X
- 1979
- R
- Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
- 1 h 57 m
- 1979
- R
- Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
- 1 h 57 m
Summary For the first time in nearly a quarter-century, Alien returns to the big screen with a digitally remastered special edition of director Ridley Scott's science fiction/horror classic. [Fox]
Directed By: Ridley Scott
Written By: Dan O'Bannon, Ronald Shusett
- 1979
- R
- Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
- 1 h 57 m
- 1979
- R
- Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
- 1 h 57 m
Alien
8.9
Where to Watch
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Summary For the first time in nearly a quarter-century, Alien returns to the big screen with a digitally remastered special edition of director Ridley Scott's science fiction/horror classic. [Fox]
Directed By: Ridley Scott
Written By: Dan O'Bannon, Ronald Shusett
Where to Watch
Coming Soon
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 34 Critic Reviews
89
91% Positive
31 Reviews
31 Reviews
3% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
6% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 34 Critic Reviews
89
91% Positive
31 Reviews
31 Reviews
3% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
6% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Just as Ripley is the female action hero against whom all others are judged, so the alien itself, brilliantly conceived by HR Giger and, equally brilliantly, concealed by Scott and kept in shadow for much of the film, is one of the most terrifying monsters in cinema history.
Ridley Scott's direction seems even better than remembered, starting off languidly and picking up speed as the horrors mount. [2003 re-release]
By Lewis Beale FULL REVIEW
User Score
Universal Acclaim Based on 1,393 User Ratings
8.9
95% Positive
1328 Ratings
1328 Ratings
3% Mixed
44 Ratings
44 Ratings
2% Negative
21 Ratings
21 Ratings
User Score
Universal Acclaim Based on 1,393 User Ratings
8.9
95% Positive
1328 Ratings
1328 Ratings
3% Mixed
44 Ratings
44 Ratings
2% Negative
21 Ratings
21 Ratings
One of the great strengths of Alien is its pacing. It takes its time. It waits. It allows silences (the majestic opening shots are underscored by Jerry Goldsmith with scarcely audible, far-off metallic chatterings).
This edition -- clean and tight as Scott would have it -- presents a strong case for Alien as both the greatest horror film and the greatest science-fiction film ever made.
A landmark film, the unnecessary tinkering has not perceptibly harmed its overall effectiveness and it's a special Halloween treat to see it digitally spruced up and on the big screen for the first time in 25 years.
Alien, even with some scene tinkering that has left this "director's cut" one minute shorter than its original release, is still one of the creepiest, scariest, most shocking films ever.
An empty-headed horror movie (1979) with nothing to recommend it beyond the disco-inspired art direction and some handsome, if gimmicky, cinematography.
Aug 23, 2025
Greetings from Lithuania.
"Alien" (1979) is a masterpiece, pure and simple. If there is still anyone who somehow haven't seen it (i can't imagine how could that be even possible), do your self a favor a watch it, not with your friends on Friday evening, but alone and let this movie blow you away. I saw this picture for many times in my life: on VHS, TV, DVD, Blu Ray and finally on 4K UHD disk, as well as on my 2m x 2m screen projector with all sound system ready to roll. This is timeless film because of many things. The atmosphere, the rising tension, the craftsmanship of the scenes, acting - it all works here because they are not overplayed, and build on seemingly simple approach. 15 minutes into this movie again i caught myself that i forgot everything and i was in there, with them. Thats because of the script, directing, acting - it's all in the first place here, not settings, which still looks great - a bit dated, maybe, but it's not Star Wars type movie were visuals have to be sharp - "Alien" shows things in shadows, moody style to create feeling of uncertainty, and it does it brilliantly - that is why this movie is never going to age. Please don't ever compare it to even superior (in my opinion) "Aliens" - "Alien" is different kind of a movie, it's purpose was to scare people with deadly and very claustrophobic atmosphere, settings and the creature itself, to feel people uncomfortable (in a good way) knowing that no one is safe here and around every corner there could be your end - just look at the close ups near the end of the movie, or shoots where camera is showing person and a deep dark space behind him, thats were imagination starts to fill the darkness.Overall, 10/10 for one of the greatest achievements in the art of movie making.
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Nov 14, 2024
I understand this film is a classic that broke new ground. I wish I had seen it earlier, because by the time I watched it, none of it 'stood out' as amazing.
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May 10, 2024
it looked like something interesting was gonna happen at certain points throughout the movie but barely anything happened. there was no character building or motivations or challenges that were overcome and the plot was just a series of events happening but i did like the plot twist so thats the 1 point i will give it as well as the xenomorph being pretty cool. honestly psycho was better cause that film at least had the shower scene but this film had barely anything to keep me engaged
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Production Company
- Twentieth Century Fox
- Brandywine Productions
- Scott Free Productions
- Pinewood Shepperton Studios
Release Date Jun 22, 1979
Duration 1 h 57 m
Rating R
Tagline In space no one can hear you scream.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 4 Wins & 9 Nominations
