Predator: Badlands’ Success Formula For Next Alien Vs. Predator Movie

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The next Alien vs. Predator movie should take notes from Predator: Badlands to address the problems with the earlier films. Although Badlands mainly centers on the Predator species, the Alien universe plays a bigger part in the story than the trailers suggested. Elle Fanning’s character, a synthetic human, is just a small piece of how the Weyland-Yutani corporation influences the plot.

In Badlands, the powerful and ruthless Weyland-Yutani corporation – known from the Alien films – is searching the planet Genna for a creature they can weaponize. This pursuit brings them into conflict with Dek, a hunter from the Yautja species who is also after the same creature. The film highlights Weyland-Yutani’s vast and dangerous influence across the galaxy, positioning them as a threat to numerous alien races, including both the Yautja and the Xenomorphs.

Although a direct fight between a Xenomorph and Predator doesn’t happen in Badlands, it’s still considered the strongest film to combine the two series. Following a very successful opening weekend, another Alien vs. Predator movie is probable, but it should follow the same successful approach as Badlands.

Predator: Badlands’ Formula Can Fix The Next Alien Vs. Predator Movie

Many people secretly enjoy the 2004 film AVP, even though critics didn’t like it. It made $177.4 million worldwide, but only received a 21% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The 2007 sequel, Requiem, also did well financially with $130.3 million in earnings, but critics disliked it even more, giving it a score of just 12% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The movie Badlands has been well-received, earning an 85% score on Rotten Tomatoes and bringing in $79.2 million during its opening weekend. This is the biggest opening ever for a Predator film, and it’s already on track to make more than its $105 million production cost. To be a truly successful movie financially, it will likely need to earn over $200 million, which is possible if people enjoy it and tell their friends.

Despite everything, the film is being praised by both critics and viewers. It’s unique because it focuses on a Predator as the central character, and features a hero that people quickly connect with. Dek is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist; his desire to prove himself resonates with audiences, even though Predators are usually portrayed as hunters of humans.

The good reception to Badlands shows that the series doesn’t rely on human characters to be successful. What matters most is a compelling character arc. The biggest problem with the AVP movies was that the human storylines got in the way of the central conflict – the battles between Xenomorphs and Predators – which is what fans really wanted to see.

I thought the first movie did a good job of weaving the humans into the aliens’ fight, making it feel personal. But honestly, the second one felt like it just threw in a bunch of people to be… well, to be killed. They were basically just there to give the Xenomorphs and Predators something to do, some targets to practice on. And you know what? I can’t even remember any of the human characters or what their deal was. They just weren’t memorable at all.

I truly believe that continuing with Dek after the success of Badlands is the smartest move for the next Alien film. I think we should lean into what people loved – that intense, terrifying creature – and skip adding any distracting human elements. Just give us a full-on, spectacular showdown between these ultimate predators; that’s what everyone’s really waiting for!

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2025-11-17 01:00