Your Ultimate Combined Alien & Predator Universe Chronological Watch Order Guide

For decades, the Xenomorph and the Yautja – better known as the Alien and the Predator – have stalked the cinematic landscape, each a perfect killing machine in its own right. But what happens when their mythologies intertwine, spanning centuries and even galaxies? You're here because you want to experience the full, terrifying scope of their combined universes, from ancient hunts to the far-flung future, in a way that reveals their epic, interconnected story. This isn't just a list; it's your definitive guide to the Ultimate Combined Alien & Predator Universe Chronological Watch Order, designed to immerse you in a saga of survival, corporate greed, and the ultimate struggle between humanity, its creators, and two of the most iconic extraterrestrial species ever conceived.
Pull up a chair, grab your motion tracker, and let's dive into the lore.

At a Glance: Your Chronological Journey Prep

  • The Goal: Experience the Alien and Predator sagas as one continuous narrative, from ancient encounters to future conflicts.
  • The Challenge: The timelines are vast and sometimes messy, with prequels and upcoming releases continually reshaping the canon.
  • The Crossover Films: AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004) and AVPR: Alien vs. Predator - Requiem (2007) are generally considered non-canon to the main Alien and Predator timelines due to later prequel developments. We'll discuss where they fit if you choose to watch them.
  • Why Chronological? It highlights the evolution of both species, the deep history of their conflicts, and the insidious influence of entities like the Weyland-Yutani Corporation from their earliest appearances.
  • Upcoming Content: New films and TV series (like Alien: Earth, Alien: Romulus, Predator: Killer of Killers, and Predator: Badlands) are expanding this universe, making a chronological approach even more vital.

The Lore Unleashed: Why Chronological Matters (and What's At Stake)

From the moment the silent terror of the Xenomorph burst onto screens in 1979 to the brutal efficiency of the Predator's hunt in 1987, these two franchises have etched themselves into the DNA of science fiction. The Xenomorph, with its acid blood, inner jaw, and relentless pursuit, embodies pure, unadulterated terror. The Predator, a creature of honor and advanced technology, elevates hunting to an art form, respecting worthy prey even as it eviscerates them.
Initially distinct, their universes officially collided in comic books before making the leap to film with AVP: Alien vs. Predator. However, the subsequent prequel films like Prometheus and Prey have redefined the timelines, rendering the AVP films largely non-canonical in the grander, unified narrative. This means if you want the purest, most cohesive story, you'll need a specific map.
Watching these films and series in chronological order isn't just about lining up dates; it's about reimagining the entire saga as a single, sprawling epic. You'll witness the terrifying origins of the Xenomorphs through the eyes of their creators, track the Yautja's millennia-long interaction with humanity, and understand the insidious thread of corporate greed that weaves through both narratives. It's a fresh perspective, turning individual tales into chapters of a much larger, more terrifying book.
Of course, the classic release order has its own merits, preserving the original reveals, technological progression, and the build-up of suspense that audiences experienced firsthand. But for those craving a grand, interconnected lore experience, chronology is king. Let's build that definitive timeline.

Charting the Stars: The Complete Combined Alien & Predator Chronological Watch Order

This master list integrates all the known and upcoming films and TV series, mapping out the entire saga from ancient history to the far future. Get ready for a journey that spans millennia, detailing every encounter between humanity, Xenomorphs, and Predators.

  1. Predator: Killer of Killers (Viking Chapter) (c. 841 AD)
  • The very first known Predator encounter.
  1. Predator: Killer of Killers (Samurai Chapter) (c. 1609 AD)
  • Ancient warriors face the ultimate hunter.
  1. Prey (1719)
  • A Comanche warrior becomes one of humanity's earliest documented Predator foils.
  1. Predator: Killer of Killers (WWII Chapter) (c. 1940s)
  • A surprising, time-bending chapter featuring characters from across eras.
  1. Predator (1987)
  • The hunt begins in the jungles of Central America.
  1. Predator 2 (1997)
  • The urban jungle becomes the hunting grounds.
  1. Predators (Early 21st Century)
  • Humans become game on an alien preserve planet.
  1. The Predator (2018)
  • A more direct engagement with Predator technology and biology.
  1. Prometheus (2093)
  • Humanity seeks its creators, finding horror instead.
  1. Alien: Covenant (2104)
  • The devastating aftermath of 'Prometheus' and the chilling genesis of the Xenomorph.
  1. Alien: Earth (2120)
  • The terrifying creature arrives on humanity's home world.
  1. Alien (2122)
  • The classic, claustrophobic nightmare aboard the USCSS Nostromo.
  1. Alien: Romulus (Between 2122 and 2179)
  • A new crew discovers ancient terrors in the void between films.
  1. Aliens (2179)
  • Ripley returns to a world overwhelmed by the hive.
  1. Alien 3 (2179, shortly after Aliens)
  • A lone survivor confronts the beast in a prison colony.
  1. Alien: Resurrection (c. 2379)
  • Ripley is reborn, and the Xenomorph finds new forms.
  1. Predator: Badlands (Far Future, potentially post-2379)
  • A potential new crossroads on the Predator home world, hinting at future franchise integration.

Deep Dive: The Alien Saga – From Engineers to Ellen Ripley's Echoes

The Alien franchise traces a terrifying arc from humanity's earliest interstellar ventures to the far reaches of cloning technology. It's a story steeped in cosmic horror, corporate malfeasance, and the relentless, primal fear of the unknown.

  1. Prometheus (2012)
  • Year: 2093
  • Why it's first: This prequel directly explores the "Engineers," the mysterious beings behind humanity's creation and the Xenomorph's terrifying genesis. Starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender as the chilling android David 8, and Charlize Theron, it sets up the thematic questions of creation and destruction.
  • Expect: Philosophical questions, breathtaking visuals, and nightmare-inducing creatures that predate the classic Xenomorph.
  1. Alien: Covenant (2017)
  • Year: 2104
  • Why it's second: A direct sequel to Prometheus, this film showcases android David 8's horrifying experiments that directly lead to the Xenomorph we know. Michael Fassbender reprises his role alongside Katherine Waterston and Danny McBride, as a colony ship crew explores the darkest corners of space.
  • Expect: More answers about the Xenomorph's origins, graphic horror, and David's increasingly sinister agenda.
  1. Alien: Earth (2025)
  • Year: 2120
  • Why it's third: This groundbreaking TV series is set 16 years after Alien: Covenant and just two years before the original Alien. It marks the first time a Xenomorph crash-lands on Earth, forcing humanity to confront the threat directly. With Sydney Chandler as a human-android hybrid, it promises a fresh take on synthetics, corporate exploitation, and the raw terror of the Alien.
  • Expect: Earth-bound horror, new perspectives on the Xenomorph, and a deeper dive into synthetics.
  1. Alien (1979)
  • Year: 2122
  • Why it's fourth: The masterpiece that started it all. Starring Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, this film introduces the world to facehuggers, chestbursters, and the perfect organism itself. A routine cargo run turns into a claustrophobic fight for survival after a distress signal from an uncharted planet.
  • Expect: Groundbreaking sci-fi horror, incredible tension, and the birth of an iconic hero.
  1. Alien: Romulus (2024)
  • Year: Between 2122 and 2179 (specifically between Alien and Aliens)
  • Why it's fifth: This new film slots neatly into the timeline, following a group of young space colonists scavenging a derelict station who come face-to-face with the Xenomorph. With Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson, it aims to recapture the original film's intimate, terrifying scale.
  • Expect: Intense, contained horror, reminiscent of the original Alien, filling in a crucial gap in Ripley's journey.
  1. Aliens (1986)
  • Year: 2179
  • Why it's sixth: James Cameron's action-packed sequel sees Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) return to the Alien planet with a squad of Colonial Marines. The film amplifies the scale, introducing the Alien Queen and shifting the franchise toward an epic action-horror experience.
  • Expect: Explosive action, iconic characters like Hicks and Hudson, and a deeper exploration of the Xenomorph hive.
  1. Alien 3 (1992)
  • Year: 2179 (shortly after Aliens)
  • Why it's seventh: Ripley crash-lands on the maximum-security prison planet Fiorina 161, only to discover an Alien presence has followed her. This divisive film returns to a more claustrophobic, survival-focused horror, with Ripley facing her demons and a new kind of Xenomorph.
  • Expect: A bleak, philosophical tone, a unique Alien variant, and a powerful, tragic conclusion to Ripley's arc.
  1. Alien: Resurrection (1997)
  • Year: c. 2379
  • Why it's eighth: Set 200 years after Alien 3, this film brings Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) back through cloning, along with a hybrid Xenomorph. Co-starring Winona Ryder as a synthetic human, it pushes the boundaries of the franchise into new, often controversial, territory.
  • Expect: Bizarre creature designs, a blend of horror and action, and a unique take on Ripley's legacy.

Deep Dive: The Predator Hunt – Ancient Battles to Galactic Stalkers

The Predator films chronicle the exploits of the Yautja, an alien species driven by an ancient code of honor and the thrill of the hunt. Their story is one of relentless pursuit, technological prowess, and humanity's desperate fight against an apex predator.

  1. Predator: Killer of Killers (Viking Chapter) (2025)
  • Year: 841 AD (Scandinavia)
  • Why it's first: This animated anthology film takes us back to humanity's earliest known confrontations with the Yautja. The Viking chapter, featuring warrior Ursa, showcases a primal hunt in a brutal age.
  • Expect: Ancient warriors, raw action, and a glimpse into the Predator's long history on Earth.
  1. Predator: Killer of Killers (Samurai Chapter) (2025)
  • Year: 1609 AD (Japan)
  • Why it's second: Another chapter from the "Killer of Killers" anthology, this one features rival samurai brothers facing a Predator in feudal Japan. It highlights the Predator's preference for hunting capable warriors across different cultures and eras.
  • Expect: Culturally rich combat, martial arts vs. alien tech, and the Predator's enduring presence throughout history.
  1. Prey (2022)
  • Year: 1719
  • Why it's third: Set in the Comanche Nation, Prey is a masterclass in survival horror, showing Naru, a skilled Comanche warrior (Amber Midthunder), become one of the first humans to truly understand and defeat a Predator. It resets the franchise with a focus on primal instincts and ingenuity.
  • Expect: Stunning visuals, incredible suspense, and a grounded, powerful depiction of a Predator hunt.
  1. Predator: Killer of Killers (WWII Chapter) (2025)
  • Year: World War II (c. 1940s)
  • Why it's fourth: This final chapter of the anthology film brings together characters from earlier "Killer of Killers" and Prey in suspended animation during WWII's Battle of the Atlantic, forced into a new hunt by the Predators. It's a fascinating concept that binds these ancient stories together.
  • Expect: A unique crossover event, historical settings, and the ongoing saga of Predator interaction with human history.
  1. Predator (1987)
  • Year: 1987
  • Why it's fifth: The original classic, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Major Alan 'Dutch' Schaefer. A US Army Special Operations team on a rescue mission in a Central American jungle quickly realizes they are being hunted by something far deadlier than any human foe. This film defined the Predator's modus operandi.
  • Expect: Iconic one-liners, intense action, and the introduction of one of sci-fi's most formidable hunters.
  1. Predator 2 (1990)
  • Year: 1997
  • Why it's sixth: Set 10 years after the original, this sequel brings the hunt to the urban jungle of Los Angeles, where LAPD detective Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover) battles a new Predator amidst warring drug cartels. Crucially, it features a Xenomorph skull in the Predator trophy room, the first on-screen acknowledgment of a shared universe.
  • Expect: Expanded lore, a distinct urban setting, and the tantalizing hint of future crossovers.
  1. Predators (2010)
  • Year: Early 21st Century (post-1997, pre-2018)
  • Why it's seventh: A group of elite killers (led by Adrien Brody) are abducted and dropped onto an alien planet that serves as a game preserve for Predators. The film explores different Predator factions and the notion of humans as the ultimate prey.
  • Expect: High-octane action, a classic "most dangerous game" setup, and an exploration of different Predator hunting styles.
  1. The Predator (2018)
  • Year: 2018
  • Why it's eighth: This entry revisits Earth as a group of ex-soldiers and a scientist uncover a new, genetically enhanced Predator threat. It references earlier Predator films and even features a Xenomorph tail spear, solidifying its place in the broader lore.
  • Expect: Over-the-top action, new Predator variations, and deeper lore connections.
  1. Predator: Badlands (2025)
  • Year: Far Future (potentially post-2379)
  • Why it's ninth: Scheduled for a 2025 release, this film is set in the future and takes place on the Predator home world. Starring Elle Fanning as a synthetic created by Weyland-Yutani, it has the potential to be a significant crossover point, bringing the two franchises closer than ever before within the main canon.
  • Expect: Galactic exploration, an unprecedented look at the Yautja home, and hints of a full-scale Alien-Predator conflict within the established timeline.

The Crossroads That Weren't: Understanding the Alien vs. Predator Films

Before the deep lore dives of Prometheus and Prey redefined the timelines, two films attempted to bring the two iconic monsters together:

  • AVP: Alien vs Predator (2004)
  • AVPR: Alien vs Predator - Requiem (2007)
    These films posit an ancient history where Predators came to Earth to hunt Xenomorphs, using humans as hosts in a ritualistic hunt. While exciting at the time, later prequels like Prometheus (which established the Xenomorph's origins much later) and Prey (which depicted a much earlier, isolated Predator encounter with humanity) made the events of AVP irreconcilable with the main canonical timelines.
    So, where do they fit? If you choose to watch them, consider them a fun, standalone "Elseworlds" story. They offer a unique, non-canonical interpretation of a combined universe, but they won't align with the overarching narrative presented by the Prometheus, Covenant, Prey, and upcoming Alien: Earth and Predator: Badlands entries. Watch them for the spectacle, but understand they exist in their own separate continuity.

The Alternative Path: Why a Release Order Watch Still Shines

While our focus here is the chronological deep dive, it's worth acknowledging the traditional approach: watching the films in release order. This method offers a different, yet equally valid, experience:

  • Preserves Original Suspense: You experience the reveals and lore expansions exactly as audiences did, maintaining the original mystery.
  • Technological Evolution: You witness the progression of filmmaking technology and visual effects over time.
  • Narrative Build-up: The story naturally unfolds from the perspective of the creators, rather than being retroactively pieced together.
    If you ever decide to revisit the franchises or introduce a newcomer, the release order for Alien and Predator movie order is a fantastic alternative that respects the original journey.

Navigating the Future: Upcoming Entries and the Evolving Canon

The Alien and Predator universes are far from dormant. The ongoing development of new films and TV series (like those mentioned in our chronological list) means the canon is constantly evolving.

  • Alien: Earth (2025) and Alien: Romulus (2024) are poised to fill crucial gaps and provide fresh perspectives on the Xenomorph threat, bringing the creature to Earth for the first time in the main continuity.
  • Predator: Killer of Killers (2025) will continue to explore the Yautja's extensive history of interaction with humanity.
  • Predator: Badlands (2025) holds the most potential for a true, canonical crossover, potentially bridging the two timelines in the far future on the Predator homeworld, hinting at a new era of combined storytelling.
    Staying updated with official announcements will be key for any dedicated fan, as these new entries will further solidify (or perhaps complicate!) the ultimate chronological narrative.

Your Mission Briefing: Making the Most of Your Watch

Embarking on this ultimate combined chronological watch order is no small feat. Here are a few tips to enhance your journey:

  • Pace Yourself: This is a vast universe. Don't feel pressured to binge everything in one go. Take breaks, process the events, and discuss with fellow fans.
  • Pay Attention to Detail: Easter eggs, corporate logos (especially Weyland-Yutani), and subtle references gain new meaning when viewed chronologically. Watch for character connections, even across centuries.
  • Embrace the Tone Shifts: Be prepared for the tonal variations across films – from the slow-burn horror of Alien to the action spectacle of Aliens, and the raw survivalism of Prey. Each entry brings something unique to the table.
  • Keep an Open Mind for New Entries: The upcoming films and series are designed to expand the lore. Be ready for new twists on established myths and further connections between the two monster titans.
    This combined chronological watch order offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the Alien and Predator universes not just as individual stories, but as a single, sprawling epic. It’s a testament to the enduring power of these creatures and the rich, terrifying worlds they inhabit. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a curious newcomer, prepare for a journey into the heart of darkness, where the hunt is eternal and survival is never guaranteed.