Alien: Romulus Now Streaming on Netflix

A New Chapter in the Alien Franchise

The 2024 film Alien: Romulus has brought a fresh wave of excitement to Disney’s Alien franchise. As of January 1, the movie is now available for streaming on Netflix, offering fans a new way to experience this latest addition to the iconic series.

Unlike previous entries in the Alien universe, Alien: Romulus does not directly continue the story of Ellen Ripley from the original Alien quadrilogy or David’s journey from Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. Instead, it introduces a group of entirely new characters who are notably younger than the protagonists of past films. These characters soon find themselves in a scenario familiar to anyone who has seen an Alien movie: trapped in an enclosed space with a Xenomorph.

Directed by Fede Álvarez, Alien: Romulus managed to feel like a breath of fresh air in a franchise that can often become stale. By focusing on younger characters with no connection to past events in the Alien films, Álvarez was able to inject new thematic layers into the story, providing a fresh perspective on the series.

Setting the Stage

Alien: Romulus is set between the events of the original Alien and its first sequel, Aliens. This positioning allows the film to tangentially touch on the story of the original Alien movies, but it does not function as a direct sequel or prequel. This unique placement gives the film a distinct identity while still maintaining its place within the broader Alien universe.

The film marked the first new Alien movie since Disney acquired the rights to the series through its acquisition of 20th Century Fox. It proved to be a huge box office success, earning $350.9 million globally on a production budget of $80 million. The film also received critical acclaim, earning a "certified fresh" Rotten Tomatoes score of 80% positive reviews. Audiences responded even more strongly, with an 88% positive rating on the website’s Popcornmeter.

Future of the Franchise

The success of Alien: Romulus was enough for Disney to quickly put a sequel into development. However, whether Álvarez will return to direct the next film remains uncertain. He did write the script for a specific reason, and it has to do with Alien 3.

"I don’t think I was ever going to [direct Romulus 2]. We always knew right when we finished – this is one of those things where you come in and you do one, and get out. [James] Cameron, [David] Fincher… all those directors I love, they went and did one. Obviously, Ridley [Scott] created it; he has the right to make a bunch of them," Álvarez told a crowd at HorrorHound Weekend in February 2025.

He continued, "We did want to write it. Honestly, it’s because we love the characters we created, so we want to make sure no one kills them right at the beginning of the next one. They went and killed Hicks and Newt just like that [in Alien 3], hey, let’s not let that happen. We wrote it and made sure they stayed alive, and now we can let someone else make it."

Cast and Crew

Álvarez directed Alien: Romulus from a screenplay he co-wrote with Rodo Sayagues. The film stars Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu. Their performances helped bring the story to life, adding depth and emotion to the tense and thrilling narrative.

Availability

Alien: Romulus is now available to stream on Netflix, making it easier for fans to enjoy this exciting new chapter in the Alien franchise. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or new to the world of Alien, this film offers a compelling and engaging experience that honors the legacy of the franchise while pushing it in new and exciting directions.