Predator: Badlands Breaks Franchise Record With $80 Million Opening

The Predator franchise is back on the hunt. Predator: Badlands opened this weekend to an estimated $40 million in North America and another $40 million overseas, for a global debut of $80 million, the best opening in the series' nearly four-decade history.

The film, produced by 20th Century Studios and distributed by Disney, outperformed expectations after a slow October at the box office. Its domestic opening beats 2004's Alien vs. Predator, which previously held the record with about $38 million. It's also a much-needed win for a franchise that had struggled to find direction since 2018's The Predator underperformed.

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (Prey), Badlands takes the series back to its roots - brutal survival, stripped-down storytelling, only this time the Predator himself is the protagonist, along with half an android he carries around like a backpack. 

Reviews have been stronger than expected, averaging around 85 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and earning an A- CinemaScore from opening-night audiences. Viewers praised its mix of practical effects, tight action sequences, and lean runtime, a contrast to the bloated sci-fi blockbusters that have dominated the past few years.

The $105 million production also signals a return of confidence for 20th Century Studios' theatrical releases under Disney. After several years of mid-budget projects going straight to streaming, Badlands was positioned as a full theatrical event and benefited from strong word-of-mouth.

For longtime fans, this feels like redemption. The Predator name had been tarnished by uneven sequels, but Badlands shows there's still a pulse in this universe. It's proof that audiences will still show up for legacy franchises when the story feels grounded and the spectacle feels earned.