‘Alien: Romulus’ Conquers Global Streaming on HBO Max

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Ridley Scott’s film Alien is a landmark achievement in both the horror and science fiction genres. Released in 1979, this critically acclaimed blockbuster essentially created the subgenre of space horror. While earlier films like The Thing from Another World and Invasion of the Body Snatchers had blended these genres, Alien did so with a new level of intensity, ultimately becoming a hugely influential and genre-defining movie.

Although the Alien series became very popular, it definitely had some weak moments. Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection weren’t big hits, and when director Ridley Scott revisited the series with Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, fans were divided. It seemed like the franchise was finished, but 2024 showed it was just lying dormant, waiting for a chance to come back strong – like it was hidden inside an egg, ready to hatch.

The new Alien film, Romulus, directed by Fede Álvarez and released by 20th Century Studios (under Disney), has been a major hit. It became the top-grossing horror movie of 2024 and revitalized the Alien franchise. The film continues to attract viewers, currently ranking as the second most popular movie on HBO Max worldwide. While the characters faced them off, the terrifying xenomorphs remain a threat, even on streaming platforms.

This Time They Were Just Trying To Escape


20th Century Studios

The new Alien: Romulus film features a director who skillfully crafted a prequel, using a variety of storytelling techniques. However, he resisted the urge to include everything possible. It’s like giving a child access to a candy store – they could easily overindulge. But the director made careful choices, selecting only the elements that would resonate with both longtime Alien fans and newcomers. He smartly avoided unnecessary additions, keeping the film focused and effective.

A group of space colonists, desperate to escape the controlling influence of Weyland-Yutani, attempt a daring escape. Their plan involves using abandoned cryopods to travel to a new planet and start over. Led by Rain Carradine and her synthetic brother, Andy, they arrive at the abandoned station called Romulus, only to discover they aren’t alone – and something dangerous is waiting for them.

This new installment doesn’t feature familiar characters like Ripley or David. Instead, it focuses on ordinary people who have no idea what dangers are around them. While not as iconic as the crew of the Nostromo, the characters in this film are among the most memorable in the Alien series.

‘Alien: Romulus’ Masterfully Revived the Classic Sci-Fi Horror Series


20th Century Studios

Despite expectations, Álvarez successfully puts a fresh spin on the classic Alien formula. The film feels distinctly personal, proving the director’s vision – it’s clearly his take on an Alien sequel, rather than just another predictable entry in the series. While it still features the iconic xenomorphs, acidic blood, and facehuggers, Alien: Romulus offers a different tone, which is exactly what the franchise needed. It delivers nostalgia through subtle nods to familiar elements, instead of relying on tired tropes or forced cameos. Though one character appearance might feel a bit too connected to the original film, overall the movie manages to feel both familiar and new.

The film’s success wasn’t just due to attracting new fans. The $350 million box office came from both newcomers and longtime followers of the series. Many dedicated fans went to see if the new director could revitalize the franchise, especially after the divisive reactions to Prometheus and Covenant. Those prequels introduced unusual ideas that weren’t universally loved, and they didn’t recapture the thrill of the original Alien films that audiences were hoping for.

Look, Álvarez really nailed it with this one. He smartly stripped everything back to the core of what made Alien so terrifying – pure, unadulterated horror. Forget the complicated mythology about the Engineers or the corporate scheming of Weyland-Yutani; this film is a straight-up survival story with a fantastic young cast facing something truly inexplicable. It’s a return to the roots we saw in the original Alien and Aliens, and honestly, isn’t that what we’ve been hoping for from these prequels all along?

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2026-03-13 17:49