Predator: Badlands Is the No. 3 Most-Watched Movie in US

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Predator: Badlands continues to be a popular film in the U.S. During its second week of release, it ranked as the third most-watched movie nationwide, accumulating 343,000 minutes of viewing time, as reported by Nielsen.

The success of Predator: Badlands continues with its impressive opening weekend, bringing in $40 million. This strong start led to a worldwide box office total of $184 million, making it a significant hit.

From the start, and especially after its initial release, it quickly became a hit for the streaming service, building on the success of its earlier film, Prey.

I was really pleased to see the latest installment got an 86% ‘Certified Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes! It’s not quite as high as some of the other films – Predator: Killer of Killers and Prey both scored even higher – but it’s definitely a solid entry in the series, and better than many others.

Predator: Badlands Changed the Game for the Sci-Fi Franchise

Unlike other Predator movies, Predator: Badlands tells the story from the perspective of a young Yautja—one of the Predator species. Dek, a teenage Yautja, is determined to show his family he’s a skilled hunter by tracking down seemingly invincible creatures on a dangerous planet. During his quest, he unexpectedly teams up with Thia (Elle Fanning), a damaged android from the Weyland-Yutani corporation, who reluctantly helps him along the way.

Predator: Badlands is the seventh film in the Predator series and continues the story from the recent hit, Prey. Both films were directed by Dan Trachtenberg and released on Hulu, with another installment debuting on the streaming service earlier in 2025 before Badlands.

What Next for the Predator Franchise?

Dan Trachtenberg, the director behind Prey, and other Predator installments like Predator: Killer of Killers and Predator: Badlands, has renewed his contract with Paramount, ensuring his continued involvement with the series. However, he’s currently unsure about the future direction of the franchise.

With so many possibilities for how to tell stories – whether animated or live-action – the Predator universe is wide open,” Trachtenberg explained in 2025, just before the release of Predator: Killer of Killers. “We can introduce new characters, explore different time periods, and visit locations we’ve never seen before. I’m particularly excited by the chance to take the franchise in directions that other sci-fi series haven’t ventured.”

You can watch Predator: Badlands on Hulu and Disney+, or through Hulu as part of the Disney+ subscription. It’s also available to buy or rent digitally, and on DVD/Blu-ray.

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2026-03-21 02:13