Legacy Sci-fi Sequel Takes Top Spot on Disney+ (And It’s Better Than Its Predecessor)

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It’s rare for a movie series lasting almost 40 years to still produce incredibly popular films. But this sci-fi franchise has done exactly that – its newest installment was a huge success in theaters and is now the most-watched title on Disney+, even surpassing the film that started the whole story as a prequel.

The latest installment in the Predator series is Predator: Badlands, starring Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. Set in the future on a distant planet, the film follows Dek (Schuster-Koloamatangi), a young Predator who is exiled from his clan after his brother sacrifices himself to save him. He ends up on the harsh planet Genna, where he forms an unexpected partnership with Thia (Fanning), a broken android created by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Together, they must navigate a dangerous path if they hope to escape Genna with their lives.

Predator: Badlands Has You Rooting For a Surprising Hero

The new film is being better received by general audiences than 2022’s Prey, a prequel to the Predator series. However, critics give it an 86% rating, slightly lower than the 94% given to Prey. The film successfully builds on what fans enjoy about the franchise, creating a story that one critic described as a thrilling, Shakespearean drama taking place on a deadly planet. Radio Times critic Jayne Nelson notes that audiences might find themselves surprisingly invested in the Predator character, saying, “You’ll soon find yourself rooting for the big, snaggle-toothed creature.”

Beyond just an action-packed film, Badlands is also a story about growing up. Director Shane Black understood that the Predator movies should be enjoyable while still having a rich and detailed story. Leah Schnelbach of Reactor gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, noting that it unexpectedly works as both a buddy comedy and a heartwarming story about a group finding family in each other. Schnelbach says the world of Predator: Badlands is “full of wonders.”

I have to say, Dan Trachtenberg really delivered with Badlands. It’s a surprisingly strong entry in the series. He took a bit of a risk leaning into a more playful tone, but it absolutely works. He perfectly balanced the nail-biting action with some genuinely funny moments, and the result is fantastic.

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2026-02-16 02:44