4. Alien: Romulus (2024)

Alien: Romulus is viciously vibey and absolutely beautiful, with an impressive cast of young actors that help propel its rather familiar story forward. Set after the original film but before Aliens, Romulus tells the story of a derelict outpost drifting towards a Weyland-Yutani mining colony, and the ragtag group of teenagers determined to escape their life of indentured servitude by any means necessary. Directed by Fede Álvarez, Romulus looks incredible—it leans on more tactile, practical set design like the original film, so much so that it feels, at times, like it was made in the ‘70s. And when Álvarez does deploy digital effects, he does so with a deft hand. The perfect blending of the two makes for a visual feast.

Unfortunately, too much of Romulus relies on references, including the addition of a cringey, de-aged version of an iconic character who sours the entire experience. When it’s not tripping over Easter eggs, Romulus is an absolute blast—a film that could very well usher in a new generation of Alien fans. But if you already know the franchise, and have had your fill of nostalgia plays, this may be a bit too much for you. — Alyssa Mercante