As the fall box office struggles to gain momentum, all eyes in Hollywood are on the eagerly anticipated film, Predator: Badlands. The latest installment from 20th Century Studios is projected to kick off with a global box office opening in the range of $60 million, with over $25 million expected from the U.S. and Canadian markets. This follows Disney’s previous attempt at a sci-fi revival with Tron: Ares, which has accumulated a worldwide box office total of $134.3 million against a hefty production budget of $220 million.
What sets Predator: Badlands apart is its potential to attract a younger demographic, particularly males under 25, thanks to its PG-13 rating. This rating opens the doors for a broader audience beyond the traditional older male fanbase that typically gravitates towards Predator films, which are usually rated R. The shift in rating may result in increased walk-up business, offering a promising outlook for box office performance.
Director Dan Trachtenberg is another significant factor contributing to the film's potential success. Trachtenberg previously rejuvenated the long-running 20th Century Fox franchise with the Hulu original film Prey, which became the streamer’s most successful premiere at the time, launching in August 2022. This fresh perspective may attract both loyal fans and newcomers to the franchise.
Unlike previous Predator films that primarily depict humans as the hunted, Badlands flips the narrative by positioning the alien hunter as the prey. This intriguing twist adds a layer of anticipation and excitement for audiences eager to see how the story unfolds.
Following its Hollywood premiere, Predator: Badlands has received favorable early reviews, currently holding an 88% fresh rating. Advance ticket sales mirror the performance of other successful films like Ballerina and The Accountant 2, both of which opened with approximately $24.5 million in the U.S. However, Badlands trails behind Tron: Ares, which opened to $33.2 million.
The excitement surrounding Predator: Badlands suggests that it may generate more interest than Tron: Ares did at the same stage. The film will be screened in 3,700 U.S.-Canada theaters, including all Imax, PLFs, and premium formats. While previous Predator movies have seen a ceiling on their domestic openings, the franchise's rich history, which includes eight films since the original 1987 movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, could provide the necessary boost for a successful opening weekend.
Predator: Badlands will begin its international rollout this weekend, starting with previews on Wednesday in key markets such as France, Korea, the Netherlands, and Indonesia. Major markets like Australia, Brazil, Germany, Italy, and Mexico will follow on Thursday, while China, India, Japan, Spain, and the UK will see releases on Friday. The offshore box office projection stands between $35 million and $38 million.
The previous title, The Predator (2018), opened to $49 million in comparable foreign markets, which included $19 million from China—a figure Badlands is not expected to reach. The earlier film performed particularly well in Mexico, the UK, Japan, Australia, Brazil, and other major European markets, ultimately grossing $146 million globally and $95 million internationally.
To promote Predator: Badlands, cast members including Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, and director Trachtenberg participated in a special red-carpet screening at the BFI Imax Waterloo in London last week. The team also took part in an MCM Comic-Con London panel and engaged with fans at SDCC Malaga in September, generating excitement and anticipation for the film’s release.
