Humans often pride themselves on being at the top of the food chain, but in the grand scheme of the galaxy, we're merely participants in the deadly games of the Yautja. The Predator franchise, kickstarted by the iconic 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, showcases these towering, trophy-hunting aliens who traverse the cosmos in search of worthy prey, sometimes even abducting species for hunts on their home planet.
The saga began with two seminal films in 1987 and 1990, setting the stage for a universe where humans are far from dominant. The introduction of Xenomorphs from the Alien series led to the creation of a shared universe in the 2000s with two Alien vs. Predator movies. Over the next decade, directors like Robert Rodriguez, Shane Black, and Dan Trachtenberg added their unique touches to the franchise, keeping the narrative fresh and engaging.
With two new Predator movies set to release in 2025, there's no better time to revisit the original sci-fi classics. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to help you watch every Predator movie in order. Below, you'll find the complete timeline of the Predator movies and where to watch them online.
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 check out our guide to the Alien movies in order to incorporate the whole timeline.
How Many Predator Movies Are There?
There are a total of seven movies in the Predator franchise — four in the mainline series of films, two Alien crossovers, and one prequel. Two new Predator movies are set to release 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, ideally watched after other entries, especially Predator 2, but if you're aiming for a strictly chronological experience, start here. Set in 1719 on the Great Plains, the film follows Naru, a young Comanche woman played by Amber Midthunder, who finds herself in the sights of a more primitive Predator while on a hunt with her brother. Determined to prove her worth, Naru embarks on a thrilling quest to take down the alien hunter, offering a fresh perspective to the saga.
Read IGN's review of Prey
Where to Stream: Hulu
2. Predator (1987)
The saga began with Predator, directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger at the height of his career, alongside Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Bill Duke, and Shane Black. This action classic follows a military rescue team ambushed by an invisible alien hunter in the South American jungles. As the predator reveals itself, Schwarzenegger's Dutch must outsmart and defeat an adversary far superior in technology and tactics.
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
3. Predator 2 (1990)
Predator 2 shifts the scene to a near-future Los Angeles gripped by a heatwave and crimewave in 1997. Danny Glover, Bill Paxton, Ruben Blades, and María Conchita Alonso portray cops battling a cartel war, only to face an even deadlier threat as a Predator stalks the city for its next victims.
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
4. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
After a 14-year hiatus, the franchise returned with a crossover, Alien vs. Predator, directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. This film revitalized both the Predator and Alien series, introducing a historical connection between the Yautja and Xenomorphs. Set in present-day America, it reveals that Predators have been using humans as breeding hosts for Xenomorphs for centuries, hunting them for sport. Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Raoul Bova, and Ewen Bremner lead the cast.
Read IGN's review of AVP: Alien vs. Predator
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
5. Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)
Aliens vs Predator: Requiem continues directly from AVP, featuring the fearsome "Predalien" attacking a small Colorado town. A Predator "cleaner" is dispatched to eradicate this new threat, making this the final crossover film in the series.
Read IGN's review of Alien vs. Predator: Requiem here.
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
6. Predators (2010)
Predators, directed by Robert Rodriguez, breaks the mold by setting the action on a distant Yautja game reserve planet. With a cast including Adrien Brody, Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace, and Alice Braga, the film explores how humans, specifically seasoned killers, are abducted for sport between rival Yautja tribes. Although the exact Earth year isn't specified, it's generally considered to fit in the early 21st century.
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 Predator, directed The Predator in 2018, returning to the franchise's roots with a squad of unstable soldiers, portrayed by Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Jane, and Alfie Allen. They confront two rampaging Predators and thwart their genetic splicing plans, leaving room for future stories. Alternate endings even hinted at a crossover with the Alien series.
Read IGN's review of The Predator
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
How to Watch the Predator Movies by Release Date
If you prefer to follow the theatrical release order, here's the list:
- 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, hitting theaters on November 7, 2025, will star Elle Fanning and feature the Predator as the protagonist, according to director Dan Trachtenberg.
The second movie, also directed by Trachtenberg, initially kept under wraps, is Predator: Killer of Killers. This animated film will explore three different encounters with the ultimate killer across various historical periods. It's set to premiere directly on Hulu on June 6.