What to know before ‘Predator: Badlands’ hits cinemas

‘Predator: Badlands’ unites Alien and Predator universes with new heroes, brutal action and surprising twists

The hunt is back on as Predator: Badlands prepares to hit cinemas on November 7, 2025, bringing fresh blood and unexpected twists to one of sci-fi’s most enduring franchises. Fans of the Predator and Alien universes have a lot to look forward to as this upcoming release cements the long-speculated connection between the two legendary series.

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who also helmed Prey, Predator: Badlands marks the first theatrical Predator film since 2018’s The Predator. The movie introduces a new story centred on Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, an outcast Yautja abandoned on a deadly planet. His unlikely ally is Thia, portrayed by Elle Fanning, a synthetic human created by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, the same shadowy entity behind the events of the Alien saga. This detail officially ties the two franchises together, thrilling long-time fans who have waited years for confirmation of their shared universe.

Early buzz around Predator: Badlands is growing fast, following the success of the animated Predator: Killer of Killers, which earned a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score earlier this year. With its cinematic return, Badlands promises an ambitious mix of brutal action, emotional storytelling and franchise-expanding lore. Director Trachtenberg has teased that the chemistry between Dek and Thia will be central to the film’s tone, creating a dynamic unlike anything seen before in the Predator series.

The upcoming release is also expected to bridge multiple timelines within the Predator and Alien mythologies, laying the groundwork for potential crossover projects. From the 18th-century setting of Prey to futuristic space wars, Predator: Badlands seems poised to redefine how both franchises coexist. With Trachtenberg’s signature style and the cinematic scale of 20th Century Studios behind it, this film is shaping up to be one of the year’s biggest sci-fi events.

Whether you’re a casual viewer or a dedicated fan, now is the time to revisit the earlier entries in both series. Catch up on Prey, rewatch Alien classics, and prepare for a film that could change everything. Predator: Badlands is coming, and the hunt has evolved.