Hold onto your seats, movie fans – 'Predator: Badlands' is storming the box office like a force of nature, shattering predictions with a jaw-dropping $36 million to $38.5 million domestic debut this November! But here's where it gets controversial: by flipping the script and turning a ruthless alien hunter into the unlikely hero, this film isn't just breaking records; it's sparking heated debates among longtime franchise loyalists. Is this a brilliant reinvention or a risky gamble that undermines the classic 'Predator' vibe?
Directed by the innovative Dan Trachtenberg, this thrilling new entry in the iconic series is finally breaking the dry spell at the U.S. box office. It dominated Friday's earnings with an impressive $15.6 million, far surpassing early forecasts that pegged it at around $25 million for the whole weekend. The film, produced by 20th Century and Disney, has exceeded all expectations, largely thanks to rave reviews from critics and enthusiastic responses from audiences.
Critics have been singing its praises, and moviegoers are chiming in with high marks. It's the first standalone 'Predator' movie – even beating out the crossovers with 'Alien' – to snag an A- rating on Cinemascore, a trusted system that gauges audience reactions right after screenings (think of it as a quick thumbs-up from folks leaving the theater). On top of that, its PostTrak scores are off the charts, averaging a perfect five out of five stars, which speaks volumes about how much people are loving the intensity and storytelling.
Trachtenberg teamed up with writer Patrick Aison to co-create this fresh chapter, blazing a trail for the now nine-movie 'Predator' saga that kicked off with John McTiernan's legendary 1987 original. The franchise, helmed by producer John Davis, found a new home at Disney after the Fox merger, bringing it under a bigger umbrella of storytelling magic.
'Badlands' is poised to claim the biggest opening weekend for any solo 'Predator' film, and it's even got a shot at dethroning 'AVP: Alien vs. Predator' from its perch as the top earner in the sci-fi lineup. That 2004 flick kicked things off with $38.4 million (not accounting for inflation over the years), so 'Badlands' could soon wear the crown with its explosive start.
And this is the part most people miss: Trachtenberg has a knack for surprising us, from his eerie 2016 hit '10 Cloverfield Lane' to the Netflix-streamed 'Prey' in 2021, and the upcoming animated anthology 'Predator: Killer of Killers' hitting Hulu in June 2025. In 'Badlands,' he dares to make a villainous Predator named Dek – brought to life by actor Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi – the central character. Cast out by his fellow Yautja (that's the fancy name for the Predator species), Dek steals his brother Kwei's ship and zooms off to Genna, the galaxy's most perilous planet, on a forbidden quest to hunt its legendary, mythical beast. There, he crosses paths with Thia, a synthetic android from Weyland-Yutani, expertly portrayed by Elle Fanning. Together, they form an unexpected alliance that's equal parts action-packed and thought-provoking.
Speaking of surprises, another title that's quietly making waves is 'Regretting You,' based on Colleen Hoover's popular novel. In its third week of release, this romance drama – which appeals strongly to female audiences – is defying expectations with remarkable staying power. Paramount predicts it'll dip just 7% to around $7.3 million, securing the No. 2 spot this weekend despite stiff competition from several new releases. That would push its total domestic haul to an impressive $38.8 million.
Credit goes to the recently departed Paramount executive Mark Weinstock, who championed the project and convinced the studio's previous leadership to pick up distribution rights. It was originally backed and made by Constantin Films, and Weinstock played a huge role in crafting the marketing strategy that helped it resonate so deeply.
But here's where it gets even more intriguing: Is 'Predator: Badlands' bold new direction a masterstroke that breathes life into a tired franchise, or is it a controversial twist that alienates purists who prefer their Predators as cold-blooded killers? And what about the underdog success of 'Regretting You' – does it signal a shift toward more heartfelt stories in Hollywood, or is it just a one-off fluke? We'd love to hear your take: Do you think flipping a Predator into the protagonist is genius or a disaster? Share your thoughts in the comments – agree, disagree, or offer your own counterpoints. More updates on the box office are coming soon!
