When does Romulus take place? Alien timeline explained

Alien: Romulus is a new movie in one of sci-fi’s most successful and enduring franchises – here’s where it fits in the overarching timeline.

The Alien series has been missing in action since Covenant some seven years ago, but now the franchise is back with Alien: Romulus, via horror helmer Fede Alvarez, and his longtime collaborator and co-writer Rodo Sayagues.

Starring a fresh-faced cast that includes Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced, David Johnson, Aileen Wu, and Archie Renaux, the film focuses on a young group of space colonists who discover a seemingly empty space station.

But while scavenging the construction, they stumble on a deadly creature that will stop at nothing to survive. Alien and Aliens placed on our list of best horror movies and best sci-fi movies, so Alien: Romulus had lots to live up to.

When does Alien Romulus take place?

Alien: Romulus takes place between the events of Alien and Aliens, and it’s believed to be set in 2142.

When the film was first announced by The Hollywood Reporter in March 2022, sources described the movie as “unconnected to the previous movies.” While 20th Century Studios’ Steve Asbell said Fede Alvarez’s pitch was “just a really good story with a bunch of characters you haven’t seen before.”

Then in November 2023, star Cailee Spaeny told Variety that Alien Romulus is “supposed to slot in between the first movie and the second movie.” She added that there’s a connection to a previous movie, at least behind the scenes:

“They brought the same team from Aliens, the James Cameron film,” Spaeny explained. “The same people who built those xenomorphs actually came on and built ours. So getting to see the original design with the original people who have been working on these films for 45-plus years and has been so much of their life has been really incredible.”

Fede Alvarez got more specific about the Alien: Romulus timeline at a London event in June 2024, where he told the press that the film takes place about 20 years after the events of Alien, meaning around the year 2142.

“It was mostly something that made sense for a premise, that it needed to take place a few years after the first one. I don’t know why I keep hearing that, maybe because I said it, that it takes place between 1 and 2,” said Alvarez. “It’s true, but I see it more as it takes place after 1.”

Alvarez then added: “It’s kind of the child of both movies combined visually, aesthetically, and story-wise.”

Alien timeline in chronological order

These are the Alien movies in chronological order, including the year in which they are set. We’ve included the Alien vs Predator movies as they do include Facehuggers/Xenomorphs.

• Alien vs. Predator (2004)
• Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2004)
• Prometheus (2089/2093)
• Alien: Covenant (2104)
• Alien (2122)
• Alien Romulus (approximately 2142)
• Aliens (2179)
• Alien 3 (2179)
• Alien: Resurrection (2381)

Movies in order of release

Here are those same movies in order of release, including the year they first hit screens.

• Alien (1979)
• Aliens (1986)
• Alien 3 (1992)
• Alien Resurrection (1997)
• AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
• Alien vs Predator: Requiem (2007)
• Prometheus (2012)
• Alien: Covenant: (2017)
• Alien Romulus (2024)

Where to watch the Alien movies

The Alien movies were made by 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios) which is now part of the Disney empire, meaning the Alien movies can be watched on Hulu in the US and Disney+ elsewhere.

Aliens is also currently streaming on Max in the States, while all the Alien movies are available to rent on Prime Video and Apple TV+.

You can also buy the new Alien popcorn bucket. Until then you can head here for more new movies releasing this month. Or check out the biggest box office hits of 2024 and Alien Romulus post-credit scene.