Alien: Covenant Tops HBO Max Charts as New TV Series Ignites Franchise Fever

The chilling corridors of deep space are buzzing again. With FX and Hulu’s highly anticipated Alien: Earth series set to premiere on August 12th, fans are flocking back to the franchise’s cinematic roots. Leading this resurgence is Ridley Scott’s 2017 prequel, Alien: Covenant, which has rocketed to the #3 spot on HBO Max’s Top 10 movies list this week, outperforming major releases like Sinners and trailing only Death of a Unicorn and Final Destination Bloodlines (Flix Patrol, July 2024). This renewed interest highlights the enduring power of the Alien universe as audiences revisit the film that bridges Prometheus and the terrifying events soon to unfold on television.

Why Alien: Covenant Resonates Ahead of the TV Premiere

Positioned just 11 years before the new series’ timeline, Alien: Covenant serves as the most direct cinematic prelude to Noah Hawley’s Alien: Earth. The film follows the colonization ship Covenant, diverted by tragedy to a seemingly habitable planet broadcasting a mysterious signal. What the crew discovers—engineered horrors and the sinister Synthetic David (Michael Fassbender)—delivers the franchise’s signature dread. Scott masterfully blends visceral creature scares with profound questions about creation, artificial intelligence, and humanity’s hubris. As viewers prepare for Hawley’s small-screen interpretation, Covenant offers crucial context on the Xenomorphs’ origins and David’s chilling legacy, making it essential viewing. Its current streaming surge demonstrates how anticipation for new franchise entries revitalizes classic chapters.

Balancing Legacy and Innovation: Covenant’s Polarizing Impact

Alien: Covenant occupies a unique, sometimes contentious, space in the franchise. It holds a 65% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes (based on 407 reviews), praised for its relentless tension and stunning visuals, yet received a more muted 55% audience score from over 50,000 ratings. Much debate centers on its approach to the mysteries introduced in Prometheus. While Scott delves deep into Xenomorph lore—revealing David’s role in their creation—some fans argue this demystifies the terror that made the original 1979 film iconic, where the unknown was the true monster. Katherine Waterston’s resilient Daniels and Danny McBride’s pragmatic Tennessee provide compelling human anchors amidst the chaos, but the film’s bold philosophical pivot towards creator vs. creation dynamics divided viewers. Despite this, its current popularity underscores its significance in the expanding Alien mythos.

The Enduring Allure of Sci-Fi Horror

The Alien franchise’s core strength lies in its fusion of claustrophobic horror with existential dread—a formula Covenant embraces. Its resurgence underscores how streaming platforms enable legacy films to find new audiences during key cultural moments. As Flix Patrol data confirms, franchise anniversaries or new installments consistently drive catalog titles up streaming charts. Covenant’s exploration of biological engineering and AI gone rogue feels increasingly relevant, adding contemporary weight to its nightmarish vision. With Alien: Earth promising a fresh narrative set between Covenant and the original film, Scott’s prequel serves as both a thematic bridge and a stark reminder of the horrors awaiting humanity in the cosmos.

The Xenomorph’s grip on our collective imagination remains unbroken. As Alien: Covenant dominates HBO Max, it proves that Ridley Scott’s vision continues to captivate and unsettle. For those seeking the perfect primer to FX’s Alien: Earth, this chilling chapter is streaming now—just remember: in space, no one can hear you click “play.”

Must Know

Q: Why is Alien: Covenant trending right now?
A: The film is surging on HBO Max due to heightened interest in the Alien franchise ahead of FX/Hulu’s new series Alien: Earth, premiering August 12th. Its position as a direct prequel makes it essential viewing.

Q: Where can I stream Alien: Covenant?
A: As of July 2024, Alien: Covenant is available for streaming exclusively on HBO Max. It ranks #3 in their Top 10 movies, indicating high viewer engagement.

Q: How does Covenant connect to the new Alien TV series?
A: Alien: Earth is set years after Covenant but before the original 1979 Alien. The film introduces key elements like the Synthetic David and early Xenomorph prototypes, crucial to understanding the series’ backdrop.

Q: Was Alien: Covenant well-received originally?
A: Critical reception was mixed-positive (65% on Rotten Tomatoes), praising its scares and themes, while audiences were more divided (55%). Debates often focus on its handling of Prometheus lore and Xenomorph origins.

Q: Who stars in the movie?
A: Michael Fassbender delivers a dual role as Synthetics David and Walter, alongside Katherine Waterston, Danny McBride, Billy Crudup, and Carmen Ejogo.

Q: Should I watch Prometheus before Covenant?
A: Yes. Covenant is a direct sequel to Prometheus (2012). Understanding David’s journey and the Engineers’ mythology enhances the viewing experience.