“Predator: Badlands” marks the first theatrical release in the franchise since 2018’s “The Predator.” In the interim, fans enjoyed the animated anthology “Predator: Killer of Killers,” which premiered in June 2025. This film captivated audiences, claiming the top spot on Hulu’s streaming chart upon debut and earning widespread acclaim with a 95% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The 2022 film “Prey,” the most recent live-action entry, also made waves. Set in the 18th century, it became Hulu’s most successful premiere, setting records for viewing hours in its initial days. Critics praised it as well, securing a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the second-best-reviewed “Predator” film, only surpassed by “Killer of Killers.” With such high standards set, “Badlands” aims to captivate audiences once more.

The “Predator” franchise is famed for its chilling Yautja hunters. Interestingly, the upcoming “Predator: Badlands” flips the script, portraying a Yautja as a protagonist. The story revolves around Dek (played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a smaller, outcast member of his species. Stranded on an unwelcoming planet, Dek partners with Thia (Elle Fanning), a synthetic human. Together, they embark on a journey for redemption. Eagle-eyed viewers might notice Thia is a creation of Weyland-Yutani, connecting the film to the “Alien” franchise through the company’s logo visible on her eyes.

The titular hunters in the “Predator” franchise (a race known as the Yautja) were designed to be terrifying. It’s safe to assume that nobody who worked on creating the villain of 1987’s “Predator” imagined that a member of this alien race would be the good guy of a movie one day, but that’s the plan for “Predator: Badlands.” The film will follow Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), the runt of his litter and an outcast from his clan because he’s small. He’s abandoned on the most hostile planet in the universe where he encounters Thia (Elle Fanning), a synthetic human, and they set out on a quest for redemption. And no, your eyes were not deceiving you during the film’s trailer — Thia is a creation of Weyland-Yutani from the “Alien” franchise, with the company’s logo clearly visible on her eyes.

Of course, the two franchises have crossed over in the past with the divisive “Alien vs. Predator” movies, which were viewed as non-canon by many fans. However, this “Predator: Badlands” trailer reveal confirms that the universes of “Alien” and “Predator” are indeed linked, and with both franchises experiencing a resurgence, it’s a great time for fans. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, “Predator: Badlands” director Dan Trachtenberg revealed that it was his idea to make Dek’s companion a Weyland-Yutani synthetic. “They are a pretty interesting and bizarre pairing for each other, and that’s a huge part of the fun of the movie is their chemistry,” he added. While you wait for the film to drop on November 7, 2025, why not check out Looper’s recap video to make sure you’re up to speed.