You Won’t Believe How the Predator Movies Fit Together in This Mind-Blowing Timeline Explained!

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Intrigued by the captivating world, I find myself delving into the thrilling saga of the “Predator” movie series, which comprises five primary installments and two intriguing crossover films. Unraveling its intricate timeline can be quite a challenge! The original “Predator” film, released at the height of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s action stardom, offered an exhilarating mix of action, horror, and science fiction. It told the story of a band of commandos hunted in the jungle by an extraterrestrial hunter who pursues its prey for sport. The film was a massive box office success that would eventually earn the status of a genre icon, yet it wasn’t initially conceived as the foundation for a franchise.

The famous alien hunter quickly gained popularity, showing up in comics, video games, and sequels of the Predator movie. Over time, various filmmakers, writers, and artists have contributed to the lore, enriching details about the customs and tools these hunters employ. Due to varying cast and crew members across Predator films, there are numerous interpretations, leading occasionally to conflicts in continuity or timeline. To truly understand the franchise and its mythos, a closer examination of the Predator series is needed.

Movie Release Year Timeline
Prey 2022 1719
Predator 1987 1987
Predator 2 1990 1997
Alien vs. Predator 2004 2004
Alien vs. Predator: Requiem 2007 2004
Predators 2010 2010
The Predator 2018 2018
Predator: Badlands 2025 Unknown

Ancient Aliens

3000 B.C.

2004’s film “Alien vs. Predator” was a much-awaited comeback for its franchise, as it had been absent from cinema screens for quite some time. Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, this cross-over story revolved around an archaeological team, financed by Lance Henriksen’s character Charles Bishop Weyland, venturing to Antarctica to excavate a temple hidden deep beneath the ice. The team’s leader, Lex (portrayed by Sanaa Lathan), discovers through ancient hieroglyphics that Predators had been visiting Earth for millennia and had even helped early civilizations construct iconic structures like pyramids.

The beings who descended from the sky were considered divine by early humans and sometimes, people would voluntarily or involuntarily offer themselves as hosts for these extraterrestrial creatures known as Xenomorphs. Over time, evidence of our ancient encounters with the Yautja faded away. However, whether the events depicted in “Alien vs Predator” are truly canonical is questionable due to the prequel “Prometheus” contradicting certain aspects of its timeline. Additionally, the movie “Prey” further complicates this by suggesting that it narrates an earlier visit of a Yautja to Earth, a scenario which occurs much later than what was portrayed in “Alien vs Predator”.

Predator & Prey

1719

In the main series of the Predator saga, the movie titled “Prey” is set in 1719 and serves as a prequel. This film chronicles one of the earliest meetings between humans and extraterrestrial hunters known as Yautja. The story follows a young Comanche warrior named Naru (played by Amber Midthunder), who faces off against a vicious Predator they call the “Feral Predator.” Although the Predator has superior technology, Naru is the exact kind of prey it seeks – one that fights back.

It’s worth noting that despite the Predator in this film having a more formidable weapon collection, it doesn’t match the technology displayed by later Predators. For instance, instead of the plasma cannon on its shoulder, it carries a laser-guided arrow. This might imply that not all the Predator weapons we see later in the series were invented at this time, or perhaps they select their tools based on the sophistication of their prey. Notably, the pistol used by Harrigan (Danny Glover) in ‘Predator 2’ makes an appearance in ‘Prey’, reinforcing the franchise’s chronology.

The Val Verde Incident

1987

In the beginning of “Predator,” Dutch, along with his team, is sent to the fictitious South American nation of Val Verde at the behest of his ex-CIA companion Dillon (played by Carl Weathers). The operation initially appears to be a rescue mission; however, it’s secretly intended to thwart a potential Soviet-backed incursion. A previous team sent by Dillon was brutally killed and left hanging from trees – the work of the elusive Yautja hiding within the jungle. This mysterious creature systematically eliminates Dutch’s team until only he remains, leaving him no choice but to abandon his modern weaponry and engage the beast on its own turf.

When the Predator is defeated, it sets off a self-destruct mechanism that destroys a portion of the jungle and eliminates traces of its presence. However, these events eventually piqued the curiosity of the United States government for the possibility of capturing one of these hunters alive. Despite Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character Dutch not reappearing in the Predator series, references to the events from the first movie can be found in later installments. For instance, when Isabelle (Alice Braga) shares stories about this mission with others in future movies.

The Los Angeles Attack

1997

In 1997, when Los Angeles was experiencing a fierce heatwave amidst intense gang violence, it became a target for predators, as depicted in the movie Predator 2. The film’s antagonist, known as the “City Hunter”, clashed with tough LAPD Lieutenant Harrigan when it killed his partner, Danny. Enraged, Harrigan vowed to track down and eliminate the predator. However, he soon discovered that a secretive DEA agent named Peter Keyes (portrayed by Gary Busey) was heading a task force determined to capture the beast for study, having been informed about its existence from the Val Verde incident.

In the first film, there’s a quick glimpse of Anna (Elpidia Carrillo) in an interrogation room, implying she disclosed some information about the events. Later, Keyes and his team meet their demise when they are outsmarted by it, while Harrigan manages to trace it back to its spaceship and annihilate it using its own weaponry. Other Predators arrive to recover its body, but leave Harrigan a token of his victory – an antique flintlock pistol from the 18th Century. This is the first instance where Predators are depicted as acknowledging the valor of those who outwit them.

The Weyland Expedition

2004

In the year 2004, the primary plot of “Alien Vs Predator” unfolds as Weyland funds an expedition to investigate a pyramid hidden under ice. This mysterious structure serves as a battleground for fledgling hunters, where they demonstrate their prowess by combating Xenomorphs. However, it was all part of a cunning trap meant to attract humans to the pyramid so they could be used as hosts for the Xenomorphs. Unfortunately, two members of the Predator hunting party fall in this battle. The lone surviving Predator, named Scar, then allies with the last human, Lex, to flee. In their escape, they destroy the temple and slay the Alien Queen, but Scar ultimately succumbs to his wounds.

As Yautja return to claim their fallen comrade and return with his body to their spaceship, they remain unaware that Scar had been infested by a Facehugger earlier in the narrative. In the climactic moment, a hybrid Predalien bursts forth from Scar’s body, paving the way for the next installment. This film serves to further develop a compassionate side within the Predators, as they choose to team up with humans and preserve their alliance by sparing Lex’s life.

The Gunnison Slaughter

2004

2007’s “Alien Vs Predator: Requiem” continues right after the closing scenes of the preceding film. The Predalien annihilates the Yautjas on their spacecraft, causing it to plummet back to Earth and crash in the small town of Gunnison, Colorado. The Predalien exhibits both the hunting prowess of the Yautja and a more dominant Xenomorph trait. This is evident in its ability to plant embryos directly into victims through their throats. A solitary Predator named Wolf arrives in Gunnison to address the chaos, but the town quickly becomes infested with Xenomorphs.

In the movie “Alien vs Predator: Requiem”, the Predalien and the Wolf ultimately kill each other, while the military, recognizing the situation to be dire, decides to bomb the town in order to halt the spread of these monstrous creatures. The film hinted at further storylines involving Ms. Yutani obtaining a Yautja plasma weapon, but a sequel was never made, and the status of this sequel as part of the established canon is uncertain.

The Game Planet

2010

The action-packed sci-fi movie “Predators” is set on an alien hunting ground created by the Yautja species. This intriguing plot, released in 2010, doesn’t explicitly state its timeline, but it’s often assumed to be the year of release due to the contemporary feel of the characters. The protagonist, Royce (played by Adrian Brody), assembles a group of skilled killers and soldiers who find themselves trapped in this game reserve. They receive guidance from Noland (portrayed by Lawrence Fishburne), another survivor stranded there, who informs them about the presence of two rival Predator tribes.

A troika of Super Predators, more ruthless and bloodthirsty than their predecessors, pursue them. These new predators exhibit enhanced strength, speed, and aggression compared to those portrayed in earlier Predator films. The remaining characters, Royce and sniper Isabelle (played by Alice Braga), are the lone survivors stranded on the planet as fresh “prey” continues to arrive.

The Fugitive Predator Incident

2018

The movie “The Predator” begins by introducing an outlaw Predator, nicknamed the Fugitive Predator, who descends on Earth and is apprehended by Project Stargazer. This intergalactic hunter had enigmatic freight aboard his spaceship, which triggered a chase from the Upgrade Predator, a colossal hybrid monster birthed from the fusion of Yautja and alien DNA. This genetic blend has rendered the Upgrade Predator extraordinarily resistant to bullets and equipped with the ability to survive in Earth’s environment without requiring a bio-helmet.

2018’s film “The Predator” delves into the covert politics among the Yautja, where it is discovered that a Rogue Predator was on his way to Earth to bestow humans with a unique suit, enabling them to defend against an incoming attack by a group seeking Earth due to global warming making it a favorable new habitat. Unfortunately, the disappointing box office returns and critical reviews thwarted any prospects for sequels.

The film draws connections to the storyline of the original “Predator” movie and introduces the character of Sean Keyes, who is the son of Peter Keyes from “Predator 2.” This role was portrayed by Jake Busey, the real-life son of Gary Busey.

Where Does Predator: Badlands Fall On The Timeline?

The Newest Predator Movie Arrives In Fall 2025

In an exciting twist for the Predator series, “Predator: Badlands” carries on the franchise’s legacy in unanticipated directions, pushing the timeline forward. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who previously brought us “Prey,” this sequel breaks away from the past setting and leaps into the future with an unsuspecting hero. The story revolves around a young Predator warrior, exiled from his clan, determined to earn back his status as a warrior and forge an unexpected alliance in the process.

It’s still uncertain when this tale unfolds, but it appears that it will be the latest event in the Predator universe chronology. One of the strongest indicators of its position in time is the thrilling disclosure that it ties into the Alien series significantly. The character played by Elle Fanning in Predator: Badlands has been confirmed as an android from the Weyland-Yutani corporation. Although we don’t know yet what this connection implies, the earliest android character in the Alien series was David, who appeared in Prometheus, set in 2093.

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2025-04-30 22:50