The sci-fi blockbuster that revived a legendary saga is finally on Netflix—why fans are still divided

In 2012, science fiction fans were buzzing with anticipation as Ridley Scott made his return to the genre with Prometheus. Written by Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof, and starring Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender, the film was billed as one of the year's big cinematic events. Now that it's streaming on Netflix and Disney+, the old debate is back: did Prometheus live up to the legendary universe it tried to revive?

A Bold Move to Revive Alien

The goal behind Prometheus was clear: reinvigorate and expand the iconic Alien franchise, nearly 15 years after the previous film, Alien: Resurrection. The idea of rebooting such a famous series in a new direction surprised audiences at the time.

Rather than continue Ripley's story (Sigourney Weaver's character), Prometheus was a prequel set 29 years before the original Alien. While watching it alongside its follow-up, Alien: Covenant (2017), brings extra context, Prometheus alone made a mark—both good and bad.

Mixed Reviews and a Complicated Legacy

Prometheus was recognized as a strong science fiction film, but many Alien fans criticized it as an underwhelming entry in the saga. Complaints included too many rewrites, not enough continuity with previous films, and a diluted atmosphere. Although the movie reignited public interest in the series, it didn't fully meet expectations.

The movie earned more than $400 million worldwide (reportedly $403 million), but only garnered an average of 68% on Rotten Tomatoes. That kind of performance, while hardly a flop, was enough to disrupt Ridley Scott's initial plans for another trilogy.

Director’s Reflections and Franchise Uncertainty

By 2024, Ridley Scott admitted to Deadline that he had missed the mark with Alien's cinematic return, citing his own low investment in the project as a key reason.

We completely went off the rails. My advisors, who, frankly, are no longer with me, also totally went off the rails—no doubt about it. And I do blame myself a little, even if I was busy making other films. As a result, the project was abandoned, and that shouldn’t have happened. When you revive a project, you have to be fully invested.

The Franchise Recovers—and Prometheus Gets a Fresh Look

It wasn't until 2024, with the release of Alien: Romulus directed by Fede Alvarez, that the franchise regained its reputation and finally delivered what fans had been waiting for. If you want to see what started the saga’s modern chapter, Prometheus is now available to stream on Netflix and Disney+. Give it a watch—and see where you stand in the debate.