Hit franchise’s highest-grossing film dubbed ‘spectacular’ by fans | Films | Entertainment

A critically acclaimed sci-fi thriller hailed as “visually spectacular” by audiences has landed on Disney+ for streaming enthusiasts.

2025’s Predator: Badlands represents the newest chapter in the iconic Predator horror series, achieving unprecedented box office success as the franchise’s biggest earner across its 38-year span. The title previously belonged to 2004’s Alien vs Predator.

The narrative follows Dek, a Predator warrior who must demonstrate his worth to his clan by tracking down the Kalisk, a seemingly indestructible beast. This quest emerges after his father calls for his execution due to perceived weakness, leading Dek’s brother to give his life to save his sibling’s.

While pursuing the Kalisk across an alien world teeming with deadly threats, Dek crosses paths with Thia, a marooned synthetic human who volunteers her assistance.

However, Thia harbours undisclosed motivations concerning the Kalisk, connected to the notorious Weyland-Yutani corporation—an entity familiar to devotees of the Alien franchise, reports the Mirror. 

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Devotees of horror and science fiction can stream the box office triumph on Disney+ from today (February 12).

The official synopsis reads: “Predator: Badlands deepens Yautja lore by introducing new characters Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) and Thia (Elle Fanning), following them on an underdog hero’s journey shaped by an unlikely alliance.

“Blending themes of survival and self-discovery with intense combat, striking visual effects, and moments of humour, the film delivers a high-stakes action adventure on both a visceral and emotional level.”

Currently, the film boasts an impressive 95 per cent audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while critics have given it a slightly more conservative score of 86 per cent.

One enthusiast raved: “Well done and compelling story, stunningly visual, action packed without becoming boring or needless, excellent visual and digital effects.”

Another wrote: “Awesome movie to watch! It’s def not like the other sequels as it brings sci-fi to another level.”

A third chimed in with: “WOW! Just Wow! Best Sci-Fi action movie I think since Aliens. This was beyond my every expectation and more.

“It has everything, drama, humour, action. What I like best is the fact that it showed (dare I say) the humanity of a predator and a synth. Plus, it’s very rewatchable.”

Predator: Badlands is now streaming on Disney+. For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new ** Everything Gossip ** website.