Predator: Badlands (2025) Box Office Update: A Franchise-Best $180M Run With Record-Breaking Opening Weekend

Predator: Badlands, the seventh entry in the long-running sci-fi action franchise, has exploded into theaters with the strongest box office performance the series has ever seen. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (Prey) and starring Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, the film reinvents the Predator mythos by flipping the narrative — following a young exiled Yautja forced to prove himself on a deadly alien world.

Premiering at the TCL Chinese Theatre on November 3 before its U.S. release on November 7, the film arrived with strong early buzz and quickly overcame box-office expectations.

With glowing reviews, the highest CinemaScore in franchise history, and a massive opening weekend, Predator: Badlands has become the franchise’s highest-grossing film (not adjusted for inflation).

Here’s the complete breakdown of its global performance.

✨ Key Highlights

• Worldwide gross: $180.1M

• Domestic: $88.3M

• International: $91.8M

• Budget: $105M

• Franchise-record $40M domestic opening weekend

• Strongest critical reception ever for a Predator movie

• CinemaScore: A- (franchise best)

• 86% Rotten Tomatoes — highly positive reviews

🔥 Pulse Meter — Performance Snapshot

• Domestic Heat: 🔥🔥🔥

• Worldwide Wave: 🌍🌍🌍

• Weekend Momentum: 📈 High

• Audience Buzz: ⭐ A- CinemaScore | 78% recommend

⚡ Flash Snapshot (Quick Summary Table)

Metric	Amount
Domestic Total	$88.3M
International Total	$91.8M
Worldwide Total	$180.1M
Opening Weekend (US)	$40M
Worldwide Opening	$80M
Budget	$105M
Estimated Break-Even	$250M–$275M

✔ Why the break-even is higher

Sci-fi action films require heavy marketing + large VFX distribution fees, often needing 2.4× the production budget to break even.

Predator: Badlands is performing well but will rely on streaming + post-theatrical revenue to reach profitability.

💬 Fan Sentiment Meter

• CinemaScore: A-

• PostTrak: 78% definite recommend

• Praise: Action, creature design, emotional arc, Trachtenberg’s direction

• Franchise fans: Calling it the “best Predator movie since the original”

🎭 Cast & Crew Boost Factor

• Elle Fanning brings dramatic weight and mainstream appeal

• Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi praised for breakout performance

• Trachtenberg and writer Patrick Aison continue expanding the Prey-inspired grounded aesthetic

• Strong creature effects and world-building boosted fan excitement

🎥 Global Storyline — The Box Office Journey So Far

The film was initially projected to open with $25–30M domestically, but preview numbers instantly changed the trajectory. After earning $4.8M in previews, estimates surged to $36–38M, and the final weekend delivered an impressive $40M, breaking the long-standing franchise record held by Alien vs. Predator (2004).

Internationally, the movie added another $40M, for a global debut of $80M.

The film has had strong holds thanks to its positive word-of-mouth, compelling new characters, and action-forward marketing campaign. However, due to its sizable $105M budget, its moderate drop in later weeks means it is tracking as a theatrical underperformer but a franchise high point.

🌎 Market Pulse Breakdown (Region-by-Region)

🇺🇸 United States & Canada

• Domestic total: $88.3M

• Best opening weekend in franchise history

• Strong turnout from sci-fi and action audiences

• A– CinemaScore improved weekday legs

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

• Solid IMAX and premium-screen turnout

• Positive reviews boosted weekend performance

🇦🇺 Australia

• Strong performance in genre-friendly markets

• Excellent reception from Prey fans

🌍 International Markets

• Asia: Strong numbers from South Korea

• Europe: Performing well in Germany and France

• LATAM: Steady attendance but below sci-fi norms

📊 Momentum Curve — Opening Weekend Trend

(Straight-bar chart for dark/light themes)

Fri (Opening Surge):      ████████████████
Sat (Action Boost):       ████████████████████
Sun (Stronger Hold):      █████████████
Mon (Weekday Drop):       ███████
Tue (Steady Hold):        █████

Interpretation:

• Very strong weekend

• Minimal Saturday drop → excellent audience word-of-mouth

• Expected weekday declines but still stable

⚔️ Competition Check

• Opened alongside Die My Love and Nuremberg

• Outperformed projections and all new releases

• Strong IMAX/PLF turnout

• Biggest domestic opening of the entire Predator franchise

🏆 Record Watch

• Highest-grossing Predator film ever (unadjusted)

• Best opening weekend in franchise history

• Best CinemaScore in franchise history

• Critics calling it one of the top sci-fi films of 2025

🌍 Regional Heat Map

• North America: 🔥🔥🔥

• UK: 🔥🔥🔥

• Australia: 🔥🔥

• Europe: 🔥🔥🔥

• Asia: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

💰 Profit Radar — Hit or Flop?

Budget: $105M

Worldwide Gross: $180.1M

Break-even: ~$250M–$275M

⭐ Verdict:

Theatrical Underperformer but Franchise High Point

Strong audience reception and franchise records, but not enough global grosses to exceed its high break-even threshold theatrically.

However:

➤ Streaming + digital sales will be strong

➤ High fan enthusiasm boosts long-term franchise value

➤ Likely profitable in the post-theatrical window

🔁 Rewatch Potential Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (High)Fans love the new lore, action sequences, and character dynamics.

📝 Critic Score Snapshot

• Rotten Tomatoes: 86% (extremely strong for franchise)

• Metacritic: 71

• IMDb: 7.4/10

• CinemaScore: A-

Widely considered the best-reviewed Predator film ever.

📺 Where to Watch Predator: Badlands (Streaming Info)

Currently:

Available only in theaters.

Expected release pattern (20th Century Studios):

• 4–8 weeks: Digital rental (PVOD)

• 2–4 months: Streaming (often Hulu or Disney+, depending on region, but not officially confirmed)

This section will be updated when an official announcement is made.

🔮 Pulse Forecast — What Happens Next?

Predator: Badlands will likely finish its theatrical run between $185M and $195M, setting a new franchise record. With glowing reviews and strong fan reactions, talks of sequels and universe expansion are already heating up.

Expect this film to perform extremely well on streaming platforms, where sci-fi and action titles typically soar.

📝 Final Take

Predator: Badlands revitalizes the franchise with emotional storytelling, intense action, and a compelling new Predator protagonist. While it may fall short of theatrical profitability due to a high break-even point, its cultural impact, critical acclaim, and franchise-best opening make it one of 2025’s standout sci-fi releases.