Key timeline overview
The question what year is avp set in does not have a single year, because the Alien vs. Predator (AVP) franchise spans multiple stories across different timelines. Broadly, the films are set in the early 21st century, with the theatrical AVP movies occurring in 2004 and 2005. The Predator franchise’s internal timeline includes earlier events in the 1930s and missions in 1987 and 2010. In expanded media such as the Alien vs. Predator video game (2010) and the audio drama Alien: River of Pain, the action moves into the late 21st and early 22nd centuries, aligning with the timeline of the Alien films. No canonical source fixes one year; instead, the series uses a flexible chronology to connect various media.
Primary AVP media and approximate years
Theatrical AVP films
Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) are the two live-action films that directly merge the Alien and Predator continuities. They are presented as modern events, occurring in the early 21st century. Production notes and in-film dates place the first film around 2004 and the sequel in 2005–2006, aligning them with contemporary Earth settings.
Predator franchise anchor points
The Predator series has its own timeline with specific reference points. Predator 2 (1990) is set in 1997. The prequel The Predator (2018) is set in 2018, with flashbacks to 1987 and 1930. The original Predator (1987) is set in late 1987. These dates help contextualize where the AVP encounters could fit within the broader sci-fi world, even though AVP stories may not always adhere strictly to them.
| Media | Date or Period | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Predator (1987) | 1987 | Set in late 1987 in Central America | Canonical film |
| Predator 2 | 1997 | Set during Christmas 1997 in Los Angeles | Canonical film |
| AVP: Alien vs. Predator | 2004 | Set in the early 21st century at a remote Antarctic station | Canonical film |
| AVP: Requiem | 2005–2006 | Set shortly after the first AVP film, on Earth | Canonical film |
| The Predator (2018) | 2018 | Main story in 2018, with flashbacks to 1987 and 1930 | Canonical film |
| Alien vs. Predator (video game) | 22nd century (200–300 range) | Set aboard a derelict spacecraft in orbit around LV426 | Licensed game; aligns with Alien timeline |
The AVP timeline in context
Within the larger Alien universe, the AVP stories are commonly placed after the events of the Alien films but before the human colonial expansion shown in later sequels. The Alien series itself spans the late 21st to the mid-22nd century, with key installments like Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), and Alien 3 (1992) establishing a rough chronology. Because the AVP films focus on the confrontation on Earth and a remote Antarctic station, they are slotted into the early 21st century to preserve continuity with the Alien migration events that occur earlier in that saga.
Expanded media and dates
Beyond the films, AVP extends into games, comics, and novels that offer additional anchor points. The 2010 Alien vs. Predator game is set in the 22nd century, aligning with the timeline of Aliens and Alien 3. The audio drama Alien: River of Pain, which features the USS Sulaco, places events in the late 21st century, around 2179–2180. These media help weave a cohesive timeline, even if exact years vary between stories. The key is that AVP generally occupies the early 21st century on Earth, bridging the gap between the Alien and Predator continuities.
Practical takeaways
- The films AVP (2004) and AVP: Requiem (2007) are set in the early 21st century, around 2004–2006.
- The Predator series uses 1987, 1997, 2018, and 1930 as key reference years.
- Expanded media such as games and audio dramas often place AVP in the 22nd century or late 21st century.
- There is no single canonical year; the franchise uses a flexible timeline to connect different stories and media.
Common misconceptions
Some assume AVP is set in the same year as the films it features or that it occupies a single, fixed year across all media. In reality, the franchise blends timelines for narrative and commercial reasons, resulting in a hybrid chronology. Understanding this helps clarify why answers to what year is avp set in vary and why no one date is definitive.