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The Predator

Play trailer 2:06 Poster for The Predator R Released Sep 14, 2018 1h 46m Sci-Fi Action Adventure Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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34% Tomatometer 296 Reviews 32% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
From the outer reaches of space to the small-town streets of suburbia, the hunt comes home. The universe's most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. When a boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and an evolutionary biologist can prevent the end of the human race.
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The Predator

The Predator

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Critics Consensus

The Predator has violence and quips to spare, but its chaotically hollow action adds up to another missed opportunity for a franchise increasingly defined by disappointment.

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Critics Reviews

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Chris Stuckmann ChrisStuckmann.com This film was a mess, and easily the most disappointing film of the whole year. Rated: D+ Sep 21, 2018 Full Review Malik Adán Shadow and Act Black's latest addition to the franchise cashes in on high-octane action scenes, comedy, self-referential moments and pathological mapping that draws you into the Loonies' psychology, questions of ability and the mission at hand. Sep 20, 2018 Full Review Abraham Riesman New York Magazine/Vulture Yet another reminder that the strange alchemy of the progenitor probably can't be replicated. Hawkins is spinning in his jungle grave. Sep 14, 2018 Full Review David Day Horror Movie Talk Were the Predators badass? Yes. Were there tons of cool weapons and action that made you excited to be watching an action movie? Yes! Was it a total blast? Yes! Rated: 8/10 Jul 25, 2025 Full Review Calum Cooper Source (Scotland) It’s a deplorable, cringe-worthy geek show made only for the banal fantasies of undemanding nerds, and little boys who can’t get into the cinema due to the 15 certificate. Rated: 1/5 Jul 14, 2024 Full Review William Jones CBR While it has shortcomings, Shane Black's The Predator is a far better sequel than many give it credit for, and one fans should give another shot. Jan 9, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jordy M “The Predator” (2018) attempts to revive the iconic sci-fi franchise but ultimately delivers a disappointing and chaotic experience that falls short of its predecessors. From the outset, the film struggles to establish the ominous tone that made the original entries compelling. Instead, it opens with frenetic spaceship sequences that feel more like a video game trailer than a suspenseful thriller, undermining the seriousness that fans expect. The cinematography lacks the mature, shadowy aesthetic that once defined the saga, and the design of the Predator’s ship feels uninspired—even less menacing than spaceships seen in other franchises like Avengers. The narrative is riddled with implausible conveniences, such as a soldier casually donning alien technology with dramatic results, highlighting the film’s reliance on lazy storytelling. Acting and direction are major weak points. Many characters, despite being portrayed by a talented cast, come across as artificial and awkward, reminiscent of low-budget TV drama rather than a blockbuster film. Keegan-Michael Key, Alfie Allen, and Thomas Jane are noticeably underutilized, while Olivia Munn’s performance is serviceable but unremarkable. Sterling K. Brown stands out as Will Traeger, bringing credibility to an otherwise lackluster ensemble, and Trevante Rhodes as Nebraska Williams offers a grounded, empathetic presence. The film’s handling of its younger character, Rory McKenna (Jacob Tremblay), is inconsistent, and the subplot involving his autism feels more like a narrative device than a genuine exploration of character. Meanwhile, the group dynamic among Quinn’s team briefly injects some energy and charm, especially as the story progresses, but this is not enough to salvage the film. Plot twists and character decisions often defy logic, with alliances shifting abruptly and key deaths handled without emotional weight. The film’s climax and final reveal—introducing a so-called “Predator Killer” suit—are especially clumsy and unsatisfying, leaving a sour aftertaste. Despite occasional flashes of creativity in its action scenes and a memorable visual moment featuring Baxley and Coyle, “The Predator” fails to recapture the intrigue or intensity of the franchise’s best moments. The creature effects and set pieces feel more like action figures than fearsome aliens, stripping away the sense of mystery and dread. In summary, “The Predator” is a missed opportunity, marred by weak storytelling, inconsistent performances, and misguided creative choices. Only Sterling K. Brown and Trevante Rhodes manage to rise above the material, but even their efforts can’t save the film from mediocrity. Unless future installments choose to ignore this entry and return to the franchise’s roots, fans are likely to remain disappointed. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 07/22/25 Full Review CaptainBoulder T A Predator movie that is way too childish to be a Predator movie Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/16/25 Full Review Lee B So bad... Everything is terrible about this movie. I have no idea what Shane Black was thinking. The writing, acting, predator dog... Erased from memory bank. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 07/10/25 Full Review Corey J Lots of bad campiness in this movie but above all this movie lacked a star with charisma in the lead. Supposedly Benicio Del Toro was going to be the lead but it ended up going to Boyd Holbrook. He's not a bad actor but there was nothing exciting about him in the movie to bring it together or bring his rag-tag team together on screen. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 07/06/25 Full Review Keif T Perfect movies, such as Time Bandits, are rare. Near perfect movies, such as every Predator film, are less rare. This is a wicked film you are about to watch. We saw Predator in the Jungle. Predator was in the city with Mr. G. It's safe to say, squandering a chance to see predator go to town is for the birds. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/30/25 Full Review Dalton S. Overall I thought the movie was pretty good but the giant mega predator or whatever at the end was a little goofy, also some slight tasteless profanity that wasn’t really necessary Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/19/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Predator

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Movie Info

Synopsis From the outer reaches of space to the small-town streets of suburbia, the hunt comes home. The universe's most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. When a boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and an evolutionary biologist can prevent the end of the human race.
Director
Shane Black
Producer
John Davis
Screenwriter
Fred Dekker, Shane Black
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Davis Entertainment
Rating
R (Language Throughout|Crude Sexual References|Strong Bloody Violence)
Genre
Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 14, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 27, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$51.0M
Runtime
1h 46m
Sound Mix
Dolby, Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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