"Predator Movies: Chronological Viewing Guide"

Humans often view themselves at the pinnacle of the food chain, but in the grand scheme of the galaxy, we barely make the cut in the cosmic gladiator competition. The Predator franchise, which kicked off with the iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger film in 1987, introduces us to the "Yautja"—towering, trophy-seeking hunters from space who scour different worlds for lethal sport and are known to abduct species for hunts back on their home planet.

The first two Predator films in 1987 and 1990 set the stage for this saga. Given the cinematic threat posed by the Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise, it was a natural progression in the 2000s to merge these universes with two Alien vs. Predator films. The following decade saw directors like Robert Rodriguez, Shane Black, and Dan Trachtenberg each adding their unique touch to the franchise.

With two new Predator movies set to hit screens in 2025, now is the perfect time to revisit these sci-fi classics. Whether you're planning a binge-watch session or just curious about the sequence, we've compiled a complete timeline of the Predator movies and where you can watch them online.

Jump to:

• How to watch in chronological order
• How to watch by release order

How to Watch the Predator Movies in Chronological Order

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You can also check out our guide to the Alien movies in order to incorporate the whole timeline.

How Many Predator Movies Are There?

There are a total of seven movies in the Predator franchise—four in the mainline series, two Alien crossovers, and one prequel. Two new Predator movies are slated for release in 2025.

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Predator 4-Movie Collection

Includes Predator, Predator 2, Predators, and The Predator

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Predator Movies in (Chronological) Order

1. Prey (2022)

Prey serves as a prequel, intended to be watched after the other films, especially Predator 2. However, for a true chronological experience, start here. Set in 1719 on the Great Plains, Prey follows Naru, a young Comanche woman played by Amber Midthunder, who finds herself in the sights of a primitive Predator during a hunt with her brother. Determined to prove herself, Naru embarks on a thrilling quest to take down the alien predator, offering a fresh take on the three-decade saga.

Read IGN's review of Prey

Where to Stream: Hulu

2. Predator (1987)

The saga began with 1987's Predator, directed by John McTiernan of Die Hard fame and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger alongside Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Bill Duke, and Shane Black, who later directed his own Predator film. This action classic showcases a military rescue team outmatched by an invisible alien hunter in the jungles of South America. Schwarzenegger's character, Dutch, must devise a strategy to defeat this technologically advanced predator.

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

3. Predator 2 (1990)

Predator 2 shifted the setting to a futuristic 1997 Los Angeles, amidst a heatwave and crime surge. The film follows a new cast of characters, including Danny Glover, Bill Paxton, Ruben Blades, and María Conchita Alonso, as they confront both a brutal Cartel war and a Predator stalking the city for prey.

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

4. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)

After a 14-year hiatus filled with novels, comics, and video games, the Predator returned with a bang in a crossover with the Alien franchise. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, AVP was set in present-day America and revealed a historical connection between the Yautja and Xenomorphs, showing that Predators had been using humans to breed Xenomorphs for centuries as part of their rites of passage. The film stars Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Raoul Bova, and Ewen Bremner.

Read IGN's review of AVP: Alien vs. Predator

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

5. Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)

The sequel to AVP, Aliens vs Predator: Requiem, continues the immediate aftermath, introducing the "Predalien," a hybrid creature that terrorizes a small Colorado town. A Predator "cleaner" is sent to eliminate this new threat, marking the last crossover film in the series.

Read IGN's review of Alien vs. Predator: Requiem here.

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

6. Predators (2010)

Directed by Robert Rodriguez, Predators is unique in that it's set on a distant planet used as a Yautja hunting ground. The film features a diverse cast including Adrien Brody, Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace, and Alice Braga, showcasing how humans, specifically known killers, are abducted and hunted by rival Yautja tribes. Although the exact Earth year is unspecified, it's safe to place it around 2010 or the early 21st century.

Read IGN's review of Predators

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

7. The Predator (2018)

Eight years after Predators, Shane Black directed The Predator, returning to the franchise's roots. The film follows a group of unstable soldiers, portrayed by Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Jane, and Alfie Allen, as they confront not one but two Predators and uncover their plans for DNA splicing. The movie teases further developments, with alternate endings hinting at crossovers with the Alien franchise.

Read IGN's review of The Predator

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

How to Watch the Predator Movies by Release Date

If you prefer to watch the movies in the order they were released in theaters, follow this list:

• Predator (1987)
• Predator 2 (1990)
• AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
• Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)
• Predators (2010)
• The Predator (2018)
• Prey (2022)

The Future of the Predator Franchise

Two new Predator movies are set for release in 2025. Predator: Badlands, hitting theaters on November 7, 2025, will star Elle Fanning and feature the Predator as the protagonist, directed by Dan Trachtenberg. Additionally, Predator: Killer of Killers, an animated film directed by Trachtenberg, will explore three different encounters with the ultimate killer across various historical periods. This movie is slated for a direct release on Hulu on June 6.