Production note Alien won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
Production note The film had an $11 million budget and grossed about $184 million.
Production note The original title was Star Beast before Alien.
Production note Ridley Scott later made a director’s cut that the hosts think improves pacing.
Production note The film’s set pieces and creature effects were made with practical techniques, not CGI.
Production note Four cats played Jonesy.
Production note The chestburster scene was shot multiple times and assembled from different takes.
Production note John Hurt was reportedly the first choice for the role before casting complications pushed the production toward him again.
Jaws Used as a comparison for the original blockbuster and for how Alien helped define the summer movie.
Rocky Mentioned as part of the era’s modern blockbuster and sports-movie shift.
Star Wars Referenced as both an influence and a market-changing success that opened the door for Alien.
Texas Chain Saw Massacre Cited as one of Ridley Scott’s tonal influences for the film.
2001: A Space Odyssey Discussed as a key influence on Ridley Scott and a model for visual originality.
Halloween Used to compare suspense, restraint, and the legacy of horror-thriller influence.
The Exorcist Referenced in discussion of iconic shock scenes that became cultural touchstones.
Blade Runner Used to discuss Ridley Scott’s influence and later reappraisal of his sci-fi work.
Prometheus Mentioned as a later Alien-related film whose trailer and ideas echo the original.
Aliens Discussed as the franchise sequel that changed Sigourney Weaver’s stardom and the series’ cultural standing.
The Thing Listed among the gritty genre movies that felt similar in tone and impact to Alien.
Escape from New York Used as another example of a patient, gritty genre movie from the era.
The Warriors Referenced as an example of a patient, rewatchable genre movie and as part of Walter Hill’s era.
Midnight Run Referenced in the discussion of Yaphet Kotto’s career and favorite supporting roles.
The Godfather Used in a joking discussion about movie cats.
