Alien & Predator: Current and Upcoming Movie and TV Projects Fueling Fan Buzz

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For decades, the Alien and Predator franchises have stood as two of sci-fi cinema’s most influential pillars. Blending horror, action, and expansive lore, both universes have evolved far beyond their original films—spawning crossovers, comics, novels, and games. Now, a fresh wave of movie and television projects is reigniting fan excitement and speculation about where these iconic extraterrestrial sagas will go next.

From prestige TV expansions to theatrical reboots, here’s a look at the major Alien and Predator projects generating buzz—along with background on how each fits into the evolving franchise timelines.

Alien: Earth (FX / Hulu TV Series)

One of the most talked-about entries is Alien: Earth, a television series developed by Noah Hawley (Fargo, Legion). This marked the first time the Alien universe was explored in a long-form TV format.

Background & Setting

Unlike most franchise entries set in deep space, Alien: Earth brings the horror home. The story is set on our planet before the events of Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic. This timeline shift opens the door to exploring how Weyland-Yutani and other corporations first encountered the Xenomorph threat—and how humanity responded when the terror wasn’t light-years away.

The show blended corporate intrigue, themes of artificial intelligence, and survival horror. Hawley has emphasized a grounded approach, focusing on class systems, corporate power, and technological ethics—hallmarks of the original film’s subtext.

Why Fans Are Buzzing

Fans are intrigued by the tonal promise: prestige sci-fi horror with HBO-level storytelling depth. The Earth setting also raises the stakes—if Xenomorphs reach a populated planet, containment becomes exponentially more difficult.

Alien: Romulus (Feature Film)

On the film side, Alien: Romulus is one of the best cinematic revivals of the franchise.

Background & Creative Team

Directed by Fede Álvarez (Don’t Breathe, Evil Dead 2013), the film was positioned as a return to the franchise’s horror roots. Rather than continuing the philosophical arc of Ridley Scott’s Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, Romulus focuses on stripped-down terror.

The story centers on a group of young space colonists scavenging a derelict station—only to encounter the franchise’s most lethal lifeform.

Franchise Placement

While connected to the broader canon, the film is designed as a more accessible entry point for new audiences. Think of it as tonally closer to Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986) than the prequel films.

Fan Excitement

Álvarez’s horror pedigree has fans hopeful for claustrophobic tension, practical effects, and creature-driven suspense. Early production details suggest a heavy emphasis on practical Xenomorph work rather than overreliance on CGI.

Predator: Badlands (Feature Film)

Following the critical success of Prey (2022), 20th Century Studios actively expanded the Predator universe with new standalone stories.

Background

This next film continues the anthology approach introduced by Prey—placing Yautja hunters in different historical or environmental settings. While plot specifics remained tightly guarded, fans and industry media suggest a harsh, remote landscape setting—potentially futuristic or post-apocalyptic.

Why the Anthology Approach Works

Prey proved the formula’s strength: strip the concept to its essentials—a skilled human warrior versus an elite alien hunter—and place it in a unique era.

This flexible structure keeps the franchise fresh. Much like exploring casino game variations within a larger gaming ecosystem, each setting allows filmmakers to tweak tone, technology, and survival dynamics while preserving the core hunt narrative fans love.

Prey Sequel / Predator Streaming Expansion

Given Prey’s streaming success on Hulu/Disney+, a direct sequel—or at minimum another Dan Trachtenberg-helmed installment—has been widely discussed.

Background

Prey followed Naru, a Comanche warrior, facing a Predator in the Great Plains during the 1700s. Its critical acclaim stemmed from cultural authenticity, practical action, and a grounded survival story.

Future Possibilities

Trachtenberg has hinted at interest in exploring:

Feudal Japan
World War battlefields
Viking eras
Ancient civilizations

Each concept preserves the hunter-versus-warrior dynamic while expanding Predator lore across human history. Fans are particularly eager to see the Predator technology adapted against different weapons systems—from katanas to longships to early firearms.

Alien vs. Predator (Potential Reboot Discussions)

While nothing official has been greenlit, industry chatter continues around a possible Alien vs. Predator reboot.

Background

The original crossover films (2004, 2007) were commercially successful but divisive among fans. Critics felt they diluted the horror of Alien and the mystique of Predator in favor of action spectacle.

Why a Reboot Makes Sense Now

With both franchises undergoing tonal recalibration—Alien returning to horror and Predator embracing prestige storytelling—a modern crossover could carry far more narrative weight.

Streaming platforms, in particular, offer opportunities for:

Limited series crossovers
Event-style cinematic releases
Multi-perspective storytelling

Fans want a darker, R-rated, lore-respecting collision—closer to the original comics than the earlier films.

Animated & Anthology Rumors

There have also been persistent rumors of animated or anthology projects in development.

Concept Potential

Animation would allow creators to explore:

Xenomorph outbreaks on different planets
Predator hunts across centuries
Colonial Marine campaigns
Weyland-Yutani experiments gone wrong

Without live-action budget constraints, the universes could expand visually and narratively.

Streaming platforms have seen major success with adult-animated sci-fi (Love, Death & Robots, Invincible), making this a logical evolution.

Franchise Future: Horror vs. Expansion

A key reason fans are energized right now is tonal course correction.

Alien’s Path

After the divisive philosophical prequels, the franchise appears to be re-embracing:

Survival horror
Practical creature effects
Isolated settings
Working-class protagonists

Predator’s Path

Meanwhile, Predator is thriving through reinvention:

Historical settings
Cultural perspectives
Lean storytelling
Tactical combat focus

Rather than escalating in scale endlessly, both series are rediscovering what made them terrifying in the first place.

Why the Buzz Feels Different This Time

Franchise revivals often trigger cautious optimism—but the current excitement feels more grounded for several reasons:

Stronger Creative Voices – Hawley, Álvarez, and Trachtenberg bring distinct styles.
Platform Flexibility – Streaming allows riskier storytelling.
Anthology Freedom – Not every entry must connect directly.
Return to Genre Roots – Horror and suspense are back in focus.

Instead of chasing cinematic universes, the franchises are prioritizing tone, craft, and mythology.

The Alien and Predator universes are entering one of their most creatively promising eras in years. With Alien: Earth expanding the timeline, Romulus reviving theatrical horror, and new Predator hunts on the horizon, fans have multiple entry points to anticipate.

Whether through television world-building or stripped-down survival films, the future looks focused on honoring what made both franchises iconic: fear of the unknown, the thrill of the hunt, and humanity’s fragility against apex extraterrestrial predators.

If these projects deliver on their potential, the next decade could rival the franchises’ original golden age—proving that in space, and across time, the hunt never really ends.