Predator: Badlands – Feb 12, 2026 | JioHotstar

The Predator franchise returns with a bold and intense new vision in Predator: Badlands (2025). Streaming on JioHotstar from February 12, 2026, the film reinvents the iconic alien hunter mythology by shifting the focus inward — toward honor, exile, and survival.

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who previously revitalized the franchise, this installment delivers a gritty sci-fi action experience set far from Earth, deep within hostile alien territory.

Story Overview

At the center of Predator: Badlands is Dek, a young Yautja warrior who has been cast out from his clan. Stripped of status and honor, Dek crash-lands on a dangerous, unforgiving planet where survival itself is a challenge.

However, this world is more than just hostile terrain. It is home to an apex predator — a creature so lethal that killing it is considered the ultimate test of worth. For Dek, the hunt is not just about survival, but redemption.

Meanwhile, his journey takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Thia, a damaged Weyland-Yutani Corporation android. Although built for an entirely different purpose, Thia becomes an unlikely ally. Together, they form a fragile partnership, navigating deadly landscapes, powerful enemies, and their own internal conflicts.

As the hunt intensifies, Predator: Badlands explores themes of identity, honor, exile, and evolution, blending brutal action with emotional depth rarely seen in the franchise.

Cast & Characters

• Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as Dek, the exiled young Yautja
• Elle Fanning as Thia, a damaged Weyland-Yutani synthetic
• Elle Fanning as Tessa, Thia’s sister and fellow synthetic
• Reuben de Jong as Njohrr, Dek and Kwei’s father
• Mike Homik as Kwei, Dek’s protective older brother

The casting brings both physical intensity and emotional complexity, especially through Elle Fanning’s dual synthetic roles.

Creative Team

• Director: Dan Trachtenberg
• Screenplay: Patrick Aison
• Story By: Patrick Aison, Dan Trachtenberg
• Based On: Characters created by Jim Thomas & John Thomas
• Producers:
  John Davis, Brent O’Connor, Marc Toberoff,
  Dan Trachtenberg, Ben Rosenblatt

Production & Distribution

• Production Companies:
  Lawrence Gordon Productions
  Davis Entertainment
  Toberoff Entertainment
• Distributor: 20th Century Studios

The film maintains the franchise’s gritty visual style while expanding its mythology with new worlds and deeper lore.

What Makes Predator: Badlands Stand Out

Unlike earlier Predator films focused mainly on human prey, Badlands shifts perspective to the Predator itself. As a result, the audience experiences the hunt through the eyes of the hunter.

Additionally, the inclusion of Weyland-Yutani androids strengthens the connection to the larger sci-fi universe, blending elements of Predator and Alien lore.

Key highlights include:

• A Predator-led narrative
• Brutal alien environments
• Emotional storytelling beneath intense action
• A fresh take on Yautja culture and honor

Final Thoughts

Predator: Badlands (2025) is more than just a sci-fi action film — it’s a survival story rooted in identity, legacy, and redemption. With stunning visuals, brutal combat, and a deeper emotional core, this chapter pushes the Predator universe into bold new territory.

For fans of the franchise and sci-fi thrillers alike, Predator: Badlands is a must-watch when it begins streaming on JioHotstar from February 12, 2026.