"Predator Movies: Chronological Viewing Guide"

Humans often see themselves as the apex predators of the food chain, yet in the cosmic arena, we're mere contenders in the galactic gladiator games. The Predator franchise, kicked off by the iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger film in 1987, introduces us to the "Yautja" - towering, trophy-hunting aliens who journey across the universe in search of lethal sport. These extraterrestrial hunters have been known to abduct various species for their hunts back on their home planet, adding a thrilling twist to their deadly pursuits.

The first two Predator films, released in 1987 and 1990, laid the groundwork for this enthralling saga. With the Xenomorphs from the Alien series posing another cinematic threat to humanity, it was only natural in the 2000s to merge these two universes into the Alien vs. Predator crossover films. As the franchise evolved into the next decade, directors like Robert Rodriguez, Shane Black, and Dan Trachtenberg each brought their unique vision to the series.

With two new Predator movies slated for release in 2025, now is the perfect time to dive into the original sci-fi classics. Whether you're a fan looking to watch every Predator movie in order or just getting started, we've got you covered with a complete timeline and streaming options.

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 of films, two Alien crossovers, and one prequel. Two new Predator movies are set to release in 2025.

Blu-Ray + Digital

Predator 4-Movie Collection

Includes Predator, Predator 2, Predators, and The Predator. See it at Amazon.

Predator Movies in (Chronological) Order

1. Prey (2022)

Prey serves as a prequel, designed to be viewed 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 while on a hunt with her brother. Determined to prove herself, Naru embarks on a thrilling journey to take down the alien stalker, adding a fresh chapter to 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 at the peak of his career, along with Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Bill Duke, and Shane Black, who would later direct his own Predator film. This action classic follows an elite military rescue team as they are hunted down by an invisible alien force in the jungles of South America. When the alien reveals itself as a hunter on a sinister safari, Schwarzenegger's Dutch must devise a plan to outwit and defeat a technologically superior adversary.

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

3. Predator 2 (1990)

A few years later, Predator 2 brought more action and horror, shifting the setting to a futuristic 1997 Los Angeles amidst a heatwave and crime surge. The film follows a group of cops, led by Danny Glover, as they navigate a brutal Cartel war while also contending with a Predator stalking the city for new victims. Bill Paxton, Ruben Blades, and María Conchita Alonso round out the cast in this thrilling sequel.

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

4. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)

After a 14-year hiatus, the Predator returned with a bang in a crossover with the Alien franchise. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, known for Resident Evil and Event Horizon, AVP: Alien vs. Predator was a major success, revitalizing both franchises. Set in present-day America, the film reveals a centuries-old connection between the Yautja and Xenomorphs, with Predators using humans to breed Xenomorphs for their hunting rites. Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Raoul Bova, and Ewen Bremner star in this epic clash.

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

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

5. Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)

Picking up immediately after AVP, Aliens vs Predator: Requiem introduces the terrifying "Predalien," a hybrid of both species, as it wreaks havoc on a small Colorado town. A Predator "cleaner" is dispatched to eliminate this new threat, but the film didn't match the success of its predecessor, marking the end of the crossover 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 the only film in the series not set on Earth. It transports viewers to a distant Yautja game reserve where humans, specifically "established killers," are abducted for sport between rival Yautja tribes. With a stellar cast including Adrien Brody, Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace, and Alice Braga, the film's timeline is ambiguous but can be placed in 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 returned to the franchise he once starred in with The Predator. This film brings the series back to its roots, featuring a squad of unstable soldiers, portrayed by Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Jane, and Alfie Allen, as they battle two rampaging Predators and uncover a sinister Yautja plot involving DNA splicing. The movie teases further adventures, with alternate endings hinting at potential crossovers with the Alien series.

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 to release in 2025. Predator: Badlands, hitting theaters on November 7, 2025, will star Elle Fanning and feature the Predator as the protagonist, as envisioned by director Dan Trachtenberg.

The second film, also directed by Trachtenberg, was shrouded in secrecy until recently. Predator: Killer of Killers is an animated movie that will explore three different encounters with the ultimate killer across various points in history. It is scheduled for a direct-to-Hulu release on June 6.