Humans like to think they're at the top of the food chain, but in the cosmic arena, we're barely holding our own. The Predator franchise, which kicked off with the iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger film in 1987, introduces us to the "Yautja"—towering, trophy-hunting aliens who scour the galaxy for the ultimate sport. These extraterrestrial hunters not only visit different worlds for lethal competitions but have also been known to abduct species for hunts back on their home planet.
The first two Predator films, released in 1987 and 1990, set the stage for this thrilling saga. With the Xenomorphs from the Alien series being another cinematic threat to humanity, it was only natural in the 2000s to merge these universes with two Alien vs. Predator movies. Over the following decade, directors like Robert Rodriguez, Shane Black, and Dan Trachtenberg added their unique touches to the franchise.
With two new Predator movies slated for 2025, it's the perfect time to revisit the original sci-fi classics. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, watching the Predator movies in order can enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the series. Below, you'll find a complete timeline of the Predator movies and where to 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 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, ideally watched after the other films (especially Predator 2), but for a true chronological experience, it's where you should start. Set in 1719 on the Great Plains, Prey follows Naru, a young Comanche woman (played by Amber Midthunder), who sets out to prove herself on a hunt but ends up confronting a primitive Predator. This fresh addition to the saga showcases Naru's determination to take down the alien hunter.
Read IGN's review of Prey
Where to Stream: Hulu
2. Predator (1987)
The saga began with 1987's Predator, directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime, alongside Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Bill Duke, and Shane Black. This action classic follows a military rescue team as they are hunted by an invisible alien in the South American jungle. Schwarzenegger's Dutch must outsmart and defeat this technologically superior hunter.
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
3. Predator 2 (1990)
A few years later, Predator 2 shifted the setting to a near-future, crime-ridden Los Angeles in 1997. Danny Glover, Bill Paxton, Ruben Blades, and María Conchita Alonso star as cops battling a deadly Cartel war and a Predator hunting in the city.
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
4. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
After a 14-year hiatus, the franchise returned with AVP: Alien vs. Predator, a crossover with the Alien series directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. Set in present-day America, it reveals that Predators have been using Earth for centuries to hunt Xenomorphs, using humans as hosts. Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Raoul Bova, and Ewen Bremner lead the cast.
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 battle, introducing the "Predalien" and following its rampage in a small Colorado town. A Predator "cleaner" is sent to eliminate this new threat.
Read IGN's review of Alien vs. Predator: Requiem here.
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
6. Predators (2010)
Predators, directed by Robert Rodriguez, takes the franchise off Earth to a Yautja game reserve planet. Featuring a cast including Adrien Brody, Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace, and Alice Braga, the film explores how humans, known for their killing prowess, are abducted for sport between rival Yautja tribes.
Read IGN's review of Predators
Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
7. The Predator (2018)
Shane Black returned to the franchise he once starred in with The Predator, featuring a squad of soldiers, including Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Jane, and Alfie Allen, battling two Predators and their DNA splicing plans. The film hints at future possibilities, with alternate endings teasing 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 watching the movies in the order they were released, here's the correct sequence:
- 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 scheduled for 2025. Predator: Badlands, hitting theaters on November 7, 2025, will star Elle Fanning and feature the Predator as the protagonist, directed by Dan Trachtenberg.
The second film, also directed by Trachtenberg, was kept under wraps for some time but has been revealed as Predator: Killer of Killers, an animated movie set to explore three different historical encounters with the ultimate hunter. This movie will be released directly on Hulu on June 6.
