Three years after Prey debuted on Hulu, the critically acclaimed Predator prequel is set to get a theatrical release in special screenings for Predator: Badlands. Prey was the rebound the Predator franchise desperately needed following the box office and critical disappointment of The Predator back in 2018. Prey’s critical success and streaming metrics seemed to pay off as it led to the Hulu animated anthology film Predator: Killer of Killers and now Predator: Badlands, the franchise’s return to theaters. Many fans of Prey have long expressed disappointment and frustration that they never got to see one of the best entries in the franchise in theaters, but now they will have the chance for a limited time.
AMC Theaters has a listing for showtimes of a double feature that includes Prey and Predator: Badlands together. The Prey/Predator: Badlands double feature showings run for 3 hours and 30 minutes and take place on Nov. 5, 2025, one day before the advance screenings of Predator: Badlands begin ahead of its official Nov. 7, 2025, release date. This marks the first wide theatrical release of Prey in theaters. As of this writing, no other major theater chain has the double feature listed on their site, nor does movie ticket seller Fandango.
Why ‘Prey’ Was Not Released in Theaters in the First Place
Prey was released at an interesting time for the Walt Disney Company. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney was heavily invested in original films for streaming platforms like Disney+ and Hulu. Films like Hocus Pocus 2, Disenchanted, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, and Prey were all movies that, a few years prior (or now), could have been released in theaters. In 2022, all of them landed straight onto streaming. While Hulu Originals like Swiped and The Man in My Basement have debuted on Hulu, bigger franchise films have shifted from Disney+ to theatrical releases. Moana 2, Lilo & Stitch, and Freakier Friday were all originally intended for Disney+ but ended up being given theatrical releases, with both Lilo & Stitch and Moana 2 grossing $1 billion.
The decision to release Prey on streaming made sense at the time. The Predator franchise was popular, but it was always a modest box office hit series. The franchise also suffered following the release of 2018’s The Predator. With a level of uncertainty surrounding the theatrical market following the COVID-19 pandemic, it made sense to release the next entry in the Predator franchise on streaming. Yet even at the time, given how slow the box office was in August 2022, MovieWeb even speculated that Prey might have been a surprise box office hit.
Following Prey‘s reaction among audiences and critics, Disney seemingly learned their lesson with their 20th Century Fox franchise. Alien: Romulus was originally intended for a streaming release but was later upgraded to a theatrical release, ultimately grossing $350 million worldwide. Now Disney and 20th Century Studios are all in on the Predator franchise, with Predator: Badlands taking the release date originally intended for Marvel Studios’ Blade. It may have taken three years, but Predator fans are now given the chance to witness Prey in all its glory on the big screen.
- Release Date
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August 5, 2022
- Writers
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Patrick Aison
