The Alien franchise is one of the biggest sci fiction franchises spanning movies, comics, novels, games, etc. So of course, we’ve encountered a lot of interesting characters, some good, some bad, and some just plan nasty. In this post we’re going down the list counting down 25 of our favorite characters in the franchise.
Some honorable mentions include Chris “Hoop” Hooper (Alien: Out of the Shadows), Vinnie Distephano (Alien Resurrection), Christopher Samuels (Alien: Isolation), Eloise (Aliens (2009)), Dan Lope (Alien: Covenant), Elizabeth Shaw (Prometheus), and Eloise (Aliens: Purge).
(25) Meredith Vickers (Prometheus)
Vickers is a representative of the Weyland Yutani Corporation who stationed aboard the exploration vessel USCSS Prometheus on its expedition to LV-223. Vickers was one of the better characters of the film who’s ambition and actions are a result of her resentment of David and her father, Peter Weyland. It’s unfortunate that she met her end when a spaceship fell on her. She was portrayed by Charlize Theron.
(24) Ann McKay (Aliens: Sacrifice)
Ann McKay was a priest who crashed landed on a planet, being brought into a small village that’s being besieged by a xenomorph. Spirituality is a thing of the series and McKay embodies it well, even after her ordeal with the xenomorph left her faith a little shaky. But she makes the list because she volunteered to face the beast herself and actually killed it (at the cost of her eyesight).
(23) Davis One (Aliens: Defiance)
What makes Davis One such a badass is how he decided that he wanted to be more independent so he did just that. Not only that, but he’s got a xenomorph kill count as well. Next to Zula, Davis One has not only waged war against the xenomorphs but also the Weyland-Yutani Corporation itself.
(22) Larry Purvis (Alien Resurrection)
Of all the characters of the movie, Purvis deserves our sympathy the most. He was travel with an unknown party when he was kidnapped by space pirates, delivered to an unknown research facility and infected with an xenomorph embryo. Throughout the movie we know that Purvis’ clock is ticking so we have time to get to know his character which is one of the more grounded of the rough crew. Ultimately, he does die but he goes out taking out a mad scientist who betrayed the crew. He was portrayed by Leland Orser.
(21) Tennessee (Alien: Covenant)
Portrayed by Danny McBride, Tennessee was one of the better characters of the movie. Tennessee was the pilot of the colonization spacecraft Covenant. Although he does play the comedy relief with his fun one liners, he’s also brave, dependable, and a highly skilled pilot. I would love to see his character in another film but since David’s got everybody in the palm of his hand the chances are pretty slim.
(20) Billie (Aliens: Earth Hive)
Billie is one of the two survivors of the infestation of the colony world Rim. After being institutionalized she, along with fellow survivor Colonial Marine Wilks, continue their campaign against the alien menace. Billie comes into her own as a strong young woman who overcomes her fears of the xenomorphs.
(19) Lance Bishop (Aliens)
An android that risked his synthetic life and limb to save the survivors of LV-426, Bishop restored Ripley’s faith in androids (and ours as well). Played by Lance Henrikson, Bishop was somewhat a pacifist among the hardened marines with a cool, calm demeanor. Bishop was horribly mutilated when the Queen Alien impaled him then tore him in half. He later chose to be deactivated due to his destroyed body and failing systems.
(18) Gary Christie (Alien Resurrection)
Although Resurrection had some sloppy characters Christie was one of the best. Not only was he a great marksman but he was also perhaps the coolest looking of the bunch. And no one in the series draws their weapon as fashionably as him (one could argue that Mike Lowrey would give him a run for his money though). A tough guy to the end, Christie met his end when a xenomorph spit acid in his face. Christie was portrayed by Gary Dourdan.
(17) Ripley 8 (Alien Resurrection)
Ripley 8 is Ripley but not Ripley (although still played by Sigourney Weaver). She’s a clone of Ripley created two hundred years after Ripley’s death. Although she’s a clone and does share Ripley’s memories, she’s part xenomorph possessing their strength, speed, acidic blood, and telepathic connection. Although she looks like Ripley, she’s not, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Her struggle with her humanity is constantly at odds with her xenomorph side.
(16) Katherine “Danny” Daniels (Alien: Covenant)
Daniels, nicknamed “Danny”, was the chief terraformist aboard the colonization spacecraft USCSS Covenant and wife of Captain Branson. Daniels was part of the expedition team that set down on Planet 4. She was one of two Covenant crew members to survive the incident, alongside the ship’s pilot Tennessee. However, they were captured by David when he hijacked the Covenant, presumably to be used in his future experimentation. She got “Shawed”. She was portrayed by Katherin Waterston.
(15) Jenette Vasquez (Aliens)
Thumbs up to not only one of the best women characters but also the most badass xenomorph killer in the entire series. Vasquez is tough as nails, determined, a smartass, and someone you’d want on your team in case of a xenomorph outbreak. She was a member of the Colonial Marines that went to LV-426 to investigate the sudden lack of communications. Vasquez is played by Jenette Goldstein.
(14) Amanda Ripley (Alien: Isolation)
Amanda is the daughter of Ellen Ripley and the main protagonist of Alien: Isolation. Amanda departs to try and find out what happened to her mother but gets stuck in a space station that’s falling apart and is being terrorized by a xenomorph, crazy androids, and other survivors. Like her mother, Amanda is strong willed, resourceful, compassionate, and smart. After spending hours upon hours of evading killer aliens and androids Amanda’s proven that she’s not standing in her mother’s shadow. She was voiced by Andrea Deck and motion capture by Kezia Burrows.
(13) Johnathan Clemens (Alien 3)
Hands down one of the best characters in Alien 3 next to Dillon. Clemens is a medical officer who’s decided to stay with the inmates on Fiorina 161 after completing his sentence. Clemens is level headed, intelligent, and observant. Among the inmates and staff, he’s the possibly the most grounded of the characters. Charles Dance definitely does a good job with the character, bringing a certain level of sophistication to the character. It’s a crime that he was killed off so early in the film.
(12) Annalee Call (Alien Resurrection)
Call is an Auton, a pretty advanced synthetic, who joins the mercenary group in order to infiltrate the research ship and kill the Ripley clone. Among the crew of cutthroats and mercenaries, Call is possibly the most human of the crew (though she does do some bad things to). But one of the best arcs of the movie is her relationship with Ripley 8. This is movie where I fell in love with Winona Ryder as a young kid.
(11) Dwayne Hicks (Aliens)
Of all the Colonial Marines sent to LV-426, Hicks was the only survivor (at least until he was immediately killed in Alien 3). Level headed, smart, and a natural leader Hicks led the marines after the Apone was killed and Gorman was incapacitated. He was played by Michael Biehn, you know, the guy who played Kyle Reese in The Terminator.
(10) Robert Morse (Alien 3)
Of all the lousy, foul-mouthed inmates on Fury, Morse is the most outspoken of the crew. Although pessimistic, Morse is pragmatic and a really entertaining onscreen with his many rants. He’s the only survivor of the Alien encounter on Fury. He was portrayed by Danny Webb.
(9) Zula Hendricks (Aliens: Defiance)
Zula is badass on every level. She’s strong, determined, dedicated, and a surprisingly deep character. She sets her sights on fighting the xenomorph scourge and keeping the Weyland-Yutani from getting their greedy hands on a xenomorph sample. She’s done so much and pushed herself so far and so hard despite her back injury.
(8) Janek (Prometheus)
Janek is the coolest dude in Prometheus. He’s charming, laid back, and a dedicated individual. It takes a lot for someone to sacrifice their life in order to stop a powerful force from destroying humanity. He’s definitely a character than should’ve had more screen time. Janek was portrayed by the awesome Idris Elba.
(7) Dennis Parker (Alien)
Parker is the tough guy of the group who’s lovable and charming. He’s personality brought a lividy to the crew, something that made the crew feel more well rounded. Parker was the chief engineer aboard the Nostromo. Why’s he on the list. Not only because he was played by Yaphet freaking Kotto but because he’s one of the few people to attack a xenomorph head on (though he was killed in the process).
(6) William Hudson (Aliens)
Of course, we’ve got to include the most hilarious character in the series, Private Hudson. During the investigation of LV-426, Hudson descends to the surface with his fellow marines with all the brass and cockiness of a child playing with ants. But after the first encounter with the xenomorphs his bravado quickly dissipates into panic and some of the best dialogue in the series. We’ll never forget Bill Paxton nor his contribution to the series.
(5) Leonard Dillon (Alien 3)
Dillon is the most badass and de facto leader of the inmates on Fury. Despite his rough appearance, Dillon is loyal to his comrades and actually quite spiritual. Dillon has some of the best moments and lines in the film. Played by Charles S. Dutton, he’s one of the few characters on this list who squares off against a xenomorph (of course he died but it’s the thought that counts).
(4) David Wilks (Aliens: Earth Hive)
Originally, Wilks was suppose to be Hicks had he not died in Alien 3. Like Hicks, Wilks was a Colonial Marine who encountered a xenomorph infestation and come out the only survivor next to a young girl named Billie (who would’ve been Newt). Despite his origins, Wilks is an exceptional marine as well as individual. He has a strong spirit and strength of character and has had an impressive xenomorph kill count.
(3) Ron Johner (Alien Resurrection)
Johner’s one of the space pirates responsible for kidnapping civilians and selling them to the military for research. Johner’s loud, brash, violent, and of course, a smartass (characters Ron Perlman plays like a pro). Despite him being technically a bad guy you can’t help but love his charming, bad boy personality.
(2) Rebecca “Newt” Jorden (Aliens)
If there were ever a character that was caught in a wrong time/wrong place scenario it’s Newt, perhaps the most innocent character in the series. She was on LV-426 when the infestation began and had to watch all of her friends and love ones be either killed or dragged off by the xenomorphs. She’s also among the last survivors of the marine’s investigation. It’s a shame that such a great character died after all she’d been through at the beginning of Alien 3.
(1) Ellen Ripley (Alien)
The original Alien OG. Ripley has been fighting the good fight against the xenomorph scourge for three movies and in even more in the expanded universe. She is helmed as one of movies most influential female characters of all time and it’s easy to understand why. And for that she definitely deserves the number one spot in my book.
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