BREAKING: Hulu’s latest film, Predator: Badlands, has surged to an impressive 9 million views in just its first five days, making it the most successful film premiere on the platform since Prey, which was also directed by Dan Trachtenberg. This explosive debut underscores the franchise’s enduring popularity and suggests a bright future for more installments.
This newly released film not only topped streaming charts but also marks a significant milestone as it had a theatrical run starting in November 2025, becoming the highest-grossing film in the Predator series prior to its streaming debut last week. The excitement surrounding Badlands reflects a broader trend, as audiences have collectively streamed over 300 million hours of the Predator franchise on Disney+ and Hulu globally, according to a recent Disney press release.
The Predator franchise, which began as an action-packed film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987, has evolved significantly, expanding its lore about alien hunters through numerous sequels and crossovers. The success of Badlands in theaters and on streaming platforms further revitalizes hopes that Trachtenberg will continue to steer future projects within this iconic series.
In a recent interview with io9, Trachtenberg expressed his enthusiasm for potentially returning to the franchise despite recently signing a deal with Paramount. “I’m in this moment that I was in when Prey came out, where I was like, ‘What do I do next?’ and got very excited about a Predator protagonist,” he noted. This sentiment indicates that fans may not have seen the last of Trachtenberg’s vision for the series.
The momentum from Badlands combined with the critical acclaim of Prey suggests that audiences are eager for more. Trachtenberg hinted, “there are so many exciting things we can do,” signaling that the franchise’s future is bright and full of potential.
As the buzz around Predator: Badlands continues to grow, fans are left wondering what the next chapter will look like. With Trachtenberg at the helm, the series promises to deliver even more thrilling narratives that resonate with audiences around the world.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops—it’s clear that the Predator franchise is not done hunting for its next big success!