Predator Fans Accidentally Discover New Way to Watch Badlands (& It Actually Works)

If you didn’t get a chance to see Predator: Badlands in theaters, it’s now available on Hulu. Fans have also discovered a new way to watch it! This movie is part of a surprising comeback for the Predator series, which had seemed to fade away after the original, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The sequel wasn’t very good, and later films like 2010’s Predators were overlooked, while 2018’s The Predator didn’t impress audiences. Let’s not even talk about the Alien vs. Predator movies. But things turned around when Dan Tratchenberg took over, releasing Prey in 2022 and Predator: Killer of Killers in 2025.

The 2025 film, Predator: Badlands, built on the success of the new direction established by the franchise’s creator. Tratchenberg’s approach proved so effective that viewers found the movie surprisingly easy to follow, even without relying on subtitles. One fan, posting on X (formerly Twitter) as X Force 137, jokingly noted they didn’t even realize subtitles were available and still thoroughly enjoyed the film.

Someone on social media admitted to watching the entire ‘Predator: Badlands’ without subtitles, initially believing it was a deliberate creative decision. They were actually trying to figure out the Yautja language as they watched! What’s even more surprising is that they were successfully understanding it despite the lack of subtitles.

I actually watched all of Predator: Badlands without using subtitles, assuming it was a stylistic decision… and now I’m here trying to figure out what the Yautja are saying!

— X Force 137 (@137Force) February 20, 2026

People were discussing how the alien, Dek (a Yautja), speaks his own language in the movie, with subtitles translating his words. One viewer realized they could understand him even without turning on the subtitles while watching at home. Others pointed out that the alien’s facial expressions and body language convey a lot of meaning, and some even suggested the movie might be more enjoyable without subtitles, as it reduces unnecessary explanations.

Predator: Badlands Remains a Highlight of the Franchise

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, Predator: Badlands stands out as one of the best installments in the Predator franchise. Unlike the original, which is a groundbreaking sci-fi horror film, Badlands focuses more on the bonds between characters, and it skillfully avoids the common mistake of trying to make the Predator sympathetic. The alien remains a deadly hunter, but this movie offers a more complex and interesting look at the Yautja than any previous film.

As a big fan of the Predator movies, I was a little worried when I heard Dan Trachtenberg signed a deal with Paramount. He’s really the one who breathed new life into the series, and I was hoping he wouldn’t move on. Thankfully, it sounds like he’s still very committed to Predator and has plenty more ideas he’s excited to pitch to the studio, which is fantastic news for fans like me!

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-22 00:44

Predator: Badlands Remains a Highlight of the Franchise

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