Ridley Scott’s Prometheus Gains Renewed Popularity on Streaming

The Alien franchise began in 1979 with Ridley Scott’s seminal film, which combined claustrophobic horror with sleek and industrial sci-fi, following Warrant Officer Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and her battle with a Xenomorph aboard a commercial space tug. Its success led to three sequels, none of which were directed by Scott – including Aliens (1986, James Cameron), Alien 3 (1992, David Fincher), and Alien Resurrection (1997, Jean-Pierre Jeunet).

Over a decade later, Scott revisited the mythos with his prequel movies, beginning with Prometheus (2012) and followed by Alien: Covenant (2017). These entries shifted the focus to philosophical themes and the unsettling ambitions of the android David (Michael Fassbender) alongside the enigmatic alien race known as the Engineers. Both films explored the origins of the Xenomorph while reimagining the franchise’s broader mythology.

Most recently, Alien: Romulus (2024) was directed by Fede Álvarez and set between the first two films. While the overall franchise maintains a strong reputation, one of Ridley Scott’s more polarizing contributions has unexpectedly gained renewed attention on streaming.

Prometheus Is Getting A Second Life On Streaming

Prometheus is getting a second life on streaming. Directed by Ridley Scott, with a script written by Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof, the prequel film is set in the late 21st century and follows the crew of the titular spaceship, who, searching for the origins of humanity, arrive on a distant planet and discover a deadly threat that could cause human extinction.

The film features an ensemble cast that includes Noomi Rapace, two-time Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave, Steve Jobs), Oscar winner Charlize Theron (Monster), seven-time Emmy nominee Idris Elba, Oscar nominee Guy Pearce (The Brutalist), Logan Marshall-Green, Sean Harris, Rafe Spall, Kate Dickie, Benedict Wong, Patrick Wilson, and Ian Whyte.

Thirteen years after its release, Prometheus ranks seventh on HBO Max’s Top 10 movies in the United States for today, September 7. It ranks below Friendship, The Conjuring, Se7en, The Conjuring 2, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, The Sitter, and above The House, Jonah Hex, and Final Destination Bloodlines.

What Prometheus’ Streaming Success Means For The Movie

Engineer and Ridley Scott behind the scenes on Prometheus

Prometheus remains divisive for its ambitious yet often confounding blend of cosmic horror and philosophical inquiry, leaving fans split between admiration and frustration. While some view its unanswered questions as flaws, others see them as hauntingly deliberate.

Yet, its striking visuals, Fassbender’s chilling performance, and Scott’s world-building ensure that Prometheus has endured over the years, evidenced by audiences continuing to revisit it over a decade later, and cementing its surprising streaming resurgence.