AVP: Alien vs. Predator

A multinational research team converges on a mysterious, ice-buried structure near Antarctica after instruments pick up an artificial signature beneath the ice. What begins as a scientific excavation quickly turns violent when the group discovers the pyramid is an ancient arena, one where another species cultivates lethal creatures for sport. As xenomorphs and a technologically superior hunter stalk the site, the survivors try to outsmart predators that treat the whole operation like a hunt. Tensions rise between scientists, mercenaries, and corporate representatives as they scramble to escape a place designed to kill.

Released in 2004, the film was directed by Paul W. S. Anderson and brings together characters and concepts created by Ronald Shusett, Dan O'Bannon, and Jim Thomas, presenting a cinematic crossover of the Alien and Predator franchises.

The movie did well enough at the box office to be considered a commercial success, drawing international audiences with its high-concept premise. Its financial performance convinced studios there was appetite for crossover entertainment, helping sustain future franchise entries and related merchandise.

The image of Predator versus Alien became a frequent pop culture reference after the movie, fueling debates among fans and showing up in games, comics, and fan art. Its premise has been cited whenever franchises are combined for spectacle, and certain set pieces and creature designs have stuck in the public imagination, even as opinion about the film as a whole remained mixed.

Critics and viewers gave uneven responses, reflected in an average rating around 5.95 out of 10 from thousands of votes. Many praised the creature effects, production design, and action sequences, while others faulted the script and character development. Themes include human greed and corporate interference, the ethics of hunting for sport, and what happens when advanced technology meets a predatory code that treats living beings as trophies. Sanaa Lathan and Lance Henriksen lead an ensemble that keeps the action moving through claustrophobic, brutal encounters.