47 Years Later, Alien Is Enjoying Its Biggest Sci-Fi Franchise Heyday Ever

Published Sep 13, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT Jared is a writer, editor, and Communications Studies graduate who loves popular nerd culture (almost anything to do with Marvel, DC, Star Wars, or The Lord of the Rings) and the interactive storytelling medium. Jared's first console was the PS1, wherein he fell for Spider-Man, Spyro the Dragon, and Crash Bandicoot. Sign in to your ScreenRant account For almost half a century, Alien has prevailed as one of the best sci-fi/horror franchises ever. Not every theatrical installment has been a hit, to be fair, but it has continued to thrive in basically any medium that would have it, especially in video games. For example, not only is Creative Assembly’s Alien: Isolation one of the best survival-horror games of all time, but it’s also one of the best Alien outings. In 2026, things have been heating up for the franchise more than ever before in games. Alien already had the luxury of being one of Dead by Daylight’s DLC crossover Chapters, but it’s being treated to another unceremonious celebration this month, alongside a beloved limited-time game mode that has freshened and spiced up the asymmetrical horror game since it debuted a couple of years ago. Alien Is Taking Over Dead By Daylight All September Having begun on September 8, Dead by Daylight’s 2v8 mode is back and honoring Alien by introducing the Xenomorph. Not every killer character is available in this mode, which itself is impermanent and comes and goes on a whim. It’s terrific to have it back, especially with the Xenomorph as an available killer this time around. Plus, the Xenomorph has been given a new skin for the occasion, adapting the Xenomorph King from Dark Horse’s Aliens: Rogue comic book series. The 2v8 mode is back now until September 29, ensuring that this whole month is dedicated to Alien in a special way. Of course, players should expect that this 2v8 mode will not be technically perfect, and many players wish that other bugs and issues were addressed instead, as is always the case with any new update in Dead by Daylight. Alien’s Future Is Bright If Dead by Daylight’s love letter to Alien wasn’t enough, Cold Iron’s Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 was recently released at the end of August as a third-person shooter sequel encouraging multiplayer strategization, and Alien: Isolation 2 is currently in development as a first-person survival-horror game. It was unclear whether fans would ever receive a legitimate Alien: Isolation sequel, as it had been 10 years since the first game launched before an official announcement for Alien: Isolation 2 was made, but late is better than never. As long as Dead by Daylight retains the Alien license, it’ll be fantastic to see what other content it adds as possible cosmetics, characters, or Realm maps associated with it. For example, it’s lovely to have Cailee Spaeny’s Rain Carradine from Alien: Romulus as an Ellen Ripley skin, and Alien: Isolation 2 may be able to inspire more crossover content whenever it launches. The sky is the limit in terms of how high an Alien or Aliens game can soar, and Alien: Isolation 2 has a chance to set the bar even higher. Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 is sure to scratch an itch for fans of the more action-oriented corner of the franchise, to be sure, but Dead by Daylight is doing a lot of heavy lifting for the series’ presence in games. The beauty of Dead by Daylight lies casting a wider net toward general audiences, just like every other IP in Dead by Daylight’s swathe of licensed content). Alien: Isolation inspired many survival-horror games, and the sequel is going to have incredibly high expectations more than a decade later. There’s an argument to be made that developers haven’t even scratched the surface of what’s possible with a video game based on Alien, whether it’s an Alien-inspired horror game or an Aliens-inspired action game. Hopefully, Alien: Isolation 2 will hopefully push that bar, and Dead by Daylight will ideally continue to honor the Alien IP. Alien Movie(s) Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, Alien Resurrection, AVP: Alien vs. Predator, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, Prometheus, Alien: Covenant, Alien: Romulus TV Show(s) Alien: Earth Video Game(s) Aliens: Colonial Marines, Alien: Isolation, Alien: Isolation 2 First Film Alien First TV Show Alien: Earth Genres Sci-Fi, Horror, Action The Alien franchise, which began with Ridley Scott's 1979 film, is a Sci-Fi series comprised of several horror films, games, and comic books centered on humanity's encounters with a hostile extraterrestrial species known as Xenomorphs. Characterized by their lethal prowess and capability to reproduce at an alarming rate, these creatures pose a profound threat to human existence. The primary series protagonist, Ellen Ripley, acts as the voice of reason as she seeks to keep the creatures out of the hands of greed-driven corporate scientists. Cast Sigourney Weaver, Ian Holm, Lance Henriksen, Winona Ryder, Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, Guy Pearce, Logan Marshall-Green, Sydney Chandler Director Ridley Scott, James Cameron, David Fincher, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Fede Álvarez, Paul W.S. Anderson Writers Dan O'Bannon, James Cameron, David Giler, Walter Hill, Larry Ferguson, Joss Whedon, Jon Spaihts, Damon Lindelof, John Logan, dante harper, Fede Álvarez, Rodo Sayagues, Paul W.S. Anderson, Shane Salerno Created by Dan O'Bannon, Ronald Shusett