Alien
1979 · Movie · R · 117 min · ★ 8.2 · 91% critics
During a return trip to Earth, a commercial spaceship intercepts a distant distress signal. A small crew explores a planet and discovers a chamber of eggs, but an alien parasite attacks, triggering a terrifying chain of survival horror aboard the ship.
Also known as Alien: The Director's Cut · Alien 1 · Alien : Le 8e Passager · Star Beast
Where to watch
Streaming on HBO Max — or rent from $3.99.
2 hours to watch.
Stream (included)
Rent
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Years
- 1979
- Release date
- 1979-05-25
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Critic score
- 91/100
- TMDB rating
- 8.2/10 (16,419 votes)
- Box office
- $106,285,522
- Budget
- $11,000,000
About
You’ll likely enjoy Alien if you want tense, claustrophobic horror in space with suspense over nonstop action; Not for you if slow-burn scares or the unknown make you uneasy, or if you prefer the more action-heavy feel of Alien: Covenant or The Thing.
Pros: claustrophobic sci-fi horror; strong suspense building; memorable creature design | Cons: slow early pacing; little alien screen time; intense fear factor
Themes
- android
- spacecraft
- space marine
- biology
- dystopia
- countdown
- space suit
- beheading
- space travel
- cowardice
- alien
- space
- +4 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Visual Effects · 1980
- BAFTA Award — Best Sound · 1980
- Hugo Award — Best Dramatic Presentation · 1980
- Saturn Award — Best Science Fiction Film · 1980
- Saturn Award — Best Director · 1980
Show all 17 awards →
- Saturn Award — Best Supporting Actress · 1979
- Academy Award — Best Visual Effects · 1980 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Production Design · 1980 · nominated
- BAFTA Award — Best Original Music · 1980 · nominated
- BAFTA Award — Best Sound · 1980 · nominated
- BAFTA Award — Best Actor in a Supporting Role · 1980 · nominated
- BAFTA Award — Best Editing · 1980 · nominated
- BAFTA Award — Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles · 1980 · nominated
- Hugo Award — Best Dramatic Presentation · 1980 · nominated
- Golden Globe Award — Best Original Score · 1979 · nominated
- Saturn Award — Best Science Fiction Film · 1979 · nominated
- Saturn Award — Best Supporting Actress · 1979 · nominated
Cast & crew
Tom Skerritt
as Dallas
Sigourney Weaver
as Ripley
Veronica Cartwright
as Lambert
Harry Dean Stanton
as Brett
John Hurt
as Kane
Ian Holm
as Ash
Yaphet Kotto
as Parker
Bolaji Badejo
as Alien
Helen Horton
as Mother (voice)
Walter Hill
Directed by Ridley Scott