What is Predator 2 about?

A police chief in the war-torn streets of Los Angeles discovers that an extraterrestrial creature is hunting down residents - and that he is the next target.

Predator 2

"Silent. Invisible. Invincible. He’s in town with a few days to kill."

Movie R 1990 1h 48m 6.3 /10

Part of Predator Collection

Directed by Stephen Hopkins

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Streaming availability last verified: January 24, 2026

About Predator 2

Predator 2 drops Harrigan into a crime ridden Los Angeles where Lieutenant Mike Harrigan, a hard edged cop, faces a city overwhelmed by violence. A stealthy hunter from another world begins picking off people with clinical efficiency, turning streets and rooftops into a deadly game board. The predator uses high tech gear and brutal ambushes, leaving few clues for the police. Harrigan pushes ahead with his team and a wary federal agent, uncovering a thread that hints at a larger government project behind the killings. As he closes in on the truth, the danger tightens around him and the hunt takes a toll on everyone involved.

Released in 1990, Predator 2 was directed by Stephen Hopkins. It continues the Predator concept born from the 1987 film, with John Thomas and Jim Thomas credited for creating the creature's signature backstory and design. The movie leans into urban dread and practical effects, pairing a tough LAPD perspective with the franchise's signature hunter.

Awards: The film did not win major Oscars or Globes, but it did attract notice in genre circuits. It earned nominations at the Saturn Awards for creature design, special effects, and action sequences, underscoring the film's technical craft within this franchise. While it did not reach the same awards heights as the original, its craft earned respect from fans and industry peers.

Cultural impact: The urban predator setting helped widen the franchise beyond jungle hunt tropes, placing the alien hunter in traffic filled streets and rooftops. Its look influenced later cross genre thrillers and reinforced the predator as a versatile cinematic icon that could stalk both officers and criminals in crowded cities.

Reception and themes: Critics offered mixed takes, praising the action and Glover's grounded presence while noting the sequel's tonal shift from the original. The film explores authority and survival under siege as alien threat collides with urban corruption, and it leans into a grimmer, more procedural edge than its jungle based predecessor.

What Viewers Are Saying

6.3/10

from 3,662 ratings

Viewers note that Predator 2 faces the challenge of following a highly successful original, with significant changes including a city setting and a new lead actor in Danny Glover replacing Arnold Schwarzenegger. Audiences appreciate some elements upon revisiting it, finding it more enjoyable with maturity, though many agree it lacks the suspense and impact of the first film. Critiques often focus on mediocre special effects and a less compelling cast, resulting in a movie seen as a disappointing but not outright poor sequel.