Alien and its sequel Aliens were horror films. Professor Albert Smithe noted a resemblance between the dream crabs' method of consuming their victims' brains, by latching onto their face, and the facehugger from Alien. The Twelfth Doctor, upon hearing there was a horror movie called Alien, described it as "really offensive", commenting, "no wonder everyone keeps invading you!" Alien was also one of the DVDs on Shona McCullough's Christmas Day itinerary after she woke up from her dream. (TV: Last Christmas)
Toshiko Sato compared the body of a dead soldier with his heart ripped out to "that bit in Alien where that thing bursts out of John Hurt". (TV: Greeks Bearing Gifts)
The Tenth Doctor referenced Alien and its sequel Aliens when he discovered an air vent, and felt sad that Cassie and Jimmy hadn't seen the movies. (TV: Dreamland)
Jason Kane compared the reproductive cycle of the Charrl to the aliens in the film. (AUDIO: Birthright)
Izzy Sinclair compared being chased by the Daleks and their Contagium to being "an extra in an Aliens film". The Eighth Doctor wryly agreed. (COMIC: Fire and Brimstone)
Behind the scenes
- Ridley Scott, the director of Alien, was originally scheduled to design The Daleks.
- John Hurt played Kane in Alien. As referenced by Toshiko in the DWU, the film was famous for the scene where the Xenomorph burst out of Kane's chest.
- Alibe Parsons played a Med Tech in Aliens.
- Brian Glover played Harold Andrews in Alien 3.
- Paul McGann played Golic in Alien 3.
- Danny Webb played Morse in Alien 3.