One of the biggest hits in the universe, created by Ridley Scott, has landed itself a new streaming platform for 2026.
Nearly two years after its release in theaters, Alien: Romulus has found a new streaming home, as it has officially become available on HBO Max as of today, Friday, April 3. The seventh installment in Scott’s massive sci-fi franchise had a successful run at the worldwide box office, grossing $351 million based on a reported budget of $80 million.
For those who are also invested in the Alien timeline as a whole, HBO Max has also become the streaming destination as of April 1 for the theatrical and director’s cut of Alien and Aliens, Alien 3, as well as the Assembly Cut of the third installment, along with Alien Resurrection, including the Special Edition. Subscribers can also catch the extended cut of Alien vs Predator, as well as the official and extended cuts of Alien vs Predator: Requiem.
How Alien: Romulus Became A Standout In Ridley Scott’s Universe
When Alien: Romulus reviews were released in 2024, it was already a sign that the new film was going in the right direction, as many critics praised the work of director Fede Álvarez, who co-wrote the screenplay with Rodo Sayagues. At the time of this story’s publication, the 2024 entry still holds an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while also sitting at 85% on the Popcornmeter.
In ScreenRant’s Alien: Romulus movie review, Graeme Guttman praised the sci-fi installment, stating that it “feels like a classic Alien movie.” Guttman added that “the opening credits evoke that of the original 1979 film. It has a slow buildup that ratchets up the tension before the facehuggers emerge,” while also adding that the project “can’t help but look back, as if to say, “See, this is why you loved those movies.” It’s an ineffective tactic, especially when so much else of the film works as well as it does.”
What Is Next For The Alien Franchise?
A xenomorph showing its teeth in Alien Romulus
As of right now, a sequel is in the works, with Álvarez having confirmed that a screenplay has been written. However, he will not be returning to direct the Alien: Romulus sequel. He revealed in September 2025 that he and Scott are looking for a new filmmaker to take the gig. He shared that “We just finished the script, actually, for a sequel for Romulus. But I’m gonna pass the torch on this one as director. I’m going to produce it, with Ridley Scott, we’re gonna produce it together and we’re right now trying to find a new filmmaker to come in.”
Álvarez concluded by saying, “I think that’s usually what has happened, except for Ridley, filmmakers come, you make one and you pass the baton to the next one. But we wrote the story because we really love what we started with Romulus and we want to continue the story. We love the story and now we just want to find a director that really wants to go for the jugular.” But as 2026 is underway, there is no known filming start yet for the sequel.
Alien: Romulus is now available to stream on HBO Max.
Release Date
August 16, 2024
Runtime
119 Minutes
Director
Fede Alvarez