FORGING THE FURY – MAKING ALIENS

James Cameron’s Aliens took the story into bold new territory, shifting from horror to high-intensity science fiction action. This page explores the brilliant writing, direction, and production that made Aliens one of the greatest sequels ever filmed. The cast of characters—Ripley, Hicks, Hudson, Vasquez, Drake, Ferro, and Sgt. Apone—remain iconic to this day. From Ripley’s evolution into a leader and protector to the unforgettable Colonial Marines, the behind-the-scenes stories here shine a light on how Cameron expanded the Alien universe with intelligence and precision.
 

Check out the videos and books below to see the genius of the film’s making. 

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 This section brings together the full range of Aliens (1986) action figures and collectibles featured on this page, including Ripley, the Colonial Marines, the Armored Personnel Carrier, and multiple Xenomorph variants from across the film’s most iconic moments. Some of these figures were produced in very limited quantities and can be difficult to find, making them especially appealing to collectors and longtime fans. The incredible popularity of the Colonial Marines — from their distinctive gear to their unforgettable personalities — also inspired some of the best Aliens-based merchandise ever created, a selection of which you’ll find represented here. Be sure to scroll further down the page for a second section featuring Aliens apparel and games, and don’t miss the Hadley’s Hope and Backstories page for even more Aliens-focused merchandise, character-driven stories, and expanded-universe content.  

Want a dramatic two-figure set recreating the iconic rescue scene, featuring Ripley and Newt from the climax of Aliens?

Amazon: “NECA Aliens 30th Anniversary Rescuing Newt 7" Scale Action Figure 2-Pack”

Want a screen-accurate Ripley figure from Aliens, capturing her tougher, battle-ready look from James Cameron’s sequel?

Amazon: “NECA Aliens Series 5 Ripley 7" Scale Action Figure”

Want a stylized Q-Fig Elite diorama featuring Ripley in the Power Loader, frozen in one of the most iconic moments in sci-fi movie history?

Amazon: “QMx Alien Ripley Power Loader Q-Fig Elite Figure”

Want a highly detailed 1:18 scale Hudson figure from Hiya Toys, perfectly sized for dioramas and Colonial Marine displays?

Amazon: “Hiya Toys Aliens Colonial Marine Hudson 1:18 Scale Action Figure”

Want a NECA figure of Sergeant Apone, capturing the commanding presence of the Colonial Marines’ tough-as-nails leader?

Amazon: “NECA Aliens Series 13 Apone 7" Scale Action Figure”

Want a detailed NECA figure of Private Frost, recreating one of the Colonial Marines lost during the Hadley’s Hope mission?

Amazon: “NECA Aliens Series 9 Frost 7" Scale Action Figure”

Want a bundled 1:18 scale figure set featuring multiple versions of Ripley, a xenomorph, and additional characters from Aliens?

Amazon: “Hiya Toys Aliens Action Figure Set of 6”

Want a detailed 1:18 scale APC vehicle from Aliens, perfect for displaying Colonial Marines and recreating action scenes?

Amazon: “Hiya Toys Aliens Armored Personnel Carrier Green Version 1:18 Scale Vehicle”

Want a dramatic battle-damaged APC vehicle with flame effects, inspired by the chaos of the Hadley’s Hope assault?

Amazon: “Hiya Toys Aliens Burning Armored Personnel Carrier 1:18 Scale Vehicle”

Want a definitive NECA Warrior Alien figure based on Aliens, featuring the blue coloration and sleek, aggressive design?

Amazon: “NECA Aliens Ultimate Warrior Blue Alien 7" Scale Action Figure”

Want a screen-inspired brown Warrior Alien figure from NECA that captures the aggressive look and biomechanical detail seen in Aliens?

Amazon: “NECA Aliens Ultimate Warrior (1986) Brown Alien 7" Scale Action Figure”

Want a compact 1:18 scale Brown Alien Warrior from Hiya Toys, perfect for Colonial Marine and Hadley’s Hope dioramas?

Amazon: “Hiya Toys Aliens Brown Alien Warrior 1:18 Scale Action Figure”

Want a dynamic crouching Alien Warrior figure from Hiya Toys, ideal for stealth-focused dioramas and action setups?

Amazon: “Hiya Toys Aliens Crouching Alien Warrior 1:18 Scale Action Figure”

Want a display-ready Eaglemoss Xenomorph Warrior figurine presented in a collector box, designed for shelf and museum-style presentation?

Amazon: “Eaglemoss Alien & Predator Warrior Figurine Xenomorph Warrior Collector’s Edition”

Want a retro-styled ReAction Alien Warrior figure from SUPER7, inspired by classic 3.75" action figure aesthetics?

Amazon: “SUPER7 ReAction Alien Warrior Action Figure (Figure C)”

Want a battle-damaged Alien Warrior figure showing the scars of combat with the Colonial Marines during the Hadley’s Hope mission?

Amazon: “Aliens Battle Damaged Alien Warrior 1:18 Scale Action Figure”

Want a dramatic Alien Warrior figure featuring headshot damage, capturing the brutal intensity of Aliens firefights?

Amazon: “Hiya Toys Aliens Headshot Alien Warrior 1:18 Scale Action Figure”

Want a battle-damaged blue Xenomorph Warrior from NECA, recreating the iconic look of the aliens during the climactic battles of Aliens?

Amazon: “NECA Aliens Series 12 Xenomorph Warrior Blue Battle Damaged 7" Scale Action Figure”

Want an impressive Q-FIG MAX Elite diorama of the Alien Queen, capturing her towering presence and climactic confrontation from Aliens?

Amazon: “Aliens Alien Queen Q-FIG MAX Elite Diorama”

Want a highly detailed egg and facehugger set from Hiya Toys, perfect for adding atmospheric detail to your Aliens displays?

Amazon: “Hiya Toys Exquisite Mini Alien Xenomorph Egg Facehugger Set 1:18 Scale”

James Cameron’s Aliens expanded the universe of Alien while radically shifting its scale, tone, and ambition. These books explore how the film was written, designed, photographed, and executed — from behind-the-scenes production history to art, photography, and in-universe technical lore that helped turn Aliens into one of the most influential science-fiction action films ever made. But first, the official movie novelization.

Want to experience Aliens through its official novelization, expanding scenes and character moments while preserving the film’s intensity and pacing?

Amazon: “Aliens: The Official Movie Novelization” (Mass Market Paperback)

Want an in-depth behind-the-scenes hardcover that chronicles the writing, production challenges, visual effects, and creative decisions behind James Cameron’s Aliens?

Amazon: “The Making of Aliens” (Hardcover)

Want a stunning collection of on-set photography that captures the cast, sets, and production moments during the filming of Aliens?

Amazon: “Aliens: The Set Photography – Behind the Scenes of James Cameron’s 1986 Masterpiece” (Hardcover)

Want a visually rich artbook showcasing concept art, designs, and illustrations inspired by Aliens and its expanded universe?

Amazon: “Aliens – Artbook” (Hardcover)

Want to explore the futuristic design work of Syd Mead, whose visual language influenced the technology, vehicles, and industrial aesthetic seen throughout Aliens?

Amazon: “The Movie Art of Syd Mead: Visual Futurist” (Hardcover)

Want an in-universe technical manual that breaks down Colonial Marine weapons, vehicles, gear, and doctrine as seen in Aliens?

Amazon: “Aliens: Colonial Marines Technical Manual” (Paperback)

The Gale Force Nine Aliens tabletop games and expansions bring James Cameron’s Aliens (1986) to life in a hands-on, story-driven way, letting players step directly into the boots of the Colonial Marines. Designed for cooperative play, these games recreate the tension, tactics, and escalating danger of the film, from desperate hallway encounters to all-out firefights against overwhelming odds. Whether you’re commanding a squad through Hadley’s Hope or expanding the experience with additional missions, characters, and xenomorphs, this collection represents some of the most immersive and faithful Aliens gaming experiences ever created. 

Want a cooperative board game that lets you command the survivors of the Sulaco and relive missions inspired by Aliens? Amazon:  “Aliens Another Glorious Day in the Corps Sulaco Survivors Board Game” 

Want a set of twelve unpainted Alien Warrior miniatures from Gale Force Nine, designed for tabletop roleplaying and perfectly scaled for Aliens-inspired scenarios?

Amazon: “GF9 Aliens Alien Warriors 12 RPG Miniatures Set”

Want an expansion that adds new missions, challenges, and gameplay inspired by the Colonial Marines’ most memorable line and combat situations from Aliens?

Amazon: “Gale Force Nine Aliens We’re in the Pipe, Five by Five Expansion”

Want an expansion that brings additional heroes, enemies, and scenarios into the game, spotlighting the toughest characters and moments from Aliens?

Amazon: “Gale Force Nine Aliens Ultimate Badasses Expansion”