Alien
Directed by Ridley Scott · 1979 ·
Is Alien worth watching?
Yes. Alien (1979) earns an 83% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.
4-input transparent breakdown
Also known as एलियन Alien: El Octavo Pasajero Alien, le huitième passager Alien - Das unheimliche Wesen aus einer fremden Welt Alien: O Oitavo Passageiro エイリアン 에이리언 异形
Theatrical release Where to watch
- Netflix
- fuboTV
Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home
Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home
Where to watch Alien by country
| Country | Streaming on |
|---|---|
| Indonesia | Disney+ |
| Japan | Prime Video, Disney+ |
| Malaysia | Disney+ |
| South Korea | Disney+ |
| Thailand | Disney+ |
| Turkey | Disney+ |
| United Kingdom | Disney+ |
| United States | Netflix, fuboTV |
Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (87/100).
- General viewers mostly liked it (89%).
- Metascore signals universal acclaim (81/100).
- Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4/5).
- IMDb users score it 8.5/10.
Best for
- Viewers who want a well-regarded horror, sci-fi pick
Not ideal for
Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy
Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Is Alien worth watching?
Yes — Alien earns an 83% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded horror, sci-fi pick. Read our full review (4.5/5).
Celluloid verdict
IMDb Top 250 #51 (8.5/10) — Alien remains one of the most highly rated films of all time.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.
What is Alien about?
During its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a chamber containing thousands of eggs on the planet, a creature inside one of the eggs attacks an explorer. The entire crew is unaware of the impending nightmare set to descend upon them when the alien parasite planted inside its unfortunate host is birthed.
Watch the Trailer
Critic Reviews
Alien (1979) Review: Blue-Collar Terror in Deep Space
★★★★½
Ridley Scott's Alien (1979) is a slow-burn haunted-house film set aboard a grimy space freighter, and it is still the benchmark for science fiction horror.
Yes. It remains the model for science fiction horror: patient, tactile and genuinely frightening. Essential for genre fans and for anyone who only knows the sequels.
Alien stills
Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.
Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.
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Alien: frequently asked questions
Is Alien worth watching?
Yes. Alien (1979) has a Celluloid Score of 83%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.
Where can I watch Alien?
In the United States, Alien streams on Netflix, fuboTV with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Disney+ in Indonesia; Prime Video, Disney+ in Japan; Disney+ in Malaysia; Disney+ in South Korea. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.
How long is Alien?
Alien runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).
What is Alien rated?
Alien is rated R in the United States, 18 in the UK, A in India, M in Australia and 18A in Canada. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in Alien?
Alien is directed by Ridley Scott and stars Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt.
What is the Metascore for Alien?
Metacritic's Metascore for Alien is 81 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.
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