW

The people who make it land.

Ridley Scott portrait
Ridley ScottDirector
Tom Skerritt portrait
Tom SkerrittDallas
Sigourney Weaver portrait
Sigourney WeaverRipley
Veronica Cartwright portrait
Veronica CartwrightLambert
Harry Dean Stanton portrait
Harry Dean StantonBrett
John Hurt portrait
John HurtKane
Ian Holm portrait
Ian HolmAsh
Yaphet Kotto portrait
Yaphet KottoParker
Bolaji Badejo portrait
Bolaji BadejoAlien
Helen Horton portrait
Helen HortonMother (voice)