For sci-fi thriller fans, the Alien franchise offers more than just jump scares — they explore human fear, survival, and the unknown. Ridley Scott’s 1979 film, "Alien," revolutionized the portrayal of space exploration, and the succeeding movies have continued to raise the bar, building a terrifying universe where extraterrestrial creatures serve as antagonists.

If you’ve seen an Alien film or two, you’re likely familiar with Ripley, magnificently portrayed by Sigourney Weaver, and the sinister Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Now, around seven years after the release of "Alien: Covenant," another movie is set to take fans back to space with "Alien: Romulus."

A standalone story that connects to the Alien universe, Romulus introduces a new set of characters while still referencing elements from earlier films. With critics giving the film positive reviews and even considering it a perfect homage to the first film, you might be one of many looking forward to seeing it on the big screen. Before you head to the cinema, refresh your Alien knowledge by keeping in mind the essential facts below to enhance your viewing experience:

1. The Alien film franchise started in 1979 with the release of “Alien” by Ridley Scott

“Alien” introduced the audience to the xenomorphs, which are extraterrestrial creatures known for their acid blood, dual jaws, and parasitic life cycle. Ellen Ripley, portrayed by Sigourney Weaver, is a resilient survivor who became an iconic heroine in cinema history.

2. After “Alien,” five films were released, each delving into the lore of xenomorphs

The franchise follows a complicated timeline that features sequels, prequels, and spin-offs.

“Aliens,” which was released in 1986, is set 57 years after the events of the first film and shows the rescue of Ripley in deep space. Meanwhile, “Alien 3” begins shortly after the remaining characters from Aliens enter cryonic stasis.

“Prometheus” (released in 2012) and “Alien: Covenant” (released in 2017) are both considered prequels. Prometheus highlights a team’s search for the origins of humanity, which ended in their discovery of an alien civilization called the Engineers. Meanwhile, Covenant follows the events of Prometheus and provides the origin of the xenomorphs while connecting to the original Alien film.

There are also other films you can look into such as “Alien vs. Predator” and “Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem.” Movie enthusiasts place these two films before “Prometheus” and “Covenant” in the Alien movie timeline.

3. The suspect Weyland-Yutani Corporation is a constant presence throughout the franchise

Some of the recurring themes in the movies are survival, isolation, and corporate greed, which are embodied by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. The corporation aims to weaponize and exploit the xenomorphs for profit, at the expense of human life.

4. The Alien franchise features several android characters known as synthetics

Androids play key roles in the movies. In “Alien,” Ash is a science officer programmed with an ulterior motive while Aliens features Bishop, an advanced android with a human-like personality.

Two other notable android characters include Winona Ryder’s Call from “Alien: Resurrection” and Michael Fassbender’s David from “Prometheus.”

5. The original Alien film is renowned for redefining the sci-fi horror genre

The movie franchise is known for its iconic tagline: “In space, no one can hear you scream.” Each film highlights survival horror elements, with characters finding themselves in dreadful situations where the odds are stacked against them.

"Alien: Romulus" is expected to return the franchise to its horror roots, based on early reviews and initial screenings. Critics are applauding how "Romulus" combines the suspenseful horror of "Alien" with the intense action of "Aliens," making it a thrilling experience that fans can look forward to.

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