Aliens (1986)

Aliens is the second film in the main Alien franchise and serves as a direct sequel to the 1979 original. Directed by James Cameron and released in 1986, the film shifts the tone from atmospheric horror to action-packed military science fiction. It follows Ellen Ripley as she returns to LV-426—now colonized—to face an even greater Xenomorph threat, accompanied by a unit of Colonial Marines.

Aliens is widely regarded as one of the greatest action and sci-fi films of all time, expanding the mythos of the franchise and redefining the role of the female action hero through Sigourney Weaver's iconic performance.

Release Information

Release Date: July 18, 1986 (USA)
Director: James Cameron
Screenwriter: James Cameron
Story by: James Cameron, David Giler, and Walter Hill (based on characters by Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett)
Studio: 20th Century Fox / Brandywine Productions
Runtime: 137 minutes (theatrical), 154 minutes (special edition)
Rating: R
Budget: $18.5 million
Box Office: $183 million (worldwide)

Synopsis

Fifty-seven years after the destruction of the Nostromo, Ellen Ripley is rescued from stasis. When she reveals the events on LV-426 and the existence of the Xenomorph, Weyland-Yutani executives dismiss her claims—until contact is lost with a colony established on the same moon: Hadley’s Hope.

Ripley is persuaded to join a mission with the Colonial Marines to investigate. Among the crew are hardened soldiers, a company representative named Burke, and an android science officer, Bishop. Upon arrival, they find the colony overrun, with most of the inhabitants dead or cocooned by the alien creatures.

Ripley becomes a surrogate mother to the lone survivor, a young girl named Newt, and must face both the alien hive and a new horror: the Alien Queen. As the Marines are picked off, Ripley ultimately confronts the Queen in a power loader, rescuing Newt and escaping the facility before it's destroyed in a nuclear explosion.

Main Cast

Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley
Michael Biehn as Corporal Dwayne Hicks
Carrie Henn as Rebecca "Newt" Jorden
Lance Henriksen as Bishop
Paul Reiser as Carter Burke
Bill Paxton as Private Hudson
William Hope as Lieutenant Gorman
Jeanette Goldstein as Private Vasquez
Al Matthews as Sergeant Apone
Mark Rolston as Private Drake

Characters

Ripley: Hardened by her past trauma, Ripley returns to confront her fears and protect others, forming a mother-daughter bond with Newt and taking on a leadership role.
Newt: The lone child survivor of Hadley's Hope, who survives in the colony's ruins until rescued by Ripley.
Hicks: The calm and capable Marine who forms a protective relationship with Ripley.
Bishop: A synthetic who proves loyal and courageous, contrasting the deceptive android Ash from the previous film.
Burke: The corporate liaison who secretly tries to smuggle alien embryos back to Earth for profit.

Xenomorphs and the Alien Queen

Aliens introduces the concept of a hive society for the Xenomorphs, led by a massive Alien Queen. This creature lays eggs and exhibits intelligence, maternal instincts, and territorial aggression. The film expands the Xenomorph mythos:

Facehuggers are used to implant embryos into human hosts
Warriors protect the hive and overwhelm victims in swarms
The Queen serves as a central figure in the alien hierarchy

The hive environment, complete with resin-covered tunnels and cocooned hosts, becomes a staple in future franchise entries.

Colonial Marines

The film introduces the United States Colonial Marine Corps, a futuristic military force equipped with:

M41A Pulse Rifles
M56 Smartguns
Dropships and APCs
Motion trackers, sentry guns, and body armor

Their bravado and firepower contrast with the claustrophobic helplessness of the first film—until they, too, are quickly overwhelmed.

Themes

Motherhood and Protection: Ripley and the Alien Queen both embody maternal instincts, clashing over Newt’s survival.
Corporate Greed: Burke's actions illustrate Weyland-Yutani's continued disregard for human life in pursuit of alien assets.
Trauma and Redemption: Ripley’s return to LV-426 allows her to confront her nightmares and emerge as a protector and warrior.
Military Overconfidence: The Marines’ confidence in their firepower gives way to terror as they realize their enemy is far more dangerous.

Production

James Cameron was brought on after the success of The Terminator (1984) and wrote the screenplay while developing other projects. Filming took place primarily at Pinewood Studios in the UK. The Alien Queen was created using puppetry, animatronics, and crane-supported effects, revolutionizing creature design.

Aliens used practical effects, miniature sets, and in-camera explosions to create its gritty, immersive visuals. The film’s tone and pacing—more action than horror—set it apart from its predecessor while retaining core elements of suspense and terror.

Reception

Aliens was a critical and commercial hit, praised for its blend of action and horror, strong characters, and groundbreaking visual effects. It received seven Academy Award nominations and won for:

Best Visual Effects
Best Sound Editing

Sigourney Weaver received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, a rare achievement for a science fiction performance.

Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Metacritic: 84/100
CinemaScore: A

Legacy

Aliens solidified Ripley’s role as a pop culture icon and cemented the Xenomorph as a top-tier cinematic monster. The film inspired countless imitators and is often cited as one of the best sequels ever made. Its portrayal of a competent, diverse military unit and strong female lead influenced decades of science fiction and video game design.

Elements introduced in this film—such as the Alien Queen, the hive structure, and the Colonial Marines—became recurring features in comics, games, and crossover films like AVP: Alien vs. Predator.

External Links

Aliens (film)

Contents