Predator: Badlands’ Eyes Franchise’s 2nd-Best Opening With $33M: Box Office Update
20th Century Studios’ Predator: Badlands has kicked off with a promising start, bringing in $14M on Friday and positioning itself for an estimated $33M opening weekend. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the latest installment in the iconic sci-fi franchise could mark the second-best debut in the history of Predator films, trailing only the 2004 crossover event Alien vs. Predator, which opened with $38.2M.
Strong Friday Start and Preview Performance
Predator: Badlands has shown impressive momentum, reaching a $14M Friday total, which includes a combined $4.8M from early Wednesday and Thursday previews. This number is notable as it positions the film to outpace previous franchise entries, including The Predator (2018), which earned $2.5M in Thursday previews and eventually grossed $24.6M for its opening weekend.
While the movie’s Friday performance is slightly lower than that of Alien: Romulus ($16.4M) and Blade Runner 2049 ($12.5M opening day), the Predator film’s numbers show a strong showing for a film with a $105M budget and a female-led action hero at the forefront. Early reviews and audience scores have been favorable, with the film earning a 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, outshining even the 1987 original film.
The Competition: Comparisons to ‘Tron: Ares’ and ‘Ballerina’
Industry experts have been quick to draw comparisons between Predator: Badlands and Tron: Ares, which opened similarly last month with $14.4M on its Friday and a $33.2M opening. However, Badlands benefits from stronger reviews and significantly lower production costs, at 52% less than the $220M price tag of the Jared Leto-led Tron film. The film’s female-led action sensibility also evokes memories of Ballerina, which had $3.8M in previews before securing a $24.5M opening earlier this year.
In comparison, Predator: Badlands has a notable edge in terms of critical and audience reception, which could translate into strong weekend retention.
Other Box Office Highlights
While Predator: Badlands leads the pack, several other films are holding their own in the box office this weekend:
- Paramount’s Regretting You, a Colleen Hoover adaptation, continues to perform solidly in its third weekend with $1.9M on Friday, bringing its total to $37.9M.
- Universal/Blumhouse’s The Black Phone 2 sees $4.2M on Friday, dropping 50% from last week, and is set to cross $69M by Sunday.
- Amazon MGM Studios’ Sarah’s Oil, a faith-based drama, posted $1.6M on Friday, on track to earn around $4.1M for the weekend.
- Focus Features’ Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia is showing decent stability with $1.1M on Friday, expected to bring in $3.7M for its second weekend.
- Sony Pictures Classics’ Nuremberg, starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek, has earned $1.4M on Friday, set for a $3.5M opening.
A Closer Look at Predator: Badlands’ Success
The $105M net budget of Predator: Badlands—shot in New Zealand with tax incentives—was a significant investment, but the film’s early performance indicates a potential win. Trachtenberg’s direction, following the success of 2022’s Prey (Hulu’s most-watched premiere at the time), breathed new life into the Predator franchise, prompting the decision to release this film in theaters rather than just streaming.
With positive fan reception and a 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film’s future looks promising, as it rides the wave of Prey’s success and the growing popularity of sci-fi action films.
Looking Ahead: A Strong Weekend for Sci-Fi and Horror Fans
The second-best opening in Predator history seems likely for Badlands, but 2004’s Alien vs. Predator remains the ultimate benchmark for franchise success, with its $38.2M opening. The weekend box office could still see some shifts as Badlands continues to draw in moviegoers and ride its momentum through the weekend.
Meanwhile, other major titles like The Black Phone 2 and Regretting You are performing solidly, but none seem to be posing a significant challenge to Badlands’ dominance at the box office. With its action-packed sequences, strong fan following, and growing critical acclaim, Predator: Badlands is well on its way to a $33M opening, cementing its place as one of the standout films of the year.
Other Box Office Highlights
| Film | Friday Earnings | Weekend Estimate | Running Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Predator: Badlands | $14M | $33M | On track for 2nd-best opening | Strong Friday start with favorable audience reviews, led by female action hero. |
| Regretting You | $1.9M | $6.5M | $37.9M | Third weekend for Colleen Hoover adaptation, solid but not spectacular performance. |
| The Black Phone 2 | $4.2M | $12M | $69M | Dropped 50% from last week, but still going strong in its third weekend. |
| Sarah’s Oil | $1.6M | $4.1M | N/A | Faith-based film’s first weekend, performing well for an original release. |
| Bugonia | $1.1M | $3.7M | $12.5M | Performing solidly in its second weekend. |
| Nuremberg | $1.4M | $3.5M | N/A | WWII drama starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek sees a decent opening. |
