After decades of evolution, reinvention, and survival, the Predator franchise has roared back to life with its biggest box office debut ever. Director Dan Trachtenberg’s latest installment, Predator: Badlands, has not only revitalized the sci-fi saga but also rewritten the record books with an $80 million global opening weekend.
The film — the ninth in the long-running franchise — opened to $40 million domestically and $40 million internationally, outpacing even the most optimistic forecasts. Its success reflects a combination of strong reviews, a broadened audience appeal, and Trachtenberg’s bold creative direction.
“This is what happens when you make good movies — people show up, then tell their friends,” said a rival studio executive. “Badlands is the shot of adrenaline the box office needed.”
Predator: Badlands Shatters Franchise Records
According to Variety, Predator: Badlands now holds the title for the largest global and domestic opening in the franchise’s 38-year history.
The $80 million global start beats the 2018 reboot (The Predator, $73.5 million) and surpasses Alien vs. Predator’s long-held domestic record ($38.2 million).
Box Office Overview: Predator Franchise Openings
| Film Title | Release Year | Global Opening | Domestic Opening | CinemaScore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Predator | 1987 | $12.0M | $12.0M | B+ |
| Predator 2 | 1990 | $9.3M | $9.3M | B- |
| AVP: Alien vs. Predator | 2004 | $38.4M | $38.4M | B |
| Predators | 2010 | $24.7M | $24.7M | B+ |
| The Predator | 2018 | $73.5M | $24.6M | C+ |
| Predator: Badlands | 2025 | $80.0M | $40.0M | A- |
The Numbers Behind the Record
Domestic Performance
- Opening Weekend: $40 million
- Screens: 3,725 theaters nationwide
- Premium Format Contribution: 59% (IMAX, 3D, Dolby Cinema)
- CinemaScore: A– (highest in franchise history)
- Audience Split: 11% under 17, 43% aged 18–34
International Highlights
- China: $7.4 million
- United Kingdom: $3.2 million
- Mexico: $2.3 million
- Other markets: $27.1 million across 49 territories
At a production cost of $105 million, Badlands has already set itself on track to profitability — an impressive feat in a competitive November release window.
A Franchise Reborn Under Disney
This film marks the first theatrical Predator release under Disney’s 20th Century division, following the 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
Trachtenberg’s previous entry, Prey (2022), was a streaming-only hit on Hulu, earning widespread acclaim for its lean storytelling and Indigenous representation. With Badlands, the director took his success formula to the big screen — blending world-building depth with a lighter PG-13 tone to reach broader audiences.
“I wanted to make a Predator movie that kids could watch — and still have nightmares about,” joked Trachtenberg in a recent interview. “The balance of wonder and terror has always been what defines this series.”
The Story: Redemption, Honor, and the Hunt
Unlike its predecessors, Predator: Badlands flips the traditional structure by centering on the Yautja themselves — the alien hunters.
The story follows Dek, a disgraced young Predator played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who seeks redemption from his tribe by traveling to the deadly planet Genna. His mission: to hunt down the Kalisk, a mythic, unkillable beast that has claimed countless lives.
Along the way, Dek forms an unlikely alliance with Thia (Elle Fanning), a Weyland-Yutani synthetic stranded on the planet. Their uneasy partnership evolves into the emotional heart of the film.
Character Overview Table: Key Role
| Character | Actor | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dek | Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi | Outcast Predator seeking redemption |
| Thia | Elle Fanning | Weyland-Yutani synthetic stranded on Genna |
| Kwei | Ewan Mitchell | Dek’s rival and brother, Yautja elite warrior |
| The Kalisk | Performance-captured creature | Legendary apex predator of Genna |
| Narrator (Voice) | Sigourney Weaver | Voice of the Yautja elder chronicler |
Critical Reception: A Monster Hit
Predator: Badlands has received glowing early reviews, boasting a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and earning the franchise’s first-ever A– CinemaScore.
Critics have praised the film’s balance of humor, world-building, and emotional depth — a rare feat for a franchise long defined by testosterone-fueled violence.
The Hollywood Reporter called it “a bold reimagining that makes the Predator more human than ever — and humans more alien.”
The film’s more accessible tone also contributed to its strong turnout among female and younger demographics, with PostTrak reports indicating high “definite recommend” ratings across all audience segments.
The Director Behind the Resurrection
Director Dan Trachtenberg has now cemented himself as the modern steward of the Predator mythos. Known for his smart, minimalist storytelling in 10 Cloverfield Lane and Prey, Trachtenberg blends high-concept sci-fi with grounded human emotion — or, in this case, alien emotion.
He co-wrote the script with Patrick Aison, continuing their collaboration from Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers (2025), an animated anthology.
“Dan has given Predator its soul back,” said producer John Davis, who has been involved in every film since 1987. “He’s found a way to make the monsters feel real again — not just as threats, but as living beings with something to prove.”
Why Badlands Works?
Badlands succeeds because it takes creative risks — reframing the Predator not as a symbol of horror, but as a lens for empathy and self-discovery.
The PG-13 rating allowed Disney to target a broader audience without neutering the intensity that defines the series. The emotional focus on Dek’s self-worth, combined with Fanning’s warmth as Thia, gives the film a universality often missing in earlier entries.
At the same time, Trachtenberg didn’t abandon the action. The film’s practical effects, kinetic camera work, and sound design preserve the visceral thrill that fans expect — but in service of a deeper story about identity, belonging, and honor.
Impact on the Franchise’s Future
Given its explosive debut and critical success, insiders expect Disney to greenlight a Badlands sequel and possibly expand the Predator mythos into new media.
Industry analysts also note that the film’s PG-13 box office success could shift how studios approach long-standing R-rated franchises.
There’s already speculation of crossovers — potentially even revisiting the Alien vs. Predator concept under Trachtenberg’s direction.
For now, Predator: Badlands stands as the defining cinematic comeback of 2025 — proof that audiences still crave originality within beloved franchises.
FAQs
It earned $80 million globally, with $40 million from North America and $40 million from international markets.
The film was directed by Dan Trachtenberg, best known for 10 Cloverfield Lane and Prey.
Not directly. It’s set within the same universe but follows new characters and a fresh storyline focused on a Yautja protagonist.
Predator: Badlands is rated PG-13, a first for the mainline Predator films.
While not officially confirmed, strong box office performance and audience reception make a sequel highly likely.
