Inside the Creation of a Sci-Fi Masterpiece – Alien (1979)

If you love digging into how this movie actually got made — the drafts, the production chaos, the genius decisions and happy accidents — this is where the real treasure is. Below are some popular “behind-the-scenes” books and editions that let you ride along with Ridley Scott, Dan O’Bannon, Giger and the rest of the crew as Alien came to life.

But, before the books:

Want a bold big-chest poster t-shirt showcasing Alien’s legendary tagline, one of the most iconic lines in movie history?

Amazon: “In Space No One Can Hear You Scream Big Chest Poster T-Shirt”

Want to dive deep into how Alien went from Dan O’Bannon’s script to Ridley Scott’s finished nightmare with the gorgeous hardcover Alien Vault: The Definitive Story of the Making of the Film?

Amazon: “Alien Vault: The Definitive Story of the Making of the Film” (Hardcover, Ian Nathan)

Want to explore the complete behind-the-scenes story of how Alien was developed, designed, and brought to the screen in exhaustive detail by renowned film historian J. W. Rinzler?

Amazon: “The Making of Alien” (Hardcover – J. W. Rinzler)

Want a fan-favorite, highly readable paperback that explores the ideas, artwork, production details, and creative influences behind the original Alien film?

Amazon: “The Book of Alien” (Paperback – Paul Scanlon, Author; Michael Gross, Illustrator)

Want an expansive, reference-style guide packed with imagery, facts, and archival material covering the classic Alien films in one beautifully produced hardcover volume?

Amazon: “Alien: The Archive – The Ultimate Guide to the Classic Movies” (Hardcover – Titan Books)

Want a book that lays out the sets, ships, and hardware of the Alien universe like a technical manual pulled straight from the Nostromo’s archives?

Amazon: “Alien: The Blueprints” by Graham Langridge

For action figures of the crew, they are listed below the next several videos. Enjoy!

 The crew of the Nostromo are just as iconic as the xenomorph itself, and these figures celebrate the human side of Alien — the working-class space truckers who faced the nightmare head-on. From detailed NECA sculpts to stylized and miniature versions, these figures are perfect for display, collection, or rounding out your Alien shelf with the people who made the story feel real.

Want a highly detailed NECA figure of Ellen Ripley in her screen-accurate compression suit, capturing her look during the tense final act aboard the Nostromo?

Amazon: “NECA Alien 40th Anniversary Ripley Compression Suit 7" Action Figure”

Want a classic NECA sculpt of Ripley in her Nostromo jumpsuit, representing her earlier appearance in the film before everything goes terribly wrong?

Amazon:  “NECA Alien Series 4 Ripley Jumpsuit 7" Action Figure”

Want a stylized yet instantly recognizable Mini Epics figure of Ellen Ripley from Alien, reimagined by WETA Workshop with expressive detail and premium collectible charm?

Amazon: “WETA Workshop Mini Epics Alien (1979) Ellen Ripley Figure”

By the way, want to read a great article on Ellen Ripley, The First Action Heroine? Then check out this article by Xan Brooks. 

Want a finely sculpted resin figurine of Captain Dallas, part of the collectible Eaglemoss Alien & Predator series that pairs character detail with a sleek display base?

Amazon: “Eaglemoss Alien & Predator Figure Collection #6 Dallas Resin Figurine”

Want a smaller-scale, highly poseable Dallas action figure from Hiya Toys that fits perfectly with 1:18 displays and vehicle or diorama setups?

Amazon:  “Hiya Toys Alien Dallas 1:18 Scale Action Figure”

Want a highly detailed 1:18 scale Kane action figure from Hiya Toys, capturing his spacesuit look during the fateful expedition on LV-426?

Amazon: “Hiya Toys Exquisite Mini Alien Kane in Spacesuit 1:18 Scale Action Figure”

Want a detailed resin figurine of Kane from the Eaglemoss collection, capturing the ill-fated crew member whose encounter changes everything?

Amazon:  “Eaglemoss Alien & Predator Figure Collection #27 Kane Resin Figurine”

Want a retro-styled Funko ReAction figure depicting Kane with the facehugger attached, designed in a classic 3.75" throwback toy style?

Amazon:  “Funko ReAction Alien Facehugger Kane Action Figure”

Want a NECA figure of Lambert in her compression suit, honoring one of the most emotionally human characters aboard the Nostromo?

Amazon:  “NECA Aliens Series 11 Lambert Compression Suit 7" Action Figure”

Want a compact, detailed Lambert figure in her spacesuit from Hiya Toys, perfect for pairing with other 1:18 scale Alien crew figures?

Amazon: “Hiya Toys Alien Lambert Spacesuit 1:18 Scale Action Figure”

Want a detailed NECA figure of Parker, capturing the no-nonsense engineer whose attitude and one-liners are pure Nostromo crew energy?

Amazon: “NECA Alien 40th Anniversary Wave 2 Parker 7" Action Figure”

Want a stylized vinyl figure two-pack featuring Bloody Parker and a Bloody Alien, combining graphic flair with collectible display appeal?

Amazon: “Titan Merchandise Alien Titans Bloody Parker & Bloody Alien 3" Vinyl Figure 2 Pack”

Want a 40th Anniversary NECA figure of Brett, complete with his iconic Nostromo workwear and unmistakable trucker-in-space attitude?

Amazon: “NECA Alien 40th Anniversary Wave 2 Brett 7" Action Figure”

Want a collectible Brett figurine bundled with a magazine, part of Entertainment Earth’s Alien & Predator figure series for fans who love display-ready pieces?

Amazon: “Alien & Predator Brett Figure & Magazine #24” (Entertainment Earth edition)

For links to great Xenomorph figures just check out our Xenomorph page for those and more great content!