"Chronological Guide: Watching the Predator Movies"

Humans often see themselves at the pinnacle of the food chain, but in the universe of the Predator franchise, we're just another species in a cosmic hunting ground. The saga, which kicked off with the iconic 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, introduces us to the Yautja—tall, trophy-hunting aliens who scour different worlds for sport and have been known to abduct species for hunts on their home planet.

The first two films, released in 1987 and 1990, set the stage for the Predator universe. The introduction of Xenomorphs from the Alien series, another cinematic threat to humanity, led to the creation of a shared universe in the 2000s with two Alien vs. Predator films. Over the next decade, directors like Robert Rodriguez, Shane Black, and Dan Trachtenberg brought their unique visions to the franchise.

With two new Predator movies slated for release in 2025, it's the perfect time to revisit these sci-fi classics. Whether you're looking to watch them in chronological order or by release date, we've got you covered with a complete timeline and viewing options.

Jump to:

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

How to Watch the Predator Movies in Chronological Order

8 ImagesYou can also explore our guide to the Alien movies to get the full timeline experience.

How Many Predator Movies Are There?

There are currently seven movies in the Predator franchise—four in the main series, two Alien crossovers, and one prequel. Two more films are scheduled for release in 2025.

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Predator Movies in (Chronological) Order

1. Prey (2022)

Prey serves as a prequel and is best watched after the other films, especially Predator 2. However, if you're aiming for a strictly chronological experience, start here. Set in 1719 on the Great Plains, Prey follows Naru (Amber Midthunder), a young Comanche woman who, while on a hunt with her brother, encounters a more primitive Predator. Naru's determination to prove herself leads to a thrilling showdown with the alien hunter.

Read IGN's review of Prey

Where to Stream: Hulu

2. Predator (1987)

Directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Bill Duke, and Shane Black, the original Predator is a classic action film. It follows a military rescue team in South America ambushed by an invisible alien hunter. Schwarzenegger's character, Dutch, must outsmart and defeat this technologically advanced predator.

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

3. Predator 2 (1990)

Set in a heatwave-ravaged, crime-ridden Los Angeles of 1997, Predator 2 shifts the scene from the jungle to the urban landscape. Danny Glover leads a police force battling both a violent cartel and a Predator stalking the city.

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

4. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)

After a 14-year gap, the franchise returned with a crossover, merging with the Alien saga. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, AVP explores the historical connection between the Yautja and Xenomorphs, revealing that Predators have been using Earth for centuries to breed Xenomorphs for their hunts.

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

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

5. Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)

Continuing directly from AVP, Requiem introduces the "Predalien," an Alien-Predator hybrid that terrorizes a small Colorado town. A Predator "cleaner" is sent to eliminate the threat.

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

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

6. Predators (2010)

Directed by Robert Rodriguez, Predators takes place on a Yautja game reserve on a distant planet. Humans, specifically "established killers," are abducted and hunted by two warring Predator tribes. The exact Earth year is unspecified, but it can be assumed to be around 2010.

Read IGN's review of Predators

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

7. The Predator (2018)

Directed by Shane Black, The Predator returns to the franchise's roots with a squad of soldiers facing off against two Predators. The film hints at further adventures, with alternate endings teasing 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

For those who prefer to watch the movies in the order they were released, the list is as follows:

• 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 hit screens in 2025. *Predator: Badlands*, directed by Dan Trachtenberg and starring Elle Fanning, will premiere in theaters on November 7, 2025, featuring the Predator as the protagonist.

The second film, also directed by Trachtenberg, is an animated movie titled Predator: Killer of Killers. It will be released directly on Hulu on June 6, 2025, exploring three different historical encounters with the ultimate hunter.