Exciting news for movie lovers! The latest entry in the iconic franchise has made a huge splash at the box office. Predator: Badlands debuted to an impressive $80 million worldwide, with North America contributing roughly half of that total. This weekend’s box office triumph was more than double the anticipated $25-$30 million domestic forecast, making it the highest-grossing opening of the entire predator franchise. It surpassed the previous record of $38.4 million set by 2004’s Alien vs. Predator and even outperformed the 2018 reboot, which opened at $48.9 million.
In terms of franchise history, Badlands marks the first theatrical release since the poorly received 2018 film. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, known for 2022’s Hulu exclusive Prey, this exciting new film features Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi in the lead role as Dek. Distinct from his predecessors, Dek is a significantly shorter Predator who finds himself crash-landed on an alien world, embarking on a quest to hunt a fabled beast with the assistance of Elle Fanning’s character, the damaged synthetic Thia.
The marketing for Predator: Badlands has cleverly positioned Dek and Thia as a buddy duo, tapping into the goodwill generated by both Prey and Killers, thus sparking interest. Thankfully, this strategy seems to have worked: According to analyst Luiz Fernando, reviews and word-of-mouth enthusiasm have been overwhelmingly positive. This resurgence could breathe new life into the franchise, particularly as Trachtenberg has plans for future projects. With other major releases on the horizon, including The Running Man and Now You See Me: Now You Don’t on November 14 and Wicked For Good on November 21, it’ll be interesting to see how Badlands holds its ground.
What are your thoughts on Predator: Badlands? Did you love it or loathe it? How does it rank in your list of franchise favorites? Share your opinions in the comments!
Why is Predator: Badlands performing so well at the box office? The film’s strong marketing strategy and positive reviews have significantly contributed to its box office success.
What makes Badlands different from previous Predator movies? This film features a new protagonist, a shorter Predator named Dek, and introduces a unique partnership with Thia, a synthetic companion.
Will there be more Predator films after Badlands? Director Dan Trachtenberg has expressed interest in continuing the franchise, depending on the film’s reception.
Why did the 2018 Predator reboot receive mixed reviews? Many critics cited its uneven tone and character development as reasons for its poor reception.
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