(Image Source: 20th Century Studios)
The sixth live-action film in the standalone "Predator" franchise, "Badlands," debuted in theaters worldwide last weekend. It not only garnered enthusiastic positive reviews but also delivered impressive box office numbers. In North America alone, the film grossed approximately $40 million in its opening weekend, claiming the top spot at the box office for the week. This figure surpasses the $38.9 million record set by the first "Alien vs. Predator" film, making "Badlands" the highest North American opening for any "Predator" film to date.
(Image Source: 20th Century Studios)
Internationally, "Badlands" also pulled in $40 million, bringing its global opening weekend total to $80 million. This achievement surpasses the $73.5 million record previously held by 2018's "The Predator," establishing "Badlands" as the best global opening for the entire franchise.
The recent "Predator" film, "Prey," was released directly to streaming platforms. This led some industry observers to express concern that it might diminish the theatrical appeal of "Badlands." However, "Badlands" has emphatically demonstrated its drawing power, proving that audiences remain eager to experience the franchise on the big screen.