Predator Badlands Box Office Projections Signal Franchise Crossroads

The domestic box office faces another quiet weekend. New release “Predator: Badlands” is forecast to top the charts. Its opening is projected between $24 million and $30 million.

This performance is critical for the long-running franchise. It marks a return to theaters after the Hulu release of “Prey”. According to Box Office Pro, the overall market remains sluggish.

Can Badlands Reinvigorate the Theatrical Hunt?

“Predator: Badlands” brings director Dan Trachtenberg back. His previous film, “Prey,” was a critical hit on streaming. The new film features a connection to the Alien franchise.

This crossover element may boost fan interest. The highest-grossing film in the series remains 2004’s “AVP: Alien Vs. Predator”. It opened to $38.3 million domestically.

However, recent history is a concern. The 2018 film “The Predator” disappointed with a $24.6 million debut. It finished with just $51 million domestically.

The current tracking suggests a similar opening range. A lack of major star power may limit its broader appeal. The film must rely on strong fan turnout for success.

A Weak Market and Streaming’s Shadow

The broader box office landscape presents challenges. The top ten films may only generate around $50 million combined. This continues a recent trend of low overall revenue.

Streaming’s impact is also a key factor. “Prey” skipped theaters for a Hulu release. This decision may have reduced the franchise’s big-screen allure for some viewers.

Holdovers are also fighting an uphill battle. “Regretting You” and “Black Phone 2” are competing for second place. Both are projected to earn only $3-4 million this weekend.

Universal’s early digital release of “Black Phone 2” after just 19 days highlights studio strategies. This move can shorten theatrical windows and affect box office legs.

The performance of “Predator: Badlands” is a major test for the franchise’s cinematic future. A strong opening could pave the way for more theatrical hunts. The final box office numbers will be closely watched.

Info at your fingertips

What is the projected opening for Predator: Badlands?

The film is projected to earn between $24 million and $30 million in its debut weekend. This would place it at the top of the domestic box office. Tracking has improved slightly in recent days.

How does this compare to previous Predator movies?

The last theatrical entry, 2018’s “The Predator,” opened to $24.6 million. The franchise’s highest opening remains 2004’s “AVP: Alien Vs. Predator” with $38.3 million. The new film’s range is similar to the 2018 performance.

Why is the overall box office so weak?

The market lacks strong holdover films to boost total revenue. Several recent releases have underperformed. This has led to consecutive weekends with a top ten total around $50 million.

What is the connection to the Alien franchise?

“Predator: Badlands” features a character from the Weyland-Yutani corporation. This is the same company central to the Alien film series. The crossover is a key selling point for fans.

How did the film ‘Prey’ affect the franchise?

“Prey” was released directly on Hulu in 2022. It was a critical success but did not have a theatrical run. Some analysts believe this may have diminished the franchise’s theatrical presence.

Trusted Sources

Box Office Pro, The Numbers, Reuters