Ridley Scott is gearing up for a sci-fi comeback with The Dog Stars, but his most iconic contribution to the genre remains the 1979 masterpiece Alien. Unfortunately for streaming fans, that film is about to vanish from HBO Max. Mark your calendars: May 21, 2026 is the last day to watch it on the platform.
Released to a mixed critical reception, Alien has since been recognized as a landmark of both science fiction and horror. It introduced audiences to Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver, who became one of cinema's most enduring heroes. The film's claustrophobic tension, groundbreaking creature design by H.R. Giger, and Scott's masterful direction created a world that felt both terrifying and believable.
Weaver would reprise her role in James Cameron's action-packed sequel Aliens and David Fincher's divisive Alien 3. Scott returned to the franchise decades later with the prequel Prometheus and its follow-up Alien: Covenant. The series saw a resurgence with 2024's Alien: Romulus and the FX series Alien: Earth, created by Noah Hawley. For more on the franchise's future, check out Noah Hawley's 'Alien: Earth' Season 2 Begins Filming Summer 2026.
Today, Alien holds a 93% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it "a modern classic" that "blends science fiction, horror and bleak poetry into a seamless whole." The film was a box office hit, grossing around $200 million worldwide on a modest $10 million budget. Its cast also includes Ian Holm, Tom Skerritt, Harry Dean Stanton, Yaphet Kotto, and John Hurt.
If you haven't seen Alien yet—or want to revisit it before it leaves—now is the time. The film is a must-watch for any fan of sci-fi or horror. For more on what's leaving HBO Max soon, see Ridley Scott's 'Alien' to Leave HBO Max in May 2026—Stream It Before It's Gone.
Scott's return to sci-fi with The Dog Stars (starring Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin) is highly anticipated, but his legacy in the genre is already secure. Alien remains his crowning achievement—a film that continues to terrify and inspire audiences more than four decades after its release.
