Predator: Badlands has exceeded all expectations at the box office, earning an impressive $40 million during its opening weekend in North America. This marks the biggest debut ever for a film in the Predator franchise, surpassing the 2004 crossover Alien vs. Predator, which previously held the record with a $38.3 million opening. The strong performance also leaves 2018’s The Predator—which opened with $24.6 million—well behind, signaling a robust resurgence for the long-running sci-fi series.
According to early industry reports, the film also performed exceptionally well overseas, collecting an estimated $40 million across 52 international markets. With a combined global launch of roughly $80 million, Predator: Badlands has achieved the highest opening weekend in the franchise’s 38-year history. Produced by 20th Century Studios with a reported budget of $105 million (excluding marketing costs), the film’s debut is being hailed as a major success both critically and commercially.
Audience reactions have been notably positive. The film earned an A– CinemaScore, the highest ever for the franchise, alongside a remarkable 96 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The strong word-of-mouth, paired with a PG-13 rating that broadened its reach, appears to have significantly contributed to the film’s box office success. Commentators have noted that Predator: Badlands is the biggest debut for a PG-13 film since Fantastic Four’s release in July, a testament to its broad appeal and effective marketing strategy.
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, Predator: Badlands is the ninth entry in the franchise and a bold narrative shift that centers the Predator species itself. Set on the hostile alien world of Genna, the story follows Dek, a young Yautja warrior seeking redemption by hunting the mythical apex creature known as the Kalisk. Along his journey, Dek forms an uneasy alliance with Thia (Elle Fanning), a synthetic operative from the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, as the pair navigates the deadly terrain of the “Badlands.”
Released exclusively in theaters on November 7, 2025, the film is expected to arrive on Hulu and Disney+ in early 2026.
