Dan Trachtenberg is stealing the spotlight with his latest film, Predator: Badlands. It topped Friday’s box office with a strong $15.6 million, and projections suggest it could reach an impressive $36 million to $38.5 million by weekend’s end. This puts it on track to become the highest opening for any standalone Predator film. It may even surpass the combined title of AVP: Alien vs. Predator, which opened at $38.4 million in 2004, making it the top-grossing entry in the franchise so far—unadjusted for inflation.
The film’s success comes as a pleasant surprise, aided by fantastic reviews and a rising audience score. Notably, Badlands achieved an A- CinemaScore—the first for any Predator movie, including the two Alien crossovers. The positive buzz is reflected in its high ratings on PostTrak, with viewers giving it a perfect rating of five stars.
Trachtenberg, who co-wrote the story with Prey writer Patrick Aison, is once again breaking new ground in this long-running franchise that kicked off with John McTiernan’s 1987 classic. The series landed at Disney after the merger with Fox, and this entry promises to refresh the brand.
In this film, the villainous Predator, Dek, portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, partners with Elle Fanning’s android character, Thia. Dek has been cast out by his clan and is on a daring mission to hunt a legendary beast on the dangerous planet Genna. Here, he forms an unexpected bond with Thia, adding depth to the story.
Other films are also making waves this weekend. Regretting You, inspired by a Colleen Hoover novel, is impressively holding its ground. It’s estimated to earn around $7.3 million, demonstrating remarkable resilience against new releases. Marc Weinstock, former president of marketing and distribution at Paramount, played a pivotal role in securing the film for U.S. audiences, and the marketing campaign he crafted is clearly paying off.
Meanwhile, the horror sequel Black Phone 2 remains strong in its fourth weekend, projected to earn about $5.2 million, bringing its total to $70 million.
Another noteworthy release is Amazon MGM’s Sarah’s Oil, chronicling the true story of a Black woman who rose to become Texas’s wealthiest figure due to oil. It’s expected to debut with around $4.4 million. Despite mixed reviews, it’s performing well with audiences, boasting an A+ CinemaScore and a stellar 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Sony Pictures Classics’ historical drama Nuremberg is anticipated to land in the top five with approximately $3.7 million to $4 million. This film has also received strong audience praise, underscoring its potential in award circuits.
Conversely, some award contenders face challenges. Die My Love, featuring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, is projected to gross between $2.5 million to $2.7 million. It garnered a rare D+ CinemaScore and a disheartening 44% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, despite better reviews from critics.
Sydney Sweeney’s film Christy may struggle to break into the top 10, even though critics have noted her compelling performance. This biopic revolves around Christy Martin, a pioneer in women’s boxing, and received a solid B+ CinemaScore.
Neon is also debuting its acclaimed Swedish drama Sentimental Value in four theaters, with early numbers hinting at a remarkable average of $50,000 per location, showing strong potential as it competes for awards this season.
As we await the final box office totals, it’s clear that this weekend is significant for both new releases and established franchises.
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