The Predator is easily one of the most popular extraterrestrials in modern media. Collectively known as Yautja (or Hish-Qu-Ten, depending on the generation), these trophy-hunting warriors have been featured in film, comics, and several novels. There are even multiple brands of collectible action figures--NECA has a new line dedicated to the Predator 2 film coming later this year. People just can't seem to get enough of the Predator.
So it shouldn't come to anyone's surprise that a new Predator film is on the way. Prey, a prequel developed by 20th Century Studios, is coming to Hulu on August 5th. To celebrate the occasion, we decided to rank the franchise's previous films. We rewatched everything from the original movie to 2018's The Predator in hopes of giving them their just due. Not all of them stood the test of time. Some are just plain bad. All of them offer Predator's fans something worth cheering for though, even if it's just witnessing another iconic "mask removal" scene.
6. Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem has all of the makings of a decent action and sci-fi/horror hybrid--something that both of these franchises have delivered separately. Unfortunately, none of these elements were properly utilized in AVPR. The cast was made up of forgettable characters, the action is subdued thanks to some bad editing, and the whole thing is shot with poor lighting. Some of the best scenes horror-wise are obscured to a confusingly bad degree.
5. Aliens vs. Predator (2004)
The first Aliens vs. Predator is slightly better than the sequel. It didn't provide a lot of action or horror. But because it was shot with decent lighting, the audience could actually enjoy seeing the Predators battle their Xenomorph rivals.
Beyond the novelty of seeing these two groups wage war for the first time on the big screen, there isn't much else to like. AVP doesn't have the best plot; the premise makes sense on paper, but the steps taken to get all of the players (humans, Aliens, and Predators) in one place doesn't. Neither the Xenomorphs nor the Predators look their best, with fights that were lackluster to say the least. The iconic scenery and lore based elements were nice touches though.
4. Predator 2 (1990)
Predator 2 wasn't that great when it was released in the 90s. Featuring wild stereotypes, rough pacing, and a plot that's downright dumb at times, it certainly didn't stand the test of time. Thankfully, Danny Glover's presence makes up for some of the film's failings. His tough cop, "take no mess" vibe made the Lethal Weapon star a solid lead/someone we could root for.
The action scenes aren't that bad either. They're campy, for sure, but in the 80s "blow everything up" kind of way. And it's the first time we got to see some of the Yautja's most deadly weapons and the hint that they hunt Xenomorphs. Basically in small increments, Predator 2 works as well as can be expected, given the premise.
3. The Predator (2018)
The Predator has to have one of the best casts this franchise has ever seen. All around charming and often humorous, their characters were made real thanks to some strong performances and solid scripting. It also has the best looking Predator's to date; the film's practical effects weren't overshadowed by CGI. The plot is a little rough around the edges, caused in part by bad logic and poor representations of certain mental health issues and autism, but it's decent enough to carry the film to its end credits. Overall, The Predator is entertaining despite its shortcomings.
2. Predators (2010)
Predators came the closest to delivering the thrills that made the original film so great. It does this in part by taking a less is more approach. The audience is given only the most needed information. We have a basic understanding of the Predators' motivations but not much concerning the hierarchy of power, their new hunting methods, or why they've abandoned Earth; it's as if we were dropped into an alien planet along with the cast. This creates an uneasy atmosphere as the movie pivots from action to horror and back again.
The cast itself is also worth mentioning. Everyone is given enough space to be engaging in their own right. And while there isn't much character growth outside of the main protagonist, that doesn't take away from the film as a whole. In fact, the only issues we have with Predators pertains to its ending. We won't say how things play out to avoid spoilers, only to share our displeasure over a silly twist and certain events that closely mirrors that of a previous film. Aside from those things, the movie was pretty good.
1.Predator (1987)
Nothing tops the original Predator. Also taking a less is more approach, fans are kept in the dark for a decent portion of the film. It starts as an action movie with a group of soldiers going on a rescue mission in a foreign land. That eventually changes though as the movie leans into the sci-fi/horror elements. Bodies are found in trees, void of flesh. A camouflaged foe systematically hunts the soldiers down for reasons unknown. It's great stuff.
It also sports an awesome cast. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, and Bill Duke were seemingly made for their roles. Elpidia Carrillo is convincing as an insurgent and eventual ally. Jesse Ventura does surprisingly well considering that Predator was his first film. Kevin Peter Hall steals the show as the Predator though, with Peter Cullen's vocalization adding to the character's presence à la Darth Vadar.
Predator is easily one of the best sci-fi action films ever made. Even all of these years later. Hopefully, we'll get another in the Hulu Original, Prey, which debuts on August 5.
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