Humans like to consider themselves at the top of the food chain, but in the vast expanse of the galaxy, we're barely holding our own in the cosmic gladiator competition. The Predator franchise, which kicked off with the iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger film in 1987, introduces us to the "Yautja"—towering, trophy-seeking alien hunters who roam the universe 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 a saga that has captivated audiences for decades. The introduction of Xenomorphs from the Alien series in the 2000s led to the creation of a shared universe with two Alien vs. Predator movies, blending these cinematic threats to humanity. Subsequent decades saw directors like Robert Rodriguez, Shane Black, and Dan Trachtenberg adding their unique touches to the franchise.
With two new Predator movies slated for release in 2025, now is the perfect time to revisit the original sci-fi classics. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer, we've compiled a comprehensive guide on how to watch every Predator movie in order. Below, you'll find the full 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
8 Images
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 set to release in 2025.
Blu-Ray + Digital
Predator 4-Movie Collection
Includes Predator, Predator 2, Predators, and The Predator
Predator Movies in (Chronological) Order
1. Prey (2022)
Prey serves as a prequel and is designed to be watched after the other films (especially Predator 2), but for those seeking to experience the Predator franchise in true chronological order, this is where to start. Set in 1719 across the Great Plains, Prey follows a young Comanche woman, Naru (Amber Midthunder), who, while accompanying her brother on a hunt, finds herself in the sights of a more primitive Predator. Determined to prove her worth, Naru sets her sights on taking down the alien hunter in this thrilling addition to the three-decade saga.
Where to Stream: Hulu
2. Predator (1987)
It all began with Predator in 1987, directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger at the height of his career, alongside Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Bill Duke, and Shane Black (who would later direct his own Predator film). Predator is a timeless action classic where a seemingly invincible military rescue team faces a terrifying invisible foe in the jungles of South America. When the attacker is revealed as an alien hunter on a sinister safari, Schwarzenegger's Dutch must devise a strategy to outsmart and defeat a creature far advanced in 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 bloodshed to the screen, this time 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 group of cops, led by Danny Glover, Bill Paxton, Ruben Blades, and María Conchita Alonso, as they navigate a deadly 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 returned with a bang in a crossover event that merged it with the Alien saga. Alien vs. Predator, directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, was a box office success, revitalizing both franchises. Set in "present day" America, AVP uncovers a dark history linking the Yautja and Xenomorphs, revealing that Predators have been hunting on Earth for centuries, using humans to breed Xenomorphs for their "rite of passage" hunts. 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, picks up immediately after the events of its predecessor, continuing the same battle. Though not as successful, it introduced the fearsome Alien-Predator hybrid, the "Predalien," as it wreaks havoc on a small Colorado town. A Predator "cleaner" is dispatched to eradicate this new threat.
Read IGN's review of Alien vs. Predator: Requiem here.
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
6. Predators (2010)
Predators, directed by Robert Rodriguez, breaks the mold by setting the action on a distant planet used as a Yautja game reserve. With a stellar cast including Adrien Brody, Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace, and Alice Braga, the film explores how humans, specifically "established killers," are abducted for sport by warring Yautja tribes. While the exact Earth year is unspecified, it's reasonable to place it in the early 21st century, around 2010.
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 the next Predator film to arrive. The Predator, directed and co-written by Shane Black, who had starred in the original, returned to the franchise's roots. The film follows a group of unstable soldiers, portrayed by Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Jane, and Alfie Allen, as they confront not one but two rampaging Predators and uncover their sinister DNA splicing plans. The movie teases further adventures, with alternate endings hinting at time-traveling crossovers involving Alien's Ellen Ripley and Rebecca "Newt" Jorden.
Read IGN's review of The Predator
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
How to Watch the Predator Movies by Release Date
For those preferring 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 scheduled for release in 2025. Predator: Badlands, hitting theaters on November 7, 2025, will star Elle Fanning and, according to director Dan Trachtenberg, feature the Predator as the protagonist.
The second film, also directed by Trachtenberg, was shrouded in secrecy for a while but is now revealed as Predator: Killer of Killers, an animated movie that explores three different encounters with the ultimate killer at various points in history. It's set to premiere directly on Hulu on June 6.
