Predator: Badlands has set a new record by achieving the biggest global box office opening ever for a Predator movie, including the Alien vs. Predator films. The film garnered $80 million in its debut weekend, with $40 million domestically and $40 million internationally. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who previously revitalized the series with Prey, this PG-13 film offers a fresh take as it presents a Yautja named Dek as the protagonist, focusing more on action than horror. Critics have responded positively, giving the film strong reviews, including an 8/10 rating from one major outlet. This opening surpasses the previous record held by 2018’s The Predator, establishing Predator: Badlands as a promising start for a potential sequel and the expansion of its cinematic universe.

Predator: Badlands follows Dek, a Yautja who seeks to prove himself to his father by hunting a monster on a death planet, while he teams up with a Weyland-Yutani synth named Thia.

Predator: Badlands marks a significant entry in the Predator franchise, which began with the iconic 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The series has evolved over the years, transitioning from its roots in sci-fi horror to incorporating mainstream action elements, reflecting changing audience preferences. This film is the first to center around a Yautja as a protagonist, suggesting a bold direction for future installments in the series.