The Predator franchise, known for its suspense, horror, and thrilling action, is set to take an exciting leap forward with Predator: Badlands (2025).
But what’s making waves in the sci-fi community are the surprising connections the franchise is making with Alien and Independence Day—both of which now also belong to Disney following its acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
This hints at a broader direction, and a new shared universe—even if it's only made up of Predator and Alien—may be poised to take over the mantle of sci-fi dominance from Star Wars.
Two New Predator Films This Year
This year’s releases from the Predator franchise alone include two films: Killer of Killers, an animated anthology film now streaming on Disney+, and Badlands, which is set for a theatrical release in November.
Meanwhile, an upcoming Alien TV series is set to premiere on FX and FX on Hulu this August.
In Badlands, Elle Fanning plays Thia, a Weyland-Yutani synthetic—the droids that appear throughout the Alien franchise. A joint venture between these two IPs hasn't been explored on the screen since the Alien vs. Predator films of the mid-2000s.
Watch the new trailer for Badlands below:
Star Wars and Independence Day References
Fans were also quick to notice a major Independence Day detail in the first Badlands trailer, a reference that's continued in this new one. This Easter egg could indicate the arrival of a shared cinematic universe that might rival Star Wars, perhaps even Marvel.
Eagle-eyed viewers also made comparisons between Badlands‘ Predator/droid team-up and a similar dynamic seen with Chewbacca and C-3PO in Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back, as Thia, who loses the bottom half of her body, winds up strapped to the back of a young Predator named Dek.
Related: The Canceled Disney Alien Vs. Predator Land: What Could Have Been
Where Can I Watch Killer of Killers and Badlands?
The fact that both new Predator films are directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who helmed the hit Predator prequel Prey (2022), signals that Disney is intent on giving the franchise a higher level of care and attention than they’ve given to properties like Star Wars and Marvel.
With Predator already weaving in elements from other Disney properties, it’s easy to see how this could lay the groundwork for a larger, interconnected universe that appeals to wider audiences.
Predator: Killer of Killers is now streaming on Disney+.
Predator: Badlands releases in theaters on November 7.
Do you think Disney is secretly ushering in a new shared cinematic universe with starting with Predator: Badlands? Share your thoughts in the comments!
