Something has crashed. A signal’s been detected. And now… Earth is no longer safe.

From the universe that redefined sci-fi horror, FX’s Alien Earth FX’s Alien Earth is the newest chilling chapter in the legendary Alien franchise — and it lands exclusively on Disney+ on 13 August. Set in a time when boundaries between human, machine, and alien are breaking down, this series blends psychological suspense, survival horror, and speculative sci-fi in a way that’s both deeply unsettling and dangerously addictive.

Here’s what you need to know before stepping into the darkness.

FX’s Alien Earth FX’s Alien Earth – The Premise

The world’s first human-AI hybrid, Wendy, has gone dark. Her final transmission? A set of chilling coordinates… here, on Earth. After the crash of the USCSS Maginot, strange ecosystems are mutating. Creatures are evolving. And humanity might not be at the top of the food chain anymore.

It’s survival horror with a speculative twist – think deep space tension, alien science, and a creeping sense that we were safer off this planet.

With nods to the claustrophobic tension of Alien (1979) and the existential dread of Prometheus (2012), FX’s Alien Earth is both a spiritual continuation and a bold reimagining. Expect complex questions about identity, evolution, and what happens when technology and biology blur beyond recognition.

In this world, the real horror isn’t just what’s out there — it’s what we’re becoming.

What you should watch before FX’s Alien Earth

To fully feel the fear in FX’s Alien Earth, it helps to know where it all began. From killer creatures to rogue AI, the Alien saga has been redefining sci-fi horror for decades. Whether you’re a longtime fan or meeting a facehugger for the first time, now’s the perfect time to catch up.

Here’s the full timeline of films in the Alien franchise, listed in release order:

• Alien (1979) – When the crew of the space-tug Nostromo responds to a distress signal from a barren planet, they discover a deadly life form that breeds within human hosts. Now the crew must fight to stay alive and prevent the creature from reaching Earth. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Sigourney Weaver in her breakout performance, this legendary first film in the Alien saga will leave you breathless!
• Aliens (1986) – The terror continues in this chilling, critically acclaimed sequel as Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), the sole survivor of the Nostromo’s deadly encounter with the monstrous Alien, returns to Earth after drifting through space in hypersleep for 57 years. Although her story is initially met with skepticism, she agrees to accompany a team of Colonial Marines back to LV-426…and this time it’s war!
• Alien 3 (1992) – After escaping from the alien planet, the ship carrying Ellen Ripley crashes onto a remote and inhabited ore refinery. While living in the ore refinery until she is rescued by her employers, Ripley discovers the horrifying reason for her crash: an alien stowaway. As the alien matures and begins to kill off the inhabitants, Ripley is unaware that her true enemy is more than just the killer alien.
• Alien: Resurrection (1997) – 200 years after her last adventure, Ripley is cloned by military scientists, who extract an alien queen from her chest and exploit the fact that both Ripley and the alien are genetic hybrids. Meanwhile, Ripley teams up with a group of smugglers, including an advanced female android, to combat the rampaging aliens in a lab ship that’s hurtling toward earth….
• Alien vs. Predator (2004) – The iconic creatures from two of the scariest film franchises ever made battle for supremacy–on Earth. The discovery of an ancient pyramid buried under the Antarctic ice sends a team of scientists and adventurers to the frozen continent. Once there, curiosity turns to terror as two devastating alien races wage war, with the fate of humanity in the balance. Whoever wins…we lose.
• Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) – A brutal continuation that brings the conflict to small-town America — and unleashes a new hybrid terror.
• Prometheus (2012) – A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey through the universe. There, they must fight a battle to save the future of the human race.
• Alien: Covenant (2017) – Ridley Scott returns to the universe he created, with ALIEN: COVENANT. The crew of the ship Covenant uncovers a threat beyond their imagination and must attempt a harrowing escape.
• Alien: Romulus (2024) – This truly terrifying sci-fi horror-thriller takes the legendary “Alien” franchise back to its iconic roots. While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young colonizers come face-to-face with the deadliest life form in the universe. Warning: Some flashing-lights scenes in this film may affect photosensitive viewers.

All of these titles are available to stream on Disney+, so there’s still time to get caught up before FX’s Alien Earth lands.

Why FX’s Alien Earth Matters

More than 45 years after the original film terrified audiences, the Alien franchise remains one of the most influential in cinema history. From creature design by H.R. Giger to the series’ bold interrogation of gender, humanity, and corporate greed, it has always been more than just a monster story.

FX’s Alien Earth builds on this legacy while forging new ground. Created by FX with a cinematic eye and serialized structure, it promises to deepen the mythology, expand the timeline, and pose new threats — this time on our home turf.

Save the date

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or stepping into the Xenomorph’s shadow for the first time, FX’s Alien Earth will have you questioning what it means to survive — and what it means to be human.

Streaming 13 August. Only on Disney+.