Aliens vs. Predators: Ranking The Films From Worst To Best

9. Alien vs. Predator (2004)

After gestating for years at 20th Century Fox in the wake of the popular comic book series that brought the two icons together and a brief appearance of a Xenomorph skull on the Predator ship in 1990€™s Predator 2 having led fans€™ imaginations to run wild for over a decade about the possibility of seeing the two onscreen together, Alien vs. Predator finally hit theaters in 2004 to a lukewarm response. Although the film attempts to nobly take a slow-burn approach early on to set up its human characters and premise, including the presence of Alien franchise vet Lance Henriksen as a way to tie Weyland Industries into the affairs, none of it is interesting or endearing, which makes the anticipation of getting to the action overshadow everything. When the Predators and Aliens finally step into the picture for good, there's an inherent novelty to it all that makes it entertaining for a little while before quickly wearing off as the film struggles to go wild with the concept. The Predators are quickly reduced to one and the pairing between the last one standing and the film€™s heroine is undermined by some awkward shots between the two that lead to several chuckle-worthy moments when the two seem to be on the verge of sharing a kiss. While some of the designs are cool, the film ultimately seems to be working under restraints, trying to be scary without actually being scary while also trying to be an action film afraid to go balls-to-the-wall, with neither aspect balancing out effectively like the best films in the standalone franchises.