“Predator: Badlands” has reignited the box office after weeks of sluggish ticket sales, debuting to an impressive $80 million worldwide. The latest installment in the iconic sci-fi franchise led North American theaters with $40 million, surpassing industry expectations and marking a much-needed rebound for the fall movie season.
A Record-Breaking Debut for the Franchise
According to studio estimates released Sunday, the Dan Trachtenberg–directed sequel earned $40 million domestically and another $40 million internationally, setting a new opening-weekend record for the Predator franchise. The film’s debut surpasses the $38.3 million opening of Alien vs. Predator in 2004, becoming the highest-grossing launch in franchise history (not adjusted for inflation).
Produced by 20th Century Studios under The Walt Disney Company, Predator: Badlands comes with a hefty $105 million budget, making it the most expensive entry in the eight-film series that began with 1987’s Predator starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Critics and audiences alike have responded positively to the film’s bold new direction. The movie currently holds an 85% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and earned an A- CinemaScore from opening-weekend audiences.
A Fresh Take on the Predator Universe
Written and directed by Dan Trachtenberg, Badlands introduces a unique twist to the franchise. Set on a remote planet, the story follows a young, outcast Predator (played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) who encounters an android researcher (played by Elle Fanning). The two form an unlikely alliance as they navigate survival, conflict, and identity in the galaxy’s most dangerous terrain.
Critics have praised the film’s emotional depth, visual scope, and willingness to expand beyond the familiar hunter-versus-human formula. “This is the Predator movie fans have been waiting for,” wrote one reviewer. “Trachtenberg manages to blend heart and horror in a way that redefines the series.”
Disney’s Box Office Resurgence
The success of Predator: Badlands couldn’t come at a better time for Disney. The studio had faced a string of underperformers, including Tron: Ares and Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere. With Badlands opening strong, Disney has now crossed $4 billion in worldwide ticket sales for the fourth consecutive year — a remarkable milestone.
The studio’s future slate remains promising, with major upcoming releases like Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash expected to continue its box office momentum into 2026.
Other Box Office Performers
While Predator: Badlands dominated the weekend, several new releases struggled to find traction amid its overwhelming success.
- “Regretting You” landed in second place with $7.1 million, maintaining steady word-of-mouth appeal.
- Horror sequel “Black Phone 2” followed with $5.3 million, while Amazon MGM’s “Sarah’s Oil” — a period drama about a young Black girl discovering oil on her Oklahoma land in the early 1900s — impressed with a rare A+ CinemaScore and $4.5 million opening.
- “Nuremberg,” starring Rami Malek and Russell Crowe, debuted with $4.1 million, just ahead of the anime feature “Chainsaw Man” ($3.6 million).
- Indie releases “Die My Love” ($2.8 million) and “Christy” ($1.3 million) underperformed despite star-studded casts including Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, and Sydney Sweeney.
Awards-Season Highlights
Among limited releases, Neon’s “Sentimental Value” emerged as a strong contender in the awards race. Directed by Joachim Trier and starring Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård, the family drama earned $200,000 across four theaters, boasting an impressive $50,000 per-screen average — the third-best of 2025.
Top 10 Movies at the Domestic Box Office
- Predator: Badlands – $40 million
- Regretting You – $7.1 million
- Black Phone 2 – $5.3 million
- Sarah’s Oil – $4.5 million
- Nuremberg – $4.1 million
- Chainsaw Man – $3.6 million
- Bugonia – $3.5 million
- Die My Love – $2.8 million
- Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere – $2.2 million
- Tron: Ares – $1.8 million
A Promising Turn for Movie Theaters
After what analysts called the “worst box office weekend of 2025,” Predator: Badlands has injected much-needed energy into the industry. AMC Theatres, which recently reported a $298 million quarterly loss, welcomed the strong turnout as a sign that audiences are still eager for big-screen spectacle when the right film comes along.
As the fall season heads toward the holidays, optimism is building that more major releases — from Zootopia 2 to Ridley Scott’s Napoleon’s Empire — could help the box office end 2025 on a high note.
With Predator: Badlands revitalizing the sci-fi action genre and outperforming expectations, Disney and 20th Century Studios appear poised for a strong close to the year — and fans are already calling it one of the franchise’s best entries yet.
What did you think of Predator: Badlands’s thrilling return to the big screen? Share your reactions and box office predictions in the comments on InvestRecords.com.
