Badlands Box Office Could Be the Best for a Solo Predator Movie

With Predator: Badlands arriving in theaters, its box office prospects and critical reception have become key points of discussion. Early tracking suggests a strong debut that could rank among the franchise’s highest openings. At the same time, its “Certified Fresh” rating signals renewed momentum for the long-running sci-fi series.

Predator: Badlands could make north of $25 million at opening box office

Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Badlands is projected to earn over $25 million in its North American opening. That figure would make it the second-highest debut in the Predator franchise after Alien vs. Predator ($38 million).

Forecasts predict a domestic opening between $25 million and $30 million. International estimates range from $35 million to $38 million, pushing the projected global total to about $60 million to $68 million (via Variety). The film, produced by 20th Century Studios under Disney, cost approximately $105 million to make, excluding marketing.

The movie serves as the ninth entry in the franchise and the first Predator movie rated PG-13. The rating aims to attract younger audiences beyond its usual R-rated fan base. Director Dan Trachtenberg, known for Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers, returns to helm the new installment. The film stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi.

Predator: Badlands holds an 87% “Certified Fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the best-reviewed theatrically released Predator film to date. The story follows a young outcast Predator (Schuster-Koloamatangi) who teams up with Fanning’s Thia, a Weyland-Yutani synth, to face a powerful enemy. Strong reviews and a PG-13 rating may lift its box office above Predators (2010) and The Predator (2018). Both opened at $24 million.