Hollywood’s long-running sci-fi franchise makes a record-breaking comeback as steady holdovers keep momentum alive heading into a packed November slate.
Predator Franchise Strikes Back
The domestic box office came roaring back this weekend with 20th Century Studios’ Predator: Badlands, which delivered an impressive $40 million debut — marking a new high for the franchise and revitalizing a season that had struggled to find a true breakout hit.
Expectations heading into the weekend were modest, with projections hovering between $25–30 million. But Badlands easily surpassed those figures, boosted by a strong “A–” CinemaScore and positive audience reactions that emphasized both its tension-driven storytelling and franchise nostalgia.
It also helped that the film was rated PG-13, making it more accessible to younger audiences compared to earlier R-rated entries like Predators (2010) and The Predator (2018). Premium screens — IMAX, Dolby, and 4DX — contributed nearly 60% of the total domestic haul, signaling solid demand for immersive theatrical experiences.
This opening beats the $38 million debut of Alien vs. Predator (2004) and represents the franchise’s best start in unadjusted dollars. For 20th Century Studios and Disney, it’s a crucial success — not only reaffirming the Predator brand’s theatrical potential but also providing momentum as the studio eyes its upcoming December release of Tron: Ares.
Industry analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore noted that “after a sluggish October, Predator: Badlands shows that the right mix of nostalgia and creative reinvention can reignite dormant IPs,” calling it a “shot of adrenaline for the fall marketplace.”
Holdovers Keep the Momentum
While Predator: Badlands dominated, other titles held their ground, keeping the overall marketplace active. Paramount’s Regretting You, now in its third week, continued its solid run with $7.1 million, reflecting a mild 35% drop from last weekend. Its strong word-of-mouth and cross-generational appeal have made it one of the quiet success stories of the season.
Universal’s The Black Phone 2 took the third spot with $5.3 million, crossing the $105 million domestic mark — a milestone that cements it as one of 2025’s biggest horror hits. Blumhouse’s consistent performance streak in the genre continues to defy audience fatigue.
Amazon MGM’s Sarah’s Oil landed fourth with $4.45 million, showing steady legs among older audiences. Sony’s Nuremberg rounded out the top five with $4 million, reflecting sustained interest in adult dramas amid blockbuster competition.
Anime hit Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc dropped to sixth with $3.6 million, still performing strongly among genre fans. Focus Features’ Bugonia and MUBI’s Die, My Love also posted respectable numbers, with $3.5 million and $2.8 million, respectively, underlining the continuing relevance of boutique releases in a crowded marketplace.
Rounding out the top ten were Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere ($2.2 million) and Tron: Ares ($1.8 million), both benefiting from select IMAX replays and niche fan engagement.
A Market Searching for Balance
The strong debut of Predator: Badlands comes at a time when the North American box office remains about 20% behind pre-pandemic averages, according to The Numbers. October was one of the softest months since 1997, largely due to limited major studio releases and shifting audience priorities.
November, however, is poised to reverse that trend. Upcoming releases such as The Running Man (Universal), Now You See Me 3 (Lionsgate), Wicked: For Good (Universal), and Zootopia 2 (Disney) are expected to bring consistent footfall to theaters through Thanksgiving.
Industry insiders point out that the marketplace has grown more polarized — with franchise films, horror, and prestige dramas being the main genres that can still command theatrical loyalty. Mid-budget comedies and original dramas continue to struggle for attention, even with positive critical reception.
However, Badlands demonstrates that audiences are still open to well-executed reimaginings when studios strike the right balance between nostalgia and new vision. The film’s success could influence upcoming reboots, including The Running Man and Escape from New York, both currently in pre-production.
A Strong Start to November
For exhibitors, Predator: Badlands represents more than just a franchise revival — it’s a much-needed morale boost. Theater owners have been awaiting a breakout title to reignite audience enthusiasm, especially following muted numbers in early fall.
The film’s success also points to shifting audience demographics: nearly 54% of opening weekend viewers were under 35, with balanced gender turnout, reflecting renewed interest in sci-fi action among younger moviegoers.
Analysts expect Badlands to maintain strong weekday numbers and potentially reach $100 million domestic before the Thanksgiving frame. Its international rollout begins next week, which will likely push its global tally past $150 million by mid-November.
As the holiday corridor begins, this performance sends a clear signal — audiences are willing to return to theaters when the content delivers scale, freshness, and spectacle.
Top 10 U.S. Box Office (Weekend Ending Nov 10, 2025)
Beyond Predator: Badlands, the weekend’s top ten saw modest holds and steady newcomers across genres. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 and Sinners maintained solid runs in mid-tier positions, while family titles like Zootopia 2 and Now You See Me 3 continued to draw consistent weekday audiences. Prestige dramas such as Deliver Me From Nowhere and Regretting You added quiet stability to the overall mix, indicating that the domestic market is recovering balance across demographics after a volatile October.
In conclusion, Predator: Badlands didn’t just revive a long-running sci-fi franchise — it reminded the industry how one breakout title can turn a sluggish box office trend around heading into the year’s most competitive holiday frame.
Read More:
