The iconic sci-fi franchise has roared back to life with Predator: Badlands, delivering a record-breaking $80 million global opening weekend that proves audiences are hungry for fresh takes on beloved properties. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the visionary behind the critically acclaimed Prey, this bold new chapter flips the script by making the Predator the hero—and the gamble has paid off spectacularly.
Record-Breaking Box Office Success
Predator: Badlands dominated theaters this weekend with $40 million domestically and another $40 million internationally, marking the highest global opening in the franchise's nearly 40-year history. The film surpassed the previous record holder, 2004's Alien vs. Predator, which opened to $38.3 million. Not accounting for inflation, this represents a franchise milestone that Disney and 20th Century Studios desperately needed after a challenging year.
The film performed exceptionally well internationally, claiming the number-one spot in countries including the UK ($3.2 million), Mexico ($2.3 million), France ($1.8 million), and Japan ($1.7 million). In China, where it earned $7.4 million, Badlands became the first studio release to debut at number one since July. IMAX screenings contributed $10.8 million to the global total, demonstrating strong audience demand for premium viewing experiences.
A Fresh Take That Critics and Audiences Love
What makes Predator: Badlands particularly fascinating is its unprecedented approach: the Predator is the protagonist. Set on the hostile planet Genna, the story follows Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a young outcast Predator who forms an unlikely alliance with Thia (Elle Fanning), a damaged Weyland-Yutani synthetic android. Together, they embark on a treacherous journey confronting a terrifying apex creature that challenges both species' survival instincts.
Critics have embraced the film with an impressive 86% Rotten Tomatoes score, while audiences delivered an even more enthusiastic 96% Popcornmeter rating—potentially the highest audience score in franchise history. Moviegoers awarded it an A- CinemaScore, praising the action sequences, entertainment value, and Elle Fanning's standout performance that brings unexpected levity to the typically dark franchise.
Notably, Badlands is the first PG-13 entry in the main franchise, a decision that initially raised eyebrows but ultimately hasn't deterred audiences from flocking to theaters, with a production budget of $105 million—the most expensive Predator film to date—the strong opening positions it well for profitability.
Dan Trachtenberg has now achieved a clean sweep with three consecutive critically and commercially successful Predator films, cementing his status as the franchise's savior and proving that innovation, not repetition, is the key to revitalizing legacy properties.
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