'Predator: Badlands' becomes biggest Predator hit ever and ignites major sequel speculation

Predator: Badlands has officially secured its place as the top-earning film in the Predator franchise, surpassing every previous installment—including the Alien vs. Predator crossover titles—according to Box Office Mojo.

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the PG-13 sci-fi action film has continued the momentum he established with 2022’s critically praised Prey and the 2025 animated anthology Killer of Killer. Predator: Badlands has received strong critical approval and has now generated $173,740,607 worldwide after four weekends in theaters. The total includes $85 million domestic and $88.7 million international, edging past 2018’s The Predator, which ended its run with roughly $160.5 million globally.

While the milestone cements the film’s commercial success, Yin-Poole notes that the comparison does not factor in inflation across the franchise’s decades-long history. More importantly, the film’s financial performance raises questions about whether Disney will move forward with the sequel hinted at in its ending. Box office declines in recent weeks suggest that Badlands is unlikely to reach the $200 million threshold, potentially placing a follow-up film in a precarious position once production, marketing, and theater revenue splits are considered.

Trachtenberg’s latest entry distinguishes itself from earlier installments by positioning the Predator as the central character for the first time. The story follows Dek, a Yautja warrior played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, seeking to prove himself on a hostile planet. Along his journey, he encounters Thia, a Weyland-Yutani synthetic portrayed by Elle Fanning, adding an Alien crossover element that broadens the shared universe.

Yin-Poole also highlights Trachtenberg’s creative approach, inspired in part by Terminator 2: Judgment Day, which he described as both intense and emotionally accessible—qualities he aimed to emulate for Badlands.

The Predator series, which began with the iconic 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film, has evolved through sequels, crossovers, and a recent resurgence driven by Trachtenberg. Whether Badlands’ box office achievements will be enough to secure its narrative continuation remains unclear, but the film has undeniably reshaped the franchise’s commercial landscape.