Predator (franchise)#Card game

The Predator franchise centers on recurring storylines in which human characters encounter a technologically advanced alien species that hunts other lifeforms for sport. These aliens—credited as Predators in the films and alternatively named Yautja,The term "Yautja" is pronounced /jɑːˈuːtʃə/ (yah-OO-chə), with the emphasis on the second syllable. The "ch" is often rendered with a sound close to "j".{{Cite web |author=Perry, Steve |author-link=Steve Perry (author) |date=May 8, 2007 |title=Ask Steve Perry |url=https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=1519.0#subject_21757 |access-date=March 3, 2020 |quote="Ya-oot-chah," with the accent on the second syllable, and that "ch" almost a "j" sound.}} Hish-Qu-Ten, and Skin Thieves in expanded universe media—serve as antagonists in largely self-contained narratives that blend military science fiction, action, and horror elements.

Although the films vary in setting and time period, they typically follow a familiar structure: a group of humans, often military personnel or other combatants, find themselves targeted by a Predator during a mission or survival scenario. The creatures are portrayed as adhering to a ritualized code of conduct, selectively targeting dangerous opponents they deem worthy prey. Over time, expanded media introduced additional layers to the fictional mythology, including the species’ social hierarchy, interstellar hunting culture, and internal rivalries.

Predator was John McTiernan's first studio film as director. The studio hired screenplay writer Shane Black not only to play a supporting role in the film, but to keep an eye on McTiernan due to the director's inexperience.{{cite web |url=https://cinephiliabeyond.org/predator-john-mctiernans-first-studio-gig-became-epic-action-classic/ |title='Predator': John McTiernan's First Studio Gig that Became an Epic Action Classic |work=Cinephilia & Beyond |date=9 October 2017 |access-date=September 13, 2019}} Jean-Claude Van Damme was originally cast as the film's creature,{{cite web|url=http://www.teletext.co.uk/bigscreen/your-film-views/2c716751d7abb28f897edd93c630b4ef/Vortex+Van+Damme+in+Predator.aspx |title=Teletext Big Screen Vortex |publisher=Teletext.co.uk |access-date=March 3, 2009}} the idea being that the physical action star would use his martial arts skills to make the creature an agile, ninja-esque hunter. When compared to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, and Jesse Ventura, actors known for their bodybuilding regimes, it became apparent a more physically imposing man was needed to make the creature appear threatening. Eventually, Van Damme was removed from the film and replaced by the actor and mime artist Kevin Peter Hall.{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/predator/32595/when-jean-claude-van-damme-played-predator |title=When Jean-Claude Van Damme played Predator |work=Den of Geek |first=Ryan |last=Lambie |date=Jul 6, 2016 |access-date=September 13, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://geektyrant.com/news/jean-claude-van-damme-was-fired-from-predator-because-he-wouldnt-stop-kickboxing |title=Jean-Claude Van Damme Was Fired From PREDATOR Because He Wouldn't Stop Kickboxing |work=Geek Tyrant |first=Joey |last=Paur |date=2017 |access-date=September 14, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/10/5600446/predator-original-alien-costume-jean-claude-van-damme |title=Watch Jean-Claude Van Damme play a terrible version of Predator |work=The Verge |first=Aaron |last=Souppouris |date=April 10, 2014 |access-date=September 14, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/blog/the-original-predator-suit-jean-claude-van-damme |title=THE "ORIGINAL" PREDATOR - JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME |work=Stan Winston School |date=April 5, 2014 |first=Matt |last=Winston |access-date=September 14, 2019}} A Van Damme easter egg was eventually featured in The Predator.{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/predator-2018-jean-claude-van-damme-easter-egg/ |title=Predator Cinematographer Confirms Jean-Claude Van Damme Easter Egg |work=Screen Rant |first=Padraig |last=Cotter |date=December 28, 2018 |access-date=October 20, 2019}}

The Yautja's design is credited to special effects artist Stan Winston. While flying to Japan with Aliens director James Cameron, Winston, who had been hired to design the Predator, was doing concept art on the flight. Cameron saw what he was drawing and said, "I always wanted to see something with mandibles", and Winston subsequently included them in his designs. Schwarzenegger recommended Winston after his experience working on The Terminator.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2012/06/25th-anniversary-5-things-you-might-not-know-about-predator-109412/ |title=25th Anniversary: 5 Things You Might Not Know About 'Predator' |work=Indie Wire |first=Drew |last=Tayler |date=June 12, 2012 |access-date=October 20, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/the-predator-movies-behind-scenes-hidden-trivia/ |title=20 Crazy Details Behind The Making Of The Predator Movies |work=Screen Rant |first=Jason |last=Wojnar |date=September 11, 2018 |access-date=October 20, 2019}}

The film's creature was originally designed with a long neck, a dog-like head and a single eye. This design was abandoned when it became apparent that the jungle locations would make shooting the complex design too difficult. Originally, the studio contracted the makeup effects for the creature from Richard Edlund's Boss Film Creature Shop. However, with problems filming the creature in Mexico and attempts to create a convincing monster of Van Damme, wearing a very different body suit, failing, makeup effects responsibilities were given to Winston and his studio, R/Greenberg Associates. According to former Boss Film Creature Shop makeup supervisor Steve Johnson, the makeup failed because of an impractical design by McTiernan that included {{convert|12|in|mm|adj=mid|-length}} extensions that gave the creature a backward bent satyr-leg. The design did not work in the jungle locations. After six weeks of shooting in the jungles of Palenque, Mexico, the production had to shut down so that Winston could make the new creature. This took eight months and then filming resumed for five weeks.

The clicking sound of the creature was provided by Peter Cullen. Despite his resolution not to voice any more monsters following injuries to his throat sustained during the ADR of King Kong, his agent convinced him to audition. The clicking sound was inspired by a mixture of the visual of the creature and his recollection of a dying horseshoe crab.{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=62478 |title=Prime Directive: An Exclusive Interview with Peter Cullen |publisher=dvdtimes.co.uk |access-date=2009-09-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020002515/http://dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=62478 |archive-date=2007-10-20 }}

R/Greenberg Associates created the film's optical effects, including the creature's ability to become invisible, its thermal vision point-of-view, its glowing blood, and the electric spark effects. The invisibility effect was achieved by having someone in a bright red suit (because it was the farthest opposite of the green of the jungle and the blue of the sky) the size of the creature. The take was then repeated without the actors using a 30% wider lens on the camera. When the two takes were combined optically, a vague outline of the alien could be seen with the background scenery bending around its shape. For the thermal vision, infrared film could not be used because it did not register in the range of body temperature wavelengths. The glowing blood was achieved by green liquid from chem-lite sticks used by campers. The electrical sparks were rotoscoped animation using white paper pin registered on portable light tables to black-and-white prints of the film frames. The drawings were composited by the optical crew for the finished effects.{{cite web |url=https://vfxblog.com/2017/06/12/predator-vfx-optical-red-suit-thermal-camera/ |title='Predator': VFX supe Joel Hynek recalls the days of optical compositing, thermal cameras and *that* red suit |work=vfxblog |first=Ian |last=Failes |date=June 12, 2017 |access-date=October 20, 2019 }}{{cite web |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3505508/r-p-richard-alan-greenberg-predator-visual-effects-artist-little-monsters-director/ |title=R.I.P. Richard Alan Greenberg, 'Predator' Visual Effects Artist and 'Little Monsters' Director |website=bloody-disgusting.com |first=Brad |last=Miska |date=June 20, 2018 |access-date=October 20, 2019 }}

In an interview on Predator Special Edition, actor Carl Weathers said many of the actors would secretly wake up as early as 3 a.m. to work out before the day's shooting, in order to look "pumped" during the scene. Weathers also stated that he would act as if his physique was naturally given to him, and would work out only after all the other actors were nowhere to be seen. It was reported that actor Sonny Landham was so unstable on the set that a bodyguard was hired; not to protect Landham, but to protect other people from him.Predator - Special Edition (DVD) (2006)

According to Schwarzenegger, filming was physically demanding as he had to swim in very cold water and spent three weeks covered in mud for the climactic battle with the creature. In addition, cast and crew endured very cold temperatures in the Mexican jungle that required heat lamps to be on all of the time. Schwarzenegger also faced the challenge of working with Kevin Peter Hall who could not see in the creature's suit. Hall could not see out of the mask and had to rehearse his scenes with it off and then memorize where everything was.

The film was particularly successful and subsequently inspired a number of comic books, video games and popular anecdotes within the media. Schwarzenegger was asked to reprise his role in a Predator sequel, but was already attached to Terminator 2: Judgment Day and could not accept the role. The character was rewritten from the developing sequel's script, and the sequel to Predator, directed by Stephen Hopkins, was scheduled for 1990.{{cite web |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/5278126/robert-rodriguez-wants-arnold-schwarzenegger-for-predators |title=Robert Rodriguez Wants Arnold Schwarzenegger For Predators |work=Gizmodo |first=Alasdair |last=Wilkins |date=June 4, 2009 |access-date=October 21, 2019 }}

Due to excessive violence and nudity scenes, Predator 2 was the first film to be given the newly instituted NC-17 rating in the United States. It was eventually rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America after being re-cut to its final theatrical length.{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/movies-originally-rated-x-nc-17-shocking/12/?v=6&n=f |title=Predator 2 |work=Screen Rant |date=15 August 2017 |access-date=October 21, 2019}} The film cast Danny Glover in the lead role, and Kevin Peter Hall reprised his role as the Predator. Also, returning to the role of Anna in the sequel, Elpidia Carrillo was slated to be in two scenes but was cut back to a brief appearance on a video screen in the government agents' surveillance trailer. Her character is showing damage to the Central American jungle caused by the explosion at the conclusion of the first film.{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}

{{anchor|Storyline continuity}}

{{main|Predator (film){{!}}Predator (film)}}

An elite paramilitary rescue team, led by Major Dutch is on a covert operation in a Central American jungle where they are tasked with rescuing an official and his aide from guerrillas when they encounter a highly dangerous extraterrestrial with futuristic technology who hunts them for sport and are forced to find a way to defeat it before it kills off the entire team while awaiting a helicopter rescue.

{{main|Predator 2{{!}}Predator 2}}

In the record-hot summer of 1997, a different Predator arrives in Los Angeles and hunts violent gang members, drawing the attention of the local police force, specifically Lieutenant Harrigan, who pursues the creature as it rampages throughout the city. The creature itself is in turn being hunted by the secretive government task-force OWLF, led by CIA agent Peter Keyes, which wishes to capture it for study.

{{main|Predators (film){{!}}Predators (film)}}

A group of notorious mercenaries and murderers find themselves kidnapped and transported to an extraterrestrial game preserve jungle planet, where they have to learn to work together in order to fight off a band of Super Predators and other creatures stalking them and find a way off this world.

{{main|The Predator (film){{!}}The Predator (film)}}

After witnessing the crash of a Predator spaceship on Earth and hiding some of the remains, U.S. Army Ranger Quinn McKenna and a team of PTSD-afflicted soldiers must take down a pair of Predators, including a new enhanced Predator which was genetically enhanced by its species. The Predator canon is expanded by distinguishing multiple types and purposes of the Predator species.

{{main|Prey (2022 film){{!}}Prey (2022 film)}}

With the sale of 21st Century Fox's assets to The Walt Disney Company, the future of the series was called into question, though Bob Iger confirmed that certain properties would remain R-rated.{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3545122/disney-chairman-bob-iger-says-foxs-rated-r-properties-can-still-continue-fox-umbrella |title=Disney Chairman Bob Iger Says Fox's Rated "R" Properties Can Still Continue Under the Fox Umbrella|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=John|last=Squires|date=February 5, 2019|access-date=September 13, 2019}} In December 2019, Dan Trachtenberg was announced to be developing a film under the working title of Skulls, with a script from Patrick Aison, set during the American Civil War.{{cite news|last=Fisher|first=Jacob|url=https://discussingfilm.net/2019/12/11/dan-trachtenberg-set-to-direct-skulls-for-fox-disney-exclusive/|title=Dan Trachtenberg Set To Direct {{'}}Skulls{{'}} For Fox/Disney (EXCLUSIVE)|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 11, 2019|access-date=December 11, 2019}}{{cite news|last=Kurland|first=Daniel|url=https://screenrant.com/predator-reboot-movie-not-2018-sequel-good/|title=Why The Predator Reboot Not Following The 2018 Movie Is The Best Decision|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 29, 2020|access-date=November 29, 2020}}{{cite news|last=Laman|first=Douglas|url=https://www.looper.com/373331/the-untold-truth-of-the-predator-film-series/|title=The Untold Truth Of The Predator Film Series|website=Looper|date=April 2, 2021|access-date=April 2, 2021}} In November 2020, it was revealed that the project was actually a fifth film in the Predator franchise. Trachtenberg indicated that he had been working on the film since 2016, with the intention to market the project without any references to Predator.{{cite tweet|user=DannyTRS|author-link=Dan Trachtenberg|number=1329919692157444096|date=November 20, 2020|title=This was meant to be a surprise. Been working on this for almost 4 years now. I am very sad that what we had in store for how you could discover this movie will no longer happen. It's a bummer. But also...YAY!}} The Walt Disney Company produced the project through their 20th Century Studios banner.{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=Mike|url=https://deadline.com/2020/11/predator-movie-dan-trachenberg-20th-century-studios-1234619728/|title={{'}}Predator{{'}} Returning With {{'}}10 Cloverfield Lane{{'}} Helmer Dan Trachtenberg At 20th Century Studios|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 20, 2020|access-date=November 20, 2020}} In May 2021, Amber Midthunder was announced to star.{{cite web|last1=Fisher|first1=Jacob|title=Amber Midthunder Cast in Lead Role of New {{‘}}Predator{{’}} Film (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://discussingfilm.net/2021/05/21/amber-midthunder-cast-in-lead-role-of-new-predator-film-exclusive/|website=Discussing Film|access-date=May 21, 2021|date=May 21, 2021}} In late July, the title was shortened to Skull{{Cite web|date=2021-07-27|title=Exclusive: New 'Predator' Movie Title, Plot Details, and Timeline Revealed by Producers John Davis and John Fox|url=https://collider.com/predator-new-movie-title-skull-origin-story-plot-details-timeline-female-lead/|access-date=2021-07-27|website=Collider|language=en-US}} before officially becoming Prey in November; it was released on Hulu on August 5, 2022.{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=2021-11-12|title='Predator' Prequel Gets Title & Sets Summer 2022 Release|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/predator-prequel-prey-dan-trachtenberg-skulls-title-release-date-1234872831/|access-date=2021-11-12|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/prey-predator-film-dan-trachtenberg-making-of-1849353374|title=Prey's Dan Trachtenberg Goes Into the Making of Its New Old Predator|last=Carter|first=Justin|date=July 30, 2022|website=Gizmodo|access-date=July 31, 2022}}

Naru, a skilled Comanche warrior, is striving to prove herself as a hunter, and finds herself having to protect her people from a Predator as well as from French fur traders who are destroying the Buffalo her people rely on for survival.

{{main|Predator: Killer of Killers}}

In October 2024, it was reported that a secret Predator film had been directed by Dan Trachtenberg and is one of two Predator films releasing in 2025, set to be released on streaming before the release of Predator: Badlands.{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=October 24, 2024 |title=A Secret 'Predator' Movie, An 'Alien' Sequel and 'Speed 3' on the Table: A Chat with 20th Century Studios Boss Steve Asbell |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/predator-movie-an-alien-sequel-speed-3-1236042464/ |access-date=October 24, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} In April 2025, the official title was revealed during CinemaCon; while the plot will center around the titular character navigating multiple planets.{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1949831-animated-predator-movie-title-plot-details-revealed|work=ComingSoon.net|title=Animated Predator Movie Gets Title, First Plot Details|author=Dela Paz, Maggie|date=April 3, 2025|accessdate=April 3, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/predator-cinemacon/|work=JoBlo|title=Predator: Badlands finds a teenage Predator teaming up with Elle Fanning for the ultimate hunt at CinemaCon|author=Hamman, Cody|date=April 3, 2025|accessdate=April 3, 2025}}

{{main|Predator: Badlands}}

In June 2022, Dan Trachtenberg stated that there are discussions for additional installments being developed after the release of Prey. The filmmaker stated that moving forward, the intent is to do things that have not been done before in the franchise.{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/news/prey-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-predator-movie-062822|work=TimeOut|title='Prey': Everything you need to know about the new 'Predator' movie|author=de Semlyen, Phil|date=June 28, 2022|accessdate=June 30, 2022}} In August, Bennett Taylor expressed interest in reprising his role as Raphael Adolini as "the pirate he is" in a potential prequel to Prey, serving as a loose adaptation of the 1996 comic book Predator: 1718 in which Adolini was introduced, reading it as research before shooting Prey, having aimed to "bring as much of [Raphael] into Prey that made sense".{{Cite tweet|author=Bennett Taylor|user=bentayman|number=1558493005316767746|title=@bentayman Would you be interested in returning as Raphael Adolini in the future, in a potential adaptation of the original Predator: 1718 comic book which introduced him (as a prequel to Prey)? Did you read 1718 also, before portraying the character? Bennett Taylor: Yeah! 1000% I would. It would be so cool to portray the pirate he is in the comic. I read it before shooting and I tried to bring as much of that character into Prey that made sense.}}

In February 2024, it was reported that a number of Predator projects are in development, with Dan Trachtenberg involved with each installment. While a sequel to Prey is one of them, a new film with the working title of Badlands is scheduled for principal photography in July of the same year. Trachtenberg will once again serve as director, with a script written by Patrick Aison, from an original story they co-authored. The plot will center around a new female lead, and be set chronologically in the future.{{Cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Dan Trachtenberg To Direct New Standalone 'Predator' Movie 'Badlands' As 20th Century Expands On Universe |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/dan-trachtenberg-predator-movie-badlands-1235820417/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=9 February 2024 |date=9 February 2024}}{{Cite web |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |title=New 'Predator' Movie in the Works with Dan Trachtenberg Directing |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/new-predator-movie-badlands-1235820958/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=9 February 2024 |date=9 February 2024}} Actress Elle Fanning has been in talks to star in the leading role.{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/badlands-elle-fanning-predator-pic-1235945800/ | title='Badlands': Elle Fanning Eyed to Star in New Standalone 'Predator' Pic from 20th Century and Dan Trachtenberg | date=June 3, 2024 }}

Predator: Badlands is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on November 7, 2025.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=October 22, 2024 |title=Marvel Studios' 'Blade' Removed From 2025 Release Schedule, Disney Dates 'Predator: Badlands' Instead |url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/blade-predator-badlands-disney-release-dates-1236144383/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241022164333/https://deadline.com/2024/10/blade-predator-badlands-disney-release-dates-1236144383/ |archive-date=October 22, 2024 |access-date=October 22, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

{{Main|Alien vs. Predator{{!}}Alien vs. Predator}}

Inspired by the Dark Horse Comics series, the filmmakers of Predator 2 (1990) incorporated an easter egg in which an Alien skull was seen in a Predator trophy case. Expansions upon this shared universe between the Alien and Predator franchises followed through comics and video games, leading up to the launch of a film franchise with the release of Alien vs. Predator in 2004, followed by Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem in 2007. The franchise has spawned various comics, novels, video games, and other merchandise based upon or inspired by the films. A third film has been variously rumored since the production of Requiem.Holtreman, Vic (March 10, 2008). [https://screenrant.com/oh-god-aliens-vs-predator-3-is-coming-vic-1405/ "Oh, God. Aliens vs. Predator 3 Is Coming."] ScreenRant.com. Retrieved April 22, 2016.Giles, Jeff (March 11, 2008). [http://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/fox-brewing-alien-vs-predator-3/ "Fox Brewing Alien vs. Predator 3?"] RottenTomatoes.com. Flixster, Inc. Retrieved April 23, 2016.Stephenson, Hunter (March 10, 2008). [https://www.slashfilm.com/sequel-to-aliens-vs-predator-requiem-going-ahead/ "Sequel to Aliens Vs. Predator Requiem Going Ahead?"] SlashFilm.com. /Film. Retrieved April 23, 2016. In mid-2018, Shane Black, the director of The Predator, expressed his belief that a third Alien vs. Predator could still happen, indicating the studio's interest in both franchises.{{Cite web|url=http://www.predator4-movie.com/news/shane-black-thinks-theres-hope-another-alien-vs-predator|title=Shane Black thinks there's hope for another Alien vs. Predator - The Predator Movie News|website=The Predator Movie|access-date=May 19, 2020}}

By August 2024, Alien: Romulus director Fede Álvarez expressed interest in co-directing an Alien vs. Predator movie in collaboration with Prey director Dan Trachtenberg.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/alien-romulus-fede-alvarez-alien-vs-predator-movie-1236042592/|work=Deadline|title=‘Alien: Romulus’ Filmmaker Fede Alvarez Teases His Vision For ‘Alien Vs. Predator’|author=Brooks, Melanie & Anthony D'Alessandro|date=August 16, 2024|accessdate=October 26, 2024}} In October of the same year, Steve Abell (President of Fox Studios) stated that the studio has plans to eventually develop an Alien and Predator crossover film.

{{Main|Alien vs. Predator (film){{!}}Alien vs. Predator (film)}}

In 2004, a Predator mothership arrives in Earth orbit to draw humans to an ancient Predator training ground on Bouvetøya, an island about one thousand miles north of Antarctica. A buried pyramid giving off a "heat bloom" attracts a group of explorers led by billionaire and self-taught engineer Charles Bishop Weyland (Lance Henriksen), the original founder and CEO of Weyland Industries, who unknowingly activates an Alien egg production line as a hibernating Alien Queen is awakened within the pyramid. Three Predators descend to the planet and enter the structure, killing all humans in their way with the intention of hunting the newly formed Aliens, while the scattered explorers are captured alive by Aliens and implanted with embryos. Two Predators die in the ensuing battle with an Alien, while the third allies itself with the lone surviving human, Alexa "Lex" Woods (Sanaa Lathan), while making their way out of the pyramid as it is destroyed by the Predator's wrist bomb and eventually does battle with the escaped Alien Queen on the surface. The Queen is defeated by being dragged down by a water tower into the dark depths of the frozen sea, but not before she fatally wounds the last Predator. The orbiting Predator mothership uncloaks and the crew retrieves the fallen Predator. A Predator elder gives Lex a spear as a sign of respect, and then departs. Once in orbit it is revealed that an Alien Chestburster was present within the corpse, thus a predator/alien hybrid is born.

{{Main|Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem{{!}}Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem}}

Set immediately after the events of the previous film, the Predalien hybrid aboard the Predator scout ship, having just separated from the mothership shown in the previous film, has grown to full adult size and sets about killing the Predators aboard the ship, causing it to crash in the small town of Gunnison, Colorado. The last surviving Predator activates a distress beacon containing a video recording of the Predalien, which is received by a veteran Predator on the Predator homeworld, who sets off towards Earth to "clean up" the infestation. When it arrives, the Predator tracks the Aliens into a section of the sewer below the town. He removes evidence of their presence as he moves along using a corrosive blue liquid and uses a laser net to try to contain the creatures, but the Aliens still manage to escape into the town above. The Predator fashions a plasma pistol from its remaining plasma caster and hunts Aliens all across town, accidentally cutting the power to the town in the process. During a confrontation with human survivors, the Predator loses its plasma pistol. The Predator then fights the Predalien singlehandedly, and the two mortally wound one another just as the US air force drops a tactical nuclear bomb on the town, incinerating both combatants along with the Predalien's warriors and hive, as well as the few remaining humans in the town. The salvaged plasma pistol is then taken to a Ms. Yutani of the Yutani Corporation, foreshadowing an advancement in technology leading to the future events of the Alien films.

On October 19, 2010, Predators was released on home video and included the two prequel short films Moments of Extraction and Crucified, along with the prequel short film The Chosen, which had aired as a television and cinema advertisement prior to the release of Predators.{{Cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/exclusive-video-predators-blu-ray-clip/|title=EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: 'Predators' Blu-ray Clip|date=27 October 2010}} Loot Crate (commonly known for producing and distributing various officially licensed merchandise based on the Alien, Predator, Alien vs. Predator, and Prometheus brands) released a VR 360° short film titled Predator vs. Colonial Marines in February 2016, directed by Julian Higgins and written by Peter Weidman in which a troop of Colonial Marines storm a Weyland-Yutani warehouse and encounter the deadly alien hunter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAVJXdiL9Sc|title=Predator vs. Colonial Marines - Loot Crate 360° VERSUS Theme Video|last=Crate|first=Loot|date=February 25, 2016|website=YouTube|language=en-US|access-date=October 6, 2019}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vrfocus.com/2016/02/loot-crate-releases-predator-vs-colonial-marines-themed-360-video/|title=Loot Crate Releases Predator Vs. Colonial Marines Themed 360 Video|last=Graham|first=Peter|date=February 26, 2016|website=VRFocus|language=en-US|access-date=October 6, 2019}} The Predator was released on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD formats on December 18, 2018, in America, alongside the short film The Predator Holiday Special, in which Santa Claus and his elves and reindeer encounter the Predators at the North Pole.{{Cite web|url=http://nerdreactor.com/2018/12/12/the-predator-holiday-special/|title=The Predator hunts Santa and his reindeer in upcoming Holiday Special|last=Nguyen|first=John|date=December 12, 2018|website=Nerd Reactor|access-date=February 28, 2019}}{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713182111/http://nerdreactor.com/2018/12/12/the-predator-holiday-special/ |archive-date=14 July 2019}}

{{main|List of Predator characters{{!}}List of Predator characters}}

{{Cast indicator|appeared=the film series|C|U|V}}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+Predator cast

|-

! scope="col" rowspan="3" align="center" | Characters

! scope="col" colspan="5" | Films

! scope="col" colspan="2" | Video games

|-

! scope="col" align="center" | Predator

! scope="col" align="center" | Predator 2

! scope="col" align="center" | Predators

! scope="col" align="center" | The Predator

! scope="col" align="center" | Prey

! scope="col" align="center" | Predator:
Concrete Jungle

! scope="col" align="center" | Predator:
Hunting Grounds

|-

| style="background:ivory;"| {{small|1987}}

| style="background:ivory;"| {{small|1990}}

| style="background:ivory;"| {{small|2010}}

| style="background:ivory;"| {{small|2018}}

| style="background:ivory;"| {{small|2022}}

| style="background:ivory;"| {{small|2005}}

| style="background:ivory;"| {{small|2020}}

|-

! colspan="8" style="background:lightblue;"|

|-

! rowspan="3" | Predators

| colspan="2" | Kevin Peter Hall

| Derek Mears
{{small|(classic)}}

| Brian A. Prince
{{small|(fugitive)}}

| rowspan="3"| Dane DiLiegro

| Aimée Leigh{{ref|voice|V}}

| rowspan="3" | Antonio Alvarez{{ref|voice|V}}

|-

| rowspan="2" | Peter Cullen{{ref|voice|V}}

| rowspan="2" | Hal Rayle{{ref|voice|V}}

| Brian Steele
{{small|(Falconer and Berserker)}}

| rowspan="2" | Brian A. Prince
{{small|(ultimate)}}

| rowspan="2" | Sarah Brown{{ref|voice|V}}

|-

| Carey L. Jones
{{small|(tracker)}}

|-

! Alan "Dutch" Schaefer

| Arnold Schwarzenegger

| colspan="3" {{n/a|Mentioned}}

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| Arnold Schwarzenegger{{ref|voice|V}}

|-

! Anna Gonsalves

| Elpidia Carrillo

| Elpidia Carrillo{{ref|cameo|C}}

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! El Scorpio / Guerilla

| Henry Kingi{{ref|uncredited|U}}

| Henry Kingi

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! King Willie

| {{cEmpty}}

| Calvin Lockhart

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Arthur Burghardt{{ref|voice|V}}

| {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Isabelle

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| Alice Braga

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Alice Braga{{ref|voice|V}}

|-

! Sean H. Keyes

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Jake Busey

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| Jake Busey{{ref|voice|V}}

|-

! Raphael Adolini

| {{cEmpty}}

| {{n/a|Mentioned}}

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| Bennett Taylor

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Scarface

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

| colspan="2" | Jan Johns{{ref|voice|V}}

|-

! colspan="8" style="background:lightblue;"|

|-

! Al Dillon

| Carl Weathers

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

| rowspan="7" {{n/a|Mentioned}}

|-

! Jorge "Poncho" Ramirez

| Richard Chaves

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Mac Eliot

| Bill Duke

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Blain Cooper

| Jesse Ventura

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Billy Sole

| Sonny Landham

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Rick Hawkins

| Shane Black

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Homer L. Phillips

| R. G. Armstrong

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! colspan="8" style="background:lightblue;"|

|-

! Michael "Mike" R. Harrigan

| {{cEmpty}}

| Danny Glover

| colspan="4" {{cEmpty}}

| rowspan="2" {{n/a|Mentioned}}

|-

! Peter Jacob Keyes

| {{cEmpty}}

| Gary Busey

| colspan="4" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Danny "Danny Boy" Archuleta

| {{cEmpty}}

| Rubén Blades

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Leona Cantrell

| {{cEmpty}}

| María Conchita Alonso

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Garber

| {{cEmpty}}

| Adam Baldwin

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Jerry Lambert

| {{cEmpty}}

| Bill Paxton

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Anthony "Tony" Pope

| {{cEmpty}}

| Morton Downey Jr.

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Phil Heinemann

| {{cEmpty}}

| Robert Davi

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Captain B. Pilgrim

| {{cEmpty}}

| Kent McCord

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! colspan="8" style="background:lightblue;"|

|-

! Royce

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| Adrien Brody

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| rowspan="8" {{n/a|Mentioned}}

|-

! Edwin

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| Topher Grace

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Walter Stans

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| Walton Goggins

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Nikolai Mikhalovich Fedorov

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| Oleg Taktarov

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Hanzo Kamakami

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| Louis Ozawa Changchien

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Mombasa

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| Mahershala Ali

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Cuchillo

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| Danny Trejo

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Ronald Noland

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| Laurence Fishburne

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! colspan="8" style="background:lightblue;"|

|-

! Cullen Yutani

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Françoise Yip

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

| rowspan="4" {{n/a|Mentioned}}

|-

! Quinn McKenna

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Boyd Holbrook

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Casey Bracket

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Olivia Munn

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Will Traeger

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Sterling K. Brown

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Gaylord "Nebraska" Williams

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Trevante Rhodes

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Rory McKenna

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Jacob Tremblay

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Coyle

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Keegan-Michael Key

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Lynch

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Alfie Allen

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Nettles

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Augusto Aguilera

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Baxley

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Thomas Jane

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Emma McKenna

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

| Yvonne Strahovski

| colspan="3" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! colspan="8" style="background:lightblue;"|

|-

! Naru

| colspan="4" {{cEmpty}}

| Amber Midthunder

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Taabe

| colspan="4" {{cEmpty}}

| Dakota Beavers

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Aruka

| colspan="4" {{cEmpty}}

| Michelle Thrush

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Wasape

| colspan="4" {{cEmpty}}

| Stormee Kipp

| colspan="2" {{cEmpty}}

|-

! colspan="8" style="background:lightblue;"|

|-

! Isabella Borgia
{{small|MOTHER}}

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

| Tasia Valenza{{ref|voice|V}}

| {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Lucretia Borgia

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

| Giselle Loren{{ref|voice|V}}

| {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Bruno Borgia

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

| Fred Tatasciore{{ref|voice|V}}

| {{cEmpty}}

|-

! El Hongo

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

| Armando Valdes-Kennedy{{ref|voice|V}}

| {{cEmpty}}

|-

! Hunter Borgia

| colspan="5" {{cEmpty}}

| David Sobolov{{ref|voice|V}}

| {{cEmpty}}

|-

! colspan="8" style="background:lightblue;"|

|-

! Soldier

| colspan="6" {{cEmpty}}

| James Willems{{ref|voice|V}}

|}

;List indicator

:{{sup|(E)}} indicates figures based on available information.

Note that the figures in this table are not inflation adjusted

{{Hatnote|Each film is linked to the "Critical response" section of its article.}}

{{Main|List of Predator (franchise) novels{{!}}List of Predator (franchise) novels}}

Several novelizations based upon the movies have been released.

• Predator by Paul Monette, Jove Books, June 1, 1987, {{ISBN|0-515-09002-6}}
• Predator 2 by Simon Hawke, Jove Books, December 1990, {{ISBN|0-515-10578-3}}
• The Predator: Hunters and Hunted by James A. Moore, Titan Books, July 31, 2018 {{ISBN|978-1785658051}}
• The Predator by Christopher Golden & Mark Morris, Titan Books, September 2018, {{ISBN|978-1785658051}}

• Predator: Concrete Jungle by Nathan Archer
• Predator: Cold War by Nathan Archer
• Predator: Big Game by Sandy Schofield
• Predator: Forever Midnight by John Shirley
• Predator: Flesh and Blood by Michael Jan Friedman
• Predator: Turnabout by Steve Perry
• Predator: South China Sea by Jeff VanderMeer
• Predator: Prey to the Heavens by John Arcudi and Javier Saltares
• The Predator: Hunters and Hunted by James A. Moore
• Predator: Stalking Shadows by James A. Moore

{{main|List of Predator comics{{!}}List of Predator comics}}

Dark Horse Comics published various lines based on the franchise. The Fire and Stone (2014–2015) and Life and Death (2016–2017) series further explored what happened in the Alien, Predator, Alien vs. Predator, and Prometheus universe following the events of the 2012 film Prometheus. In July 2020, Marvel Comics announced that it had acquired the comic book rights to the Predator franchise, in addition to the rights to the Alien and Alien vs. Predator franchises,{{cite web|date=July 2, 2020|title=Marvel Comics to Publish New 'Alien' and 'Predator' Stories|url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-comics-to-publish-new-alien-and-predator-stories|work=Marvel Entertainment|access-date=July 3, 2020 }} publishing Predator (2022–present), Predator vs. Wolverine (2023), Predator vs. Black Panther (2024), Predator vs. Spider-Man, Predator: Black, White & Blood, and Predator Kills the Marvel Universe (all 2025).

Other books expanding this fictional universe have been released through the years, and also such that depict the background to the films, including works by special effects company Amalgamated Dynamics Incorporated (ADI) which has worked with the Alien, Predator and Alien vs. Predator films.

• Predator The Official Movie Special (2018)
• The Predator: The Art and Making of the Film (2018)

{{main|List of Alien, Predator, and Alien vs. Predator games{{!}}List of Alien, Predator, and Alien vs. Predator games}}

• Predator (1987)
• Predator 2 (1990)
• Predator 2 (1992)
• Predator: Concrete Jungle (2005)
• Predator: Hunting Grounds (2020)

The Predators have appeared in two virtual pinball tables. The first one is a pinball adaptation of the first two Predator films, one of four pinball tables in the 1999 computer game Sci-Fi Pinball, with the other three tables being based on Aliens, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Fly, three other Fox horror films.{{cite web |last1=Fenlon |first1=Wes |title=Even naked Jeff Goldblum can't save this 1999 pinball game I bought for $1 |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/even-naked-jeff-goldblum-cant-save-this-1999-pinball-game-i-bought-for-dollar1/ |website=PCGamer |date=22 October 2019 |access-date=21 November 2019}} The second one is a loose pinball adaptation of Alien vs. Predator, developed by Zen Studios and available as an add-on pack for Zen Pinball 2, Pinball FX 2 and Pinball FX 3 on April 26, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.aliensvspinball.com|title=Pinball FX2™|website=www.aliensvspinball.com|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317021115/http://www.aliensvspinball.com/|archive-date=17 March 2018|url-status=dead}} Based on the premise and setting (though not the plot) of that film, this table is played entirely from the perspective of a Predator ascending the ranks to become a seasoned warrior and Alien hunter,{{cite web |last1=Semel |first1=Paul |title=INTERVIEW: "ALIENS VS. PINBALL" DESIGNERS ON THE ART OF TURNING MOVIES, COMICS, AND MORE INTO PINBALL TABLES |url=https://www.gamecrate.com/interview-aliens-vs-pinball-designers-art-turning-movies-comics-and-more-pinball-tables/13431 |website=GameCrate |access-date=4 December 2019 |date=26 April 2016}} with two of the film's human leads being the table's announcers.

In the early 2010s, pinball manufacturer SKIT-B attempted to create an unauthorized physical pinball adaptation of the Predator franchise, without securing licensing rights from franchise owner 20th Century Fox. After suffering from legal problems, the pinball table was cancelled on March 24, 2015,{{cite web |title=PREDATOR PINBALL: THE SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH |url=https://www.pinballnews.com/comment/predatorpinball.html |website=Pinball News |access-date=6 September 2019 |date=22 March 2015}} and thus, only a few prototypes of the pinball table exists to this day.

A card game titled, Legendary Encounters: A Predator Deck Building Game, was released in July 2015 by Upper Deck Company.{{cite web |last1=Clatworthy |first1=Bevan |title=Legendary Encounters: Predators release date confirmed! |url=https://www.geek-pride.co.uk/legendary-encounters-predators-release-date-confirmed/ |website=Geek Pride |access-date=29 May 2024 |date=14 April 2015}} It is based on the first two films.{{cite web |last1=Florence |first1=Robert |title=Cardboard Children - Legendary Encounters: Predator |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/legendary-encounters-predator-review |website=Rock Paper Shotgun |publisher=IGN Entertainment |access-date=29 May 2024 |date=22 September 2015}}

• The Predator is a downloadable character in Mortal Kombat X (2015).{{cite web|last1=Dawson|first1=Bryan|title=Mortal Kombat X — How to Play Predator, Combos and Strategies|url=https://www.primagames.com/games/mortal-kombat-x/tips/mortal-kombat-x-how-play-predator-combos-and-strategies|website=Prima Games|date=July 8, 2015 |access-date=March 6, 2019 }}
• The Predator is a free challenging boss featured in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands.
• The Predator is an unlockable outfit and hostile NPC in Fortnite Battle Royale Chapter 2 Season 5.{{cite web|last1=Kain|first1=Erik|title='Fortnite' Predator Apartment Location: Where To Visit Predator's Apartment|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2021/01/20/fortnite-predator-apartment-location-where-to-visit-predators-apartment/?sh=5c3d090f44f2|website=Forbes|access-date=Jan 20, 2021}}
• The Predator was licensed by Adult Swim to officially appear{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}} in the 2023 seventh season premiere of the animated series Rick and Morty, "How Poopy Got His Poop Back".

• List of space science fiction franchises
• List of films featuring extraterrestrials
• List of monster movies
• Predatoroonops, a genus of spider named in honor of the Predator

• Beautiful Monsters: The Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to the Alien and Predator Films (by David A. McIntee, Telos, 272 pages, 2005, {{ISBN|1-903889-94-4}})

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Predator (franchise)}}

• [http://www.predatormovies.com Predator Community]
• [https://www.avpcentral.com Alien vs. Predator Central]
• {{YouTube|id=aAzv_ScAKO8|title=Predator vs. Colonial Marines}}
• {{YouTube|id=rVrRjt69lhU|title=The Predator Holiday Special}}
• [https://ew.com/tv/2018/12/17/predator-robot-chicken-parody-holiday-special-exclusive/ "Behind the scenes of the Predator stop-motion holiday special"]. Entertainment Weekly

{{Predator (franchise)}}

{{Alien vs. Predator (franchise)}}

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