'Predator: Badlands' and 'Prey' Spark a Sci-Fi Comeback

When Disney took over Fox, plenty of fans were worried their favourite sci-fi sagas would get the short end of the stick. Alien and Predator, in particular, seemed at risk of being watered down. Fast forward a few years, and it turns out those concerns were a bit overblown. The Alien series has delivered a cracker with Alien: Romulus and made waves on telly with Alien: Earth. Meanwhile, Predator has come roaring back with two standout films and an animated series, Killer of Killers. Both Prey (2022) and last year’s Predator: Badlands have been smashing it on streaming platforms.

Predator: Badlands only just landed on VOD after a massive run at the box office in 2025. At the moment, it’s sitting at number one on the Apple TV Store, second on Amazon, and leading the pack on Vudu. Not to be outdone, Prey is still pulling in viewers on Tubi, keeping the momentum going as punters wait to see what’s next for the franchise.

Dan Trachtenberg’s Secret Weapon

Dan Trachtenberg, who’s no stranger to working under the radar, pulled off a surprise with Prey. No one even realised Disney was quietly reviving Predator until the film dropped. Trachtenberg, who’d already made waves with 10 Cloverfield Lane, delivered a prequel that skipped a cinema release and went straight to Disney+/Hulu. It ended up with the best reviews in the series, thanks in no small part to Amber Midthunder’s breakout performance. Rather than recycling old ideas, Trachtenberg brought in a fresh take that gave the franchise a much-needed jolt after a string of lacklustre sequels. Critics gave it a 94% on the Tomatometer, and audiences weren’t far behind at 74%.

"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 Breaks the Mould

Trachtenberg clearly isn’t one for sticking to the script. With Predator: Badlands, he flipped expectations again, turning the iconic creature into the story’s unlikely hero and weaving in a clever link to the Alien universe through Elle Fanning’s Weyland-Yutani androids. This time, the action shifts to the future, following Dek, a young Yautja outcast who crash-lands on a dangerous planet. While hunting one of the local apex predators, Dek crosses paths with the android Thia, and the two form an unexpected partnership.

Like its predecessor, Badlands was a hit with both critics and fans. It got a proper cinema release, pulling in $184 million worldwide, and scored 86% with critics and a whopping 95% from audiences. With numbers like that, it’s a safe bet Trachtenberg has more stories up his sleeve, and the franchise isn’t slowing down any time soon.

Where to Watch and What’s Next

For those keen to catch up, Predator: Badlands is now available to rent or buy on all major VOD platforms. Prey is streaming for free on Tubi, and both films, along with the rest of the series, can be found on Hulu and Disney+ for subscribers. With the franchise firing on all cylinders, fans are left wondering just how many more surprises Trachtenberg has in store—and how long they’ll have to wait for the next chapter.