Predator: Badlands

A young Predator is cast out after defying clan rules and left to survive on his own. Wandering through harsh badlands, he stumbles on a damaged android and, after an uneasy start, they form an unlikely partnership. The film follows their trek across hostile terrain as they chase rumors of an ultimate adversary who could define the Predator's worth. Along the way they clash with rival hunters, encounter human settlements, and face environmental dangers that test their limits. The story focuses on how the Predator's instincts are challenged by companionship and how the android's broken circuitry reveals unexpected judgment, without giving away how their search concludes.

Released in 2025, Predator: Badlands was created by Patrick Aison, Dan Trachtenberg, and Jim Thomas, and it slotts into the wider Predator universe. The cast includes Elle Fanning as Thia/Tessa, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Ravi Narayan, Michael Homick in the suit, and Stefan Grube as the voice of Kwei.

The film opened in theaters and found a dedicated audience among genre fans, earning steady returns though it didn't top franchise records. Its theatrical run was followed by strong home and streaming interest, which helped maintain visibility and sales for related merchandise and later platform windows.

Predator: Badlands drew notice for turning the spotlight onto a Predator protagonist and for casting Elle Fanning in a role that subverts expectations. Viewers and fan communities responded with fan art, theory threads, and renewed discussion about Predator culture, while the movie's visual designs and creature work became frequent talking points at conventions and online forums.

Critical reaction leaned positive, reflected in a 7.674/10 average from 1,163 votes, with praise for character development and atmosphere. The film tackles themes of exile, identity, honor, and the uneasy relationship between organic life and technology, pairing tense action sequences with quieter scenes that explore what it means to be a hunter.