Alright, space explorers! If you're diving into the terrifying world of Alien: Isolation, you're probably wondering about the movies that set the stage for this survival horror masterpiece. Knowing the Alien movie order is key to understanding the game's atmosphere, characters, and the sheer dread of facing a Xenomorph. So, let's break down the Alien movie order and how they connect with the game, ensuring you're fully prepped for the suspense.

The Core Alien Movie Series: Where It All Began

This series is the foundation upon which the game Alien: Isolation is built. Knowing these movies is absolutely essential if you want to understand the game's environment. The following films will help you understand the universe of the game.

Alien (1979): The Origin of the Nightmare

Alien is where the iconic franchise kicked off. This is the OG, the one that started it all, directed by Ridley Scott. A commercial towing spaceship, the Nostromo, intercepts a distress call. The crew, including Ellen Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver), discovers a derelict spacecraft on a nearby moon. They stumble upon a nest of eggs, and a facehugger leaps out and attaches itself to a crew member, Kane. Thus, the Xenomorph, the perfect organism, is born, beginning the crew's fight for survival against the ruthless and seemingly unstoppable alien. The film is a masterclass in suspense, using shadows, tight spaces, and a slow burn to build unbearable tension. It established the core elements of the franchise, from the creature's design to the corporate greed of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Watching Alien first is a must; it sets the tone and introduces the creature that Amanda Ripley is so desperately trying to avoid in Alien: Isolation.

Aliens (1986): More Guns, More Aliens

James Cameron's Aliens is the action-packed sequel that takes a different approach. After surviving the Nostromo incident, Ripley is rescued, only to find herself back in the thick of it. The movie follows a group of Colonial Marines as they are sent to investigate a colony on the planet LV-426, now infested with Xenomorphs and their queen. This film brings in heavier action, more Xenomorphs, and the introduction of a new weapon. It also has the first appearance of the Alien Queen. Aliens expands the universe, offering a deeper understanding of the Xenomorph's life cycle and the military's response to the threat. While Alien focuses on a single creature, Aliens shows the scope of the Xenomorph threat. This sequel is essential viewing because it establishes the future of the franchise and how dangerous this creature is. Moreover, it expands on the character of Ripley, who becomes a mother figure to Newt. Knowing this film is essential for understanding the context of Amanda Ripley’s story and her relentless search for her mother.

Alien 3 (1992): The Downfall

Alien 3 brought a darker tone to the franchise. The movie continues the story of Ripley, now stranded on a prison planet after the events of Aliens. A Xenomorph is once again wreaking havoc, and Ripley must team up with the prisoners to survive. Alien 3 is known for its grim atmosphere and the sacrifice Ripley makes. Despite the film's mixed reception, it continues the overarching storyline of the franchise. It has the first appearance of the dog/xenomorph hybrid. However, many fans think this movie is unnecessary. Its role in the story is the destruction of Ripley and the Xenomorph threat. However, the film is essential to knowing the franchise's full scope.

Alien Resurrection (1997): A Clone's Tale

In Alien Resurrection, the Xenomorph threat continues. Set 200 years after Alien 3, Ripley is resurrected as a clone, and the Xenomorph threat continues. This movie explores themes of cloning and genetic manipulation. It features a new type of Xenomorph. However, the movie is a departure from the previous installments. Many fans did not like the movie because of its new changes and the direction of the storyline. It is only included if you're a die-hard fan looking to experience the complete cinematic universe, but it’s not crucial for understanding Alien: Isolation.

The Prequels: Expanding the Universe

The prequels offer more context to the events and the mysterious Weyland-Yutani Corporation.

Prometheus (2012): The Engineers Revealed

Prometheus serves as a prequel, exploring the origins of the Xenomorphs and the creators, the Engineers. The crew of the Prometheus travels to a distant moon to find the origins of humanity. The film delves into the themes of creation, evolution, and the nature of life. Prometheus sets the stage for the Xenomorph's origins. Although not directly involving the Xenomorphs, it expands the universe and answers the question of their origins. Prometheus provides insight into the world of the Alien universe.

Alien: Covenant (2017): More Xenomorphs

Alien: Covenant continues the story from Prometheus and shows the next chapter. The crew of the colony ship Covenant discovers a planet. However, they soon find that the planet holds a dark secret. The film features the Xenomorph and explores its lifecycle in more detail. Alien: Covenant provides the context and deeper understanding of the events in the game Alien: Isolation.

The Connection to Alien: Isolation

So, how do these movies connect with Alien: Isolation? The game is set 15 years after the events of Alien, so watching the first film is a must. The game's storyline involves Amanda Ripley, Ellen Ripley's daughter, as she investigates the disappearance of her mother. The game is the direct continuation of the events in the first movie. The game follows her as she travels to the Sevastopol Station to find out what happened to her mother. The game's atmosphere, the fear of the unknown, and the desperate fight for survival echo the first movie's themes. The game features the Xenomorph's intelligence, stealth, and lethal nature. Playing Alien: Isolation after seeing Alien allows you to experience the game as an extension of the first film, enhancing the fear and tension. The game perfectly captures the essence of the franchise, using the same design and environmental design.

The Recommended Watch Order For the Best Experience

Here’s a recommended Alien movie order to help you prepare for the game and deepen your experience:

1. Alien (1979): The original, to understand the core story and the Xenomorph. This movie is essential.
2. Aliens (1986): To understand more of the scope of the Xenomorph threat and the expansion of the Alien universe.
3. Alien 3 (1992): Provides the next stage of the timeline. But you can skip this if you're not in the mood for the downer tone.
4. Prometheus (2012): If you want to dive deeper into the universe's origins.
5. Alien: Covenant (2017): To understand more details in the origins of the Xenomorph.
6. Alien Resurrection (1997): For the complete cinematic experience, but not critical to understanding the core story.

This order ensures that you experience the core story. It offers you the most comprehensive understanding of the game's context. After this, you are ready to face the terror of Alien: Isolation. Now go forth, and don't get killed out there! Good luck, and have fun playing the game. Remember, in space, no one can hear you scream.