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How to watch the Predator movies in release and chronological order

Predator: How to watch the science fiction franchise in release and chronological order

Guides by Joshua Lapin-Bertone, Contributing writer

Published on Tue Jun 24 2025

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If you’re being targeted by a Predator, chances are you’re already dead.

Predators, or Yautja, are an extraterrestrial species that have evolved to be the best hunters in the galaxy. They are armed with advanced weapons and technology, but their greatest weapons are their bodies and minds, as they’ve been bred to be apex predators.

Since their debut in the 1987 science fiction film Predator, the Yautja have hunted humans and aliens alike. The upcoming film Predator: Badlands will bring them back to the big screen for more action and adventure, which means it’s the perfect time to watch through their franchise. But where should you start, and where do the short films and Alien crossovers fit in? Popverse has you covered. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about watching the Predator franchise.

How to watch Predator in release order

There are six films in the main Predator franchise. However, when you throw in the Alien vs. Predator duology, the animated anthology, and the shorts, things can seem confusing. Not to worry; just follow this list to watch the franchise in order.

Predator (1987 film)
Predator 2 (1990 film)
Alien vs. Predator (2004 film)
Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007 film)
The Chosen (2010 short film)
Predators (2010 film)
Moments of Extraction (2010 short film)
Crucified (2010 short film)
Predator vs. Colonial Marines (2016 short film)
The Predator (2018 film)
The Predator Holiday Special (2018 short film)
Prey (2022 film)
Predator: Killer of Killers (2025 animated anthology film)
Predator: Badlands (2025 film)

How to watch Predator in chronological order

If you prefer following the Predator franchise in chronological order, we’ve put together a timeline. Some films in the franchise are vague about when they’re set, so the assistance of Reddit and sources like Xenopedia was appreciated. In some cases where there are no context clues, we’ve assumed that a film or short takes place in the year it was released. The 2018 short film The Predator Holiday Special is a comedy that isn’t part of the larger canon. Therefore, we don’t have it on the timeline. Feel free to watch it anyway, though, because it’s hilarious.

841: Predator: Killer of Killers (The Shield sequence)
1609: Predator: Killer of Killers (The Sword sequence)
1719: Prey
1942: Predator: Killer of Killers (The Bullet sequence)
1987: Predator
1997: Predator 2
2004: Alien vs. Predator and Alien vs. Predator: Requiem
2010: Crucified, Moments of Extraction, The Chosen, and Predators
2016: Predator vs. Colonial Marines
2018: The Predator
Sometime in the far future: Predator: Badlands (2025 film)

Do I need to watch Predators before Prey?

You don’t need to watch Predators or any other film in the franchise before watching Prey. The film is a prequel set in 1718, centuries before the majority of the franchise. If you’re familiar with the other films, then you might catch some Easter eggs, such as the flintlock pistol from Predator 2. However, Prey can be enjoyed on its own if you choose to watch it before the other films.

Is The Predator 2018 a prequel?

No, The Predator 2018 is not a prequel. The film mentions the events of previous entries of the franchise, including Predator, Predator 2, and Alien vs. Predator. During the production phase, Black told news outlets that the film was going to be set between Predators 2 and Predators, but that idea was dropped when the script was completed.

Why isn’t Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator 2?

Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t return for Predator 2 because of a salary dispute. According to producer John Davis, the studio offered Schwarzenegger $250,000. The actor felt he was worth more, which is hard to argue considering how big of a star he was in 1990. Davis says the studio wouldn’t budge, so Schwarzenegger walked away from the project. Arnold Schwarzenegger would reprise his role as Dutch for the 2020 video game Predator: Hunting Grounds.

Which Alien movies do I need to watch before Alien vs. Predator?

If you’re watching the Predator franchise in order, you’ll eventually get to the crossover Alien vs. Predator. How familiar do you have to be with the Alien franchise to understand Alien vs. Predator? Very little, as the movie is mostly a slugfest that doesn’t rely on continuity. All you need to know is that the xenomorphs are monstrous aliens.

If you have time, I recommend watching the original 1979 Alien film to familiarize yourself with the xenomorphs and their abilities. However, if you’ve never seen any Alien movies, it isn’t a problem. Alien vs. Predator brings you up to speed on both creatures and what they’re capable of.

Who won in Alien vs. Predator?

Don’t read this section if you want to avoid spoilers.

In the original 2004 film there is no clear winner, but you could say the Aliens were the victors. The Xenomorph Queen fatally wounds the final Predator before she perishes in the Artic waters. Other Predators come to Earth to retrieve the body of their fallen warrior. Once onboard their ship, an Alien Chestburster emerges from the corpse. You can call it a draw, since Alien Chestburster emerged, the Xenomorphs technically win this one.

Alien vs. Predator: Requiem ends with a Predator named Wolf and a Xenomorph/Predator hybrid killing one another at the same time shortly before a nuclear bomb vaporizes them both. I’ll have to call this one a draw, unless I can give the win to the nuclear bomb.

Where can I watch Predator?

As of this writing, all the Predator films can be found on Hulu, including the Alien vs. Predator duology. If you have the Hulu and Disney+ bundle, this means that you can also watch the Predator films using Disney+. Please note, the availability of these titles could change as streaming licenses expire, and new deals are made.

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Joshua Lapin-Bertone: Joshua is a pop culture writer specializing in comic book media. His work has appeared on the official DC Comics website, the DC Universe subscription service, HBO Max promotional videos, the Batman Universe fansite, and more. In between traveling around the country to cover various comic conventions, Joshua resides in Florida where he binges superhero television and reads obscure comics from yesteryear.