20th Century Studios doubles down on the Predator franchise with two ambitious 2025 releases, building on a legacy that began with 1987’s $98.3 million box office phenomenon starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“Predator: Badlands,” starring Elle Fanning and directed by Dan Trachtenberg, promises to transport the franchise into a distant future when it releases on Nov. 7, 2025. The movie follows the massive success of “Prey,” which garnered 665 million streaming minutes and became Hulu’s most-watched premiere ever.
“After ‘Prey’s’ success, we knew we had to push boundaries,” Trachtenberg explained. “Badlands takes the hunter-versus-hunted dynamic into unexplored territory.”
The franchise’s box office history demonstrates its enduring appeal, from the original “Predator” ($98.3 million) to “Predator 2” ($57.1 million), “Predators” ($127.2 million), and “The Predator” ($160.5 million), leading to “Prey’s” record-breaking streaming numbers.
A second, animated project remains shrouded in mystery, though studio president Steve Asbell hints at a groundbreaking collaboration with Weta Digital. “The animated project allows us to explore Predator mythology in ways live-action couldn’t achieve,” Asbell notes. “We’re breaking new ground while honoring what fans love.”
Production insiders reveal unprecedented technological investments in both projects, with the animated film utilizing motion capture and visual effects that “rival anything seen in modern blockbusters.”
The franchise’s evolution spans multiple settings, from jungle warfare (1987) to urban combat (1990), a game preserve planet (2010), suburban invasion (2018), and a historical setting (2022), with 2025’s future warfare representing its most ambitious leap yet.
“Each iteration has redefined the Predator mythos,” explains franchise historian Mark Wilson. “These new projects continue that tradition of innovation.”
Trachtenberg’s approach emphasizes character-driven narratives and practical effects, building on the sophisticated storytelling that made “Prey” successful. “Dan brought sophistication back to the franchise,” notes producer John Davis. “His vision for ‘Badlands’ expands that approach.”
Industry analyst Sarah Chen predicts unprecedented success for the franchise: “With ‘Prey’s’ success and two distinct projects, 2025 could be Predator’s biggest year since 1987.”
The dual release strategy mirrors successful franchise revivals like “Planet of the Apes,” suggesting 20th Century Studios’ confidence in the Predator brand’s enduring appeal and growth potential. As Trachtenberg concludes: “We’re not just making sequels – we’re expanding what a Predator story can be.”
