Director Dan Trachtenberg’s latest film, Predator: Badlands, has made a striking debut with $4.8 million in preview screenings. This figure includes both fan screenings on Wednesday and Thursday night shows.
Comparative Preview Earnings
Badlands’ earnings are notable but slightly lower than the $6.5 million garnered by Alien: Romulus, another revival from 20th Century Studios under Disney. The Alien reboot, directed by Fede Alvarez, went on to achieve an impressive $42 million opening weekend, benefiting from its R-rating and a mid-August release in 2024.
The performance of Badlands is being compared with that of Ballerina, which earned $3.8 million in previews before a $24.5 million opening. Notably, Badlands has surpassed The Predator, which earned $2.5 million in Thursday previews back in September 2018, leading to a $10.3 million Friday and a $24.6 million weekend total.
Franchise Records and Expectations
In the realm of franchise openings, the established record is held by the 2004 film Alien vs. Predator, which debuted with $38.2 million domestically. Following closely is the 2010 film Predators, which opened to $24.7 million. Projections for Badlands suggest an opening weekend of $25 million or more, aiming to secure the second-best start in the Predator franchise.
Key Financials and Production Insights
- Budget: $105 million (excluding marketing)
- Filming Location: New Zealand (utilizing available tax credits)
Trachtenberg’s earlier work, Prey, revitalized the Predator franchise as Hulu’s most-watched premiere in August 2022, prompting expectations for a theatrical release for Badlands. Critics have noted that it deserved a cinematic debut, leading to its current release.
Audience Reception
The early reception on Rotten Tomatoes indicates strong fan support for Badlands, which currently holds a 96% audience rating. This places it ahead of the iconic 1987 film featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, which maintains a score of 87%. In contrast, Prey is noted for its critical acclaim, registering a 94% rating.
With the release of Predator: Badlands, fans and analysts alike are closely watching how it will perform against past entries in the franchise while carrying high expectations from its preview screening success.
