Alien (1979)
Ridley Scott's landmark sci-fi horror masterpiece that redefined fear in deep space and launched one of cinema's most enduring franchises.
Alien - Movie Information
- Original Title: Alien
- Release Year: 1979
- Directed by: Ridley Scott
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Horror, Sci-Fi
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 57m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 28, 1979 (SU - 16+), June 21, 1979 (United States - R), September 6, 2003 (Canada - 18A), September 6, 1979 (United Kingdom - 18), October 24, 1979 (Germany - 16), September 12, 1979 (France - 12), December 6, 1979 (India - A), January 24, 1980 (New Zealand - 16), December 6, 1979 (Australia - M), August 20, 1979 (Brazil - 14), November 21, 1979 (Mexico - B), October 25, 1979 (Italy - T), September 24, 1979 (Spain - 16), October 1, 1987 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Alien, o Oitavo Passageiro (PT), Alien - den åttonde passageraren (SE), 異形 (HK), Alien 1 (US), Tulnukas (EE), Alien : Le 8e Passager (CA), 异形1 (CN), Alien, el 8º pasajero (ES)
- Production Companies: Brandywine Productions, Twentieth Century-Fox Productions, Ronald Shusett Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America, United Kingdom
Alien - Plot
During its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a chamber containing thousands of eggs on the planet, a creature inside one of the eggs attacks an explorer. The entire crew is unaware of the impending nightmare set to descend upon them when the alien parasite planted inside its unfortunate host is birthed.
Alien - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and experience the dread that gripped audiences in 1979:
In space no one can hear you scream.
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Alien - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ridley Scott
Main Cast
- Tom Skerritt
- Sigourney Weaver
- Veronica Cartwright
- Harry Dean Stanton
- John Hurt
- Ian Holm
- Yaphet Kotto
- Bolaji Badejo
- Helen Horton
Writers
- Dan O'Bannon
- Ronald Shusett
Producers
- Gordon Carroll
- David Giler
- Walter Hill
Alien - FAQs
Where can you stream or watch Alien (1979)?
Alien (1979) is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Streaming availability may vary by region. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options in your area.
What is the chest-burster scene in Alien?
The chest-burster scene is one of cinema's most iconic shock moments. After crew member Kane is implanted with an alien embryo, a small creature violently erupts from his chest during a meal. Filmed largely without the cast knowing the full extent of the effect, their genuine reactions heightened the scene's terrifying impact.
Is Ash a robot or human in Alien?
Ash, played by Ian Holm, is revealed to be an android — a synthetic human secretly placed aboard the Nostromo by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. His mission is to ensure the alien creature is brought back to Earth, prioritizing the specimen's survival over the lives of the human crew.
Who are the main actors in Alien (1979)?
The principal cast includes Tom Skerritt as Captain Dallas, Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, Veronica Cartwright as Lambert, Harry Dean Stanton as Brett, John Hurt as Kane, Ian Holm as Ash, Yaphet Kotto as Parker, Bolaji Badejo as the Alien, and Helen Horton as the voice of Mother.
What is Alien (1979) about?
Alien follows the crew of the commercial spaceship Nostromo, who intercept a distress signal and discover a derelict vessel harboring a nest of mysterious eggs. After a parasitic creature attaches to a crew member, a terrifying and lethal extraterrestrial is unleashed aboard the ship, hunting the survivors one by one.
Did Alien (1979) win any major awards?
Alien won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in 1980, recognizing H.R. Giger's groundbreaking creature design and the film's practical effects work. It was also nominated for Best Art Direction. The film has since been selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
How long is Alien and what is its age rating?
Alien has a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes (117 minutes). It is rated R in the United States for strong sci-fi violence, terror, and some language, making it suitable for mature audiences. International ratings vary, with an 18 certificate in the United Kingdom and a 16+ rating in several European countries.
Is Alien based on a true story or source material?
Alien is not based on a true story. The screenplay was written by Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett as an original work, drawing inspiration from science fiction films like It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958) and the writings of H.P. Lovecraft. The creature's iconic design was created by Swiss surrealist artist H.R. Giger.
More About Alien
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