Navigating the timeline of the Prometheus movies requires more than just listing films by release date. Understanding the complex continuity, which spans both direct prequels and ambiguous spiritual successors, is essential for any fan seeking to grasp the full scope of the Alien universe. This guide cuts through the confusion, presenting the definitive order and explaining the narrative logic behind it.
The Two Distinct Eras of the Franchise
The first critical distinction in watching the Prometheus movies in order is separating the main continuity from the legacy sequel series. The main continuity consists of the films directly connected to the Alien franchise's origin, focusing on the Engineers and the creation of the Xenomorphs. The legacy series, beginning with the original Alien (1979), follows a different timeline with its own rules. Watching the main continuity first provides the foundational mythology that makes the original series more intriguing.
Correct Main Continuity Order
For the core story of Prometheus and its direct sequel, the order is straightforward and chronological. Viewers should watch the films as they were intended to be experienced, following the journey of the crew of the USCSS Prometheus and its subsequent mission. This sequence ensures that the shocking discoveries and character decisions land with maximum impact, building the mystery layer by layer.
Prometheus (2012): The expedition to LV-223 discovers the Engineers and unleashes the black goo, setting the central conflict in motion.
Alien: Covenant (2017): The colonization ship intercepts a distress signal from the Prometheus, leading to a catastrophic encounter with the evolved consequences of the black goo.
Understanding the Crossover Potential
While Prometheus and Alien: Covenant form a tight narrative duo, the franchise has long teased a connection to the original Alien series. The derelict spacecraft discovered in the first Alien film shares a similar design to the Engineers' ships. Watching the Prometheus movies in order provides the context to understand this link, transforming the original film from a mysterious horror setting into a destination with a known, terrifying history. The biomechanical aesthetic of the Engineers explains the origins of the derelict found by the Nostromo.
Thematic Progression: From Creation to Conflict
Viewing the films sequentially reveals a powerful thematic arc. Prometheus explores the desperate search for creators and the perilous nature of faith when confronted with indifferent or hostile gods. Alien: Covenant shifts this focus to the dangers of blind belief and the violation of paradise by colonists who repeat the sins of their predecessors. This progression deepens the lore, moving from the birth of a threat to the active conflict between humanity and its own creations.
Placement of the Original Alien Films
To watch the Prometheus movies in order within the larger franchise, one must consider where the original Alien films fit. Alien: Covenant is a direct prequel to the events of Alien, making the Covenant crew the direct ancestors of the Nostromo crew. Therefore, the recommended order for a comprehensive viewing is to finish the main continuity (Prometheus, then Covenant) before diving into the original 1979 masterpiece and its sequels. This preserves the suspense of the original discovery.
The Legacy Sequels and Beyond
After establishing the foundation with the Prometheus movies, the franchise expands into the realm of the known future. Films like Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), and Alien³ explore the consequences of the Xenomorph threat. While Prometheus does not directly alter the events of these films, it enriches the viewing experience by providing the ultimate source of the horror. The Engineers' history adds a layer of cosmic dread to the human-alien conflict seen in the later entries.
