With the release of PREY, the PREDATOR movie franchise is fresh in minds and it’s time to re-watch (or watch for the first time) the PREDATOR franchise sci-fi saga. In what order should I watch the PREDATOR movies?
PREDATOR (1987) Photo: 20th Century Studios
PREDATOR Movies Best Watch Order
The age-old dilemma of watch order is upon us again with the question of “What is the best watch order for the PREDATOR franchise?”
PREDATOR (1987). Photo: 20th Century Studios
PREDATOR was a twist on THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME, in which an elite team of soldiers, led by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch, are hunted and slaughtered by an alien hunter, the PREDATOR. The 1987 PREDATOR alien famously underwent a redesign mid-production after the original design (played by Jean-Claude Van Damme) turned out to be a disaster. But despite that, The Predator itself became an iconic monster, descending for several sequels, video games, and comics.
Amber Midthunder as Naru in 20th Century Studios’ PREY, exclusively on Hulu. Photo by David Bukach. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Is PREY a prequel to PREDATOR?
PREY is a prequel to PREDATOR. PREY is bringing the franchise back to its roots (this movie DELIVERS) after some less than stellar franchise installments.
The problematic storytelling in the later iterations of the franchise? Frankly, PREDATORS (2010) attempted to further expand on the lore and set up further sequels, but failed. It included an additional subplot of hybrid aliens and a Predator Civil War. All it did was confuse. So much so that they filmed a new third act to the movie featuring another forest hunt.
ALIEN vs PREDATOR (2004). Photo: 20th Century Studios
What is the best viewing / rewatch order for the PREDATOR franchise?
But let’s get to the elephant in the room: Release order or Chronological order?
In some universes (like the MCU) fans have VERY strong opinions about watch order and reasons as to why. Those planning a marathon rewatch of the films or a first watch have options when it comes to the viewing order of the PREDATOR saga.
ALIEN vs PREDATOR: Requiem (2007). Photo: 20th Century Studios
In what order should I watch the PREDATOR movies? PREDATOR Movies in Release Order
Release order is always the easiest. Film release date, boom.
In the case of the PREDATOR movies, they are easily identifiable into eras that are reflective of the time in which they were filmed, too.
The first two movies dropped in the late 80s and early 90s (PREDATOR in 1987 and PREDATOR 2 in 1990) and definitely adopted the muscle-heavy action blockbusters of the time utilizing the one-man army trope. All the weapons in the world at the time and nothing worked on the Predator.
After a 14-year hiatus, 2004 brought ALIEN vs PREDATOR for a sequel with another alien in the mix. ALIEN vs PREDATOR: REQUIEM (2007) was the sequel to that.
Two standalone follow-up PREDATOR franchise movies came after, 2010 PREDATORS and 2018 THE PREDATOR. The 2010 was (in my opinion) the best sequel/reboot to date but never got a sequel. The 2018 was legacy sequel that we all hoped would reboot the franchise, but nope.
PREY (2022), brings the saga back to the Great Plains in 1719 and features a young Comanche warrior battling the advanced alien hunter Predator.
PREDATOR Movies in Release Order
PREDATOR (1987)
PREDATOR 2 (1990)
ALIEN vs PREDATOR (2004)
ALIEN vs PREDATOR: REQUIEM (2007)
PREDATORS (2010)
THE PREDATOR (2018)
PREY (2022)
THE PREDATOR (2018). Photo: 20th Century Studios
In what order should I watch the PREDATOR movies? PREDATOR Movies in Chronological Order
Unlike the MCU, the PREDATOR movies have a fairly uncomplicated Chronological Order.
PREY starts the franchise story in 1719. After PREY, the saga mostly takes place during the year it was released making tracking the timeline easy—much easier than tracking the Predator itself.
The original PREDATOR takes place in 1987; PREDATOR 2, though released in 1990, jumped ahead a decade and is set in 1997. ALIEN vs PREDATOR and ALIEN vs PREDATOR: REQUIEM are both set in 2004, as the events of the first crossover set up the second. PREDATORS is set in 2010, and THE PREDATOR takes place in 2018.
THE PREDATOR (2018). Photo: 20th Century Studios
PREDATOR Movies in Chronological Order
PREY (2022)
PREDATOR (1987)
PREDATOR 2 (1990)
ALIEN vs PREDATOR (2004)
ALIEN vs PREDATOR: REQUIEM (2007)
PREDATORS (2010)
THE PREDATOR (2018)
What comes after the PREDATOR?
Whether you choose to watch the PREDATOR franchise in chronological order or release order, PREDATOR 2 is the film that comes directly after PREDATOR.
(L-R): Amber Midthunder as Naru and Dane DeLiegro as the Predator in 20th Century Studios’ PREY, exclusively on Hulu. Photo by David Bukach. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
About PREY
The newest entry in the PREDATOR franchise, 20th Century Studios’ PREY is an all-new action thriller set in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago. It is the story of a young woman, Naru, a fierce and highly skilled warrior who has been raised in the shadow of some of the most legendary hunters who roam the Great Plains. So when danger threatens her camp, she sets out to protect her people. The prey she stalks, and ultimately confronts, turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator with a technically advanced arsenal, resulting in a vicious and terrifying showdown between the two adversaries.
PREY is directed by Dan Trachtenberg, written by Patrick Aison (“Jack Ryan,” “Treadstone”), and produced by John Davis (“Jungle Cruise,” “The Predator”), Jhane Myers (“Monsters of God”), and Marty Ewing (“It: Chapter Two”), with Lawrence Gordon (“Watchmen”), Ben Rosenblatt (“Snowpiercer”), James E. Thomas, John C. Thomas and Marc Toberoff (“Fantasy Island”) serving as executive producers. The filmmakers were committed to creating a film that provides an accurate portrayal of the Comanche and brings a level of authenticity that rings true to its Indigenous peoples. Myers, an acclaimed filmmaker, Sundance Fellow and member of the Comanche nation herself is known for her attention and dedication to films surrounding the Comanche and Blackfeet nations and her passion for honoring the legacies of the Native communities. As a result, the film features a cast comprised almost entirely of Native and First Nation’s talent, including Amber Midthunder (“The Ice Road,” “Roswell, New Mexico”), newcomer Dakota Beavers, Stormee Kipp (“Sooyii”), Michelle Thrush (“The Journey Home”), Julian Black Antelope (“Tribal”). The movie also stars Dane DiLiegro (“American Horror Stories”) as the Predator.
Rating: R for strong bloody violence.
Runtime: 99 minutes
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Producers: John Davis, Jhane Myers, and Marty Ewing
Executive Producers: Lawrence Gordon, Ben Rosenblatt, James E. Thomas, John C. Thomas, and Marc Toberoff
Writer: Patrick Aison
Cast: Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Stormee Kipp, Michelle Thrush, Julian Black Antelope, Dane DiLiegro
PREY is steaming on HULU August 5th.
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