Humans often see themselves at the top of the food chain on Earth, but in the vast expanse of the galaxy, we're just another species in the cosmic gladiator arena. The Predator franchise, which kicked off with the iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger film in 1987, introduces us to the Yautja—towering, trophy-seeking extraterrestrial hunters who scour different planets for their lethal sport. These formidable beings have even been known to abduct various species for hunting back on their home world.
The saga began with two foundational films in 1987 and 1990, setting the stage for what would become a thrilling franchise. Given the cinematic threat posed by the Xenomorphs from the Alien series, merging these two universes in the 2000s with the Alien vs. Predator movies was a natural progression. Over the next decade, directors like Robert Rodriguez, Shane Black, and Dan Trachtenberg each brought their unique vision to the franchise.
With two new Predator movies set to hit screens in 2025, there's no better time to dive into the original sci-fi classics. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, here's your complete guide to watching every Predator movie in order, along with details on where to stream them.
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 explore our guide to the Alien movies in order to experience the full timeline.
How Many Predator Movies Are There?
The Predator franchise boasts seven movies in total, including four mainline films, two Alien crossovers, and one prequel. Fans have two more Predator movies to look forward to 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 and is 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 Naru, a young Comanche woman played by Amber Midthunder, who encounters a primitive Predator during a hunt with her brother. Determined to prove herself, Naru sets out to take down the alien hunter in this fresh addition to the three-decade saga.
Read IGN's review of Prey
Where to Stream: Hulu
2. Predator (1987)
The franchise began with 1987's Predator, directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger 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 jungles of South America. As the Predator reveals itself, Schwarzenegger's Dutch must outsmart and defeat an enemy far superior in technology and tactics.
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
3. Predator 2 (1990)
A few years later, Predator 2 shifted the setting to a heatwave-ridden, crime-infested Los Angeles in 1997. Danny Glover leads a cast including Bill Paxton, Ruben Blades, and María Conchita Alonso as they tackle a brutal Cartel war and an alien Predator hunting in the city.
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 in Alien vs. Predator, directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. This film merged the Predator saga with the Alien universe, revealing that Predators had been hunting on Earth for centuries, using humans to breed Xenomorphs for their rites of passage. Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Raoul Bova, and Ewen Bremner star in this thrilling addition.
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 the immediate aftermath of the first crossover, introducing the terrifying Predalien in a small Colorado town. Despite its lukewarm reception, it remains a significant part of the franchise's crossover phase.
Read IGN's review of Alien vs. Predator: Requiem here.
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, taking place on a Yautja game reserve. With a cast including Adrien Brody, Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace, and Alice Braga, the movie explores how humans, specifically established killers, are abducted for sport between rival Yautja tribes. While the exact timeline is ambiguous, it can be placed 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 returned to the franchise he once starred in with The Predator, featuring a squad of unstable soldiers led by Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Jane, and Alfie Allen. They face off against not one but two Predators, uncovering a plot involving DNA splicing. The film teases future stories, with alternate endings hinting at potential crossovers with the Alien franchise.
Read IGN's review of The Predator
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
How to Watch the Predator Movies by Release Date
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 slated for 2025. Predator: Badlands, directed by Dan Trachtenberg and starring Elle Fanning, will hit theaters on November 7, 2025, featuring the Predator as the protagonist. Additionally, Trachtenberg's animated film, Predator: Killer of Killers, will explore three different encounters with the ultimate hunter throughout history, premiering directly on Hulu on June 6.
