Humans often pride themselves on being at the top of the food chain on Earth, but in the grand scheme of the galaxy, we're mere contenders in the brutal arena of the Predator franchise. Originating with the iconic 1987 film featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, the series introduces us to the "Yautja"—towering, trophy-seeking extraterrestrial hunters who scour the universe for lethal sport, even abducting species for hunts on their home planet.
The first two Predator films, released in 1987 and 1990, laid the groundwork for what would become a beloved sci-fi saga. The introduction of the Xenomorphs from the Alien series, another cinematic nemesis for humanity, led to the creation of a shared universe in the 2000s with two Alien vs. Predator movies. The franchise continued to evolve through the work of directors like Robert Rodriguez, Shane Black, and Dan Trachtenberg in the subsequent decade.
With two new Predator films slated for 2025, it's the perfect time to revisit the classic sci-fi thrillers. If you're looking to watch every Predator movie in order, we've got you covered with a comprehensive timeline and streaming options.
Jump to:
- How to watch in chronological order
- How to watch by release order
How to Watch the Predator Movies in Chronological Order
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You can also explore our guide to the Alien movies to understand the full timeline.
How Many Predator Movies Are There?
There are a total of seven movies in the Predator franchise—four in the mainline series, two Alien crossovers, and one prequel. Two new Predator movies are scheduled to hit screens in 2025.
Blu-Ray + Digital
Predator 4-Movie Collection
Includes Predator, Predator 2, Predators, and The Predator. See it at Amazon
Predator Movies in (Chronological) Order
1. Prey (2022)
Prey serves as a prequel, ideal for viewing after the other films, particularly after Predator 2. However, for a true chronological experience, start here. Set in 1719 on the Great Plains, Prey follows Naru, a young Comanche woman played by Amber Midthunder, who embarks on a hunt with her brother and finds herself targeted by a primitive Predator. Determined to prove her mettle, Naru aims to outsmart and defeat the alien hunter in this fresh addition to the saga.
Read IGN's review of Prey
Where to Stream: Hulu
2. Predator (1987)
The saga began with the 1987 classic, Predator, directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Bill Duke, and Shane Black. This iconic action film follows a formidable military rescue team that encounters a terrifying, invisible alien hunter in the jungles of South America. Dutch, played by Schwarzenegger, must devise a strategy to defeat this technologically superior adversary.
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
3. Predator 2 (1990)
Predator 2 shifts the action to a futuristic 1997 Los Angeles, amidst a heatwave and a crimewave. The film follows a group of police officers, led by Danny Glover, as they navigate a brutal Cartel war and the added threat of a Predator stalking the city.
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
4. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
After a 14-year hiatus, the Predator returned with a bang in AVP: Alien vs. Predator, a crossover with the Alien franchise directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. Set in present-day America, this film reveals the centuries-old connection between the Yautja and Xenomorphs, with Predators using humans to breed Xenomorphs for their rites of passage hunts.
Read IGN's review of AVP: Alien vs. Predator
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
5. Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)
The sequel to AVP, Aliens vs Predator: Requiem, continues the battle, introducing the "Predalien," a hybrid creature that wreaks havoc on a small Colorado town. A Predator "cleaner" is dispatched to eliminate this new threat.
Read IGN's review of Alien vs. Predator: Requiem
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
6. Predators (2010)
Directed by Robert Rodriguez, Predators takes the action off Earth to a Yautja game reserve on a distant planet. A diverse group of human "killers" are abducted and pitted against each other and the Predators. Though the exact Earth year is unspecified, it's commonly placed around 2010.
Read IGN's review of Predators
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
7. The Predator (2018)
Shane Black, who starred in the original, returned to direct The Predator in 2018. The film follows a group of unstable soldiers confronting not one but two Predators, uncovering a plot involving DNA splicing. The movie teases further developments, with alternate endings hinting at potential crossovers with the Alien franchise.
Read IGN's review of The Predator
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
How to Watch the Predator Movies by Release Date
For those who prefer to watch the movies in the order they were released in theaters, the list is as follows:
- Predator (1987)
- Predator 2 (1990)
- AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
- Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)
- Predators (2010)
- The Predator (2018)
- Prey (2022)
The Future of the Predator Franchise
Two new Predator movies are slated for release in 2025. Predator: Badlands, set to premiere in theaters on November 7, 2025, will star Elle Fanning and feature the Predator as the protagonist, directed by Dan Trachtenberg. The second film, Predator: Killer of Killers, also directed by Trachtenberg, is an animated movie exploring three different encounters with the ultimate killer across history. It will be available directly on Hulu starting June 6.
