One sci-fi franchise shines brighter than the rest in Disney's catalog, but another streamer will house its collection for now. From Tron to Star Wars to parts of the MCU, Disney is home to many of Hollywood's biggest sci-fi franchises. The House of Mouse took on some of the genre's most influential players in 2019 with the acquisition of 20th Century Fox, including Alien and Predator. Created by Oscar-nominated director Ridley Scott, Alien has been declared one of the best sci-fi franchises, having revolutionized the genre in 1979 with its unique blend of horror.
HBO Max confirmed that it will become the new home of the Disney-owned Alien franchise beginning on Wednesday, April 1, when an expansive catalog of the sci-fi horror saga drops on the Warner Bros. streamer. The imminent HBO Max update will include the franchise's first four movies, from Alien to Alien Resurrection, including alternate cuts for each, as well as both of the widely panned Alien vs. Predator crossover movies:
- Alien vs. Predator: Extended Cut
- Alien
- Alien 3
- Alien 3: The Assembly Cut
- Alien Resurrection
- Alien Resurrection: Special Edition
- Alien vs. Predator: Requiem: Extended Cut
- Alien: Director's Cut
- Aliens
- Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
- Aliens: Director's Cut
Furthermore, the franchise's most recent movie, Alien: Romulus, will debut on HBO Max on Friday, April 3. At that point, the 2024 sci-fi blockbuster will vacate its current streaming home on Amazon Prime Video.
The Alien flicks previously streamed on Hulu and Disney+ before departing the Disney-owned services in late 2025. Many of these movies have since been left without any streaming home, making their addition to HBO Max a great relief.
HBO Max's upcoming additions from the brilliant mind of Ridley Scott will join the franchise's two movies already streaming on the service, Alien: Covenant and Prometheus, which joined the catalog last summer.
What's Next for the Alien Franchise?
Disney may be leasing away its streaming rights to the Alien franchise for now, but it remains as committed as ever to the 46-year-old IP. The House of Mouse is moving full steam ahead with Alien: Earth Season 2 for FX, with production expected to begin in the coming months for a 2027 premiere.
An Alien: Romulus sequel is also in development, following the 2024 blockbuster, which reignited excitement in the franchise and grossed over $350 million worldwide. Director Fede Álvarez is passing the torch for the franchise's next installment, with A Quiet Place: Day One director Michael Sarnoski reportedly being considered for the coveted gig, according to Nexus Point News.
Despite the non-canon Alien vs. Predator crossover movies debuting on HBO Max, Hulu remains home to the latter sci-fi horror franchise. The director behind Predator: Badlands, Dan Trachtenberg, addressed the possibility of a third Alien vs. Predator movie in an exclusive chat with The Direct.
Having landed a first-look deal at Paramount to develop original projects, Trachtenberg is seemingly still in the driver's seat of the Predator franchise and has the perfect idea to take the saga to World War II and "[kick] Nazi butt."
