Humans often pride themselves on being at the top of the food chain, but in the vast expanse of the galaxy, we're just another species in the cosmic arena. The Predator franchise, which kicked off with the iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger film in 1987, introduces us to the "Yautja"—towering, trophy-hunting aliens who scour different worlds for their deadly 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. The introduction of Xenomorphs from the Alien series, another cinematic threat to humanity, led to the creation of a shared universe in the 2000s with two Alien vs. Predator movies. In the following years, directors like Robert Rodriguez, Shane Black, and Dan Trachtenberg each brought their unique vision to the franchise.
With two new Predator movies slated for release in 2025, now is the perfect time to dive into the original sci-fi classics. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to help you 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
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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 and is designed to be watched after the other films, especially Predator 2. However, for a true chronological experience, start here. Set in 1719 on the Great Plains, Prey follows a young Comanche woman, Naru (Amber Midthunder), who finds herself in the sights of a more primitive Predator while on a hunt with her brother. Determined to prove herself, Naru sets out to take down the alien hunter 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 in his prime, alongside Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Bill Duke, and Shane Black (who would later direct his own Predator film). This action classic follows a seemingly unstoppable military rescue team as they are hunted by an invisible alien force in the jungles of South America. When the alien is revealed to be a hunter on a sinister safari, Schwarzenegger's Dutch must devise a way to ambush and defeat a creature far superior in technology and tactics.
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
3. Predator 2 (1990)
A few years later, Predator returned with a new cast and setting. Set in a near-future Los Angeles gripped by a heatwave and a crimewave in 1997, Predator 2 follows a group of cops, including Danny Glover, Bill Paxton, Ruben Blades, and María Conchita Alonso, as they navigate a bloody cartel war and the presence of 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 crossover event, merging with the Alien saga. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson of Resident Evil and Event Horizon fame, Alien vs. Predator was a major hit, revitalizing both franchises. Set in present-day America, AVP reveals a long history of Predators using Earth as a hunting ground, breeding Xenomorphs with humans 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)
The sequel to AVP, Aliens vs Predator: Requiem, continues the battle immediately after the events of its predecessor. Though not as successful, it introduced the "Predalien," a hybrid creature that wreaks havoc on a small Colorado town, prompting a Predator "cleaner" to be sent to eliminate the threat.
Read IGN's review of Alien vs. Predator: Requiem here.
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
6. Predators (2010)
The only Predator movie not set on Earth, Predators, directed by Robert Rodriguez, takes the franchise to a distant planet used as a Yautja game reserve. With a 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 between rival Yautja tribes. While the exact Earth year is unclear, it's safe to place it in the early 21st century.
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 the next Predator film to arrive. Shane Black, who starred in the original, directed and co-wrote The Predator, returning the franchise to its roots. The film follows a squad of unstable soldiers, including 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 movie ends with a tease for more, with alternate endings featuring time-traveling versions of 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
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 feature the Predator as the protagonist, according to director Dan Trachtenberg.
The second movie, also directed by Trachtenberg, was kept under wraps for a while. However, we can now confirm that Predator: Killer of Killers is an animated film that will explore three different encounters with the ultimate killer at various points in history. It is scheduled for a direct-to-Hulu release on June 6.
