20th Century Studios’ Predator Badlands strong domestic debut has exceeded expectations, marking a Badlands strong performance for the franchise. Early previews generated $4.8 million on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by an estimated $14 million on opening Friday. The film is projected to earn between $35 million and $40 million domestically over its opening weekend, showcasing a Badlands strong domestic reception. It is playing in about 3,700 theaters across the United States and Canada, including premium formats such as IMAX, and is drawing both longtime fans and new audiences.[1][3]
Diverse and Growing Audience Reception and Ratings
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score stands at an impressive 96%, the highest in the Predator franchise to date.
- CinemaScore polls indicate an A- grade, signaling strong word-of-mouth and overall audience satisfaction.
- The film’s PG-13 rating marks a strategic shift from previous R-rated franchise entries, expanding the potential viewer base to younger audiences and families.[2] [10]
Box Office Performance and Franchise Comparison
- Friday earnings (including previews): Approx. $14 million; weekend projected opening: $35 million–$40 million. [8][9]
- Production budget: Estimated $105 million before marketing and tax incentives, with filming in New Zealand benefiting from tax credits.
- The highest franchise opening weekend record remains held by 2004’s Alien vs. Predator at $38.2 million, but Badlands is positioned to be the strongest solo entry opening, surpassing Predators (2010) and The Predator (2018).
- Compared to other recent sci-fi tentpoles with larger budgets like Tron: Ares ($220 million), Badlands is achieving notable cost efficiency.[4][5]
| Metric | Value/Range |
|---|---|
| Thursday Preview Earnings | $4.8 million |
| Friday Opening Gross | Approximately $14 million |
| Weekend Opening Projection | $35 million to $40 million |
| Theater Count | Approx. 3,700 |
| Production Budget (Pre-Marketing) | $105 million |
| Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score | 96% |
| CinemaScore | A- |
| Franchise Highest Opening Weekend | $38.2 million (Alien vs. Predator, 2004) |
Narrative Innovations Contributing to Appeal
Predator: Badlands introduces a new storyline featuring a young, outcast Predator and a human ally, reversing the traditional hunter-prey dynamic. This fresh angle is recognized as a key factor in rejuvenating the series and attracting wider interest beyond long-time fans. The film’s Badlands strong box performance and strong box office results, including an impressive box office debut, reinforce its appeal to both new and returning audiences. [6][7]
