Aliens is a 1986 science fiction action film written and directed by James Cameron. Set in the far future, it is the sequel to the 1979 science fiction horror film Alien, and the second film in the Alien franchise. Sigourney Weaver (pictured) stars as Ellen Ripley, sole survivor of an alien attack on her ship, with Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, and Carrie Henn in supporting roles. Aliens was released on July 18, 1986, to critical acclaim with Weaver's performance garnering consistent praise. 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. Aliens was one of the highest-grossing films of 1986 worldwide, earning $131.1 to 183.3 million during its theatrical run. Aliens is now considered among the greatest films of the 1980s, and among the best science fiction, action, and sequel films ever made. (Full article...)