"Predator Movies: Chronological Viewing Guide"

Humans often pride themselves on being at the top of the food chain, but in the galactic gladiator competition, we barely hold our own. The Predator franchise, which kicked off with the iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger film in 1987, introduces us to the "Yautja"—towering, trophy-seeking extraterrestrial hunters who scour different planets for lethal sport and have been known to abduct species for hunts on their home world.

The first two Predator films in 1987 and 1990 set the foundation for this saga. Given the cinematic terror posed by the Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise, it was only natural to merge these universes in the 2000s with two Alien vs. Predator movies. In the subsequent decade, directors like Robert Rodriguez, Shane Black, and Dan Trachtenberg each brought their unique vision to the franchise.

With two new Predator movies slated for release in 2025, it's the perfect time to dive back into these original sci-fi classics. If you're eager to watch every Predator movie in sequence, we've got you covered! Below, you'll find a complete timeline of the Predator movies along with where to watch them online.

Jump to:

• How to watch in chronological order
• How to watch by release order

How to Watch the Predator Movies in Chronological Order

8 ImagesYou can also explore our guide on how to watch the Alien movies in order to complete the entire timeline.

How Many Predator Movies Are There?

There are a total of seven movies in the Predator franchise—four in the mainline series, two Alien crossovers, and one prequel. Two more Predator movies are scheduled for release in 2025.

Blu-Ray + Digital### Predator 4-Movie Collection

2Includes Predator, Predator 2, Predators, and The PredatorSee it at AmazonPredator Movies in (Chronological) Order

1. Prey (2022)

Prey serves as a prequel, designed to be watched after other entries, especially Predator 2. However, for a truly chronological experience, start here. Set in 1719 on the Great Plains, Prey follows a young Comanche woman, Naru (Amber Midthunder), who, while accompanying her brother on a hunt, finds herself targeted by a more primitive Predator. Determined to prove herself, Naru sets out to take down the alien hunter in this fresh and exhilarating addition to the three-decade saga.

Read IGN's review of Prey

Where to Stream: Hulu

2. Predator (1987)

It all began with 1987's Predator, directed by John McTiernan of Die Hard fame and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger at the height of his career, alongside Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Bill Duke, and Shane Black (who would later direct his own Predator film). This action classic showcases a near-unstoppable military rescue team being outmatched by an invisible force in the South American jungles. Once revealed as an alien hunter on a sinister safari, Schwarzenegger's Dutch must devise a strategy to defeat a technologically and tactically superior foe.

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

3. Predator 2 (1990)

A few years later, Predator returned with a new cast and setting. Set during a heatwave and crime surge in 1997 Los Angeles, Predator 2 follows police officers, portrayed by Danny Glover, Bill Paxton, Ruben Blades, and María Conchita Alonso, as they tackle a bloody Cartel war while also dealing with a Predator stalking the city for prey.

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

4. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)

After a 14-year hiatus, the franchise roared back with a crossover film, merging with the Alien saga. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, known for Resident Evil and Event Horizon, Alien vs. Predator was a blockbuster hit that revitalized both sci-fi/horror series. Set in present-day America, AVP reveals a centuries-long history of Predators hunting on Earth, using humans to breed Xenomorphs for their rite of passage. The film stars Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Raoul Bova, and Ewen Bremner.

Read IGN's review of AVP: Alien vs. Predator

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

5. Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)

Continuing directly from AVP, Aliens vs Predator: Requiem introduces the "Predalien," a hybrid creature that wreaks havoc in a small Colorado town. Despite not matching the success of its predecessor, this film marks the final crossover in the series and features a Predator "cleaner" sent to eliminate the new threat.

Read IGN's review of Alien vs. Predator: Requiem

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

6. Predators (2010)

Predators, directed by Robert Rodriguez, is the only film in the series not set on Earth. It transports viewers to a distant planet used as a Yautja game reserve. With a stellar cast including Adrien Brody, Walton Goggins, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace, and Alice Braga, the movie explores how humans, specifically "established killers," are abducted for sport between rival Yautja tribes. Though the exact Earth year isn't specified, it can be assumed to be around 2010, fitting it into the chronological viewing order at number six.

Read IGN's review of Predators

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

7. The Predator (2018)

After the modest success of Predators, it took eight years for another Predator film to hit theaters. Shane Black's 2018 entry, The Predator, returns to the series' roots with a squad of unstable soldiers, played by Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Thomas Jane, and Alfie Allen, facing off against a pair of Predators and thwarting their genetic splicing plans. The film teases future installments, with alternate endings hinting at a crossover involving Alien's Ellen Ripley and Rebecca "Newt" Jorden.

Read IGN's review of The Predator

Where to Stream: Hulu | Rent/Buy: Prime Video

How to Watch the Predator Movies by Release Date

For those preferring to watch the films in their theatrical release order, the correct sequence is as follows:

• Predator (1987)
• Predator 2 (1990)
• AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
• Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)
• Predators (2010)
• The Predator (2018)
• Prey (2022)

The Future of the Predator Franchise

The second movie, also directed by Trachtenberg, was shrouded in secrecy for a while. However, we can now confirm that Predator: Killer of Killers is an animated film that will explore three different encounters with the ultimate killer across various historical periods. It is scheduled for a direct-to-Hulu release on June 6, 2025.