Alien vs Predator is a science-fiction horror crossover between the Xenomorphs from Alien and the Predators from Predator. The franchise has two theatrical movies: Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007). The crossover originally began in Dark Horse Comics before expanding into films, novels, and video games.
Key Takeaways
- Alien vs. Predator (2004) is the first theatrical AVP movie.
- Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) is its direct sequel.
- The crossover began as a Dark Horse Comics concept in the late 1980s.
- The easiest movie watch order is 2004 → 2007.
- The Predator has better technology and tactical advantages, while the Xenomorph has speed, numbers, stealth, and deadly biology.
- AVP also includes a large collection of comics and video games beyond the two movies.
What Is Alien vs Predator?
Alien vs Predator, often shortened to AVP, brings two famous science-fiction creatures into the same fictional universe: the Xenomorphs from Alien and the Predators, also known as Yautja, from Predator.
The basic idea is simple. Predators are skilled extraterrestrial hunters who seek dangerous prey, while Xenomorphs are highly aggressive organisms that can overwhelm other creatures through speed, numbers, stealth, and reproduction.
The crossover places these species against each other while usually putting humans in the middle.
The first theatrical movie, Alien vs. Predator, arrived in 2004 and was directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. Its story follows an expedition to an ancient pyramid beneath Antarctica, where humans discover that the site has a connection to an old Predator hunting ritual.
Where the Crossover Started
The movie was not the beginning of the idea.
Dark Horse Comics introduced the Alien and Predator crossover in the late 1980s. The first crossover story appeared through Dark Horse Presents, with the two franchises coming together in the story’s third installment. Dark Horse subsequently developed the concept into dedicated Aliens vs. Predator comic series.
This history matters because many people assume the 2004 film created the matchup. In reality, the Alien-versus-Predator concept had already existed in comics for more than a decade.
Alien vs Predator Movies in Order
There are two theatrical Alien vs Predator movies.
| # | Movie | U.S. Release | Main Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alien vs. Predator | 2004 | Antarctica |
| 2 | Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem | 2007 | Gunnison, Colorado |
For someone interested only in the AVP movies, watch them in release order. The second movie follows the events of the first.
1. Alien vs. Predator (2004)
The first movie follows Alexa Woods, played by Sanaa Lathan, as she joins an expedition funded by billionaire Charles Bishop Weyland.
The team discovers a buried pyramid beneath the Antarctic ice. The structure contains evidence of an ancient Predator tradition involving Xenomorphs.
The Predators use the Aliens as dangerous prey and as part of a hunting ritual. When the humans activate the underground complex, the situation quickly becomes a fight for survival.
Alexa eventually realizes that surviving requires understanding the Predator’s purpose rather than simply treating every extraterrestrial creature as the same threat.
The film combines action, science fiction, horror, archaeology, and monster-versus-monster spectacle. It was released in August 2004 and earned about $177 million worldwide.
2. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem picks up immediately after the first movie.
A Predator spacecraft leaves Earth after the Antarctic events, but an Alien-Predator hybrid known as the Predalien emerges. The resulting outbreak reaches Gunnison, Colorado.
A veteran Predator called Wolf arrives to contain the threat. Instead of focusing on a large archaeological expedition like the first movie, Requiem turns the crossover into a darker small-town survival story.
The movie was released on December 25, 2007. It received substantially weaker critical reactions than its predecessor, although fans of creature horror still discuss its Predator and Alien action.
What Happens in Alien vs. Predator?
The first movie centers on an ancient Predator hunting ground hidden under Antarctica.
Charles Bishop Weyland’s expedition discovers the pyramid, but the structure is more dangerous than expected. Humans become trapped between two extraterrestrial species.
The Predators have deliberately created a situation in which young hunters can prove themselves by fighting Xenomorphs. The humans therefore face two different threats with very different behaviors.
The Antarctic Pyramid
The pyramid is important because it explains why the Aliens and Predators are fighting in the first place.
Rather than simply having the creatures randomly encounter one another, the movie presents the conflict as part of a Predator tradition.
Dark Horse Entertainment’s description of the movie similarly identifies the Antarctic temple as a Predator training ground containing Alien creatures.
Humans Caught Between Two Species
Humans are not the main combatants in the creature rivalry.
Alexa Woods becomes the central human survivor because she can adapt quickly, understand the situation, and work with an enemy when necessary.
That relationship creates one of the movie’s most interesting ideas: sometimes survival requires cooperation between creatures that normally consider each other enemies.
Alien vs Predator: Who Would Win?
There is no single official answer because the two species have different advantages and the result depends heavily on the circumstances.
| Category | Xenomorph | Predator |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Extremely strong | Extremely strong |
| Speed | Fast and agile | Fast and agile |
| Intelligence | Animal-like but highly adaptive | Advanced tactical intelligence |
| Technology | Natural biological weapons | Advanced weapons and equipment |
| Stealth | Excellent | Excellent with cloaking technology |
| Numbers | Major advantage | Usually hunts individually or in small groups |
| Close combat | Highly dangerous | Highly trained |
| Ranged combat | Limited | Major advantage |
The Alien’s Strengths
A Xenomorph is dangerous even without weapons. Its claws, inner jaw, tail, speed, and acidic blood make close combat extremely risky.
A group of Xenomorphs can become even more dangerous because they can attack from multiple directions and overwhelm a stronger opponent.
The Predator’s Advantages
The Predator has a major advantage in technology.
Its equipment can include advanced armor, thermal vision, cloaking technology, ranged weapons, blades, and other hunting tools. More importantly, Predators are experienced hunters that can study their prey before attacking.
In a one-on-one battle, a well-equipped Predator has significant advantages. In a large hive situation, however, the Xenomorphs can make the fight much harder.
So, Predator usually has the tactical and technological advantage, while the Xenomorph has the biological and numbers advantage.
Is Alien vs Predator Connected to the Main Alien and Predator Movies?
This is one of the confusing parts of the franchise.
The AVP movies use characters, creatures, concepts, and mythology from both Alien and Predator. However, their exact place in the broader continuity has been debated by fans because later entries in the two franchises do not always fit neatly with the AVP timeline.
For someone who simply wants to watch AVP, there is no need to work through every Alien and Predator movie first.
The simplest approach is:
Alien vs. Predator (2004) → Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
If you want to explore the entire Alien or Predator franchises separately, treat AVP as a crossover branch rather than trying to force every movie, comic, and game into one perfectly consistent timeline.
Alien vs Predator Comics and Games
The AVP franchise extends far beyond the movies.
Dark Horse published numerous crossover comics from 1989 onward, including stories involving characters such as Machiko Noguchi and different interpretations of the Alien-Predator conflict. The comics continued for decades and became one of the franchise’s most substantial forms of storytelling.
The crossover also became a major video-game property.
Games have allowed players to experience the conflict from different perspectives, including the Marine, Alien, and Predator. The 1999 Aliens versus Predator and 2001 Aliens versus Predator 2 are especially notable examples, while later titles explored different gameplay styles.
This is one area where the AVP franchise offers something the movies cannot. A game can let you become the hunter, the hunted, or the creature in the middle of the conflict.
Is There an Alien vs Predator 3?
As of October 2026, there are still only two theatrical AVP movies: Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007).
A third movie has been discussed over the years, but the proposed continuation did not become a released theatrical sequel. The two existing movies therefore remain the complete theatrical AVP movie series.
This is different from the wider franchises. Both Alien and Predator have continued with their own separate movies and other projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Alien vs Predator movies are there?
There are two theatrical Alien vs Predator movies: Alien vs. Predator from 2004 and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem from 2007. The second movie directly follows the events of the first.
Should I watch Alien vs Predator before Requiem?
Yes. The recommended order is Alien vs. Predator (2004), followed by Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007). Requiem continues directly from the first film, so watching them in release order makes the story easier to follow.
Is Alien vs Predator based on a comic?
The crossover concept originated in Dark Horse Comics before it became a theatrical movie franchise. The first crossover stories appeared around 1989–1990, making the comic version significantly older than the 2004 movie.
What is a Predalien?
A Predalien is an Alien-Predator hybrid. In Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, a Predalien emerges after an Alien develops from a Predator host. It becomes one of the central threats in the movie.
Are the AVP games connected to the movies?
Not necessarily. The AVP games draw from the broader crossover concept and often use their own stories and settings. Many are based more closely on the comics and the general Alien-Predator mythology than on the two theatrical films.
What does AVP stand for?
AVP stands for Alien vs. Predator or Aliens vs. Predator, depending on the specific title. The abbreviation is commonly used for the broader crossover franchise as well as the films.
Final Verdict
Alien vs Predator works because the matchup is built around a simple but effective contrast: the Predator is an intelligent, technologically advanced hunter, while the Xenomorph is a deadly biological organism designed by nature to survive and kill.
If you only want the movies, start with Alien vs. Predator (2004) and follow it with Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007). If you want the deeper history, explore the Dark Horse comics and the video games, where the crossover existed long before it reached theaters.
I am Stephen King an American writer exploring spirituality, dreams, mindfulness, and personal growth. Through SpiritualDreamz.com, he shares thoughtful insights to inspire reflection, clarity, and meaningful everyday living.
