Introduction
Are you a fan of the Predator franchise? Do you want to know how many Predator movies there are and which ones are worth watching? From “Predator” (1987) to “The Predator” (2018), this article provides a comprehensive guide to all Predator movies, analysis of their strengths and weaknesses, and an overview of the franchise’s expanded universe.
The Complete List of Predator Movies: A Comprehensive Guide
The Predator film franchise spans over three decades, including six films, two crossover films, and numerous books, comics, and video games. Here is a list of all the Predator movies in chronological order:
- Predator (1987)
- Predator 2 (1990)
- Predators (2010)
- Alien vs. Predator (2004)
- Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
- The Predator (2018)
Each movie has its own unique storyline, setting, and cast of characters. Here are brief summaries of each movie:
Predator (1987): Arnold Schwarzenegger leads a team of commandos in a mission to rescue hostages in the jungle, only to encounter an alien predator hunting them down.
Predator 2 (1990): Set in the near-future Los Angeles, Danny Glover stars as a police lieutenant encountering the deadly Predator while attempting to control the city’s growing gang war.
Predators (2010): A group of humans is transported to a distant planet and hunted by the Predators as part of an alien game reserve.
Alien vs. Predator (2004): Set in the present day, a team of scientists and adventurers is caught in a battle between the Aliens and the Predators in an ancient pyramid buried beneath the Antarctic ice.
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007): The sequel continues the war between the Aliens and the Predators, which spills over to a small town in Colorado.
The Predator (2018): A young boy accidentally triggers the return of the Predators to Earth, and a group of ex-soldiers and scientists team up to prevent the end of humanity.
From the Jungle to the City: The Evolution of Predator on Screen
Since its inception, the Predator character has evolved and changed throughout the movies. The original Predator was designed to be a single, nearly-unstoppable hunter in the jungle, but over time, the franchise has explored different settings, time periods, and even crossovers with other movie universes.
In the later movies, the Predator became more advanced, with new technology and weaponry and a more fleshed-out backstory and culture. The humans battling the Predator also became more diverse and complex, with more realistic portrayals of soldiers, gang members, and survivors.
Moreover, the movies’ tone, style, and theme have evolved over time. The first film was primarily a suspenseful action movie, while the later sequels have explored horror, sci-fi, and even comedy elements. The multi-film universe expanded beyond the Predator has added complexity to the franchise, with characters and storylines from both Alien and Predator universes intersecting.
A Closer Look at Each Predator Movie and its Impact on the Franchise
To fully understand the Predator franchise and which movies are worth watching, let’s take a closer look at each one:
Predator
The first Predator movie was a major success upon release, launching Arnold Schwarzenegger’s action hero character, as well as redefining the science fiction genre, with a superhuman Predator as the ultimate antagonist and gruesome scenes of it killing people left and right. Today, it remains a beloved classic, noted for its suspenseful storyline and memorable characters, including Schwarzenegger’s Dutch and the “get to the choppa!” line.
Predator 2
Despite a good performance from Danny Glover, it was felt by many the movie failed to live up to the charm and thrill of the original film. The absence of Schwarzenegger’s character was hard to overlook, and the story was felt to be less coherent and engaging than the original movie. Nevertheless, it’s recognized for exploring various themes, from the human condition and human aggression to inner-city gang dynamics.
Predators
This movie was an attempt at a return to form for the series by Robert Rodriguez. With Adrien Brody and Topher Grace as leads, the movie had some intriguing plot elements, such as the band of human warriors being dropped together on an alien planet, but ultimately it failed to adequately capture the gritty tension of the original. It may be noted for its decent opening weekend and a fair mention among the “least worst” entries in the Predator series.
Alien vs. Predator
Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, Alien vs. Predator was the first crossover movie in the franchise history and received lukewarm reviews. It was criticized for the lack of depth given to the characters and the silly plot. Still, it’s notable for its incredible fight scenes between the Alien and Predator, and its box-office success that helped to prove the viability of such crossover movies.
Alien vs. Predator: Requiem
The sequel to the crossover movie Alien vs. Predator, it took the story beyond the subterranean Antarctica ruins from the previous film and had alien-infested humans on the street of Gunnison, Colorado facing the extraterrestrial duo. The movie is known for its excessive violence and bad lighting as the story was set predominantly at night. The movie performed poorly at the box office compared to the 2004 predecessor, sealing the fate of the crossover series.
The Predator
The most recent installment to the franchise, The Predator takes a different approach to the Predators, introducing new types of predators with new technology and abilities. The storyline was seen by some as a bit convoluted, with a clear lack of focus. However, the movie is noted for its action and fight scenes, and for making sly references to the previous Predator and Alien movies.
The Predator Universe: Exploring the Expanded World Beyond the Movies
Predator expanded universe includes a wide range of novels, comics, and video games that build on the mythology of the series and provide new avenues for storytelling. These expanded works have explored the lore of the alien hunters and introduced new characters, settings, and creatures.
One of the most notable crossovers outside of the movies is the Predator comics by Dark Horse Comics, with various story arcs and numerous spin-off characters since 1989. A few notable Comic stories include – Predator: Race War (1993), Predator: Bad Blood (1993–1994), and most recently Predator Hunters III (2019).
The expanded universe has had mixed responses, with some fans feeling that the books and comics have enriched the franchise, while others dismiss them as irrelevant. Some video games like Predator: Concrete Jungle, Predator: Hunting Grounds, have been appreciated by fans for breathing new life into the franchise.
An Analysis of the Worst and Best Predator Films
While most movie-lovers have their own opinions on the worst and best Predator movies, we decided to weigh into the argument. One of the franchise’s best aspects is the variety of films available. Despite the uneven quality of some of the entries, there’s plenty to enjoy if you’re a fan of the genre, and everyone’s list will look a little different. Nevertheless, we offer our take!
Best Predator:
The first Predator movie is, inarguably, one of the best. Its iconic scene of Schwarzenegger squaring off against the Predator with mud on his face is enough to cement it within action-movie history, but the film also works on multiple levels, featuring memorable quotes, thrilling action scenes, and tangible suspense throughout.
Worst Predator:
While not being a total failure, the 2007’s Alien vs Predator: Requiem suffered from terrible lighting, poor characterization and too many third-rate sequels and franchise loyalties, making it the worst Predator movie.
A Ranking of All Predator Movies from Worst to Best
Here is our ranking of all Predator movies, from worst to the best:
6. Alien vs. Predator: Requiem
5. The Predator
4. Predators
3. Predator 2
2. Alien vs. Predator
1. Predator
It should be noted that not everyone will agree with this ranking system! It’s certainly a matter of taste, but we have taken in to consideration audience ratings, box office success, and critical reception.
The Making of Predator: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Iconic Film Franchise
Behind the success of the movie series is an interesting story of pure creativity, determination, and tenacity. Taking a deep dive into the production of the first Predator movie, we uncover the casting process, building the creatures, and how the franchise evolved from there.
Alien creator, Ridley Scott is responsible for the conceptualization of the Predator as he designed the initial superhero-looking Predator creature before the producers went with special effects artist Stan Winston for the actual build. The design becomes a success as it led to several more movies and attracted a cult following. The production history is a fascinating look at the intersection of creative talent, production limitations, and the financial interests that helped to shape the franchise.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Predator, since its debut in 1987, has become an iconic science-fiction and action movie franchise. It has entertained us across six films, several video games, books, and comics, looking at themes of survival, human aggression, and more. As for which Predator is the best and which one is the worst, we leave it to your watching and assess the movies through your lens.