The Definitive Alien Vs. Predator Films In Order: Chronological Timeline And ALL New 2024/2025 Updates
The cinematic rivalry between the Xenomorph and the Yautja—better known as the Alien and the Predator—is one of science fiction's most enduring and confusing timelines. For fans looking to binge-watch the crossover films, understanding the correct *Alien vs. Predator* films in order is essential, especially with the current date of December 22, 2025, bringing new, major updates to both the standalone *Alien* and *Predator* franchises that dramatically impact the crossover's future.
The core *Alien vs. Predator* movie series is surprisingly short, consisting of only two films, but their placement within the broader, decades-spanning lore is a constant source of fan debate. This guide breaks down the simple release order, the complex chronological order, the controversial canonical status, and the newest 2024/2025 projects that could finally lead to a third *AvP* film.
The Complete Alien vs. Predator Franchise Profile & Key Personnel
The *Alien vs. Predator* (AvP) concept originated not on screen, but in a 1989 Dark Horse Comics series, eventually making the leap to film with the highly anticipated 2004 release. The two films in the series are defined by their distinct creative teams and approaches to the crossover lore.
- Franchise Origin: Dark Horse Comics Crossover (1989)
- Core Film Series: 2 Movies (2004–2007)
- Primary Species Conflict: Xenomorph (Alien) vs. Yautja (Predator)
- Overall Box Office (2 Films): Approximately $249 million worldwide
Key Personnel of the AvP Films:
- Alien vs. Predator (2004)
- Director: Paul W. S. Anderson
- Writer: Paul W. S. Anderson (Screenplay/Story)
- Main Cast: Sanaa Lathan (Lex Woods), Raoul Bova (Sebastian De Rosa), Lance Henriksen (Charles Bishop Weyland)
- Setting: Bouvetøya, Norway (underground pyramid)
- Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
- Directors: The Brothers Strause (Colin and Greg Strause)
- Writer: Shane Salerno
- Main Cast: Steven Pasquale (Dallas), Reiko Aylesworth (Kelly O'Brien), John Ortiz (Sheriff Morales)
- Setting: Gunnison, Colorado (small town)
The Simple Release Order of AvP Movies
For the purist who simply wants to watch the two crossover films in the order they were released, the viewing path is straightforward. This order is the easiest way to consume the story as it was originally presented to audiences, from the introduction of the ancient hunting ground to the disastrous small-town sequel.
- Alien vs. Predator (2004)
This film establishes the core premise: Predators have been visiting Earth for millennia, using a sacrificial pyramid in Antarctica to hunt Xenomorphs as a rite of passage. The movie introduces the idea that the Xenomorphs are an ancient species used by the Yautja for sport, directly connecting the two franchises.
- Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
A direct sequel, this film deals with the fallout from the first movie. A Predator ship carrying a Xenomorph-Predator hybrid (the "Predalien") crashes near a small Colorado town, leading to a brutal, messy, and poorly lit battle between a lone Predator (Wolf) and the Predalien swarm. The ending sets up a future conflict with the Weyland-Yutani Corporation.
The two films are a standalone duology. The narrative of *Requiem* directly follows the events of *AvP*, making the release order the only logical way to watch the crossover story itself.
The Complex Chronological Order (The Full Alien/Predator Timeline)
When you attempt to place the *Alien vs. Predator* movies into the massive, decades-long timeline of both the *Alien* and *Predator* franchises, the viewing order becomes significantly more complex. This is the ultimate chronological challenge for any Xenomorph or Yautja fan, incorporating the newest 2022 film, *Prey*, and the upcoming 2024/2025 releases.
This timeline is the current consensus among fans and chronologists, ordered by the in-universe year the events take place:
- Prey (2022) - Set in 1719
The earliest known encounter between a Yautja and humans, establishing the Predators' presence on Earth centuries before modern times.
- Predator (1987) - Set in 1987
The first modern-day Predator encounter in the jungles of Central America.
- Predator 2 (1990) - Set in 1997
A Predator stalks the streets of Los Angeles. The final scene famously features a Xenomorph skull trophy on the Predator ship, which served as the first cinematic hint of the *AvP* crossover.
- Alien vs. Predator (2004) - Set in 2004
The main crossover event, establishing the Xenomorphs as a ritualistic hunt for Predators.
- Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) - Set in 2004 (Immediately following AvP)
The Predalien crash and the subsequent small-town massacre. The film ends with the Predator technology falling into the hands of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, setting the stage for the *Alien* series.
- Predators (2010) - Set in 2010
A group of human killers are transported to a game preserve planet for a new kind of hunt.
- The Predator (2018) - Set in 2018
The most recent standalone *Predator* film, dealing with Predator upgrades and a larger conflict.
- Prometheus (2012) - Set in 2093
The first *Alien* prequel, focusing on the Engineers and the origins of the Xenomorph pathogen.
- Alien: Covenant (2017) - Set in 2104
A direct sequel to *Prometheus*, further detailing the creation of the Xenomorph by the Synthetic David.
- Alien: Romulus (2024) - Set in 2120s (Between *Alien* and *Aliens*)
The newest *Alien* film, serving as a standalone story that bridges the gap between the first two main *Alien* movies.
- Alien (1979) - Set in 2122
- Aliens (1986) - Set in 2179
- Alien 3 (1992) - Set in 2179
- Alien: Resurrection (1997) - Set in 2379
The Canonical Controversy: Why AvP Films Are (Mostly) Not Canon
The biggest question surrounding the *Alien vs. Predator* films is their canonicity. Do they truly fit into the main *Alien* timeline, or are they a separate, non-canon universe? This is where topical authority is key, as the answer is nuanced.
The AvP Films are Canon to the Predator Franchise
Within the *Predator* franchise, the *AvP* films are generally accepted as canon. The events of *AvP* directly follow the hint from *Predator 2* (the Xenomorph skull trophy) and establish the Predators' ancient history on Earth. The recent success of *Prey* (2022) as a prequel further solidifies the idea of Predators visiting Earth across different eras, making the 2004 Antarctica hunt plausible within the Yautja's history.
The AvP Films are NOT Canon to the Alien Franchise
The *Alien* franchise, particularly the prequels *Prometheus* and *Alien: Covenant*, has effectively retconned the *AvP* timeline. The key conflict is:
- AvP Lore: Xenomorphs are ancient, existing on Earth in 2004, and were used by the Predators for ritualistic hunts for thousands of years.
- Prometheus/Covenant Lore: The Xenomorph as we know it was engineered by the synthetic David in the late 22nd century (around 2104), a process that began with the Engineers' black goo in 2093. This makes the existence of a fully-formed Xenomorph in 2004 impossible.
Therefore, most fans and official sources consider the *Alien* films (from *Prometheus* to *Alien: Resurrection*) and the *AvP* films to exist in two separate, parallel universes, or "timelines."
Latest 2024/2025 Updates: Is a New AvP Movie Coming?
The recent surge of new projects for both franchises has reignited speculation about a third *Alien vs. Predator* film. As of late 2025, there is no official confirmation of *Aliens vs. Predator 3*, but the groundwork is being laid in the following ways:
- The New Alien Film: *Alien: Romulus* (2024)
Directed by Fede Álvarez, this film is set to bridge the gap between *Alien* and *Aliens*. Its success and focus on pure survival horror could influence the tone of future franchise entries, including a potential *AvP* sequel.
- The New Predator Film: *Predator: Badlands* (2025)
From *Prey* director Dan Trachtenberg, *Badlands* is a highly anticipated project set in the future. The plot involves Predators battling other Predators on a remote planet, starring Elle Fanning. Crucially, this film is rumored by multiple sources to be setting up the eventual return of the Xenomorph/Alien, directly teasing a future crossover.
- Disney's Interest
Following the acquisition of 20th Century Fox, Disney now owns both properties. Reports indicate a strong interest in reviving the crossover, especially with the positive critical reception of *Prey* proving the *Predator* franchise still has life. The success of *Predator: Badlands* will be the key indicator for Disney's confidence in greenlighting a new *AvP* project.
For now, the *Alien vs. Predator* films in order remain a simple two-movie list, but the intense activity in both parent franchises strongly suggests that a new chapter, potentially titled *Alien vs. Predator 3* or a similar name, is closer than it has been in over a decade. Fans should watch the 2025 release of *Predator: Badlands* closely, as it is expected to contain the first official cinematic teases of the Xenomorph's return to the *Predator* universe.
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