The Predator franchise has spanned decades, with each installment offering a unique take on the iconic Yautja. From the original 1987 film to the animated anthology series, the series has evolved while staying true to its core concept: a powerful alien warrior encountering humans and making quick work of them. However, not all entries in the franchise have been created equal, and some have been more memorable than others. Here's a ranking of all nine Predator movies, from worst to best, with a focus on the franchise's evolution and the impact of each installment.
- Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
This entry in the franchise is a disappointment, with a clunky title and a film that never finds its footing. The story, set immediately after the events of Alien vs. Predator, involves a Yautja dispatched to Earth to kill a Predalien hybrid. However, the film is too dark to see much of anything, and the human cast is unengaging. It's a shame, as the idea of a Predalien is the stuff of nerdy dreams, but this film falls flat.
- AVP: Alien vs. Predator
This film is an improvement over its sequel, but that's not saying much. The story involves a team of human scientists descending into an Antarctic pyramid, only to discover Xenomorphs, including a Queen in cryostasis. The Yautja join them, and the film offers fight scenes aplenty. However, the PG-13 rating feels toothless, and the film is less of a proper crossover and more of an excuse to bang action figures together.
- The Predator
This film attempts to add topical themes, such as how society treats those with neurodevelopmental disorders and veterans, but it falls short. The story involves Yautja splicing their DNA with other species to make themselves stronger, and they come to Earth to acquire the DNA of a young boy with autism. However, the film feels like an attempt to Marvel-ize the franchise with goofy quips, and the human cast is unengaging.
- Predator 2
This film is the most underrated entry in the franchise, and it sets the template for all future movies. It takes us to Los Angeles and makes Lieutenant Mike Harrigan the protagonist, with Dutch nowhere to be found. The urban setting presents new opportunities and challenges, and the film offers slight social commentary. However, it's hard not to see it as a product of 1990 culture, with some muddled politics and racial caricatures.
- Predators
This film is a classic shoot-em-up with a sci-fi twist, and it gets something right that hasn't been done since the 1987 original: a top-notch cast. The story involves a group of human killers dropped on a strange alien world that turns out to be a game reserve for Yautja. The film has reverence for the original, and the humans always feel like they're one step behind, playing by the Yautja's rules.
- Predator: Badlands
This film finally gives audiences a true Yautja story, with everything sci-fi to the max. The story involves a young Yautjanamed Dek wanting to prove himself to his skeptical father by killing a giant alien on a horrific world. The film offers an odd buddy dynamic between Dek and a broken android, and it explores Yautja culture and societal hierarchy.
- Predator: Killer of Killers
This animated anthology film scratches an itch none of us knew we even had. The story involves Yautja taking on Vikings, two brothers trained in the art of the samurai, and World War II fighter pilots. The film offers cool fight scenes and an array of battle styles, and it sets up a sequel that explores more of this side of the franchise.
- Prey
This film takes the series back to its roots, with a setting in 1719 and a young Comanche woman, Naru, wanting to prove her worth as a warrior. The story focuses on the Yautja being concerned with proving itself and taking out worthy adversaries, and Naru wants to prove herself to her tribe even though she's outmatched. The film is proof that Predator movies aren't solely about firepower, and it's one of the best science-fiction movies of the 2020s.
- Predator
The original installment of the franchise is the best one, with an amazing alien design and some cool weapons. The story involves an elite paramilitary squad sent to rescue hostages in the rainforest, but the true danger lies with the Yautja. The film plays with audience expectations, bringing in the most macho actors of the '80s, but all their firepower and machismo are for naught, as the Predator is the far superior hunter. The best Predator movies dismantle the idea of toxic masculinity, making the fact the first one came out in 1987 pretty revolutionary.
