Humans often pride themselves on being at the top of the food chain, yet in the vast expanse of the galaxy, we're hardly the dominant species. The Predator franchise, which kicked off with the iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger film in 1987, introduces us to the "Yautja"—towering, trophy-hunting aliens who journey across the cosmos for lethal sport. These interstellar hunters have even been known to abduct species from other planets for their hunts back home.
The saga began with the first two films in 1987 and 1990, setting the stage for a thrilling narrative. The introduction of the Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise in the 2000s led to a thrilling crossover with two Alien vs. Predator movies, blending two beloved sci-fi horror universes. Over the years, directors like Robert Rodriguez, Shane Black, and Dan Trachtenberg have each added their unique flair to the series.
With two new Predator movies slated for 2025, it's the perfect time to revisit the original sci-fi classics. If you're looking to watch every Predator movie in order, we've got you covered. 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, two Alien crossovers, and one prequel. Two new Predator movies are scheduled to release in 2025.
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Predator Movies in (Chronological) Order
1. Prey (2022)
Prey serves as a prequel, intended to be viewed after the other films, especially 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 finds herself in the sights of a primitive Predator during a hunt with her brother. Determined to prove herself, Naru sets out to take 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)
It all began with 1987's Predator, directed by John McTiernan of Die Hard fame and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger at his peak, 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 face a terrifying invisible force in the South American jungle. When the attacker is revealed as an alien hunter on a sinister safari, Schwarzenegger's Dutch must figure out how to ambush and defeat a technologically superior foe.
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
3. Predator 2 (1990)
A few years later, Predator 2 brought more action and chaos, but with a new cast and setting. Set in a near-future Los Angeles gripped by a heatwave and a crimewave in 1997, the film follows a team of cops, led by Danny Glover, Bill Paxton, Ruben Blades, and María Conchita Alonso, as they battle a bloody cartel war and a Predator stalking the city for 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 bang through a crossover with the Alien series. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, known for Resident Evil and Event Horizon, Alien vs. Predator was a major hit, revitalizing both franchises. Set in present-day America, AVP reveals a dark history linking the Yautja and Xenomorphs: Predators had been hunting on Earth for centuries, using humans to breed Xenomorphs for their rites 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)
Continuing directly from AVP, Aliens vs Predator: Requiem introduces the "Predalien," a hybrid of Predator and Xenomorph, wreaking havoc in a small Colorado town. While not as successful as its predecessor, this sequel marks the end of the crossover films and follows a Predator "cleaner" dispatched to eliminate the new threat.
Read IGN's review of Alien vs. Predator: Requiem
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
6. Predators (2010)
Predators, directed by Robert Rodriguez, is the only film in the series not set on Earth. It transports viewers to a distant Yautja game reserve planet where humans, specifically "established killers," are abducted for sport between warring Yautja tribes. With a stellar cast including Adrien Brody, Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace, and Alice Braga, the film's timeline is ambiguous but can be assumed to be around 2010.
Read IGN's review of Predators
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
7. The Predator (2018)
Despite Predators being a modest hit, it took eight years for another Predator film to hit theaters. In 2018, Shane Black, who starred in the original, directed The Predator, returning the franchise to its roots. This film follows a group of unstable soldiers, played by Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Jane, and Alfie Allen, as they confront two rampaging Predators and thwart their DNA-splicing plans. The film teases future installments, with alternate endings hinting at potential crossovers 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 watch the movies in the order they were released in theaters, 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 set to release in 2025. *Predator: Badlands*, hitting theaters on November 7, 2025, will star Elle Fanning and focus on the Predator as the protagonist, according to director Dan Trachtenberg.The second movie, also directed by Trachtenberg, was kept under wraps for a while. It's now confirmed to be Predator: Killer of Killers, an animated film that follows three different encounters with the ultimate killer across various points in history. This movie will be available directly on Hulu on June 6.
