The Predator franchise has been thrilling audiences for nearly four decades. From Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic jungle showdown to the latest animated series, the narratives blend military, science fiction, action and horror elements to create one of the most iconic installations in Hollywood history.
The Predator movies tell the stories of humanity’s encounters with a technologically advanced extraterrestrial species of intergalactic trophy hunters. Known as Predators, Yautja, Hish-Qu-Ten and Skin Thieves throughout the expanded Predator universe, more and more of their history and culture has been revealed with each entry.
Whether you want to watch in chronological order or experience the complete series as they were released, here’s your guide to the Predator franchise. Don’t forget: You can watch Predator films on DIRECTV!
Predator Movies in Order by Release Date
To experience the Predator series as lifelong fans have, let’s run down the movies by when they were added to the franchise. Here is the Predator series in order:
- Predator (1987)
- Predator 2 (1990)
- Alien vs. Predator (2004)
- Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
- Predators (2010)
- The Predator (2018)
- Prey (2022)
- Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)
- Predator: Badlands (2025)
1. ‘Predator’ (1987)
Director: John McTiernan
Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Kevin Peter Hall
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 80%
The film that started it all remains a masterpiece of tension and action. When a Special Forces rescue mission in a Central American jungle turns into a fight for survival against a highly skilled alien hunter, audiences witnessed groundbreaking creature design and special effects that earned an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects. This Schwarzenegger classic perfectly balances military action with sci-fi horror, creating an atmosphere of dread for 107 breathtaking minutes.
2. ‘Predator 2’ (1990)
Director: Stephen Hopkins
Stars: Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Kevin Peter Hall
IMDB Rating: 6.3/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 30%
Moving the action from actual jungle to the concrete jungle, Predator 2 shifts the hunting grounds to Los Angeles during a violent heatwave. Danny Glover’s Detective Harrigan faces off against a Predator stalking both police and gang members. While receiving mixed reviews initially, this sequel deepened Predator lore with glimpses of alien culture and technology, earning cult status among franchise fans.
3. ‘Alien vs. Predator’ (2004)
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Stars: Sanaa Lathan, Raoul Bova, Lance Henriksen
IMDB Rating: 5.6/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 21%
When humans explore a mysterious Antarctic pyramid, they stumble into an ancient war between Predators and Xenomorphs (from the Alien franchise). This crossover concept appealed to fans of both franchises, though its PG-13 rating and simplified plot drew significant criticism from longtime supporters expecting the R-rated intensity of previous entries.
4. ‘Alien vs. Predator: Requiem’ (2007)
Directors: Colin and Greg Strause
Stars: Steven Pasquale, Reiko Aylesworth, John Ortiz
IMDB Rating: 4.7/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 12%
The most criticized entry in the franchise picks up after the first Alien vs. Predator film. When a Predator ship crash-lands in Colorado, it unleashes both Xenomorphs and a deadly Predalien hybrid that devastates a small town. While brutally violent for hardcore fans, the film suffered from poor lighting and storytelling issues.
5. ‘Predators’ (2010)
Director: Nimród Antal
Stars: Adrien Brody, Alice Braga, Topher Grace, Laurence Fishburne
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 65%
A group of elite warriors awakens on an alien planet, hunted by an advanced clan of Predators. This entry successfully returned to the survival horror elements that made the original so compelling, mixing suspense with high-octane action and earning praise for rekindling the tension of the 1987 classic.
6. ‘The Predator’ (2018)
Director: Shane Black
Stars: Boyd Holbrook, Olivia Munn, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay
IMDB Rating: 5.3/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 33%
Shane Black’s entry revealed a government conspiracy involving enhanced “Super Predators” arriving on Earth. Blending sci-fi horror with action-comedy elements and showcasing upgraded alien technology, the film had big ambitions but suffered from uneven tone and editing issues that divided critics and audiences.
7. ‘Prey’ (2022)
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Stars: Amber Midthunder
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 94% (Certified Fresh)
Set in 1719 on the Great Plains, this prequel follows Comanche warrior Naru as she confronts a Predator equipped with primitive yet deadly gear. Celebrated for authentic cultural representation, strong performances and a stripped-back approach, Prey became a fan favorite and achieved the highest rating for any live-action Predator film.
8. ‘Predator: Killer of Killers’ (2025)
Directors: Dan Trachtenberg
Platform: Hulu
IMDB: 7.5/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
This animated anthology series tells Predator stories across multiple time periods including the Viking era, feudal Japan and World War II. Each episode features unique art styles and tones, earning critical praise for creative storytelling and worldbuilding. With Dan Trachtenberg back at the helm, Predator: Killer of Killers set a new franchise record with its 97% Rotten Tomatoes score.
9. ‘Predator: Badlands’ (2025)
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Stars: Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10 | Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
A standalone film within the Predator franchise timeline, Badlands brings viewers to the Predator planet where a young Predator is outcast from his clan. In his quest to prove himself and defeat the ultimate adversary, he finds an unlikely ally.
Predator Movies Timeline: Chronological Order
For fans wanting to experience the franchise in the story’s chronological order rather than release order, here’s the rundown:
- Prey (2022)
- Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)
- Predator (1987)
- Predator 2 (1990)
- Alien vs. Predator (2004)
- Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
- The Predator (2018)
- Predators (2010)
- Predator: Badlands (2025)*
*Standalone film
Best and Worst Predator Movies: Critical Rankings
Here are the three highest-rated and lowest-rated Predator films, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Highest Rated ‘Predator’ Movies:
- Predator: Killer of Killers (97%) – Animated Hulu film
- Prey (94%) – Prequel masterpiece
- Predator: Badlands (85%) – A new direction for the franchise
Lowest Rated ‘Predator’ Movies:
- Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (12%) – Franchise low point
- Alien vs. Predator (21%) – Missed potential
- The Predator (33%) – Uneven execution
What Makes the Predator Franchise Endure?
In short, the Predators. They possess a seemingly unbeatable combination of natural power and advanced technology that, when combined with great storytelling and action choreography, has yielded some of the best science fiction content in the genre.
Predators have a superhuman physique that grants them immense strength, agility, stamina, and resilience, enabling them to survive and fight in extreme environments. They have enhanced senses like acute hearing, and an exceptional sense of smell. And they use advanced stealth technology like active camouflage and infrared vision paired with an arsenal of lethal, high-tech weaponry including plasma casters, wrist blades, spears and nets. Predators are some of the most formidable hunters in science fiction.
The Predator franchise proves that great monster movies transcend their origins. From Schwarzenegger’s jungle warfare to a Comanche warrior tale, each entry explores what happens when humanity faces its ultimate hunter.
With Predator: Badlands and Killer of Killers setting new quality standards, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering these films for the first time, the Predator movies offer a unique blend of action, horror and science fiction that continues to evolve while honoring its roots.
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Frequently Asked Questions
In what order should I watch 'Predator'?
To experience as fans did more than 30 years ago, you should watch them in release order from Predator to Prey. To watch the stories in chronological order according to the Predator universe, the order is: Prey (2022), Predator: Killer of Killers (2025), Predator (1987), Predator 2 (1990), Alien vs. Predator (2004), Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007), The Predator (2018), Predators (2010) and the forthcoming Predator: Badlands (2025).
Is Prey a prequel to Predator?
Yes, taking place in 1719 on the Great Plains, Prey takes place hundreds of years prior to the story of the original Predator film.
Should I watch 'Prey' or 'Predator' first?
If you'd like to watch the movies by release date, start with the original Predator. If you want to watch the story of the predators unfold chronologically, start with Prey.
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