The long-range box office forecast for Predator: Badlands has landed, and it’s stirring up more curiosity than dread. According to early numbers from Box Office Pro, the upcoming 20th Century Studios release could have a domestic box office opening between $35–45 million, with total North American earnings projected somewhere north of $100 million. For a sci-fi action reboot with a reported $100 million production budget, that’s surprisingly healthy.
The Franchise Is Back on the Big Screen
After Prey revived interest in the Predator franchise on Hulu back in 2022, and the animated Predator: Killer of Killers followed in 2025, Disney is clearly confident enough to bring the franchise back to theaters. Dan Trachtenberg, the same director who delivered Prey, is back behind the camera and co-directed Killer of Killers with the animation team. This time, he’s pushing the Yautja out of Earth’s jungles and into a remote alien planet, giving Badlands a fresh sci-fi edge.
It will also include PLF screenings, meaning big screens, and booming sound.
Lessons from a Troubled Past
It’s hard to forget Shane Black’s The Predator from 2018, a film that limped out of the gate with a $24.6 million opening and wrapped up with just $51 million domestically. Between leaks, reshoots, and a famously messy script, that movie was doomed before it hit theaters. By comparison, Badlands already has one huge advantage. Positive momentum from both Prey and Alien: Romulus.
Romulus opened in mid-August of 2024 with $42 million domestically and went on to earn about $400 million worldwide. If Badlands can even approach that range, Disney and 20th Century Studios will be in a strong position to call it a win.
The Numbers Game
Box Office Pro’s current projections peg Badlands at $35–45 million for its opening weekend, putting it roughly on par with Romulus. That’s significant, especially when you consider the overlap between Alien and Predator fanbases. Both properties now share a corporate home and even in-universe ties through Weyland-Yutani and synthetic programs.
Production reportedly took place in New Zealand, likely taking advantage of generous tax incentives, which could help stretch that $100 million budget further. Whether that number is accurate or slightly underreported, the film’s path to profitability looks realistic if the global box office keeps pace with Romulus.
The One Wild Card: Alien: Earth
There’s one potential snag, the shadow of Alien: Earth. The FX series failed to generate much excitement, and if audiences feel franchise fatigue, Badlands might take a hit. Still, early buzz and curiosity about returning to the big screen could outweigh that, especially among longtime Predator fans eager for something bold after Prey.
If Predator: Badlands earns a $100 million+ domestic run and approaches $400 million worldwide, it would mark the franchise’s biggest comeback since Predator 2. That outcome feels realistic.
Whether it lands closer to a modest success or a full-scale hunt for box office glory will depend on word of mouth and quality. For now, things are looking far better than most expected. Look for the film’s release in early November.
Daniel fell in love with movies at the ripe old age of four, thanks to a towering chest of drawers filled with VHS tapes. Which, let’s face it, was the original Netflix binge-watch. Ever since then, this lifelong movie buff has been on a relentless quest for cinematic greatness, particularly obsessed with sci-fi, drama, and action flicks. With heroes like Nolan, Villeneuve, and Fincher guiding the way, and a special soft spot for franchises where aliens, androids, and unstoppable cyborgs duke it out (think Terminator, Predator, Alien, and Blade Runner), Daniel continues to live life one epic movie marathon at a time.