Strap in, Marines — this week we’re heading back to LV-426 to break down every flamethrower-lit, pulse-rifle-blazing detail of James Cameron’s sci-fi masterpiece Aliens. From behind-the-scenes chaos to creature design breakthroughs, from production meltdowns to legendary on-set stories, we’re pulling together 100 of the wildest, weirdest and most fascinating facts about one of the greatest sequels ever made.

Joining us is special guest Geoff Harmer — filmmaker, VFX-savvy genre storyteller and creator of indie sci-fi and horror shorts — bringing his insight into how Cameron’s practical effects, world-building and relentless pacing turned Aliens into a masterclass in tension and spectacle. Expect talk of Stan Winston wizardry, those iconic power-loader shots, cast bonding (and clashes), and brand-new revelations from the 2025 documentary that cracked open even more hive secrets.

Catch all our episodes, merch, and extras at 100thingswelearnedfromfilm.co.uk and support the show — plus unlock bonus content — over on our patreon.com/100thingsfilm

It’s guns, goo, guts, and geekery. Game over? Not a chance. We’re just getting started.

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Aliens is a 1986 science fiction action film written and directed by James Cameron. It is the sequel to the 1979 science fiction horror film Alien, and the second film in the Alien franchise. Set in the far future, it stars Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, the sole survivor of an alien attack on her ship. When communications are lost with a human colony on the moon where her crew first encountered the alien creatures, Ripley agrees to return to the site with a unit of Colonial Marines to investigate. Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, and Carrie Henn are featured in supporting roles.

Despite the success of Alien, its sequel took years to develop due to lawsuits, a lack of enthusiasm from 20th Century Fox, and repeated management changes. Although relatively inexperienced, Cameron was hired to write a story for Aliens in 1983 on the strength of his scripts for The Terminator (1984) and Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985). The project stalled again until new Fox executive Lawrence Gordon pursued a sequel. On an approximately $18.5 million budget, Aliens began principal photography in September 1985 and concluded in January 1986. The film's development was tumultuous and rife with conflicts between Cameron and the British crew at Pinewood Studios. The difficult shoot affected the composer, James Horner, who was given little time to record the music.

Aliens was released on July 18, 1986, to critical acclaim. Reviewers praised its action, but some criticized the intensity of certain scenes. Weaver's performance garnered consistent praise along with those of Bill Paxton and Jenette Goldstein. The film received several awards and nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for Weaver at a time when the science-fiction genre was generally overlooked. It earned $131.1–183.3 million during its theatrical run, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 1986 worldwide.