14 Most Terrifying Moments From Alien Films

It is almost 40 years since Ridley Scott’s seminal Alien burst through our consciousness, and John Hurt’s chest. The sci-fi horror introduced terrified audiences to the iconic and nightmarish acid-drooling Xenomorph, and a certain warrant officer by the name of Ellen Ripley.

We grew an infinite attachment to Ripley thanks to her kick-ass heroism against the horrifyingly hostile creatures which played out in four characteristic stages. She was brave in Alien, badass in Aliens, sacrificial in Alien 3, and an all-controlling sociopath in Alien: Resurrection.

The series reached its peak of audience and critical acclaim with James Cameron's all-action Aliens (still his best film), which built on Scott's tale of playing on one of our most basic fears of a monster lurking in the dark. It was that fear that had made the first film so essential, even despite its comparatively simple premise.

Sure, Alien 3, Resurrection and Prometheus might have been different creatures entirely - changed by production issues, audience boredom and an identity crisis - but each was best when the film-makers dialled the horror levels up.

Thankfully, Scott has gone back to basics - well, sort of - in the franchise's latest chapter, Alien: Covenant. So to paraphrase his words, it's time to scare the s**t out of people.

The third instalment in the franchise was given an alien-esque savaging by fans - and James Cameron - upon its initial release. However, following the release of the Assembly Cut, reception towards David Fincher's entry has been retrospectively warmer somewhat.

But whichever way you look at it, the general consensus is that you either rank Alien 3 or the outlandish nonsense of Alien: Resurrection behind the simply far superior Alien and Aliens. Although It must be said there are far more well rounded characters in Alien 3 than in Resurrection.

This lends itself in them developing more in-depth relationships, which manifests when Ripley forms a close bond with Fiorina "Fury" 161's resident physician Jonathan Clemens (Charles Dance). Unluckily for Clemens - and being de riguer for alien films - he soon meets his gratuitous demise. What happens next is equally terrifying and bizarre.

Just, for a moment, dismiss the the terrible CGI depicting the Runner alien. First the terrifying part: as it scurries over to a palpably petrified Ripley, surely this must be it? We're not even near the end of the film but perhaps this is a shocking twist. First Hicks and Newt, now this. Fans will be fuming.

Now for the bizarre: the alien appears, instead, to examine Ripley, then leaves with Clemens' body in tow, clearly knowing a queen lay inside her.