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Alien vs. Predator

Alien vs. Predator

Whoever wins... we lose.

2004101 minPG-13Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films
Director
Paul W.S. Anderson
Starring
Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Ian Whyte, Raoul Bova

When scientists discover something near Antarctica that appears to be a buried Pyramid, they send a research team out to investigate. Little do they know that they are about to step into a hunting ground where Aliens are grown as sport for the Predator race.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Alien vs. Predator?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Alien vs. Predator streaming on Disney+ and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about Alien vs. Predator?

Alien vs. Predator earns 6 badges, led by Spectacle and Box Office Hit.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Alien vs. Predator worth watching?

Alien vs. Predator's Midcredits score is the 31st percentile of all films, from 502K ratings across 6 sources. 35% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

31st percentile

Better received than 31% of films

46th percentile among Action30th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)33rd
Approval (how many liked it)30th

56 /100

33rd percentile of all films

49th percentile among Action33rd percentile among 2000s

Critics 29 · Audience 58

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.8 — solid but not unanimous.

35% liked it

30th percentile of all films

45th percentile among Action28th percentile among 2000s
35% rated it 7–1065% rated it 1–6

Critics 21% · Audience 39%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 4 noms overall

98th percentile

501K ratings across platforms

96th percentile among Action97th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 21% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$60M
Opening weekend$38M
Domestic gross$80M
Worldwide gross$177M

Returned 3.0× its budget — 90th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film is pure action spectacle with impressive effects but a shallow story and weak characters.

Fans praised

  • Fast-paced action and excellent Alien vs. Predator fight scenes
  • Top-notch special effects, creature design, and set design
  • Entertaining, no-brainer action that doesn't take itself too seriously

Detractors panned

  • Thin, nonsensical story with cardboard characters
  • Ridiculous dialogue that undercuts any seriousness
  • Contradicts established Alien/Predator canon and cheapens both franchises

What stands out

Effects and spectacle80

Impressive creature design, set pieces, and Alien Queen

PacingDivisive60

Fast, breezy runtime but some choppy editing

TensionDivisive50

Decent suspense diluted by PG-13 rating

ActingDivisive45

Hollow performances despite decent leads like Sanaa Lathan and Lance Henriksen

Originality40

Derivative blend of both franchises, offering nothing new

Plot and story30

Thin, convoluted premise contradicting franchise lore

Characters25

Carbon-cutout characters with little depth or development

Dialogue20

Cheesy, parody-level lines that undermine the drama

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 16 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men even
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 3 points apart
  • US vs non-US 6 points apart

Watch experience

What is Alien vs. Predator like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Scary: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want to be scared.

It is intense and leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Scary.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseThrillingDread
Heaviest: throughout
Register
Adventurous · 11% of filmsExuberant · 2% of films: Bursting with energy and joy in its own filmmaking.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its over-the-top premise straight, treating the monster action with earnest energy.
The rideThe film maintains a consistent tension and threat level from the moment the aliens are encountered until the climax.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically from the discovery to the expedition and the fight.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunRousing · 10% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves a sense of exciting adventure and satisfaction from the intense monster battles.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Voyage
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4% (this title): Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% (this title) · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Voyage and return: Into a strange world and back again, changed. · Survival ordeal: Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).

4% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA team of explorers ventures into an ancient pyramid deep under Antarctic ice, only to become trapped in a deadly hunt between Predators and Aliens, and must fight to escape.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% (this title) · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% (this title) · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Survival

SurvivalPower · 2% of filmsViolence · 4% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on the humans' desperate struggle to survive being trapped between two warring alien species.
StanceThe film presents survival as a visceral fact without moral commentary, focusing on the immediate threat to the expedition team.

The world

ContemporaryInstitutionalWildernessScience fiction
Orchestral modernForeground music · original score · Harald Kloser
SettingA remote Antarctic research station and an ancient pyramid beneath the ice.
MusicA bombastic orchestral score that heightens the action and monster reveals.

Content guide

Is Alien vs. Predator okay for kids?

PG-13

Alien vs. Predator is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for violence, language, horror images, slime and gore” (MPAA). As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (73/100), sexual content at minimal (5/100), language at moderate (48/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (26/100) and frightening material at intense (66/100). Overall it is heavier than 87% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 25 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany16
  • France12
  • Ireland15
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil14
  • Belgium16
  • BGD
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark11
  • FinlandK-16
  • Greece16
  • Hungary16
  • ItalyT
  • MexicoB-15
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway15
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/12
  • RO18
  • Russia16+
  • Spain18
  • Sweden11
  • Switzerland16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 55% of all filmsHeavier than 87% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 94%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 3%
Profanity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 65%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 28%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 86%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence and frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what PG-13-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Alien vs. Predator have?

MovieCove's classifier found 1 depicted content warning in Alien vs. Predator: Gore or body horror (moderate). Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

ModerateGore or body horror

Cast and crew

Who is in Alien vs. Predator?

Cast

2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen; 1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Sanaa Lathan
as Alexa Woods
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Lance Henriksen
as Charles Bishop Weyland
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ian Whyte
as Scar
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Raoul Bova
as Sebastian de Rosa
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ewen Bremner
as Graeme Miller
Colin Salmon
as Maxwell Stafford
Tommy Flanagan
as Mark Verheiden
Joseph Rye
as Joe Connors
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Agathe de La Boulaye
as Adele Rousseau
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Carsten Norgaard
as Rusten Quinn
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Alien vs. Predator?

Movies like Alien vs. Predator include Predators (2010), Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) and Predator (1987). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films written by Ronald Shusett, and several are stories about creatures.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Jim Thomas and John Thomas wrote 5 of these 12. Those cards say what else they share.

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What else shares a premise, people or place with Alien vs. Predator?

773 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: alien. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.