How To Watch Every Predator Movie In Order: The Complete Franchise Guide
What if the ultimate hunter wasn't human? This question launched one of the most iconic science fiction horror franchises in cinematic history. The Predator movie series has captivated audiences for decades with its blend of intense action, sci-fi mystery, and groundbreaking creature design. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a curious newcomer, navigating the franchise's timeline—which jumps from 1719 to the near-future and includes crossover events—can be daunting. This comprehensive guide breaks down every film, offers both chronological and release viewing orders, reveals where to stream them all, and previews what's next. By the end, you'll know exactly how to experience every Predator movie in the most satisfying way.
The franchise's strength lies in its simple yet powerful premise: an technologically advanced extraterrestrial hunter arrives on Earth, targeting the most dangerous prey it can find—often elite human warriors. This concept has been explored across eight live-action films, spanning centuries and genres, from 80s action classics to gritty historical prequels and modern superhero crossovers. Understanding the Predator movie order is key to appreciating the evolving mythology, callbacks, and the overarching narrative about honor, survival, and the hunter becoming the hunted. Let's begin at the beginning, with the film that defined a genre.
The Genesis of a Legend: The 1987 Original "Predator"
The entire franchise originates from a single, perfectly executed film. Predator is a 1987 American science fiction action horror film directed by John McTiernan and written by brothers Jim and John Thomas. It was produced by Joel Silver and became a cultural touchstone, masterfully blending the muscle-bound ethos of 80s action cinema with genuine horror and suspense. The film's legacy is cemented not just by its story, but by its practical effects, iconic creature design by Stan Winston, and a legendary cast led by a peak-era Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The plot follows a team of elite commandos on a mission in a Central American jungle. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Alan "Dutch" Schaefer, the leader of this paramilitary rescue team sent to save hostages from a guerrilla-held region. The team includes characters like the wisecracking Blain (Jesse Ventura), the loyal Billy (Sonny Landham), and the veteran Hawkins (Shane Black). Their mission goes awry when they realize they are being systematically hunted by an invisible, technologically superior extraterrestrial warrior—the Predator (Kevin Peter Hall). The film transforms from a standard rescue op into a desperate fight for survival against a creature that sees the commandos not as obstacles, but as sport.
The cast's physicality and charisma are central to the film's success. Beyond Schwarzenegger, the movie features Carl Weathers as the CIA agent Dillon, who has a tense history with Dutch, and Elpidia Carrillo as Anna, the guerrilla survivor who becomes the team's guide. Kevin Peter Hall's towering performance as the Predator, combined with the intricate suit, created an enduring icon. The film was a commercial success, grossing nearly $100 million worldwide against a $15 million budget, and its influence is seen in everything from Aliens to The Terminator.
Key Cast of the Original 1987 Film
| Actor | Character | Role in Film |
|---|---|---|
| Arnold Schwarzenegger | Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer | Leader of the elite team; protagonist |
| Carl Weathers | CIA Agent George Dillon | Dutch's old friend; brings the team to the jungle |
| Kevin Peter Hall | The Predator / "The Hunter" | The film's antagonist; an extraterrestrial warrior |
| Jesse Ventura | Blain Cooper | Team member; carries a minigun ("Ol' Painless") |
| Elpidia Carrillo | Anna | Guerrilla survivor; guides the team |
| Shane Black | Rick Hawkins | Team member; the first to be killed by the Predator |
| Richard Chaves | Poncho | Team member; explosives expert |
| Bill Duke | Mac Eliot | Team member; second-in-command to Dutch |
This original film established the core Predator movie rules: the creature hunts the most dangerous game, adheres to a code of honor, and is vulnerable when its blood is exposed. It also set the visual and tonal template—the humid, claustrophobic jungle, the POV shots from the Predator's thermal vision, and the iconic line, "If it bleeds, we can kill it." Every subsequent film in the franchise either builds upon or directly references this foundational text.
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The Expanding Universe: All Predator Movies in Chronological & Release Order
The Predator franchise has grown into a sprawling saga with notable interconnectivity. To watch every Predator movie in order, you have two primary options: release order (how the story was unveiled to audiences) or chronological order (the actual timeline of events within the fiction). For a first-time viewer, release order is often recommended to experience the mythology as it developed. For a lore enthusiast, chronological order reveals the full historical scope.
How to Watch Chronologically (Including "Badlands")
The chronological timeline of the Predator movie universe is surprisingly vast, spanning over 300 years. This order follows the internal history of the Yautja (the Predator species) and their interactions with humanity.
- Prey (2022): Set in 1719 on the Great Plains of North America. This prequel follows Naru (Amber Midthunder), a young Comanche warrior, who must protect her people from not only French fur trappers but also the first Predator to visit Earth. This film brilliantly recontextualizes the franchise, showing the creature's earliest encounters with humans and establishing that its code of honor is not new. It debuted on Hulu and was a massive streaming success.
- Predator (1987): The original film. In 1987, a team of modern U.S. special forces is hunted in the Guatemalan rainforest.
- Predator 2 (1990): Set in 1997, a decade after the first film. The action shifts to Los Angeles during a heat wave and a violent drug war. Lieutenant Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover) and his police unit stumble upon a Predator hunting rival gangs. This film introduces the Predator clan and expands the lore, showing they have been coming to Earth for centuries.
- Alien vs. Predator (2004): Set in 2004. A team of scientists and mercenaries, led by Charles Bishop Weyland (Lance Henriksen), discovers an ancient pyramid buried under the Antarctic ice. They inadvertently become prey in a ritualistic hunting ground where Predators breed Aliens for a coming-of-age ceremony. This film explicitly connects the Predator and Alien franchises.
- Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007): Set immediately after the 2004 film. A Predalien (a hybrid creature) crashes in a Colorado town, leading to an Alien outbreak. A lone Predator is sent to "clean up" the evidence, resulting in a three-way battle in a small town. This film is generally considered the weakest in the crossover series.
- The Predator (2018): Set in 2018. A genetically-enhanced Predator escapes to Earth, pursued by a larger, more dangerous Predator. A ragtag group of veterans and a biologist (Olivia Munn) must stop it. This film introduces the concept of Predators genetically modifying themselves with human DNA and features a post-credits scene hinting at a larger conspiracy.
- Predator: Badlands (2025 - Upcoming): The next mainline sequel, scheduled for release in 2025. Details are scarce, but it is expected to follow a new protagonist in a new setting, continuing the main franchise timeline after The Predator.
Release Order (The Classic Viewing Experience)
For many fans, watching the Predator movies in the order they were released preserves the intended narrative reveals and technological progression of the creature.
- Predator (1987)
- Predator 2 (1990)
- Alien vs. Predator (2004)
- Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
- Predators (2010) - Note: This film, featuring Adrien Brody and Topher Grace, is a standalone story about humans being abducted to a game preserve planet. It is not in the main timeline and is often omitted from "essential" lists.
- The Predator (2018)
- Prey (2022)
- Predator: Badlands (2025)
Important Note on "Predators" (2010): This film exists in its own continuity, separate from the main timeline that includes AVP and Prey. It's a fun, self-contained story but not required for understanding the core franchise saga.
The Alien vs. Predator Crossover: Where Does It Fit?
The Alien vs. Predator films are canonical within the broader Predator movie universe but exist in a separate branch from the main "Earth-based" series that includes Prey and The Predator. They depict a specific, ancient ritual between the two species that has been happening for millennia, as seen on the pyramid walls in AVP. For a pure Predator-centric chronological watch, you can watch Prey (1719), then the 1987 and 1997 films, then jump to The Predator (2018) and Badlands (2025), treating the AVP films as a parallel, side-story saga. However, for complete franchise immersion, slot them in as shown in the chronological list above.
The Future of the Franchise: "Predator: Badlands" and Beyond
The upcoming Predator: Badlands (2025) represents the next major chapter. While plot details are under wraps, it is confirmed as a direct sequel to The Predator (2018) and will likely continue exploring the modern-day Yautja on Earth. Director Dan Trachtenberg, who helmed the acclaimed Prey, is not attached, but the success of that film has undoubtedly influenced the studio's approach. Fans speculate Badlands could address the fallout from The Predator's ending, introduce new human factions aware of the Yautja, or even feature a team-up of survivors from previous films.
The franchise's health is robust. The success of Prey—which debuted on Hulu on August 5, 2022, and became the most-watched film premiere on the platform at that time—proved that a Predator movie can thrive with a new setting, protagonist, and historical context without relying on legacy characters. It demonstrated that the core concept—a skilled warrior against an impossible foe—is timeless. This opens the door for more experimental entries, potentially exploring different time periods, cultures, or even perspectives from the Predators themselves.
Where to Stream Every Predator Movie Right Now
Streaming rights for the Predator franchise are notoriously fluid, changing between platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Starz. Here is a general guide, but you should always double-check on a service aggregator like JustWatch.com for your specific region.
- Predator (1987): Frequently available on Hulu (with Starz add-on), Amazon Prime Video (rent/buy), and Starz.
- Predator 2 (1990): Often on Hulu (with Starz), Amazon Prime Video (rent/buy), and Starz.
- Alien vs. Predator (2004) & Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007): These crossover films are typically on Hulu (with Starz), Amazon Prime Video (rent/buy), and sometimes Tubi (with ads).
- Prey (2022): Exclusively streaming on Hulu as part of the standard subscription. It is also available on Disney+ internationally via the Star hub.
- The Predator (2018): Usually on Hulu (with Starz), Amazon Prime Video (rent/buy), and Starz.
- Predators (2010): Often on Amazon Prime Video (rent/buy) and Tubi.
- Upcoming - Predator: Badlands (2025): Will likely have a theatrical release before arriving on streaming, probably Hulu or Star+ in the US, given Fox/Disney's ownership.
Pro Tip: For a complete marathon, consider renting or buying the entire collection digitally on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play. This guarantees access regardless of subscription churn. The original 1987 classic is also often available for free with ads on Tubi or Pluto TV.
Conclusion: The Hunter's Legacy
The Predator movie franchise is more than a series of action films; it's a evolving mythology that tests the limits of human courage and ingenuity. From the mud-drenched, tension-filled jungles of 1987 to the historical plains of 1719 in Prey, each entry asks a fundamental question: what does it mean to be a true warrior? The answer, the films suggest, lies not in technology or strength alone, but in heart, cunning, and the will to protect your own.
Whether you choose to watch every Predator movie in release order to experience the lore as it unfolded, or in chronological order to see the full historical tapestry, you are in for a thrilling ride. The upcoming Predator: Badlands promises to push the saga forward, ensuring that the iconic clicking of the Predator's shoulder cannon will echo in cinemas for years to come. So gather your team, prepare your weapons, and remember the most important rule: keep your eyes on the trees. The hunt is always on.
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Predator Release Date, Trailer & Official Plot
Predator (1987) - Movie | Moviefone
