The first trailer for Predator: Badlands (2025) has arrived, and it brings fans back into the brutal world of the titular alien hunters, following the massive success of Prey in 2022.
As the sixth installment in the Predator franchise (or eighth, if you count the Alien vs. Predator spinoffs), the trailer sets the stage for a thrilling new journey on an alien planet, with Dan Trachtenberg returning as director after his success with the 2022 prequel.
Unlike the familiar Naru (Amber Midthunder) from Prey, Badlands introduces a new protagonist: Dek, a young Yautja (Predator), played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. The film’s premise sees Dek outcast from his clan and embarking on a journey across a dangerous alien landscape, where he forms an unlikely alliance with Thia (Elle Fanning), a Weyland-Yutani android (as seen in the Alien franchise).
This unexpected pairing sets the stage for an intriguing exploration of both the Predator and Alien universes, especially as the two have often intersected in the past.
However, before Thia confirms Predator is reconnecting with Alien, the first shot in the trailer, which shows the inside of a Predator ship, with a display showcasing various trophies, links the series to another iconic sci-fi franchise.
Watch the official trailer below:
Related: New ‘Predator: Badlands’ Trailer Angers Fans Over Bold Character Redesign
Fans have already begun speculating about one key item in the collection: a skull that resembles an alien from Independence Day (1996). While this remains unconfirmed, the striking image has sparked chatter online. Could this be a subtle hint at a shared universe between Predator, Alien, and Independence Day? With Disney now holding the rights to all three franchises after its acquisition of 20th Century Fox, the possibility of a crossover isn’t entirely out of the realm of possibility.
Alongside Badlands, Predator: Killer of Killers, an animated anthology film, will be available on Hulu and Disney+ starting June 6. Also directed by Trachtenberg, the film features three historical warriors facing off against the Predators.
Watch the official trailer below:
Predator: Badlands will hit theaters on November 7., Until then, fans will be left speculating about the possible crossover and the new direction for the Predator franchise.
What do you think about the new Predator design and potential crossovers in the trailer? Let us know in the comments!
The predator looks like Michelle Obama..