Alien: Earth, the prequel to the iconic 1979 sci-fi horror film Alien, is nearly here, and it has fans wondering about what they need to watch before catching it. While the series has been praised as a good watch on its own, having some context and a sense of the timeline can enhance the overall viewing experience.
Do you need to watch any movies or shows before Alien: Earth?
It is not necessary to watch any of the previous Alien movies before seeing Alien: Earth, as the story is designed to be self-contained. However, having an idea of the premise and a familiarity with the infamous Xenomorphs could help viewers to better understand the story.
Viewers may also be able to enjoy the series more by placing it in the timeline with the other films. Alien: Earth is set in 2120, which is two years before the events of the original Alien film. It follows Prometheus, set between 2089 and 2093, and Alien: Covenant, which is set in 2104. The franchise’s other films, Alien: Romulus, Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien: Resurrection are all set later in the timeline. So, fans won’t need to watch them for potential plot details.
To watch Alien: Earth, it is best to see the original Alien, which will give viewers context for the story and the universe, as it is set very close to Alien: Earth. Viewers can also watch Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, as they are set before the events of Alien: Earth.
However, it is not mandatory for fans to watch any of these before watching the show. The first two episodes of the new show should be enough to establish the universe.
The first two episodes of Alien: Earth premiere on August 12, 2025, on FX. They will also be available for watching on Hulu. New episodes arrive every Tuesday.
