Alien

R

Released May 25, 1979

1h 57m

Sci-Fi

Horror

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List

93%

198 Reviews

Tomatometer

94%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Stephen N

Start of my love of sci Fi and one of the greatest starts to one of the greatest series ever created

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/04/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Not sure why I felt like this one was so boring but, Ripley and the xenomorph’s battles was one of the only things I thought was interesting.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/04/24

Full Review

Nol P

I finally am able to review this film! I watched Alien way back in 1981 I do believe when it was on the awesome original Super Channel. I never saw it in the theatres in 1979 as I was too young! I was so very thankful that they re-released this in theatres for its 45 yr anniversary! Just saw tonight at the amazing Grand 10 here in Kelowna. Ripley is so calm and cool and played so very well by Weaver. The whole movie is so interesting and in the late 70's and early 80's there were tons of good sci fi films made from this Alien movie to Star Wars in 1977 to Blade Runner in 1982 to the Thing and of course the original Star Trek movie too. To name only a few! What a nice experience tonight and except for this one movie patron guy cling clanging things and opening up a couple beers, most other guests were quiet and respectful and I like that as it makes for a nice overall experience. Was thankful for tonight! The original Alien, rating wise, gets a solid 8.5 out of 10! They had zero CGI back then and yet the story and interest level made it work big time! Plus some amazing movie sets approved by Ridley Scott. Alien as well set the tone nicely too for an even more powerful and more exciting Aliens which is a 9 out of 10.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/03/24

Full Review

Claudio C

A well-crafted sci-fi horror movie. Every detail contributes to an epic and thrilling end. Amazing direction and performances, specially by Sigourney Weaver.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/03/24

Full Review

Christian W

Another favorite of mine, the tension in this movie and the slow build up and reveal of our creature/monster. Ridley Scott blends horror and science fiction into one and then gives it the action chef's kiss. Sigourney Weaver has never been better in any role and never have you been rooting for a character who keeps making the right choices.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/02/24

Full Review

Ariel V

One of the best films from the 70's.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/02/24

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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Alien: 45th Anniversary Re-Release Trailer 1

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Alien: Trailer 1

1:10

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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

Full Review

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

Mark Hughes

Forbes

The beauty, the scale, and the artistic vision Scott brings to Alien go beyond filmmaking and into the ambitious realm of myth-making that burned a permanent, glorious scar on the memory and psyche of the world.

May 2, 2024

Full Review

Casey Chong

Casey's Movie Mania

Still a masterpiece of slow-burning dread and terror.

Rated: 5/5

Apr 26, 2024

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast

Simply one of the best at being terrifying with the random unknown disconnected from any necessary lore.

Jan 18, 2024

Full Review

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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: Ronald Shusett
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 57m
Sound Mix: Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1), 70mm

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