Get ready for a thrilling ride as we dive into the box office success of 'Predator: Badlands'! This highly anticipated film has already conquered an impressive $4.8 million in preview screenings, setting the stage for an exciting opening weekend. But here's where it gets controversial...
'Predator: Badlands', directed by Dan Trachtenberg, is the latest installment in the iconic sci-fi franchise. With its preview numbers, it's already outperforming its predecessor, 'The Predator', which only managed $2.5 million in Thursday previews back in 2018. And this is the part most people miss - the film's female-led action hero approach is a bold move, and Disney sources are comparing it to the successful 'Ballerina', which had a similar preview performance.
Now, let's talk about the competition. Another sci-fi reboot, 'Alien: Romulus', took in an impressive $6.5 million in previews, but it had an R-rating and a mid-August release, which are factors to consider. 'Alien: Romulus' went on to gross $42 million domestically, so the bar is set high for 'Predator: Badlands'.
The franchise's opening records are held by the 2004 crossover hit 'Alien vs. Predator', which opened to a massive $38.2 million. However, 'Predator: Badlands' has a unique advantage - it's the fan favorite among the franchise's audience, with a whopping 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, even surpassing the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger's original 1987 movie!
But why stop there? 'Predator: Badlands' is also praised for its fresh take on the series, with critics lauding Trachtenberg's previous work, 'Prey', as a game-changer. Shot in New Zealand with tax incentives, 'Prey' became Hulu's most-watched premiere ever in 2022, and now, with 'Badlands', Trachtenberg continues to breathe new life into the Predator universe.
So, will 'Predator: Badlands' live up to the hype and conquer the box office? Only time will tell, but with its strong preview numbers and critical acclaim, it's certainly off to a promising start. What do you think? Will 'Badlands' become the new benchmark for the franchise? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
