'Alien': Sci-fi that gives you the creeps

Following its world premiere in London on May 4, the sixth film of the "Alien" franchise, "Alien: Covenant," is set to hit movie theaters around the world. Once again, the plot is bloodcurdling and creepy: aliens have crept into the bodies of crew members on the colony ship "Covenant." Similar scenes scared viewers to death back in the original 1979 film.

Charismatic German-Irish actor Michael Fassbender (left), who starred in the film's 2012 prequel "Prometheus," gives an equally brilliant performance as an artificial life-form in "Alien: Covenant."

British filmmaker Ridley Scott (gesturing at left), who directed the first "Alien" film in 1979 as well as the prequel "Prometheus" five years ago, is back for this latest interpretation. The sequels in the 1980s and '90s were handled by James Cameron, David Fincher and Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

Released 38 years ago, the first movie caught the attention of the film world with its combination of science fiction and horror elements. The film's mix of genres fascinated audiences with its spine-chilling effects, while limiting itself to only a few bloody scenes.

What contributed most to the film's success was the horrible creature that devoured the spaceship's crew one after the other. The monster was created by Swiss artist H.R. Giger, and it made him world famous.

After the huge success of "Alien," its 1986 sequel "Aliens" followed suit with more action. Canadian director James Cameron headed the film this time, but actress Sigourney Weaver was back once again as Ellen Ripley, dominating the movie and establishing women as action heroines.

"Alien³," the third part of the successful film saga, was released in 1992, with director David Fincher producing a thriller. Once again, Weaver - with a shaved head - gave a brilliant performance in the main role.

"Alien: Resurrection" followed in 1997 - the last film in the series, at least for another 15 years. French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who went on to achieve world fame with his movie "Amélie" four years later, directed the sequel, adding a lot of fantasy and a bit of irony.

Like the alien that could never be exterminated, another film in the franchise hit movie theaters in 2012. "Prometheus" was seen as a prequel: it was set before the first "Alien" film, but was also intended to be viewed as an independent story.

The plot of "Alien: Covenant" is set 10 years after the "Prometheus" expedition. It's not intended to mark the end of the "Alien" saga. Director Ridley Scott, 79, has already announced plans for more "Alien" films in the series.