What year is Alien: Earth set in? Timeline of the prequel series, explored

Alien: Earth is the newest installment in the Alien franchise and the first TV show to revive the popular sci-fi movie saga. Created by Noah Hawley, the sci-fi horror series features Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Lily Newmark, and others.

Alien: Earth is a prequel installment to the movies and is set in 2120, which is two years before the events of the original 1979 movie Alien, starring Sigourney Weaver. The show premiered recently on August 12, 2025 on FX and FX on Hulu and is available internationally on Disney+.

The series has revived the Alien franchise for a new generation of viewers and the premise focuses on a space vessel called Maginot that crash lands on Earth. Now, Wendy (Chandler), a hybrid with a human consciousness and a synthetic body, and a group of tactical soldiers must overcome danger as a collection of samples of alien life forms have been freed.

The show is garnering rave reviews and here’s a quick timeline of the series.

What year is Alien: Earth set in and details about the timeline of the show explored

To answer the question about when Alien: Earth takes place in the Alien franchise timeline, viewers need to note that the sci-fi horror show takes place in the year 2120, which is two years before the first Alien movie, which was set in 2122.

The show is therefore a prequel to the 1979 Ridley Scott movie. Interestingly, the USCSS Nostromo of Alien, takes off from Earth in 2120, the same year where Alien: Earth is set in. Therefore, the show and the movie are tightly bound together and mentions of Nostromo could happen in the series.

Apart from the timeline of the new series, here’s a look at how the rest of the franchise is placed.

The Alien movies timeline explained

Technically, Alien vs Predator comes first as Predators are pit against Xenomorphs, which takes place in 2004. The next movie, Alien vs. Predator: Requiem, is also set in 2004.

Next, Ridley Scott came up with a prequel named Prometheus, which happens in 2089, which is 33 years before Alien and focuses on a deep space mission that focuses on the origins of the Xenomorphs. Alien: Covenant is next, which happens in 2104 and also features the synthetic robot David.

Finally, Alien: Earth comes in as it is set in 2120 and the next on the list is the original Alien movie that is set in 2122.

Next is Alien: Romulus that takes place in 2142 and fits between Alien and Aliens. The movie is about scientists that are experimenting with Xenomorphs.

Aliens comes next as it is set in 2179 and this one is directed by James Cameron and the fight between Ellen Ripley and the aliens happens again. Alien 3 comes next by David Fincher, which takes place in 2179.

Finally, Alien: Resurrection happens, which takes place in 2381 and viewers get to see a clone of Ellen Ripley.

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Alien: Earth is available on FX and FX on Hulu in the US and on Disney+ internationally.

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