Predator: Badlands — release date, cast, plot and everything we know about the Elle Fanning movie

Predator in Predator: Badlands
(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)

The Predator is one of Hollywood’s more iconic movie villains, but in Predator: Badlands the legendary hunter is the hero. That’s the fun twist in this 2025 new movie, which is being headlined by Elle Fanning and is helmed by the same director that made the most recent Predator movie, Prey.

The Predator made its debut in the 1987 movie Predator, and has since had five movies in the franchise, as well as two crossovers with the Alien franchise (Alien vs Predator and Alien vs Predator: Requiem). While this is the next live action movie in the franchise and comes from the same director, all indications are that this is not a direct sequel that was seemingly teased in the Prey ending.

Read on for everything you need to know about Predator: Badlands.

Predator: Badlands release date

US and UK moviegoers will be able to watch Predator: Badlands when it premieres exclusively in movie theaters on November 7.

If you want to catch up with other Predator movies ahead of the latest entry’s release date, Predator (1987), Predator 2 (1990), Predators (2010), The Predator (2018) and Prey (2022) are all streaming on Hulu in the US and on Disney Plus in the UK.

Predator: Badlands cast

Elle Fanning is the known name starring in Predator: Badlands, with her playing the character Thia. Fanning is best known for her Emmy-nominated role on The Great, but she was most recently seen in 2024’s A Complete Unknown.

Starring as the central Predator in the movie is Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. This is the first Hollywood role for the New Zealand native, whose previous credits include TV series Far North, Upright and The Panthers, and the movie Red, White & Brass.

Predator: Badlands plot

Patrick Aison and Dan Trachtenberg are the credited co-writers for Predator: Badlands, per IMDb. Here is the synopsis for the movie:

Predator: Badlands, which stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, is set in the future on a remote planet, where a young Predator, outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.”

Predator: Badlands trailer

A teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands is now online, which you can watch directly below:

Predator: Badlands | Teaser Trailer - YouTube Predator: Badlands | Teaser Trailer - YouTube
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Predator: Badlands director

Dan Trachtenberg directs Predator: Badlands. As mentioned he directed Prey, but his other feature directing credit was 10 Cloverfield Lane. He’s also directed episodes on popular TV series Black Mirror, The Boys and The Lost Symbol.

Predator: Badlands behind the scenes

Predator: Badlands is a 20th Century Studio production, with Trachtenberg, John Davis, Marc Toberoff, Ben Rosenblatt and Brent O’Connor serving as producers.

Predator: Badlands poster

(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
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Michael Balderston
Assistant Managing Editor

Michael Balderston is What to Watch’s assistant managing editor and lead movie writer, covering movies coming to theaters, writing movie reviews and highlighting new and classic movies on streaming services; he also covers a range of TV shows, including those in the Taylor Sheridan universe, Slow Horses, Only Murders in the Building, Jeopardy!, Saturday Night Live and more, as well as the best ways to watch some major US sporting events.

Based outside of Washington, D.C., Michael's previous experience includes writing for Awards Circuit, TV Technology and The Wrap.

Michael’s favorite movie of all time is Casablanca, while his favorite TV show is Seinfeld. Some 2025 favorites include One of Them Days and Black Bag for movies, and The Pitt on TV. Follow on Letterboxd to keep up with what I'm watching.

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