A Predator movie is smashing the box office? We are truly living in the weirdest timeline.
The new Predator movie of Dan Trachtenberg is a spectacular success. Apparently a film like this is what the almost 40 year old franchise needed.
Turns Out We Do Want Another Predator Movie
Predator 6: Badlands is overperforming, if you ask the box office. The movie was initially expected to gross around $60 million, but after its first weekend it already pulled in $40 million in the U.S. and another $40 million internationally. In other words, the film has already smashed expectations in record time.
Dan Trachtenberg returns for his third Predator film after Prey (2022) and Predator: Killer of Killers (2025). His new approach in Badlands, blending more humor with the franchise’s trademark action, seems to have paid off. Especially when you think back to the shaky entries the series had before he took over.
The Story Of A Franchise That Just Wouldn’t Die
The first Predator movie in 1987 was a massive success and turned the alien hunter into a true pop culture icon. It mixed sci-fi, horror and 80s action perfectly, a combination the following films struggled to match. Over the years, the franchise became a shadow of its former self, with each sequel trying and failing to bring the magic back. The lowest point came with The Predator in 2018, a messy attempt at a reboot that crashed at the box office and left audiences cold.
Then Dan Trachtenberg stepped in. His Prey stripped everything back to the basics and reminded fans why Predator worked in the first place. With Predator: Killer of Killers and now Badlands, he has managed to revive a franchise many thought was dead. Looks like the hunt is not over yet.
The Future Looks Bright For The Hunter
With Dan Trachtenberg at the helm, the Predator franchise finally feels alive again. He has found the perfect balance between tension, style, and fun. If Badlands is any indication, the future looks bright for the galaxy’s favorite hunter. After decades of misfires, Predator is back on the prowl and fans are ready for more.
What do you think? Have you seen Predator 6 Badlands? Let us know in the comments!
