#predator-franchise

#predator-franchise

Predator: Badlands led all films in North American theaters with a debut of $40 million, according to studio estimates Sunday, a better-than-expected result that slightly lifted the box office from its autumn doldrums. On the heels of the worst box office weekend of 2025, Predator: Badlands faced little competition from new titles. Not accounting for inflation, the $40 million opening marked a new high for the dreadlocked alien franchise, besting the $38.3 million launch of 2004's Alien vs. Predator.

"This is the first time we actually see the Predator really emoting and being vulnerable," said Fanning.

After surviving their ordeal with the sinister Weyland-Yutani synths on the planet Genna, the climax of the film is all about Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) heading back to Yautja Prime to prove to his father that yes, he did complete his first hunt. By this point in the movie, Dek has formed a new kind of clan, and family unit, with the Weyland-Yutani android Thia (Elle Fanning) as well as a baby alien Kalisk, nicknamed "Bud." (Bud is very much the Baby Groot of the movie.)

Trachtenberg's skill in crafting thrilling narratives is evident in 'Predator: Killer of Killers,' which introduces a compelling new storyline that reshapes expectations for the franchise.