Predator: Badlands has reignited the domestic box office, launching with a franchise-best $40 million from 3,725 theaters—far surpassing early projections of $25 million. The sci-fi action hit matched that figure overseas, taking in another $40 million from 52 international markets for a powerful $80 million global debut.
The film now holds the record for the biggest opening in the nearly 40-year-old Predator franchise, surpassing Shane Black’s 2018 reboot The Predator, which opened with $73.5 million worldwide. It also topped the domestic record previously held by 2004’s Alien vs. Predator ($38 million, not adjusted for inflation).
International Success
Internationally, Badlands delivered the franchise’s second-best start behind The Predator ($48.9 million). Its strongest markets include China ($7.4 million), the United Kingdom ($3.2 million), and Mexico ($2.3 million).
Audience and Critical Praise
Released by 20th Century and Disney, Predator: Badlands has earned stellar word-of-mouth. It’s the first Predator film—across all entries, including the Alien crossovers—to receive an A– CinemaScore. PostTrak scores and a 95% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes underscore the film’s strong appeal.
As one rival executive remarked, “This is what happens when you make good movies. People on the fence show up, and then tell their friends and family to go.”
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who co-conceived the story with Prey writer Patrick Aison, Badlands carves a bold new direction for the nine-film franchise that began with John McTiernan’s 1987 classic. The series, produced by John Davis, moved under Disney’s banner following the Fox merger.
‘Regretting You’ and ‘Black Phone 2’ Hold Strong
Paramount’s Regretting You, based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, claimed the No. 2 spot. It dropped just 9% in its third weekend, earning an estimated $7.1 million from 3,196 theaters for a domestic total of $38.5 million. Overseas, it brought in $5.7 million from 57 markets, lifting its global tally to $70.9 million.
Comscore’s chief analyst Paul Dergarabedian praised the film’s staying power, calling it the “MVP” of the box office weekend. The film’s success is also credited to former Paramount executive Marc Weinstock, who championed its release strategy and marketing campaign.
Blumhouse’s The Black Phone 2 followed closely at No. 3, earning $5.2 million from 2,493 locations in its fourth weekend. The horror sequel has now crossed $70 million domestically and $50.2 million overseas for a global haul of $120.4 million—an impressive return for its modest $30 million budget.
The top 12 movies of the weekend, as of Sunday, November 9, are as follows:
| # | Title | Distributor Name | Weekend Total | # of Locs | Loc Avg | Cume Total | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Predator: Badlands | 20th Century Studios | $40,000,000 | 3,725 | $10,738 | $40,000,000 | |
| 2 | Regretting You | Paramount | $7,125,000 | 3,196 | $2,229 | $38,596,000 | -9% |
| 3 | Black Phone 2 | Universal | $5,300,000 | 2,943 | $1,801 | $70,109,000 | -36% |
| 4 | Sarah’s Oil | Amazon MGM Studios | $4,459,000 | 2,410 | $1,850 | $4,459,000 | |
| 5 | Nuremberg | Sony Pictures Classics | $4,147,411 | 1,802 | $2,302 | $4,147,411 | |
| 6 | Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc | Sony/Crunchyroll | $3,600,000 | 2,285 | $1,575 | $38,031,000 | -42% |
| 7 | Bugonia | Focus Features | $3,500,000 | 2,043 | $1,713 | $12,310,000 | -30% |
| 8 | Die My Love | MUBI | $2,830,924 | 1,983 | $1,428 | $2,830,924 | |
| 9 | Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere | 20th Century Studios | $2,200,000 | 2,200 | $1,000 | $20,396,000 | -42% |
| 10 | Tron: Ares | Disney | $1,800,000 | 1,970 | $914 | $71,260,727 | -41% |
| 11 | Christy | Black Bear | $1,305,000 | 2,011 | $649 | $1,305,000 | |
| 12 | MET Opera: La Boheme (2025) | Fathom Entertainment | $1,017,448 | 714 | $1,425 | $1,017,448 |
