Predator: Badlands (2025)
★★★½ — Predator: Badlands (2025)
Predator: Badlands is Dan Trachtenberg's follow-up to Prey (2022), the Hulu-released prequel that rejuvenated the franchise after years of diminishing returns (the two Alien vs. Predator films and the 2018 reboot had left the series in poor shape). Where Prey put a Comanche warrior at its centre, Badlands shifts perspective entirely to the Predator itself, a creative swing unusual enough for a $105 million studio production. Trachtenberg, whose earlier credits include 10 Cloverfield Lane and the first Prey, continues working with 20th Century Studios and the franchise's long-standing production partners Lawrence Gordon Productions and Davis Entertainment. Elle Fanning leads the human-side cast, while the film leans into science fiction world-building rather than the straight survival-horror of its predecessor.
Predator Badlands, following on from Killer Kills and Prey makes me think we might actually be back to the best for the predator series.... What starts off as a rocky "monster of the week" type Mandalorian story, it soon develops into a story of alliances, betrayal and creating your own clan rather than trying to fit in with one that doesn't deserve you. The visuals are great and it's nice to finally see some Yautja lore.
Rating: ★★★½ | Year: 2025 | Watched: 2026-04-06
Where to watch (UK)
Stream: Disney Plus
Rent: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Sky Store
Buy: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Sky Store
Physical: Amazon UK
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Where to watch (UK)
Stream: Disney Plus
Rent: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Sky Store
Buy: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Sky Store
Physical: Amazon UK
Affiliate disclosure: Movies With Macca may earn a small commission on purchases or subscriptions started via these links. It costs you nothing extra.
Related on Movies With Macca
More from Dan Trachtenberg: Predator: Killer of Killers (2025) · Prey (2022)
More with Elle Fanning: A Complete Unknown (2024)
More from the 2020s: Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain (2024) · Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II - The Ashes of Rage (2025) · The Long Walk (2025) · Americana (2023)
More action: A Better Tomorrow (1986) · The General (1926) · Hand of Death (1976) · Daredevil (2003)
More science fiction: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) · Fantastic Planet (1973) · Nightmare City (1980) · The Long Walk (2025)
