In 2026, Aliens celebrates its 40th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Hot Toys is releasing several new collectibles dedicated to James Cameron’s film, including four different options for adding Ellen Ripley to your 1/6 scale figure collection.
The choice may not be quite as straightforward as it seems: Collector, Deluxe, Artisan Edition or the set with the Power Loader?
There is also an important update to take into account: on September 15, 2026, several months after the initial reveal of the Collector, Deluxe and Artisan figures, Hot Toys announced that it had reworked Ellen Ripley’s head sculpt as well as the design of her upper body.
So, what are the actual differences between these four versions, and which one should you choose?
Four Hot Toys Ellen Ripley figures, but two different portrayals from Aliens
The MMS894 Collector, MMS895 Deluxe and MMS896AE Artisan Edition all depict Ellen Ripley when she returns to the Xenomorph hive to rescue Newt.
She is wearing her white T-shirt, blue-grey trousers and Reebok Alien Stompers, while carrying her heavy weapon setup: the M41A Pulse Rifle and the M240 Incinerator.
The fourth figure, included in the MMS923 Ellen Ripley and Power Loader set, depicts the final sequence of the film. Ripley shows more signs of the battles she has endured and climbs into the Caterpillar P-5000 Power Loader to face the Alien Queen aboard the USS Sulaco.
Hot Toys has reworked the face of the first three Ripley figures
The MMS894 Collector, MMS895 Deluxe and MMS896AE Artisan Edition were initially presented with an earlier prototype of Ellen Ripley’s head sculpt, which received a rather lukewarm response from the collector community. After taking this feedback into account, Hot Toys officially announced an update to all three references on September 15, 2026.
The manufacturer has reworked the head sculpt to achieve a closer likeness to Sigourney Weaver, with revised facial details and expression compared with the prototype originally shown… and the result looks impressively realistic!
Hot Toys also used this update as an opportunity to revise the upper-body design. All three figures now feature a silicone upper body with seamless shoulders, helping to conceal the joint lines that are particularly visible with Ripley’s sleeveless outfit. This improvement is also beneficial for the MMS923 Ellen Ripley and Power Loader set, as Ripley’s left shoulder is prominently exposed.
Ellen Ripley Collector MMS894: all the essentials without the extra display pieces
The Ellen Ripley Collector MMS894 is the most straightforward of the three figures based on the hive sequence, but its contents are already particularly comprehensive.
All the essential weaponry is already included
Hot Toys includes:
- the M41A Pulse Rifle with removable magazine, retractable stock and sling;
- the M240 Incinerator;
- a translucent flame effect for the M240;
- M40 HEDP grenades;
- a harness and grenade bandolier;
- an ammunition shoulder bag;
- several interchangeable hands;
- a diorama base themed around Xenomorph remains.
The hair is fully sculpted.
The Collector is therefore the most straightforward option for anyone who primarily wants Ripley with her complete weapon loadout.
Ellen Ripley Deluxe MMS895: the Ovomorph expands the diorama
The Ellen Ripley Deluxe MMS895 includes the same figure and equipment as the Collector version.
Ripley therefore retains her sculpted hair, M41A Pulse Rifle, M240 Incinerator, grenades and base featuring Xenomorph remains.
The main difference lies in the display elements.
An Ovomorph and an extension to the hive display
The Deluxe version adds:
- an Ovomorph, the iconic Xenomorph egg;
- a tendril-themed display base designed to hold the Ovomorph.
This extension can be connected to Ripley’s main diorama base to further develop the hive environment.
The Deluxe MMS895 is particularly suited to collectors who want a more elaborate display around Ripley without moving up to the Artisan hair treatment.
Ellen Ripley Artisan Edition MMS896AE: rooted hair makes the difference
With the Ripley Artisan Edition MMS896AE, Hot Toys retains the equipment and display elements from the Deluxe version while changing one particularly noticeable feature: the hair.
The sculpted hair of the MMS894 and MMS895 is replaced with hand-implanted curly black wool hair.
This technique allows for a more natural recreation of the volume and texture of Sigourney Weaver’s hairstyle.
The Artisan Edition also retains the Ovomorph, its tendril-themed base, the diorama base, the M41A, the M240 and the other accessories included with the Deluxe version.
Ellen Ripley and the Power Loader MMS923: a different version altogether
The Ellen Ripley and Power Loader MMS923 set offers a genuinely different version from the previous three.
This time, Hot Toys recreates the final confrontation from Aliens aboard the USS Sulaco.
This version features its own Battle Damaged head sculpt, with blood-effect paint applications and sculpted curly hair.
Her outfit also reflects the events leading up to the final confrontation, most notably her torn white T-shirt.
Hot Toys also includes a dark grey sock that can be used in place of the right shoe, allowing collectors to recreate Ripley’s appearance after losing one of her shoes.
However, this Ripley does not include the M41A or M240 supplied with the other three versions, which is a pity.
A 52 cm Power Loader as the centrepiece
The Caterpillar P-5000 Power Loader is naturally the centrepiece of the set.
It measures approximately 52 cm high, 32 cm wide and 37 cm deep.
Hot Toys has equipped it with more than 18 points of articulation. The mechanical arms, legs and claws are articulated, while the protective roll cage can be opened and the operator’s joysticks can slide.
The seat features functional harness straps, while the Power Loader also includes USB-powered LED lighting in the upper warning beacon and inside the protective frame.
It is naturally designed to accommodate the Ellen Ripley figure included in the set… or any of the other versions!
This is why the Power Loader is also available separately (Hot Toys Power Loader MMS924), allowing you to configure your own combination however you prefer—which makes the choice even more complicated.
Ripley Collector, Deluxe, Artisan or Power Loader: in summary
| Version | Hair | Key features | Best suited for... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collector MMS894 | Sculpted hair | Armed Ripley, M41A, M240 and diorama base | Getting the complete hive version of Ripley without additional display pieces |
| Deluxe MMS895 | Sculpted hair | Collector contents + Ovomorph and display extension | Creating a more elaborate hive display |
| Artisan MMS896AE | Hand-implanted hair | Deluxe contents + hand-implanted wool hair | Prioritising the hair treatment |
| Ripley + Power Loader MMS923 | Sculpted hair | Battle Damaged version + 52 cm Power Loader (but no weapons) | Recreating the final confrontation with the Alien Queen |
The Myth Factory team’s choice
From our point of view, the Power Loader is simply too iconic to leave out… and Ripley’s weapon loadout is every bit as iconic! Since the sculpted hair is already very convincing, upgrading to the Artisan version does not seem essential to us, although this naturally remains a matter of personal preference.
Our ideal choice would therefore be the Collector MMS894 combined with the Power Loader MMS924, bringing the total budget to EUR 725.
However, if the weapons are not particularly important to you and you are looking for an “ultra-accurate” representation of the final scene, the Ripley + Power Loader MMS923 set is certainly the option to consider, reducing the total price to EUR 585.
The Deluxe MMS895 would be particularly suitable for a more limited display area while still adding some welcome environmental elements.
The Artisan Edition MMS896AE caters to a different priority. Its main advantage is the hand-implanted hair, making it particularly appealing to collectors for whom this type of portrait treatment is an important consideration.