You're probably itching for that classic, metallic thrum of a motion tracker. Honestly, after the absolute ride that was Alien: Romulus last year, it’s only natural to be asking: when does the alien movie come out? Well, it’s 2026, and the franchise is arguably in its healthiest state since the late eighties. We aren't just looking at one release window; we are looking at a multi-pronged assault of facehuggers and corporate greed across both the big and small screens.
The Romulus Sequel: What’s the Hold-up?
If you were expecting a 2025 release, you weren't alone. Early last year, Fede Álvarez—the guy who basically saved the franchise with Romulus—was talking a big game about shooting a sequel immediately. He wanted to "strike while the iron was hot." But Hollywood is never that simple.
Here is the current reality. Fede Álvarez and Rodo Sayagues finished the script for the Alien: Romulus sequel (often referred to as Romulus 2 in fan circles) late in 2025. However, in a move that shocked a lot of us, Fede decided he wasn’t going to direct it. He’s staying on as a producer alongside the legendary Ridley Scott, but he’s "passing the baton" to a new filmmaker.
So, when does it actually come out? Because they had to hunt for a new director throughout the end of 2025, production got pushed. Rumor has it they are aiming to start filming in London or Budapest by mid-2026. If they hit that mark, we are looking at a theatrical release date in late 2027.
20th Century Studios hasn't pinned a specific Friday on the calendar yet. They are being careful. They know they can't just rush a half-baked sequel and expect the same $350 million box office haul they got last time. They want to make sure Rain and Andy—played by Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson—get a story that actually matters.
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Alien: Earth Season 2 is the Real 2026 Story
While the next movie is still a bit of a way off, the "Alien" universe isn't going dark this year. If you missed it, Noah Hawley’s Alien: Earth was basically the biggest thing on TV last summer. It was weird, it was grounded (literally, it takes place on Earth), and it gave us a version of the Xenomorph that actually felt scary again.
The good news? FX officially renewed it.
The better news? They are filming Season 2 right now in London.
Since Season 1 wrapped up its run in September 2025, the turnaround has been surprisingly fast. We are hearing that Alien: Earth Season 2 is eyeing a premiere window of early 2027, though some optimistic leaks suggest we might get a "special event" episode or a late-2026 teaser.
Why the TV Show Matters for the Movies
Noah Hawley (the genius behind Fargo and Legion) isn't just making a spin-off. He’s filling in the gaps of the Weyland-Yutani lore. If you’re tracking the "when" of the next movie, you have to watch the show. It’s all connected now. The studio is treating the Alien franchise like a cinematic universe, meaning what happens on Earth in the show will almost certainly influence what happens in the Romulus sequel.
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Is there an Alien vs. Predator 3?
This is the wildcard. Last year, Steve Asbell (the head of 20th Century Studios) dropped a massive hint that a new Alien vs. Predator movie would "probably" happen.
Don't roll your eyes just yet.
This isn't going to be like the 2004 or 2007 movies. The internal buzz is that they want Dan Trachtenberg (who directed Prey and the upcoming Predator: Badlands) to team up with an Alien director to do it right. Since Predator: Badlands is slated for a November 2025 release, the decks are clear for an AvP announcement later this year.
If this project gets greenlit as a standalone "event" movie, it could potentially jump the line. However, don't expect to see a Xenomorph fighting a Yautja until at least 2028.
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What We Know About the Next Movie Plot
Fede Álvarez has been pretty vocal about not wanting to do a "checklist" sequel. He told Empire that he wants to go into "uncharted waters."
- Rain and Andy are the focus: The studio loves Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson. Their "sibling" dynamic was the heart of Romulus, and the sequel is expected to follow them as they head toward Yvaga.
- No more "Member Berries": One of the few complaints about the last movie was that it relied a bit too much on references to the 1979 original. The 2027 movie is expected to be much more standalone.
- The "Prometheus" Connection: Ridley Scott is still producing. That means the "Engineer" lore and the black goo aren't going away. Expect the next movie to bridge the gap between the gritty horror of the original trilogy and the high-concept sci-fi of the prequels.
How to Stay Updated
Look, dates in Hollywood shift like a Xenomorph in a vent. One minute a movie is "fast-tracked," and the next, the director leaves due to "creative differences."
If you want to know the second a trailer drops or a release date is finalized, you should keep an eye on official 20th Century Studios socials or the AVP Galaxy forums—those guys usually hear the footsteps before anyone else.
For now, the best thing to do is catch up on Alien: Earth on Hulu or Disney+. It’s the closest thing we have to a new "movie" experience while we wait for the Romulus follow-up to claw its way out of pre-production.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch Alien: Earth Season 1 to understand the new canon before Season 2 starts its marketing blitz later this year.
- Keep an eye out for the Predator: Badlands release in November 2025; rumors suggest a post-credits scene might give us our first real teaser for the future of the Alien cinematic world.
- Check for 20th Century Studios' presentation at major 2026 fan conventions, where the title for the Romulus sequel is expected to be revealed.