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Years after surviving an attack by the deadly Xenomorphs, Warrant Officer Ripley joins a rescue team investigating a colony on LV-426. When contact is lost, they discover the planet is overrun by the terrifying creatures, forcing Ripley to confront her past trauma and fight for survival once again.

Years after surviving an attack by the deadly Xenomorphs, Warrant Officer Ripley joins a rescue team investigating a colony on LV-426. When contact is lost, they discover the planet is overrun by the terrifying creatures, forcing Ripley to confront her past trauma and fight for survival once again.

Does Aliens have end credit scenes?

No!

Aliens does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Aliens

Explore the complete cast of Aliens, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Aliens

See how Aliens is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Aliens stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

84

Metascore

8.9

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

94%

TOMATOMETER

review

94%

User Score

IMDb

8.4 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

80

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Aliens Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Aliens with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Aliens Quiz: Test your knowledge about the thrilling events and characters of the 1986 classic, Aliens.

Who is the main protagonist of the film?

Awards & Nominations for Aliens

Explore awards

Discover all the awards and nominations received by Aliens, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Aliens and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


The 59th Academy Awards 1987

Sigourney Weaver
Nomination

Actress in a Leading Role

Sigourney Weaver
Nomination

Art Direction

Nomination

Film Editing

Nomination

Music (Original Score)

Nomination

Sound

Win

Sound Effects Editing

Win

Visual Effects

40th British Academy Film Awards 1987

Nomination

Best Makeup and Hair

Nomination

Best Production Design

Nomination

Best Sound

Win

Best Special Visual Effects

44th Golden Globe Awards 1987

Sigourney Weaver
Nomination

Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actress)

Sigourney Weaver

14th Saturn Awards 1987

Win

Best Director

Nomination

Best Actor

Win

Best Actress

Bill Paxton
Win

Best Supporting Actor

Bill Paxton
Jenette Goldstein
Win

Best Supporting Actress

Jenette Goldstein
Win

Best Performance by a Younger Actor

Win

Best Writing

Nomination

Best Costumes

Nomination

Best Make-up

Win

Best Special Effects

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Aliens

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Read the complete plot summary of Aliens, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Ellen Ripley, portrayed by Sigourney Weaver, is miraculously rescued after spending 57 long years in stasis, drifting through the void of space. Upon her return, she faces a rigorous debriefing from the Weyland-Yutani Corporation regarding the shocking destruction of her ship, the Nostromo. Skepticism clouds her testimony as the corporation questions her harrowing account of an Alien creature that resulted in the demise of her crew. Determined to convey the truth, Ripley underscores the threat the Alien posed; although she succeeded in eliminating it, she warns that the alien vessel harbored thousands of eggs. Should any find their way to Earth, the consequences could be catastrophic as these creatures gestate within living hosts.

Now located in Zeta Reticuli, the Exomoon LV-426 has transformed into a Terraforming colony named Hadley’s Hope, where about 60 to 70 families have labored for over two decades to create a breathable atmosphere. Tragically, one of the exploratory teams stumbles upon the derelict alien ship, inadvertently triggering a breeding cycle when an egg hatches, leading to disaster as it attaches itself to one of the explorers.

As communication with Hadley’s Hope abruptly ceases, Weyland-Yutani sends representative Carter Burke (played by Paul Reiser) and Colonel Marine Lieutenant Gorman (William Hope) to enlist Ripley’s help in investigating the dire situation. Although haunted by her previous encounter with the Alien, Ripley initially hesitates to join them. However, after grappling with recurring nightmares about the creature, she agrees, provided Burke assures her that the priority will be extermination, not capture.

Aboard the USS Sulaco, Ripley meets the Colonial Marines and the android Bishop (Lance Henriksen), filling her with unease due to her previous traumatic experience with the treacherous android Ash. Upon landing on LV-426, the team discovers the facilities vacated. Signs of struggle are evident, but the colony is eerily empty except for two live face-Huggers contained within a medical lab and one survivor—a young girl nicknamed Newt (Carrie Henn) who narrowly escaped death by hiding in the ventilation system.

Using the colony’s advanced computer systems, the team manages to detect the missing colonists sheltered beneath the power station. As they navigate the station’s dark, secreted corridors, they shockingly uncover colonists cocooned, serving as hosts for Alien offspring. Their mission spirals into chaos when an encounter with a newborn Alien leads to an ambush that results in multiple casualties among the marines.

In a critical moment, panic-stricken Gorman falters, prompting Ripley to assert command, steering their vehicle with dire urgency as they crash through the nest to rescue her fellow marines—Hicks (Michael Biehn), Hudson (Bill Paxton), and Vasquez (Jenette Goldstein). However, disaster strikes when the crew’s drop-ship is brought down by a hidden Alien, forcing Ripley, Newt, Burke, and the surviving marines to seek refuge inside the colony.

Ripley soon uncovers a terrifying plot: Burke had orchestrated the colonists’ visit to the derelict ship, driven by greed and the ambition to exploit Alien specimens for bioweapons. Threatened by her knowledge, Burke’s ulterior motives push Ripley to act. Amidst this betrayal, Bishop reveals an even graver danger: the power plant has sustained serious damage during their conflict and is on the brink of catastrophic detonation.

As Ripley and Newt find momentary safety in the medical lab, their brief respite ends as two face-Huggers are released, prompting a desperate alert to the marines. With the Marines’ timely intervention, they manage to eliminate the face-Huggers. Ripley soon confronts Burke over his ruthless intentions to sacrifice her and Newt, aiming to facilitate his sinister escape plan. The confrontation escalates as Aliens begin an all-out assault, leading to the loss of more lives.

In a race against time, Ripley, horrifically aware of the danger Newt faces, assembles a makeshift weapon and valiantly descends into the depths of the processing station to rescue her from the clutches of the Alien queen. A fierce battle ensues as Ripley destroys the alien eggs, inciting the wrath of the queen who breaks free from her lair, pursuing them with deadly intent. Time is of the essence as they meet Bishop and Hicks, narrowly escaping moments before the colony is obliterated.

Yet the nightmare isn’t over; aboard the Sulaco, they soon discover that the Alien queen has stowed away. In a horrifying twist of fate, she attacks Bishop, dismembering him in her rampage toward Newt. With determination, Ripley engages in an epic showdown against the queen using a powerful Exosuit, ultimately evicting the creature into the void of space. As the survivors—Ripley, Newt, Hicks, and the injured Bishop—enter hyper-sleep for their journey back to Earth, they can finally hope for peace, but the specter of the Alien remains, lurking in memory.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

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Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Aliens

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Aliens. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Theatrical Trailer

Modern Trailer

Making of Aliens 1986 documentary (2003)

Aliens Wins Visual Effects: 1987 Oscars

James Cameron on directing Aliens | Film4 Interview Special

Aliens 30th Anniversary | Sigourney Weaver Interview

Aliens 30th Anniversary | James Cameron, Sigourney Weaver, and Gale Anne Hurd Interview

Aliens 30th Anniversary | Live Fan Q&A Highlights

Aliens. 1986 - EXTRA, Deleted Footages

TV trailer #2 1986

Cars Featured in Aliens

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Explore all cars featured in Aliens, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Blaw-Knox

1978

Pathmaster 42

Bradshaw

FB2

Hunslet

ATT77

Jones

Iron Fairy

LV

426 Rover

Aliens Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


alienrescue missionsoldiermonsterxenomorphellen ripley charactersequelandroidcatdeath of daughterdoll's headyelling for helpacid burnstrong female characterconcussionhuman versus alienhuman body alien hostaction heroinespaceshipacidspace marinelittle girlsurrogate motherspace colonyrescuecryogenicstrusthelmet cameracamaraderiedollscreaming girllocked in a roombolt upright after nightmarealien queenstrong female leadcreature featurecrawling through an air shaftbetrayalchildhood innocencemegacorporationparenthoodself sacrificepromisecult filmnightmarecorrupting influence of capitalismmale androidmother daughter relationshipyear 2179orphan

Aliens Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for Aliens across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


Alien 2 Alien 2: Aliens Alien II 異形2 Aliens: Director's Cut Aliens: Special Edition Alien 2 Aliens le retour 에일리언 2 Aliens (El regreso) Aliens : Le retour Alien 2 el regreso Obcy 2 Aliens - Scontro Finale - Edizione Speciale Aliens: El regreso Alien 2 Le retour Alien 2 - Aliens - O Resgate Чужие Obcy: Decydujące Starcie 1986 - Alien 2 Aliens: Die Rückkehr Alien 2 - Die Rückkehr A bolygó neve: Halál Alien 2. - Halál bolygó Чужі エイリアン2:1986 Quái Vật Không Gian 2 Yaratık 2: Yaratığın Dönüşü 異形續集 Aliens le retour Aliens Die Rueckkehr Aliens: O Resgate Այլմոլորակայինները Aliens - Die Rückkehr Aliens - Scontro finale Votrelci Vetřelci 异形2 Yaratığın Dönüşü Aliens: O Recontro Final Aliens - Paluu Aliens - A Bolygó neve: Halál Obcy - decydujące starcie Aliens - återkomsten Aliens - det endelige opgør שובו של הנוסע השמיני Пришълците Осми путник 2 エイリアン2 Tulnukad Άλιενς: Η Επιστροφή Extratereștrii 에이리언 2 Aliens: El Regreso Svešais 2 Svetimi بیگانه ۲: بیگانگان เอเลี่ยน 2 ฝูงมฤตยูนอกโลก Aliens : Le Retour Osmi potnik 2 Oʻzga sayyoraliklar უცხოები

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