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Aliens

Play trailer 1:55 Poster for Aliens R Released Jul 18, 1986 2h 17m Sci-Fi Horror Action Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 142 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
After floating in space for 57 years, Lt. Ripley's (Sigourney Weaver) shuttle is found by a deep space salvage team. Upon arriving at LV-426, the marines find only one survivor, a nine year old girl named Newt (Carrie Henn). But even these battle-hardened marines with all the latest weaponry are no match for the hundreds of aliens that have invaded the colony.
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Aliens

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Critics Consensus

While Alien was a marvel of slow-building, atmospheric tension, Aliens packs a much more visceral punch, and features a typically strong performance from Sigourney Weaver.

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Critics Reviews

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Scott Cain Atlanta Journal-Constitution Let's not mince words: Aliens is the greatest horror movie since Frankenstein. Here is a rare instance in which a sequel is infinitely superior to the original. Alien, the 1979 thriller, now seems like a preliminary sketch. Jul 30, 2024 Full Review Mike McGrady Newsday Cameron is a master of machinery and weaponry, a technical wizard who replaces Scott's refinement with his own kind of muscularity... But with either film, you leave the theater drained, physically exhausted, well-rewarded for all your suffering. Rated: 3.5/4 Jul 30, 2024 Full Review Jay Maeder New York Daily News The long-awaited sequel to Alien proves to be an extraordinary treat, as perfectly realized a thrill-a-second screamer as has ever come along. Rated: 4/4 Jul 30, 2024 Full Review Joe Lipsett Horror Queers Podcast From the small character details to the massive set-pieces, Cameron expands the Alien mythology and switches sub genres seamlessly. It truly is a perfect sequel. Rated: 4.5/5 Aug 16, 2024 Full Review Casey Chong Casey's Movie Mania [James Cameron] takes the franchise in another direction by raising the stakes and turning the sequel into an action-packed, war epic [while] retaining the dread-inducing feel and tone of the first movie. Rated: 5/5 Aug 15, 2024 Full Review Lou Lumenick Bergen Record (New Jersey) What can I say? Aliens is the scariest and most exciting movie I've seen in several years. My adrenalin was still racing an hour later. It's involving. It has well-drawn characters. It has consistency. And Sigourney Weaver gives a dazzling performance. Jul 30, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Charlie M Just constant tension and fun action, Ripley is badass. Great movie. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/18/25 Full Review Petar V "Get away From here you BITCH!" Instant classic. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/15/25 Full Review Kim H The masterpiece! It's says everything of the era this movie was made in. All military style. The Xenomorph steals the show, together with Ripley. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/12/25 Full Review Jordy M James Cameron's *Aliens*, the sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1979 *Alien*, expands the universe in both scale and ambition. Set decades after the events of the original, this installment trades the slow-burn horror of the first film for a high-octane action-thriller tone—without completely abandoning the psychological unease that made the original iconic. Technically speaking, the film is a product of its time—both in impressive and occasionally jarring ways. While the special effects and miniature models show remarkable craftsmanship for the mid-1980s, some of the space compositions now feel dated, particularly when different visual layers fail to convincingly blend into a single frame. Yet in many instances, especially within the spacecraft interiors and alien-infested corridors, the immersion remains strong. The art direction shines with detailed sets, practical effects, and weapons that feel both futuristic and gritty. The powered exosuit, for example, remains an iconic piece of sci-fi machinery, even if the illusion briefly falters. Sigourney Weaver returns as Ellen Ripley, this time with a broader emotional arc. Initially skeptical and weary, her reluctant heroism evolves as she forms a protective bond with a young girl named Newt (Carrie Henn), providing the film with its emotional core. Though some character motivations can feel sudden or underdeveloped, Ripley’s maternal connection to Newt injects depth into a cast that is otherwise composed of stereotypical military tough guys. That said, performances are a mixed bag. Some characters fall into melodramatic or theatrical territory, diminishing the realism. A few supporting actors stand out, but many fall victim to flat dialogue and rushed development. Still, there are moments—particularly in the second half—where the emotional stakes rise and the tension becomes palpably gripping. Thematically, *Aliens* retains some of the corporate cynicism from the first film, highlighting human greed and manipulation, especially through characters like Burke (Paul Reiser). However, the film’s strength lies more in its pacing during the final hour, where suspense, action, and character urgency finally align. It's in this stretch that *Aliens* finds its stride, delivering memorable sequences that justify its reputation. While the plot sometimes relies on convenient or questionable logic, especially regarding the colony’s survival and the underexplained technological limitations, the payoff in tension and action compensates for early narrative weaknesses. And though it mirrors the structure of its predecessor a bit too closely in parts, it does so with enough visual flair and thematic continuity to feel like a natural evolution rather than a mere retread. In conclusion, *Aliens* is an ambitious sequel that, while imperfect, manages to build upon the legacy of the original. It offers enough thrills, practical effects, and emotional stakes to keep viewers invested—especially those willing to forgive some uneven acting and plot contrivances. If anything, it sets a compelling foundation for future entries in the franchise. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/02/25 Full Review Stephen C A successful sequel movie in 2 hours and 17 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/30/25 Full Review Nick O More gore, more guns, more Sigourney and more ALIENS! Everything a sequel should be. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/29/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Aliens

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Movie Info

Synopsis After floating in space for 57 years, Lt. Ripley's (Sigourney Weaver) shuttle is found by a deep space salvage team. Upon arriving at LV-426, the marines find only one survivor, a nine year old girl named Newt (Carrie Henn). But even these battle-hardened marines with all the latest weaponry are no match for the hundreds of aliens that have invaded the colony.
Director
James Cameron
Producer
Gale Anne Hurd
Screenwriter
James Cameron, David Giler
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox, Brandywine Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Sci-Fi, Horror, Action, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 18, 1986, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$77.6M
Runtime
2h 17m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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