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The Predator (film)

The Predator is a 2018 American science fiction action horror film directed by Shane Black.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Predator is a 2018 American science fiction action horror film directed by Shane Black. It is the fourth mainline film in the Predator franchise and follows a group of soldiers and scientists who confront upgraded Predators on Earth. The film was released by 20th Century Fox and received mixed-to-negative reviews.

Plot

The film centers on a young boy who accidentally triggers the return of the Predators to Earth. A ragtag group of ex-soldiers and a scientist then work together to stop the creatures and prevent catastrophe.

Production and release

The Predator was directed by Shane Black from a screenplay by Fred Dekker and Shane Black. It was released in U.S. theatres on September 14, 2018 by 20th Century Fox. The film was also released in Canada as part of the same international theatrical rollout of a major Hollywood franchise title.

Reception

The film received mixed-to-negative critical responses, and its box-office performance was lower than that of the original 1987 Predator film.

Place in the franchise

The Predator is one of the later entries in the Predator franchise, which had expanded through sequels and crossover films by the time of its release.

Key facts

  • It is a 2018 installment in the Predator film series.
  • The story follows ex-soldiers and a scientist who try to stop genetically upgraded Predators from destroying humanity.
  • Shane Black directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Fred Dekker.
  • The film was distributed by 20th Century Fox and released theatrically in September 2018.
  • Its cast includes Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen, and Sterling K. Brown.
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Canadian context

The film was released in Canada as part of the same international theatrical rollout of a major Hollywood franchise title.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Predator about?
It follows a group of ex-soldiers and a scientist who confront genetically upgraded Predators after a boy accidentally brings them back to Earth.
Who directed The Predator?
Shane Black directed the film.
When was The Predator released?
It was released theatrically in the United States on September 14, 2018.
What genre is The Predator?
It is a science fiction action horror film.
Who stars in The Predator?
The film stars Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen, and Sterling K. Brown.
Which studio released The Predator?
20th Century Fox released the film.

References

  1. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_predator
    Supports: Director, writers, producer, distributor, release date, rating, genre, language, runtime, and plot synopsis.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Predator_(film)
    Supports: Cast list and basic film identification as a 2018 American science fiction action horror film.
  3. All The Right Movies — https://www.alltherightmovies.com/feature/30-interesting-facts-about-predator/
    Supports: Context on the original Predator film's reception and box-office performance for franchise comparison.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predator_(film)
    Supports: Original 1987 Predator release date and franchise context.