Mark your calendars! On April 26th, Ridley Scott’sAlienwill be re-released back into theaters, and it couldn’t be a better time to do just that. The film redefined the fear of the unknown corners of our universe and blended science fiction and horror perfectly.Alien’stagline is dreadful alone: “In space, no one can hear you scream.” Costing just 11 million dollars to make and grossing over 100 million dollars globally, the film has become a bona fide horror classic that many seek out to watch for a good scare on the regular.
These stats and praises are not the only reason whyAliencoming back to the big screen is a perfect time. With a brand-new Alien movie on the way this summer, the film’s original director hitting stride with other projects, as well as just seeing this phenomenal piece of horror cinema in the best way possible, are some of the few little tidbits of information as to why you should go seek out Alien on the big screen in just a few weeks.
The Anniversary of a Cinematic Experience
By the timeAliengets put back in theaters at the end of April, it will be nearing the 45th anniversary of its release, just a few months shy, to be exact. Ridley Scott’s tense nightmare about being lost in space and being stalked by a murderous Xenomorph hit theaters on June 22nd, 1979. Not only is this in the ballpark of an anniversary screening, but the technical side of seeing this film in theaters is another reason to purchase a ticket.
There is also a possibility of this film hitting screens at IMAX and PDX theaters. Imagine the sound designs and detail of the visuals on screen during a viewing of the film. There is also a possibility of a 4K release down the pipeline at some point, ever since the film’s sequel,Aliens, got one not too long ago.
Ridley Scott Is in the Zeitgeist Right Now
It really does kind of feel likeRidley Scotthas had two movies out a year for the last two decades. When is this guy not working? At the end of last year, Scott’s unconventional and polarizing biopic,Napoleon, was released tomixed to less than satisfactory reviews. Around the same time this year, we are expecting to see his long-awaitedsequel toGladiator.
Sandwiched in the middle is theAlienre-release, the film that put him on the map in the late 1970s. This man is 86 years old, is working harder than anyone right now, and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. WithGladiator IIon the horizon, this is shaping up to be another big year for Scott. If anything, make 2024 a year to dive deep into the diversefilmography of Ridley Scott films.He has dabbled in just about any genre and is one of the greatest living directors to this day.
Related:Ridley Scott’s 10 Favorite Movies
The Release of Alien Romulus
We have been givena little tease as to what to expectin the newest installment in theAlienfranchise recently.AlienRomuluswill hit theaters on August 16th, 2024. In a recent interview, director Fede Álvarezstated that Romulus will take place twenty years after the original film takes place, thus making the year 2142 in this film.
IfRomulusis a hit (or even if it isn’t), you potentially have a fun double feature on your hands with these two films. Having the summer marked from beginning to end withAlienfilms in theaters is going to be a real treat for fans of the franchise. Plus, at the screening ofAlien, there will be a quick video ofFede Álvarez and Ridley Scott sitting downto talk about the new film and the iconic franchise before the re-released version plays for audiences.
Alien: Romulus
Alien: Romulus takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots. While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.
Related:Fede Alvarez Reveals Ridley Scott’s Reaction to His Alien Movie
Reaching a New Generation
Alienis one of those once-in-a-generation films, so, as generations get older, it’s important to pass down the thrilling experience that comes with the film to a new generation. There will always be someone who doesn’t like older movies, but usually the majority of people like to explore the classics.
HavingAlienback in theaters in the coming weeks has the potential to do just that: have the film find a new audience.Alienhas been doing just that, year after year. A new horror fan is born at some point in the world, and they don’t know it yet, but soon they will discover the film, and it just so happens that this time around they can do that on the big screen.
There isn’t another horror film likeAlien, only a batch of rip-offs that are fun but don’t even come close. Ridley Scott can do no wrong, even if he produces a dud here and there. The set design ofAlienalone is a horror film with a cargo ship that feels so lived in and worn down. Anything at any moment can go wrong in space, so being one of the many to witness one of the first films to convey that theme in such a scary way on the big screen for the first time in a while is indeed a must-see.
