CNET:

I would happily argue that Alien is a perfect movie. On paper, it sounds kinda schlocky: a creature feature in which a guy in a monster suit gorily dismembers a crew of thinly written characters.

And yet this peerless blend of sci-fi and horror still grips the emotions and imagination to this day.

Released 40 years ago, on May 25, 1979, Alien began life as a script by Dan O’Bannon with help from Ron Shusett. It was called Star Beast.

Aliens was great but the other sequels are definitely mediocre. I know what I’m watching tonight.