Predator: Badlands – Release, Rating, Plot & All New Details

Dan Trachtenberg's next electrifying chapter in the Predator saga, Badlands, is almost here, bringing a fresh, bold take on the iconic hunter with a surprising PG-13 rating, a Yautja protagonist, and a futuristic setting that breaks new ground for the franchise. Get ready for a hunt unlike any other!

TL;DR: Key Details About Predator: Badlands

Predator: Badlands officially drops in theaters on November 7, 2025, with exciting early screenings and a special Prey double feature kicking off as early as November 4-5.
It's rated PG-13 for "sequences of strong sci-fi violence," but don't worry, the filmmakers are aiming for an "R-feel" with brutal action against synths and alien monsters, just without human red blood.
The movie stars an outcast Yautja (Predator) named Dek and a damaged Weyland-Yutani synth, Thia, on a treacherous journey, featuring cool futuristic gadgets inspired by games like World of Warcraft.

A New Era for the Hunt: Meet the Unexpected Heroes of Predator: Badlands

If you were hyped for Dan Trachtenberg's last outing, Prey, you're in for a treat because he's back at the helm for Predator: Badlands, and it sounds like he's pushing the envelope once again! This isn't your grandad's Predator movie. For starters, we're heading way into the future, and the central duo might surprise you.

Forget the lone human hero trying to survive; Badlands flips the script by making a young Yautja (that's the Predator's species, for the uninitiated) our main character. His name is Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, and he's an outcast from his own clan. Imagine rooting for the big, bad hunter for once! This unique premise comes from the intriguing question, "What if we took this classic movie monster, and make you root for it?"

But Dek isn't alone. He forms an unlikely alliance with Thia, a damaged humanoid synth from the infamous Weyland-Yutani corporation, brought to life by the phenomenal Elle Fanning. We've seen a new TV spot, "Priority One," presented as a Weyland-Yutani viral video, showing Thia undergoing repairs in a lab. The chilling narration warns, "The company is not pleased. Priority One. Acquire the specimen. Failure will result in your decommission. We are building a better world." Clearly, Weyland-Yutani has big plans for Thia, and probably Dek too!

Their mission? To brave a remote, hostile planet in search of the "ultimate adversary," which early trailers suggest could be other Yautja or even the "Death Planet" itself and its monstrous, plant-like creatures. This dynamic duo promises a fresh perspective on the hunt, focusing on a partnership between a Predator and a synthetic being.

Unpacking the PG-13 Rating and Its Brutal Sci-Fi Violence

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One of the biggest talking points surrounding Predator: Badlands has been its PG-13 rating, a first for a mainline Predator film. Understandably, some fans might be a little worried it'll pull its punches, especially after the R-rated intensity of Prey. But director Dan Trachtenberg and producer Ben Rosenblatt are quick to reassure us that they're aiming for a PG-13 that "feels like an R."

The secret weapon? No human characters. That's right, the film reportedly won't feature a single human. This clever move allows the filmmakers to depict plenty of gruesome, intense violence without crossing into an R-rating for human gore. As producer Ben Rosenblatt explained during a set visit:

"We don’t have any humans in the movie, and so we don’t have any human red blood. We’re hoping that’s going to play to our advantage. Which is a way of answering your question, how hard are we going to go? We’re going to go as hard as we possibly can within those constraints, and we think we’ll be able to do some pretty awesomely gruesome stuff, but colors other than red."

— Ben Rosenblatt, Producer, to Bloody-Disgusting

So, expect plenty of visceral action and creative alien brutality, but instead of human viscera, we'll likely see mechanical damage to synths and colorful alien fluids. It's a smart way to broaden the audience while keeping the franchise's signature intensity intact. The rating officially notes "sequences of strong sci-fi violence," which sounds about right for a Predator flick!

Futuristic Technology and Unexpected Video Game Inspirations

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Steering into the distant future has given Trachtenberg and his team a vast sandbox to play in, especially when it comes to Dek's weaponry. While his previous Predator films, Prey and Killer of Killers, were set in the past, Badlands lets them go full sci-fi with advanced gadgets.

Trachtenberg himself has drawn parallels between the Predator franchise and James Bond, noting that part of the fun is seeing what "gizmos" the hunter has. Dek won't disappoint, starting with a suite of cool tech, including laser bows and an "awesome laser sword that has multiple modes."

Perhaps the most fascinating inspiration comes from the world of video games. Trachtenberg, a self-proclaimed World of Warcraft fan, revealed that Dek's laser sword, particularly its glaive mode, was directly inspired by the iconic warglaive weapon of the Demon Hunter class in WoW. Imagine Dek wielding a weapon as formidable as Illidan Stormrage's twin blades! This kind of detail hints at deeply imaginative and dynamic combat sequences.

Beyond the weaponry, the very relationship between Dek and Thia drew inspiration from another gaming masterpiece: Shadow of the Colossus. Trachtenberg mentioned this 2005 PlayStation game influenced the dynamic between the young Predator and the synth he "must carry around." This suggests a bond that is perhaps less about companionship and more about a shared, challenging objective, adding a layer of depth to their unusual alliance.

The film is also committed to practical effects, a beloved aspect for genre fans. The behind-the-scenes featurette has showcased Trachtenberg and his team using real environments and physical costumes for the "man-in-suit" Predator design, with CGI layered in to enhance the action. This blend of practical and digital effects should make for a truly immersive and tactile sci-fi adventure.

When and Where to Catch This Unforgettable Hunt in Theaters

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Mark your calendars, because Predator: Badlands is set to crash into theaters nationwide on November 7, 2025. You'll have plenty of ways to experience the futuristic hunt, as it's slated for release across premium formats including IMAX, Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D, Cinemark XD, 4DX, and ScreenX.

But wait, there's more! If you're eager to get a head start, there are a couple of exciting early opportunities:

Los Angeles IMAX Advanced Screening: If you're in the LA area, ScreenRant is partnering with 20th Century Studios and IMAX for an exclusive advanced screening on Tuesday, November 4, starting at 7:30 PM. The best part? It includes a Q&A session with director Dan Trachtenberg himself! Keep an eye on ScreenRant's announcements for how to enter to win tickets.
Prey Double Feature at AMC Theatres: For an even bigger treat, many theaters, including AMC, will host a special double feature on November 5, pairing Predator: Badlands with Prey. This is a fantastic opportunity for fans to see Prey, which debuted on Hulu, on the big screen for the very first time. It's a testament to Trachtenberg's impact on the franchise that his critically acclaimed streaming success is now getting a theatrical run.

Tickets are already on sale for the main release and these early screenings, so if you want to be among the first to experience the "Death Planet," it's time to secure your seats!

A Standalone Sci-Fi Epic: No Homework Required for Your Viewing Pleasure

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In an age where every movie seems to be building to a massive, interconnected universe, Dan Trachtenberg is offering a refreshing approach with Predator: Badlands: no homework required. While the film features Weyland-Yutani, the notorious corporation from the Alien franchise, Trachtenberg has intentionally set Badlands "well into the future" to ensure it stands on its own two feet.

This means you won't need to watch Alien: Romulus or any episodes of Alien: Earth to understand what's happening. "All the stuff that has happened would have happened before our movie. We’re not trying to squeeze [it] in," Trachtenberg explained to IGN. He's very "cognizant of how, in this day and age, with all the media that we have, some of it can feel like homework," and he explicitly wanted to avoid that feeling for Badlands.

Furthermore, despite the Weyland-Yutani connection, Trachtenberg has confirmed that fans shouldn't expect to see any Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise in this movie. This allows Badlands to fully explore the unique dynamics of the Predator universe without getting sidetracked by crossovers, focusing on the Yautja, synths, and new alien creatures of its own remote, hostile world.

Gear Up for the Hunt: The Coolest Predator: Badlands Collectible

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What's a major sci-fi blockbuster without some awesome merchandise? Predator: Badlands is already delivering with a super cool, must-have collectible: a popcorn bucket shaped like the movie's scout ship!

Both Regal and Cinemark have teased this unique bucket on social media, confirming it will likely be available on or before the November 7 release date (possibly November 5 during early screenings). Cinemark has announced a price point of around $40, and it'll come packed with an XL popcorn and a same-day refill. The bucket itself is a gray replica of a scout ship, featuring a figurine of Dek, complete with his blue cape and helmet, emerging from it. It looks like the lid is designed for easy popcorn access, and given the XL popcorn offering (200 ounces at Cinemark!), it's safe to say this will be a substantial piece for your collection.

Whether you're grabbing it at Regal, Cinemark, or potentially other theater chains, this scout ship popcorn bucket is bound to be a hot item for fans looking to commemorate their trip to the Badlands.

Frequently Asked Questions About Predator: Badlands

Is Predator: Badlands connected to other Alien movies?

While the notorious Weyland-Yutani corporation from the Alien franchise plays a role (Elle Fanning's character, Thia, is a Weyland-Yutani synth), director Dan Trachtenberg has confirmed the film is set far in the future and is designed to be a standalone story. You won't need to watch Alien: Romulus or Alien: Earth to understand it, and there will be no Xenomorphs in the film.

Why is Predator: Badlands PG-13 instead of R?

Predator: Badlands is rated PG-13, a first for a mainline Predator film. Producer Ben Rosenblatt explained that because there are no human characters in the movie, the violence will be directed at synths and alien creatures, allowing for "awesomely gruesome stuff" with "colors other than red" (i.e., not human blood) while still fitting within the PG-13 rating. The aim is to deliver an experience that "feels like an R" without the restrictive rating.

When can I watch Predator: Badlands?

The movie officially releases in theaters on November 7, 2025. However, there are early screening opportunities: an advanced IMAX screening with a Q&A in Los Angeles on November 4, and a special double feature with Prey at AMC and other theaters on November 5.

Will Predator: Badlands be streaming on release?

Currently, Predator: Badlands is set for an exclusive theatrical release on November 7, 2025, across various premium formats. There is no information available about it being available for streaming on its initial release date.

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