Humans like to consider themselves at the top of the food chain, but when it comes to the galactic gladiator competition, we barely make the cut. The Predator franchise, which kicked off with the iconic Schwarzenegger film in 1987, introduces us to the "Yautja"—towering, trophy-hunting aliens who scour different worlds for lethal sport and have been known to abduct species for hunts on their home planet.
The first two Predator films, released in 1987 and 1990, set the stage for this thrilling saga. Given the cinematic terror brought by the Xenomorphs from the Alien series, it was a natural progression in the 2000s to merge these universes with two Alien vs. Predator movies. In the following decade, directors like Robert Rodriguez, Shane Black, and Dan Trachtenberg each added their unique flavor to the franchise.
With two new Predator movies set to hit screens in 2025, now's the perfect time to dive back into the original sci-fi classics. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the series, we've got you covered with a complete guide on how to watch every Predator movie in order. Below, you'll find the full timeline of the Predator movies and details on 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, intended to be watched after the other films, especially Predator 2. However, for a true chronological experience, start here. Set in 1719 across the Great Plains, Prey follows a young Comanche woman, Naru (Amber Midthunder), who encounters a more primitive Predator while on a hunt with her brother. Determined to prove herself, Naru sets her sights on taking down the alien stalker in this fresh and thrilling addition to the three-decade saga.
Read IGN's review of Prey
Where to Stream: Hulu
2. Predator (1987)
The saga began with 1987's Predator, directed by John McTiernan of Die Hard fame and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger at the peak of his career, alongside Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Bill Duke, and Shane Black, who would later direct his own Predator film. This action classic follows a near-unstoppable military rescue team as they are hunted down by an invisible alien force in the South American jungle. When the attacker is revealed to be an alien hunter on a sinister safari, Schwarzenegger's Dutch must devise a plan to outsmart and defeat a creature with superior technology and tactics.
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
3. Predator 2 (1990)
A few years later, Predator 2 brought more action and chaos, this time set in a futuristic 1997 Los Angeles amidst a heatwave and a crimewave. The film follows a group of cops, played by Danny Glover, Bill Paxton, Ruben Blades, and María Conchita Alonso, who must navigate a bloody cartel war while also contending with a Predator stalking the city for prey.
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
4. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
After a 14-year hiatus, the Predator franchise made a massive return with a crossover that merged it with the Alien saga. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, Alien vs. Predator was a major success, revitalizing both franchises. Set in present-day America, AVP reveals a dark history where Predators have used Earth for centuries as a hunting ground, breeding Xenomorphs using humans and then hunting them for sport as a rite of passage. The film stars Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Raoul Bova, and Ewen Bremner.
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 directly from where AVP left off, making it part of the same battle. Although not as successful as its predecessor, this film introduced the terrifying Alien-Predator hybrid, the "Predalien," as it wreaks havoc on a small Colorado town. A Predator "cleaner" is sent 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 is the only film in the series not set on Earth. It transports viewers to a distant Yautja game reserve where humans, specifically "established killers," are abducted for sport between rival Yautja tribes. While the exact Earth year isn't specified, it's safe to assume it's around 2010, the year of its release, or early in the 21st century. The film boasts a strong cast including Adrien Brody, Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace, and Alice Braga.
Read IGN's review of Predators
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
7. The Predator (2018)
Despite Predators being a moderate success, it took eight years for another Predator film to hit theaters. Shane Black, who had starred in the original, returned to direct The Predator in 2018. This film brings the series back to its roots with a squad of unstable soldiers, portrayed by Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Jane, and Alfie Allen, facing off against two rampaging Predators and thwarting their DNA-splicing plans. The movie teases further adventures, with alternate endings hinting at a crossover with Alien characters.
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 watch the movies in the order they were released, follow this 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, set to premiere in theaters on November 7, 2025, will star Elle Fanning and feature the Predator as the protagonist, as announced by director Dan Trachtenberg.
The second film, also directed by Trachtenberg, was initially kept under wraps. However, it has been revealed as Predator: Killer of Killers, an animated movie that will explore three different encounters with the ultimate killer across various points in history. This movie is scheduled for a direct-to-Hulu release on June 6, 2025.
