Predator Still Needs To Build on the Success of Its Best Movie Since the Original (Will It Happen in 2026?)

2025 marked a turning point for the Predator series, becoming its strongest year yet. Dan Trachtenberg brought a fresh perspective that the franchise desperately needed to ensure its continued success. This is especially notable because, unlike Alien, Predator has historically struggled to maintain a consistent and well-received series. While Alien benefited from one widely acclaimed sequel, before Trachtenberg, only the original Predator film was truly beloved. Predator 2 was initially seen as a letdown and only gained a cult following later on – that’s the highest praise any Predator movie before Trachtenberg received.

The Predator series had been struggling, but then Prey arrived and proved the franchise could still deliver a film on par with the original – and possibly even better, especially when it comes to developing compelling characters. This raises the question: why haven’t we seen a sequel, Prey 2? Let’s explore the reasons for the delay and whether it’s likely to happen.

Where Is Prey 2 & What Would It Look Like?

I was on the edge of my seat during the finale of Prey! Naru, played by Amber Midthunder, not only defeated the Predator but brought its head back to her tribe, earning their respect and the title of War Chief. But then, things got intense! We see in these incredible ledger art paintings that three Predator ships arrived at the village. It left me wondering what happened to Naru and her people, but we don’t actually see the outcome, which is a bit frustrating but also really intriguing.

Three years after this question was raised, Predator: Killer of Killers provided an answer, contributing to a strong year for the Predator franchise. The animated anthology concluded with the Scandinavian Viking hunter Ursa being put into a frozen sleep after defeating a Yautja, hinting she would be preserved for a reason. That reason is confirmed when we see her alongside other humans who have conquered a Predator: Major Alan “Dutch” Schaefer (Arnold Schwarzenegger), LAPD Lt. Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover), and Naru.

Was the post-credit scene just a playful addition, or does it hint at a larger story to come? The next installment could follow the animated format of Killer of Killers. Alternatively, we might see Amber Midthunder, Dane DiLiegro, and Arnold Schwarzenegger return for a live-action sequel that continues the story from Killer of Killers, and connects back to Prey, Predator 2, and the original Predator. However, it’s more likely that these actors – including Lindsay LaVanchy – will reprise their roles through voice work in another animated film. De-aging Schwarzenegger and DiLiegro would be costly, and they may not be interested in physically performing the action sequences required for a live-action film at this point in their careers.

No matter what kind of movie he makes, director Shane Black consistently delivers. He proved he could revitalize the Predator franchise and create thrilling adventures that immediately captivate audiences. Each of his three films has been unique in style and storytelling, and all have been well-received.

These films have been successful both with critics and audiences, and they’ve also attracted a lot of viewers. For example, Prey became Hulu’s most-watched original movie or series in 2022. Surprisingly, the animated film Killer of Killers also performed well on both Hulu and Disney+, proving that animation didn’t deter franchise fans.

Next came Predator: Badlands, Trachtenberg’s first big-screen Predator film. While it wasn’t a massive box office hit – earning $184 million on a $105 million budget – it performed reasonably well. It’s likely to do even better on Hulu once it becomes available with a subscription instead of just for rent. Unlike The Predator (which also didn’t earn twice its budget), Badlands received very positive reviews. Shane Black’s 2018 film didn’t fare as well with critics and was quickly overlooked.

There’s definitely interest in seeing more movies like this one, and Trachtenberg seems to be planning a follow-up. He’s suggested bringing back the characters Naru, Schaefer, and Harrigan, so it’s likely we’ll see them team up in the next installment. Whether that happens in a live-action movie or an animated series remains to be seen, but it feels like it’s on the way. If Predator: Badlands hadn’t been successful, this wouldn’t be happening.

The movie Badlands also ended with an unresolved ending, suggesting a sequel is probably planned. Without adjusting for inflation, Badlands earned more money than any other Predator film, even those featuring the fights with the Xenomorphs.

Both of these films are looking promising, but expecting them to be released in 2026 might be a little optimistic. The director delivered two great movies last year, and rushing into another one so quickly could hurt the quality. We’d prefer he take his time to ensure it’s as good as possible. Luckily, both Elle Fanning and Amber Midthunder are in demand, but should still be available to reprise their roles. An announcement about one of these movies before the end of the year feels achievable.

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2026-01-13 01:42

Where Is Prey 2 & What Would It Look Like?

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