Predator Franchise Revitalized by Streaming Success, New Installments on the Horizon
A surprising turn for the action-science fiction series, the latest installment in the Predator franchise achieved critical acclaim and reinvigorated the saga despite bypassing traditional theatrical release.
Thirty-eight years after Arnold Schwarzenegger first faced the iconic alien hunter in 1987’s Predator, the series continues to evolve, with recent successes demonstrating a new path forward for blockbuster filmmaking. The sixth film in the core Predator storyline – excluding the Alien vs. Predator crossover – Predator: Badlands, arrived in theaters earlier this month. However, it was a previous installment, released directly on Disney+ in 2022, that unexpectedly propelled the franchise to new heights.
That film, Predator: To the Press (originally titled Prey), quickly garnered widespread praise and has now become the highest-rated entry in the entire Predator canon, surpassing even the original film. It has since earned over $137 million worldwide. This success is particularly noteworthy given the evolving landscape of film distribution, where streaming releases are increasingly challenging traditional box office models. A broadcast of Predator: To the Press is scheduled for 10:05 p.m. on the FDF channel, offering audiences another opportunity to experience the critically acclaimed film.
Predator: To the Press distinguishes itself by being set in the early 17th century, long before the events of previous films. The story centers on Naru (played by Amber Midthunder), a young Comanche warrior who defies cultural expectations to protect her tribe from a highly evolved Predator that has arrived on Earth. According to reports, the initial concept for Predator: To the Press was developed alongside the production of Predator (2018), but quickly gained momentum.
“‘Predator: La Presa’ reinvents the mythical ‘Predator’ saga with a different proposal full of tension,” one analyst noted. Despite initially flying under the radar, the film’s quality resonated with audiences, generating significant word-of-mouth buzz.
The success of Predator: To the Press has paved the way for further expansion of the franchise under the direction of Dan Trachtenberg. He has already helmed Predator: Badlands and is co-directing the upcoming animated film, Predator: Killer of Killers, slated for release on Disney+ in 2025. Predator: Badlands stars Elle Fanning as Thia, a synthetic being who teams up with Dek, a young Yautja portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, on a perilous mission to confront a formidable adversary.
The Predator franchise’s continued success, fueled by innovative storytelling and a willingness to embrace new distribution models, demonstrates the enduring appeal of this iconic science fiction series.
