Predator: Badlands Secures Second-Best Franchise Opening with Projected $33 Million Weekend

The Hunt Begins: ‘Predator: Badlands’ Delivers Major Box Office Success

20th Century Studios’ latest installment in the iconic sci-fi horror franchise, Predator: Badlands, is poised for a significant theatrical debut, tracking toward the second-best Friday start in the series’ history. Industry projections indicate the film, directed by Dan Trachtenberg, is expected to haul in an impressive $14 million on its opening Friday, setting the stage for a robust $33 million opening weekend.

This performance signals a major resurgence for the Predator property on the big screen, following the critical and commercial success of Trachtenberg’s previous entry, Prey (2022), which was primarily released on streaming platforms in the US.

Analyzing the $33 Million Projection

The projected $33 million three-day opening for Predator: Badlands places it firmly among the top performers for the 38-year-old franchise. While the original 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger was a massive success, subsequent sequels have seen fluctuating returns. The strength of this opening suggests that the creative direction established by Trachtenberg—focusing on grounded, high-concept survival horror—is resonating strongly with both established fans and new audiences.

The $14 million Friday haul is particularly noteworthy, cementing its position as the second-highest opening day gross for a Predator film. This strong initial turnout demonstrates significant front-loading, driven perhaps by positive early reviews or intense fan anticipation following the critical acclaim of Prey.

Franchise Box Office Comparison

To understand the magnitude of the Badlands projection, it is essential to compare it against the theatrical history of the franchise. Historically, the highest opening weekend belongs to the crossover film Alien vs. Predator (2004), which debuted with $38.2 million. The projected $33 million for Badlands puts it in a clear second place, significantly surpassing the last major theatrical entry, The Predator (2018), which opened to $24.6 million.

This data confirms that the franchise, when handled with a clear creative vision, still possesses substantial commercial viability for theatrical releases in the competitive 2025 market.

The Trachtenberg Effect and Creative Direction

Director Dan Trachtenberg has become central to the renewed success of the Predator universe. His previous film, Prey, was lauded for its stripped-down approach, focusing on a compelling protagonist and utilizing the Predator concept in a fresh, historical setting (1719 Comanche Nation). While Prey bypassed a wide theatrical release in the US, its critical success created massive goodwill and anticipation for Badlands.

Trachtenberg’s involvement in Badlands suggests a continued commitment to high-quality, character-driven action that respects the core elements of the original film while innovating on the setting and narrative structure.

“The success of Badlands is a direct reflection of the audience’s hunger for well-executed, focused sci-fi horror. Trachtenberg has proven that the franchise doesn’t need massive ensemble casts or bloated budgets; it needs tension, atmosphere, and a compelling hunt.”

Broader Implications for 2025 Box Office

The strong performance of Predator: Badlands is a positive indicator for the 2025 theatrical landscape, particularly for mid-budget, R-rated genre films. In an era often dominated by superhero epics and animated features, the success of a legacy horror/sci-fi property proves that audiences are willing to pay premium prices for films that offer genuine cinematic thrills and a clear creative identity.

This outcome reinforces a key trend seen in recent years: franchises benefit significantly when they pivot toward directors with strong, singular visions, rather than relying solely on brand recognition. For 20th Century Studios (now under Disney), this success validates the strategy of investing in established IP while granting creative freedom to proven talent.

Furthermore, the projected $33 million opening suggests that the film is successfully attracting a broad demographic, including older fans nostalgic for the original films and younger viewers drawn in by the positive buzz surrounding the new direction of the series.

Key Takeaways: Predator: Badlands Opening

• Financial Success: Predator: Badlands is projected to open to $33 million domestically.
• Franchise Record: The film is tracking for a $14 million Friday, making it the second-best Friday start in the entire Predator franchise history.
• Creative Leadership: The strong performance validates the continued involvement of director Dan Trachtenberg, who previously revitalized the series with Prey.
• Market Viability: The results demonstrate the strong theatrical viability of R-rated, legacy sci-fi horror when executed with high quality and clear creative focus.
• Studio Validation: The opening is a significant win for 20th Century Studios, confirming their strategy for managing valuable IP.

What’s Next

With a strong opening weekend projection, attention will now turn to the film’s hold in the subsequent weeks. A strong critical reception and positive audience scores (CinemaScore) will be crucial for sustaining momentum and pushing the film toward a final domestic gross well above the $100 million mark. Should Badlands maintain this pace, it will undoubtedly greenlight further entries, solidifying the Predator series as one of Hollywood’s most reliably profitable genre franchises.