Predator: Badlands Trailer Unleashes a New Hero in the Iconic Franchise

Elle Fanning stars alongside a young outcast Predator in a bold new chapter from the director of Prey.

20th Century Studios has released the official trailer and poster for Predator: Badlands, the newest entry in the legendary Predator franchise. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (Prey), the film will be released exclusively on Nov. 7 and will be shown in IMAX, Dolby Cinema, Cinemark XD, 4DX, ScreenX, and other premium formats.

This time, the tables are turned.

Badlands flips the script by placing the iconic alien hunter front and center as the story’s hero. It is set on a remote planet in the future. The film follows a young Predator played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi who has been exiled from his clan. In a surprising twist of fate, he teams up with a human survivor named Thia, portrayed by Elle Fanning. The two embark on a perilous quest to confront the ultimate adversary.

The new installment dares to ask: What if the Predator was the protagonist?

Helmed by Trachtenberg, who reinvigorated the franchise with 2022’s critically acclaimed Prey, Badlands continues the director’s mission to explore bold and fresh perspectives within the Predator universe. The script is penned by Trachtenberg, Patrick Aison, and original creators John and Jim Thomas, bringing a blend of legacy and new blood to the saga.

The film is produced by franchise veteran John Davis, along with Trachtenberg, Marc Toberoff, Ben Rosenblatt, and Brent O’Connor.

Since its debut in 1987, the franchise has spanned everything from jungle warfare to intergalactic hunts, with entries like Predator 2, Predators (2010), The Predator (2018), and most recently Prey, a prequel set in the Comanche Nation. Prey was hailed for its fresh approach and thrilling action, setting the stage for Badlands to expand the mythology unexpectedly.

With the first footage now out in the wild, anticipation is high for what could be the most ambitious—and emotionally charged—Predator movie yet.