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The new FX series Alien: Earth hasn’t aired yet, but early reactions are already in. Critics who saw the episodes ahead of time have given the show a strong 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. That number puts it just below the highest-rated films in the Alien universe. Aliens, released in 1986, holds 94 percent, while Ridley Scott’s original film from 1979 sits at 93.
It’s close. Just a few percentage points separate this new chapter from the classics. And it’s already reshaping expectations for the future of the franchise. After years of sequels and spin-offs with mixed results, this might be the first clear sign that the Alien story still has something sharp to say.
Release date confirmed, but critics have already responded
The series is set to premiere on August 12, 2025, in the United States. It will air on FX and also stream on Hulu. While the general public hasn’t seen it yet, critics had access to the first episodes in advance. Their reviews are what pushed the series to its current score. These early impressions give a preview of how the show fits into the broader Alien lineup.
A quiet rollout with a stronger reaction than expected
The launch didn’t involve major fanfare. No viral campaign. No massive promotional buildup. Still, the impact has been significant. The show serves as a prequel and uses a slower, more restrained tone. Rather than relying on action, it leans into suspense. The tension builds in silence, through shadows and uncertainty.
This approach connects directly to what made the original films effective. It doesn't chase spectacle. Instead, it holds back. The trailer gave a glimpse of that style. But what reviewers found was a consistent tone across the full episodes. That slow pressure, the feeling that something is about to happen but never quite does, is present throughout.
Critics highlighted atmosphere and performance
Reviewers focused on the pacing and visual tension. The show doesn’t move fast, and that seems intentional. Scenes stretch out. Information is limited. Each sequence gives space for unease to grow. Critics mentioned this as a return to form. It’s not a reboot. It’s not nostalgia either. It just holds the line between new material and familiar structure.
Sydney Chandler, who plays Wendy, was mentioned in several of these reviews. Her role isn’t loud. It doesn’t rely on long speeches. She carries much of the emotional tone with small movements and a kind of stillness. Her performance matches the quiet dread that defines the setting.
Familiar visuals with a different rhythm
One of the promotional shots shows Wendy looking out through a window. She’s not running. She’s not screaming. Her face is calm but focused. There’s a sense that she knows something isn’t right. That moment reflects what Alien has always done well. It suggests danger without showing it. The fear sits just outside the frame. That restraint gives the scene weight. And that same approach seems to define the rest of the series.
How it compares to previous Alien titles
When placed alongside the rest of the franchise, Alien: Earth holds a unique spot. Right now, it’s the third highest-rated project in the series, based on critic scores. Aliens is at the top with 94 percent. Next comes the original Alien with 93. Then Alien: Earth, currently holding 90. Alien: Romulus, released in 2024, follows with 80. Further down are Prometheus at 73 and Alien: Covenant with 65. Older titles like Alien Resurrection and Alien 3 landed at 55 and 44. The crossover films dropped even lower. Alien vs Predator received 21, and Aliens vs Predator: Requiem only 12.
Even without a full release, the new series has already outperformed many of its predecessors. Especially when compared to titles released in the last two decades.
What could happen next
The public response hasn’t arrived yet, so the Rotten Tomatoes score could still change. Audience reviews tend to shift the numbers over time. Still, the early reaction sets the tone. As of now, no second season has been confirmed. But the structure of the series and its early success suggest there’s room for more. If the same tone is maintained, a continuation would likely make sense within the direction the franchise is now taking.
Alien: Earth opens a new chapter for a well-known story
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Alien: Earth shows that the series doesn’t need to rely on theaters to remain relevant. Moving the franchise into television gave it space to slow down. There’s room for tension to unfold without rushing. That choice, according to the first wave of critics, has paid off. The tone is consistent. The focus is narrow but effective. And the core of what made Alien work, uncertainty, silence, the threat of the unknown, is still there.
The show hasn’t been released yet, so more reactions will come. But what has already been said points to something significant. Alien: Earth didn’t just meet expectations. It helped reset them.
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