🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Release year: 2004
- Runtime (length): 1h 41min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (222K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 21%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Some folks in Antarctica stumble upon the ultimate monster mash-up event and end up wishing they’d just stayed home with Netflix.
🍿 AVP: Alien vs. Predator: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Discovery in Antarctica
In 2004, a Weyland Corporation satellite detects a mysterious heat bloom beneath Bouvetøya Island, Antarctica. Charles Bishop Weyland, driven by a desire to leave a legacy, assembles a team of experts to investigate a pyramid buried 2000 feet beneath the ice. The team includes archaeologists, linguistic experts, drillers, mercenaries, and a guide named Alexa Woods.

The Pyramid and the Hunt
The team arrives at an abandoned whaling station and discovers a tunnel leading to the pyramid. Unbeknownst to them, a Predator ship arrives, carrying three Predators on a rite of passage. Inside the pyramid, the team unwittingly activates the structure, awakening the Alien Queen from cryogenic stasis. She begins producing eggs, initiating a deadly hunt.

Caught in the Crossfire
Face-Huggers emerge from the eggs and attach themselves to humans in a sacrificial chamber. Chest-Bursters emerge and quickly grow into adult Aliens. A conflict erupts between the Predators, Aliens, and humans, resulting in multiple deaths. Two Predators are killed, and Weyland sacrifices himself to allow Alexa and archaeologist Sebastian De Rosa to escape.

Ancient History and Alliance
Alexa and Sebastian learn the Predators have been visiting Earth for thousands of years, teaching early human civilizations how to build pyramids and being worshiped as gods. Every 100 years, they return to Earth for a rite of passage, using humans as hosts for the Aliens, creating the “ultimate prey” for the Predators to hunt. Sebastian is captured and impregnated by a facehugger, leading Alexa to form an unlikely alliance with the surviving Predator, Scar.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Alexa Woods (Sanaa Lathan): A resourceful and skilled guide who allies with a Predator to survive the Alien onslaught.
- Scar (Ian Whyte): A young Predator undergoing a rite of passage who forms an unlikely alliance with Alexa Woods.
- Charles Bishop Weyland (Lance Henriksen): A terminally ill billionaire who funds the Antarctic expedition in search of scientific glory.
- Celtic (n/a): A Predator undergoing a rite of passage that is skilled hunter, but ultimately killed by an Alien.
- Chopper (n/a): A Predator undergoing a rite of passage who demonstrates deadly hunting skills before being killed by an Alien.
- Sebastian de Rosa (Raoul Bova): An archaeologist who accompanies the expedition and helps translate the pyramid’s hieroglyphs.
- Alien Queen (n/a): The leader of the Xenomorphs, freed from cryogenic stasis to produce eggs, who is a formidable enemy.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Alexa Woods: “Seven seasons on the ice and I’ve never seen a gun save someone’s life.” – Alexa expresses her skepticism about firearms in the Antarctic environment.
- Adele Rousseau: “Same principle as a condom. I’d rather have one and not need it, than need it and not have one.” – Adele justifies bringing a pistol, highlighting the importance of being prepared for the worst.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $60,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $80,282,231
- Worldwide Gross: $177,427,090
💥 AVP: Alien vs. Predator Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I’ll be honest, I went into AVP wanting to love it. I mean, Alien vs. Predator? How could that NOT be awesome? But… it just wasn’t. I did enjoy seeing the creatures on screen together, especially the pyramid set design. The action sequences were frantic, and the PG-13 rating really held back the violence. Lance Henriksen’s presence was a nice nod to the Alien franchise. It’s fun for a single watch if you like the Aliens and Predator franchises, but it’s not exactly scary or thrilling.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of the Alien and Predator franchises.”
- “Viewers interested in action-packed monster movies.”
- “Those who enjoy science fiction with elements of horror.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Intense sci-fi violence and monster action.”
- “Some gore and disturbing images, toned down for PG-13 rating.”
- “Brief language.”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite the hype, AVP fails to deliver a coherent plot or memorable characters, relying instead on excessive violence and tired clichés that diminish the thrill of seeing these iconic creatures clash.
- IGN: “It’s a serviceable monster movie that’s not scary, nor particularly exciting. It serves as an okay popcorn flick, but not the epic showdown fans craved after waiting for so long.
- Empire Magazine: “It’s a messy, confused and ultimately disappointing clash of two iconic monsters that sacrifices suspense and scares for cheap thrills. It doesn’t deliver the goods.
Audience Reactions
Fans appreciated the creature effects and the action even though it was PG-13.: The film satisfied audiences who enjoyed the special effects of the Alien Queen and the Predator.
Some felt it was a fun, mindless action movie that delivered on the promise of a monster showdown, despite its flaws.: While recognizing the plot and character deficiencies, audiences found the film enjoyable and entertaining.
Overall Consensus: Alien vs. Predator is a visually engaging but ultimately disappointing crossover film, hindered by a weak plot, poor character development, and a restrictive PG-13 rating.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Arnold Schwarzenegger was offered a cameo at the end of the movie, reprising his role as Dutch Schaefer from Predator (1987), but only if he lost the election for California Governor. He won, making him unavailable.”
- “Director Paul W.S. Anderson has stated that this film took 14 years to bring to the big screen. It was a longer development than ‘Freddy vs. Jason’.”
- “The end credits use the same green computer text on black as the display of ‘Mother’, the onboard computer in ‘Alien’, right down to the underlining of important text.”
🖥️ How to Watch AVP: Alien vs. Predator?
AVP: Alien vs. Predator is available for rent or purchase on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed AVP: Alien vs. Predator, you might like these similar films:
- Alien (1979): The original that established the Xenomorph mythology, a direct comparison for fans of the Alien franchise looking for the source material.
- Predator (1987): Introduces the Predator species and their hunting culture, providing the origins of the other half of this crossover’s equation.
- Aliens (1986): James Cameron’s action-packed sequel expands the Alien universe and showcases the Xenomorphs as a terrifying horde.
- Event Horizon (1997): Directed by the same director, Paul W.S. Anderson, this movie delivers familiar vibes that explore cosmic horror and dark themes.
🛒 AVP: Alien vs. Predator Related Products
- Alien vs Predator: The Ultimate Showdown (4K UHD): Experience the original Alien vs. Predator movie in stunning 4K Ultra HD. Remastered for enhanced visuals and audio, this edition brings the ultimate monster battle right into your living room. Comes with bonus digital content and behind-the-scenes footage.
- Alien vs. Predator Movie Poster: High-quality print of the original AVP movie poster. Perfect for fans looking to decorate their space with a piece of sci-fi history. Available in various sizes and framing options.
- Alien vs Predator Figurine Set: Premium collectible figurines of the Predator and Alien Warrior from AVP. Highly detailed and hand-painted, these figures are a must-have for collectors and fans of the series. Includes display bases and collector’s packaging.
- Alien vs. Predator: Extinction (Comic Book Collection): Relive the thrilling crossover with this digital collection of the classic Alien vs. Predator comic series. Featuring stunning artwork and expanded storylines, this collection offers a deeper dive into the AVP universe.
🎧 Soundtrack
AVP: Alien vs. Predator features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Main Theme” – performed by Harald Kloser
- “Antarctica” – performed by Harald Kloser
- “Alien Queen” – performed by Harald Kloser
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
AVP is set in 2004, before the events of the original Alien (1979) and after the Predator films. It serves as a prequel, explaining the origins of the conflict and the Predators’ connection to Earth. However, some fans consider it a separate continuity.
While AVP features characters and elements from both franchises, its canonicity within the main timelines is debated. It introduces concepts that aren’t fully consistent with established lore. For example, the ease with which the Alien’s blood dissolves certain materials.
The Predators visit Earth every 100 years for a rite of passage. They use humans as hosts for the Aliens, creating the “ultimate prey” to hunt, as part of their coming-of-age ritual. This ritual helps them prove their worth as warriors.
The pyramid in Antarctica serves as an arena for the Predators’ hunting ritual. It’s an ancient structure designed by the Predators to house the Aliens and humans, facilitating the hunt. The pyramid’s design is based on Aztec, Egyptian, and Cambodian pyramids.
Charles Bishop Weyland, played by Lance Henriksen, is the wealthy industrialist who funds the expedition to Antarctica. He is the founder of Weyland Industries and the ancestor of the Bishop androids seen in the Alien series, which are modeled after his likeness. Driven by a terminal illness and a desire for legacy, he seeks to claim the pyramid for his company.
🔥 Bonus Content
Behind The Scenes Alien Vs Predator #alienmovie #alienvspredator
Ever wondered how they made the Xenomorphs and Predators look so real in the 2004 film? This fascinating behind-the-scenes video shows the incredible techniques used to bring these iconic creatures to life.
AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004) Explained
Want to know more about the intriguing plot and characters of Alien vs. Predator? This detailed video breaks down the movie’s key elements and provides fresh insights that will enhance your appreciation for the film.
Aliens Vs Predator: A Brief History of the Species’ Conflict
Curious about the backstory behind the epic clash between the Xenomorphs and Predators? This captivating video takes you on a journey through the history of their rivalry, from its comic book roots to its thrilling cinematic adaptations.
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