Explaining Disney’s Upcoming Two New Predator Movies

Main Points

Two new Predator films are set to debut from Disney’s 20th Century Studios in 2025.
Predator: Badlands will feature Elle Fanning in a standalone narrative that will be released in theaters.
The other, currently undisclosed, Predator movie is expected to be an animated anthology made for streaming.

Predator has been an enduring franchise since its inception in 1987, but it has seen only five primary films over 37 years. This is set to change dramatically in 2025, as Disney’s 20th Century Studios is launching not one but two new entries into the Predator saga.

After the initial success of the two Predator films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, there were numerous attempts to revitalise the series. The standout among recent releases was 2022’s Prey. This standalone prequel film starred Amber Midthunder and was set in the 1700s. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane), the film skipped a theatrical release and premiered on Disney+ and Hulu, yet it gained significant acclaim, scoring 94% on Rotten Tomatoes—the highest rating for any film in the franchise to date. Prey also secured nominations from the Saturn Awards, Producers Guild of America Awards, and the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Given its success, it was clear that Disney aimed to expand upon this notable installment, and intriguing developments await for the overall franchise.

Disney Confirms Release of Two Predator Films in 2025

It has been known for a while that Dan Trachtenberg would return to direct another Predator film, though specifics surrounding this endeavor were initially unclear. Recently, Steve Asbell, the head of 20th Century Studios, shared updates regarding the studio’s forthcoming films, including titles from the Alien and Predator franchises. During his conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Asbell confirmed that two films are indeed in development—one titled Predator: Badlands and another that he hesitated to disclose any information on, only confirming its release in 2025. “We have actually completed two of them and both are due next year,” Asbell revealed. What more can we learn about these upcoming Predator films from Disney?

Predator: Badlands

Given Dan Trachtenberg’s involvement, many fans anticipated Predator: Badlands to follow the events of Prey, but Asbell has clarified otherwise. “After the success of Prey, Dan didn’t want to make Prey 2,” he explained. “So we asked him what he wanted to create instead, and he shared some wild but exciting concepts.” Thus, rather than continuing Prey’s storyline, Predator: Badlands will stand as an independent addition to the series, showcasing a fresh protagonist. Elle Fanning’s involvement was announced earlier in 2024, and filming commenced in New Zealand in June. The casting details suggest that the plot may center around the dynamic between two sisters, potentially aligning with the themes in the recent Alien: Romulus, although no additional cast members have been disclosed so far.

Asbell refrained from discussing specific plot points for Predator: Badlands, but confirmed that Fanning will star in the live-action film, which has recently completed shooting in New Zealand. “This title, Badlands, presents an absolutely audacious idea. It’s definitely sci-fi, yet it diverges from conventional expectations,” Asbell elaborated. He further assured that, unlike Prey, Predator: Badlands is scheduled for a theatrical debut, set for November 7, 2025.

Disney’s Mysterious Predator Film

The titular creature stands in a dark wood, arms spread to either side.

The most startling revelation from Asbell’s recent interview was the announcement of a second Predator feature for 2025. Aside from confirming that Trachtenberg would helm both projects, Asbell remained tight-lipped about the undisclosed Predator film. However, some insights can be gleaned from his hints. He mentioned that the unrevealed Predator project will see a release prior to Predator: Badlands and seemed to imply it may be directed toward streaming rather than theaters. Notably, Asbell also indicated that Predator: Badlands is a live-action production, which could suggest that the other Predator entry might be animated.

Could the New Predator Movie be Animated?

The notion of an animated Predator film would not be out of the question. It could clarify how the studio has managed to keep this project under wraps for so long without any updates regarding its production schedule or casting. This would also make it plausible for Trachtenberg to direct both Predator features in quick succession, leading to their simultaneous release in 2025. Additional rumors following Asbell’s comments, reported by io9, suggest that the clandestine film is indeed animated. It may serve as an anthology, presenting tales of three Predators battling various warriors across different historical periods, with both pirates and samurai hinted as potential narratives. This animated entry could set the stage nicely for the events leading into Predator: Badlands later in the year.

A subtle hint Asbell dropped during his discussion suggests that the studio might explore developing a new Alien vs. Predator film, especially if both franchises continue to thrive. Despite the previous two Alien vs. Predator films failing to garner much acclaim, the renewed enthusiasm from Prey and Alien: Romulus could pave the way for a modern iteration to succeed.

Predator: Badlands is slated to be released on November 7, 2025, while Disney’s unnamed Predator film is also set for a 2025 release on an undisclosed date.

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