Alien

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Alien

R

1979

1h 56m

Sci-Fi

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

207 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In deep space, the crew of the commercial starship Nostromo is awakened from their cryo-sleep capsules halfway through their journey home to investigate a distress call from an alien vessel. The terror begins when the crew encounters a nest of eggs inside the alien ship. An organism from inside an egg leaps out and attaches itself to one of the crew, causing him to fall into a coma.

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Critics Consensus

A modern classic, Alien blends science fiction, horror and bleak poetry into a seamless whole.

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Jack Kroll

Newsweek

Alien will scare the peanuts right out of your M&M's. It was about time someone made a science-fiction thriller that thrills... and just boils everything down to the pure, ravishingly vulgar essence of fright.

Nov 16, 2023

Full Review

Elston Brooks

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

You can have Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and 2001. I'll take Alien.

Nov 16, 2023

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Desmond Ryan

Philadelphia Inquirer

Miss Weaver, a New York actress making her film debut, makes the most of the opportunity without overdoing it. She suggests toughness and fear in equal measure.

Nov 16, 2023

Full Review

David Day

Horror Movie Talk

Alien is one of the most impressive pieces of cinema in history. It set the bar so high for horror and sci-fi that I think it’s still the apex of both. Every single aspect of this movie is carefully thought-out and crafted to the highest of standards.

Rated: 10/10

Sep 18, 2025

Full Review

Mat Brunet

AniMat's Review (YouTube)

They'll save all the complexities for what you see visually, but in terms of the premise, all it needs is just a monster, a spaceship, a bunch of people, and let things fly out as it is, especially with the focus on the survival aspect.

Rated: 9/10

Aug 29, 2025

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

It is scary but fun scary. It is one of the finest films in that genre ever made

Aug 15, 2025

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VictorHFerr

AWESOME SCIFI/HORROR FILM BY DIRECTOR RIDLEY SCOTT!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/08/25

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Jeremiah

My all time favorite film. it needs no justification. watch and see the genius of true horror.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/28/24

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Aaron Bacchus

A Horror Classic. The beat in the series. A must watch for all !!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/24/24

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Alfred L

A great 70's Sci Fi movie definitely worth a watch it has many great scenes including when the chestburster just brutally burst through dude's Chest also great acting nothing can compare to thao in the franchise

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/21/25

Full Review

Jack F

Definitely a film for cool geeks and nerds. I can't believe it was made in the 70s. I can't even imagine how much money this thing made, my goodness. And I would not classify it as horror. It's science fiction and thriller.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/17/25

Full Review

Stathis K

Story: 9.5/10 – A tense, slow-burn sci-fi horror masterpiece. The crew’s isolation, the unknown threat, and the claustrophobic setting create an unforgettable narrative full of suspense and terror. Visuals / Atmosphere: 10/10 – Ridley Scott’s vision of the Nostromo and the alien environments is iconic. Dark, industrial, and eerily realistic, it’s a world you won’t forget. Action / Suspense: 10/10 – Every scene builds tension perfectly. The alien encounters are terrifying, and the pacing keeps you on edge throughout. Soundtrack / Sound Design: 9.5/10 – Jerry Goldsmith’s score and the atmospheric sound design amplify the dread, making every creak and hiss unnerving. Performances: 9/10 – Sigourney Weaver shines as Ripley, delivering a strong, believable, and groundbreaking female lead. The supporting cast adds authenticity and tension. Overall: 9.6/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/16/25

Full Review

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Ridley Scott

Director

Tom Skerritt

Captain A.J. Dallas

Sigourney Weaver

Warrant Officer Lt. Ellen L. Ripley

John Hurt

Engineer G.W. Kane

Veronica Cartwright

Navigator J.M. Lambert

Harry Dean Stanton

Engineering Technician S.E. Brett

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Synopsis

In deep space, the crew of the commercial starship Nostromo is awakened from their cryo-sleep capsules halfway through their journey home to investigate a distress call from an alien vessel. The terror begins when the crew encounters a nest of eggs inside the alien ship. An organism from inside an egg leaps out and attaches itself to one of the crew, causing him to fall into a coma.

Director: Ridley Scott
Producer: David Giler, Gordon Carroll, Walter Hill
Screenwriter: Dan O'Bannon, Ronald Shusett
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox, Brandywine Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 25, 1979, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Apr 26, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 2, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $82.6M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1), 70mm

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