“Predator: badlands” Roars to $4.8 Million in Preview sales
“Predator: Badlands,” the latest installment in the long-running action franchise and the first theatrically released “Predator” film under Disney‘s ownership, generated $4.8 million in domestic preview sales. The film is projected to open with $25 million to $30 million this weekend, potentially making it the second-highest opening in the series, trailing only 2004’s “Alien vs. Predator” ($38 million).
This launch is notably critically important for Disney, following lukewarm box office performances from recent releases like “tron: Ares” and “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.” “Badlands” marks a shift for the franchise with its first PG-13 rating, aiming for a broader audience. The film stars Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as Dek, an outcast Predator, alongside elle Fanning, who plays both Thia, a Weyland-Yutani synthetic, and the ruthless Tessa.
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who previously helmed the streaming success “Prey” and the animated spinoff “Predator: Killer of Killers,” “Badlands” centers on an unlikely alliance between Dek and Thia as they navigate a dangerous hunt on a hostile planet.
The film is expected to easily claim the top spot at the box office, outpacing other new releases this weekend, including “Die My Love” starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert pattinson, “Nuremberg,” “Christy,” and “Sarah’s Oil,” none of which are anticipated to exceed $5 million in earnings. The film carries a production budget of $105 million, plus marketing costs.
