The Best Alien Movie In 38 Years Is Now Streaming

Alien: Romulus is now streaming on Hulu, and it’s well worth checking out for any long-time Alien fan who’s been disappointed by every movie in this franchise since Aliens. Alien is one of the properties that Disney acquired when it merged with 21st Century Fox in 2019. Initially, it didn’t seem as though the Mouse House was the right place for one of the most iconic horror franchises ever created. Alien works best when it pushes the boundaries of gore and dread and intergalactic terror, which Disney isn’t really known for.

But with Alien: Romulus, Disney has proven that it might be the perfect place for the Alien franchise’s future. The Alien saga kicked off with two of the greatest movies ever made — the 1979 horror masterpiece Alien and the action-packed 1986 extravaganza Aliens — but since then, the series has been very hit-and-miss. Alien: Romulus marks a return to form for the franchise. It’s easily the best Alien movie (and most consistent with what this series is) since Aliens. And now, it’s available to stream on Hulu.

For Fans Of…

• The first two Alien movies, Alien and Aliens
• Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla, Civil War), David Jonsson (Rye Lane), Isabela Merced (Madame Web, Instant Family)
• Fede Álvarez’s claustrophobic horror movies, Evil Dead (2013) and Don’t Breathe

Alien: Romulus Is Now Streaming On Hulu – Why You Should Watch It

The Xenomorphs Are Back

Alien: Romulus has finally been released on Hulu, and there are plenty of reasons to check it out. For starters, it’s a fiercely effective sci-fi horror movie full of stunning interstellar visuals and terrifying otherworldly scares. Director Fede Álvarez creates a palpable sense of dread from the moment the young space colonists arrive on the derelict Renaissance station, and sustains an ominous atmosphere until the end credits roll. Álvarez favored practical effects over CGI at every turn. The creatures are brought to life with puppets and animatronics, so the immediate threat of their tangible presence is felt whenever they’re on-screen.

No one can decide which is the best Alien movie — Alien or Aliens — so Álvarez made a movie that combines the two. The two halves of the Renaissance station each represent the style of a different Alien classic. The Remus module is a creepy haunted house, representing the unsettling, claustrophobic feel of the original Alien film. The Romulus module is a festering hive of xenomorphs, representing the all-action intensity of James Cameron’s Aliens. By switching between the two, Alien: Romulus captures the best parts of the best Alien films.

The Alien: Romulus cast features some of Hollywood’s most exciting up-and-coming actors, and they all turn out spectacular performances. Priscilla’s Cailee Spaeny proves she has Sigourney Weaver’s badass action-hero chops as the movie’s Ripley stand-in. Madame Web’s Isabela Merced sells her character’s terror in every horrifying scenario. But the real standout of the cast is Rye Lane breakout David Jonsson as timid android Andy. Jonsson brings a real humanity to this synth character. He plays Andy in two separate modes throughout the film and his performance is equally authentic on both sides.

Up to its final act, Alien: Romulus is a really well-made sci-fi horror movie with lovable characters, striking imagery, and effective jump scares. And if that was all it was, it would still be worth recommending. But, much like the original Alien movie, just when it seems like it’s wrapping up, it’s just getting started. The climactic sequence of Alien: Romulus turns a really good horror film into an unforgettable one. Without spoiling what happens, it’s totally unexpected, totally horrifying, and a lot of fun.

After a string of underwhelming sequels, it would be understandable for a long-time Alien fan to be on the fence about checking out a new entry in the franchise. But Alien: Romulus is absolutely worth the two hours it takes to watch it. It has the unnerving atmosphere and well-rounded, three-dimensional characters that made Alien so engaging; it has the explosive blockbuster spectacle that made Aliens such a blast; and its jaw-dropping third-act twist takes it to a whole other level of awesomeness.

Alien: Romulus Is The Best Alien Movie Since Aliens

It Combines The Best Parts Of Alien & Aliens

Alien: Romulus is easily the best Alien movie since Aliens 38 years ago. Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection each have interesting ideas and cool sequences, but are ultimately a let-down. Prometheus has a fascinating premise, using a Biblical allegory to explore the origins of humanity, but it doesn’t really fit into the Alien mythos. And Alien: Covenant, although it was a welcome return to the series’ horror roots, doesn’t come close to the original film’s razor-sharp command of tension. Alien: Romulus blows all those previous sequels out of the water — and now, it’s on Hulu.

5 Other Great Monster Movies To Watch On Hulu

• Alien (1979)
• Barbarian (2022)
• The Fly (1986)
• The Host (2006)
• No One Will Save You (2023)

Alien: Romulus is the seventh film in the Alien franchise. The movie is directed by Fede Álvarez and will focus on a new young group of characters who come face to face with the terrifying Xenomorphs. Alien: Romulus is a stand-alone film and takes place in a time not yet explored in the Alien franchise.

Director

Fede Alvarez

Writers

Fede Alvarez , Rodo Sayagues , Dan O’Bannon , Ronald Shusett

Cast

Cailee Spaeny , David Jonsson , Archie Renaux , Isabela Merced , Spike Fearn , Aileen Wu , Rosie Ede , Soma Simon , Bence Okeke , Viktor Orizu , Robert Bobroczkyi , Trevor Newlin , Annemarie Griggs , Daniel Betts

Runtime

119 Minutes