What are the best movies and shows to watch before Alien: Romulus? The upcoming movie marks the seventh – ninth if you include Alien vs Predator – instalment in Ridley Scott’s long-running franchise, and frankly, there’s a lot to catch up on. Luckily, director Fede Álvarez’s new movie is intended to be a standalone spin-off that harkens back to the series’ roots by keeping the chest-busting action all in one haunted spaceship. However, there’s no denying that you find more enjoyment in watching Alien: Romulus with some foundational Extra-Terrestrial knowledge – and that’s where we come in.

This list of the 10 best movies and shows to watch before Alien: Romulus will catch you up on the basics of the franchise while also introducing you to other worlds created by Álvarez and Scott, as well as films inspired by the original Alien. Whether you prefer horror or watching the best sci-fi movies , look no further; these will scratch that itch. And if you want to go even deeper into Alien lore, then check out our piece on how to watch the Alien movies in order .

Just be sure to not let any spider-like creatures get on your face...

Alien Release date: 1979 Ridley Scott’s original sci-fi horror is terrifying. In fact, it's one of the best horror movies of all time. Sigourney Weaver plays Ripley, a crew member of the Nostromo who intercepts a mysterious transmission from a nearby planet.

The team decides to investigate, only to discover a derelict alien ship. Whe.