The Predator franchise has been on a roll lately. Despite spending over a decade as just two films and a series of comics, the 21st century has seen the Predator franchise expand with crossovers, sequels, prequels, and an animated film. In the 2020s, the series has seemingly reached a new creative renaissance under the stewardship of Dan Trachtenberg, releasing Prey, Predator: Killer of Killers, and Predator: Badlands in three years.
Despite the Predator, also known as the Yautja, being an iconic sci-fi and horror figure for years, the wider franchise was often viewed as the lesser when compared to Alien. Yet with these new releases, Predator is on equal footing and might now surpass Alien in terms of the number of good films versus bad. In honor of the latest film in the franchise, Predator: Badlands, take a look at the entire Predator franchise, including the Alien vs. Predator films.
9
‘Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem’ (2007)
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem holds the distinction of being the worst film in both the Alien and Predator franchises. The sequel tried to appease audiences upset that the previous crossover was rated PG-13, not only putting R in the title (AVP: R) but also amping up the gore and violence. The finished product was more gratuitous and felt like the two legendary sci-fi horror icons were slumming it in a discount slasher film as the movie primarily takes place in a small town.
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem is an unpleasant watch, particularly because it’s so poorly lit that it makes what might be impressive creature design and costumes nearly impossible to see. Every action scene is shot as if the production could not afford a light and a camera at the same time. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem was so bad that it not only killed plans for a third AVP movie, but also led the Alien franchise to disregard any references to the films in later entries.
8
‘The Predator’ (2018)
The Predator should have been great. It was written and directed by Shane Black, who was coming off a hot streak with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Iron Man 3, and The Nice Guys, and had also starred in the original Predator. The movie featured an all-star cast including Boyd Holbrook, Olivia Munn, Sterling K. Brown, Jacob Tremblay, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, and Thomas Jane. With an ambitious scope, it had the potential to be one of the greatest Predator movies ever. That sadly isn’t what happened.
Despite all the actors delivering committed, engaging performances, with some of Black’s classic trademark humor and character development on full display, The Predator is weighed down by a story preoccupied with lore and franchise-building, a problem that plagues the entire movie. It crams about four ideas that would have made for an interesting Predator pitch in its own right into an overstuffed but underdeveloped movie where no idea is given the room to breathe. The film’s drastically reshot third-act climax and ultimate tease clash so much with the rest of the film that they stand as a textbook example of the worst tendencies of franchise filmmaking in the 2010s. The Predator‘s strong cast of characters is let down by a script whose story never gels together.
7
‘Predator 2’ (1990)
For the longest time, Predator 2 was seen as the lesser Predator film just by virtue of not being the first, and the series didn’t get a new entry for 14 years until Alien vs. Predator. The movie was an important part of the series’ larger mythos, not only establishing many of the rules for the creatures but also hinting at the wider universe with a Xenomorph skull. Predator 2 also establishes the franchise formula of not focusing on a single star, but instead the pitch for each sequel was Predator in a new environment, in this case, the concrete jungle of Los Angeles.
Certain elements of Predator 2 certainly have not aged well, yet the movie is an over-the-top, gonzo action movie that bridges the gap between the excess of both the 1980s and the then-burgeoning 1990s. Danny Glover might not be the conventional pick to follow Arnold Schwarzenegger, but he is an inspired choice. However, with the inclusion of Glover’s Lethal Weapon co-star Gary Busey, it does feel like Predator 2 might benefit from being a full-blown Lethal Weapon vs. Predator film with Mel Gibson’s Riggs along for the ride.
6
‘Alien vs. Predator’ (2004)
Alien vs. Predator was the long-awaited crossover between the Xenomorphs and the Yautja. Even though some fans might have been disappointed by the PG-13 rating, Alien vs. Predator delivered the ultimate fanboy experience that tapped into every ten-year-old dream. Multiple fights between the Alien and Predator, including classic picking up and throwing across area platforms like a game of Super Smash Bros. The film features every combination match-up one can imagine with multiple Xenomorph types, and both creatures get a fight with a win in their corner.
Alien vs. Predator also merges the two franchises’ mythologies pretty seamlessly, to the point that even with Prometheus going out of its way to retcon the events, it still fits in. Alien vs. Predator was a box-office rebound both the Alien and Predator franchises needed, introducing them to an entirely new generation of young fans who not only went back to watch the original films, but also followed the series with the new entries that continue to this day. Alien vs. Predator is far from perfect, but it is a monster mash that does deliver on its title.
5
‘Predators’ (2010)
The first solo Predator sequel released 20 years after Predator 2, Predators took an old abandoned script Robert Rodriguez wrote in 1995 that was originally meant to serve as a vehicle for Arnold Schwarzenegger to return. With Rodriguez producing and Nimrod Antal directing, the duo revised the script to focus on the deadliest warriors from around the planet who are dropped onto a planet hunting Predators. The movie features a stacked cast that includes two-time Academy Award winner Adrian Brody, two-time Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali, three-time Emmy nominee Walton Goggins, Robert Rodriguez favorite Danny Trejo, Alica Braga, Topher Grace, and Laurence Fishburne.
Predators might use the novelty of being on an alien planet as justification for following the beats of the original Predator a bit too closely, but it is a confidently made film with enough aesthetic differences to stand as its own unique entry. Thematically, Predators becomes a symbolic journey through hell where the worst of the worst people with various sins in their past ultimately find small moments of redemption before they die. Predators might not be the best film in the franchise, but it has gained a cult following over the years and put the series back on track.
4
‘Predator: Killer of Killers’ (2025)
Predator: Killer of Killers takes the formula set down by Prey and runs with it, telling three separate stories of Predators across different time periods fighting different warriors, including the Vikings, a Samurai, and a World War II fighter pilot. By the end of the movie, these three separate storylines converge and broaden the scope of the previous Predator films, tying the franchise together. Beautifully animated, Predator: Killer of Killers delivers fans three Predator movies’ worth of stories in one film, but unlike The Predator, it doesn’t shortchange any of the ideas.
Predator: Killer of Killers feels like a Predator fan’s dream come true, showcasing a wide array of unique Predator weapons and styles that feel appropriate to their era. Anyone who has ever read a Predator comic book or imagined their own hypothetical Predator movie will find something to love with this entry. A Predator with a cloak made out of spinal chords and a Predator dogfight? How could someone not love that?
3
‘Predator: Badlands’ (2025)
Predator: Badlands is the latest entry in the franchise and easily stands as one of the best. Dan Trachtenberg’s third Predator film, following Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers, Predator: Badlands changes up the formula by featuring a young Predator named Dex as the protagonist. Dex teams up with Thia (Elle Fanning), a Weyland-Yutania synthetic, once again merging the Alien and Predator franchise together. The result is a Predator movie that plays like a classical epic in the vein of Beowulf or Perseus.
Where the idea of turning a classic movie monster into a heroic figure may diminish the icon, Predator: Badlands strikes the right balance by givinga single Predator a relatable journey while keeping the overall species mysterious and terrifying. Dex (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) is immediately likable, and Fanning gives a career-best performance as Thia. Because the movies center on aliens and synthetics, they can deliver plenty of brutal kills while still earning a PG-13 rating, making the films accessible to a younger audience without losing what fans love about the franchise. Predator: Badlands is an instant winner.
2
‘Prey’ (2022)
Prey was the much-needed rebound the Predator franchise needed after The Predator. Released on Hulu in 2022, Prey‘s simple genius concept of dropping the Predator in 1719’s America with the protagonist being a young Comanche woman named Naru (Amber Midthunder) gave a new flavor to the franchise formula while also making everyone realize Predators in different time periods were the avenue the series should have been going down this entire time. Prey was the first film in the franchise directed by Dan Trachtenberg and proved so good that 20th Century Studios has seemingly entrusted him with the creative direction of the entire franchise.
Even though Prey pays homage to Predator‘s past, including a direct callback to Predator 2, what is so refreshing about the movie is how it carves out its own space within the wider franchise. Instead of feeling the need to use Alan Silvestri’s iconic score, Prey finds its own theme within Sarah Schacher’s incredible score. Prey is the best-case scenario for a franchise continuation: it builds on what the previous films set up, doesn’t need to retcon them, and isn’t entirely beholden to them. Prey is both an excellent Predator movie and just a great movie all around.
1
‘Predator’ (1987)
Predator is just a perfect action film, one that is always a great time to watch. While the movie is notable for featuring two future governors, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jesse Ventura, it is also a genre hybrid that shook up two of the 1980s biggest genres: action movies and slasher horror. For what on the surface seems like just a genre movie or a big action movie, Predator is a technical marvel directed by John McTiernan, the first in an incredible run that would be followed by Die Hard and The Hunt for Red October.
Everything about Predator is iconic. From the epic handshake meme to the “get to the choppa” quote, Predator is part of the larger pop culture lexicon that truly greats are. The Predator itself is easily one of the greatest movie monsters of all time, unlike anything ever put to screen before, that still, after all these years, captivates audiences and has allowed filmmakers to put their own spin on it. Even after all these years, Predator is still a great movie and the best in the franchise’s 38-year history.
