Predator: Badlands and Prey Redefine a Sci-Fi Legacy

When Disney took the reins at Fox, there was no shortage of scepticism about how certain beloved science fiction properties would fare. Among the most hotly debated were Alien and Predator, with many expecting the worst. Yet, a few years on, the landscape looks rather different. Alien has delivered a standout entry with Romulus and made waves on television with Earth. Meanwhile, Predator has not only produced two near-flawless films but also a well-received animated series, Killer of Killers. The most recent instalments, Prey and Predator: Badlands, have both stormed the streaming charts, much to the surprise of long-time fans.

Predator: Badlands, following a triumphant box office run in 2025, has just landed on VOD platforms. At present, it sits atop the Apple TV Store, holds second place on Amazon, and leads the pack on Vudu. Not to be outdone, Prey has found a new audience on Tubi, continuing its impressive run as viewers eagerly anticipate what’s next for the saga.

Trachtenberg’s Unconventional Approach

Dan Trachtenberg, who previously worked in secrecy on 10 Cloverfield Lane, brought a similar cloak-and-dagger approach to Prey. The film, a prequel set centuries before the original, was quietly developed and then released directly to streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. Starring Amber Midthunder in a role that has redefined her career, Prey didn’t simply recycle familiar beats. Instead, it introduced a fresh perspective and revitalised a franchise that had been treading water after a string of lacklustre sequels. The result? A 94% Tomatometer score and a solid 74% from audiences.

"Set in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago, Prey is the story of a young woman, Naru, a fierce and highly skilled warrior. She has been raised in the shadow of some of the most legendary hunters who roam the Great Plains, so when danger threatens her camp, she sets out to protect her people. The prey she stalks, and ultimately confronts, turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator with a technically advanced arsenal, resulting in a vicious and terrifying showdown between the two adversaries."

Badlands: A New Direction

Trachtenberg’s penchant for upending expectations was on full display with Predator: Badlands. This time, the titular creature steps into the role of protagonist, and the story forges a clever link to the Alien universe through Elle Fanning’s portrayal of Weyland-Yutani androids. The narrative shifts from the distant past of Prey to a future setting, where Dek, a young and exiled Yautja, crash-lands on a perilous planet. Here, he must prove himself by hunting one of the world’s apex predators, only to cross paths with the android Thia, leading to an unlikely partnership.

Badlands, unlike its predecessor, enjoyed a full theatrical release, raking in $184 million globally. Critics awarded it an 86% score, while audiences responded even more enthusiastically with 95%. The film’s success has all but guaranteed further entries, with Trachtenberg’s next move eagerly awaited by fans and industry watchers alike.

Streaming Success and What Lies Ahead

With Badlands now available for purchase or rental across all major VOD services, and Prey streaming for free on Tubi as well as on subscription platforms, the franchise is enjoying a resurgence few could have predicted. The earlier films are also accessible for those keen to revisit the saga’s roots.

For now, the only real uncertainty is how many more surprises Trachtenberg has in store, and just how long audiences will have to wait for the next chapter in this revitalised universe.